Hiking & nature

Fafleralp hiking paradise in Lötschental

Impressive hikes to mountain lakes and glaciers

Fafleralp at the end of the Lötschental valley is the starting point for magnificent hikes. Be it a hike to the various mountain lakes or to the Lang Glacier or the start of the “Lötschentaler Höhenweg” high-altitude path.

Fafleralp in the most distant part of the Lötschental valley captivates with its impressive landscape. Mountain lakes with crystal-clear water, glaciers and a huge variety of flowers are characteristic images. In autumn, larches immerse the landscape in a golden light. Fafleralp is a genuine El Dorado for hikers.

You can reach Fafleralp from Bern in just over two hours by public transport. Travel directly from Bern to Goppenstein with the RegioExpress. Then take the post bus to Fafleralp.

Fafleralp – Lauchernalp Sagenweg (legend trail) suitable for families

Thanks to the exciting legends quiz, the trail is an adventure for both old and young.

Solve the mystery along the various stations of the Sagenweg and receive a prize at the end of the trail. Suitable for children aged five and over.

Hiking trail	Fafleralp–Lauchernalp mountain station
Distance	9 km
Duration	2 hours 45 min.
Elevation difference	+ 565 m / - 360 m
Degree of difficulty	medium
Catering options	Rest area with barbecue by Schwarzsee Hotel Fafleralp Restaurant Tellialp Panoramic Restaurant Lauchernalp
Sights along the way	Steeped in legend, the idyllic Schwarzsee invites hikers to bathe in summer.

Route description & maps for the Sagenweg

Lötschentaler Höhenweg high-altitude path the classic

Fafleralp is the starting point for a section of the well-known Lötschental Höhenweg. You can walk the trail either to Lauchernalp (9 km, 2 hours 45 min.) or to Goppenstein (20.1 km, 7 hours). Discover one of the most famous hiking routes in Valais.

Lötschentaler Höhenweg high-altitude path

4-lakes tour Fafleralp–Blatten

Experience the magic of the four mountain lakes along the route. Nestled in a wild and rocky natural landscape, the lakes will make you forget everyday life and are sure to amaze you. The trail starts at the post bus stop on Fafleralp.

Hiking trail	Fafleralp post bus stop–Grundsee–Guggisee–Faflersee–Schwarzsee–Blatten post bus stop
Distance	11,6 km
Duration	4 hours 30 min.
Höhendifferenz	+ 433 m / - 674 m
Elevation difference	medium
Catering options	Rest area with barbecue by Schwarzsee Hotel Fafleralp Gastro & Camping Fafleralp
Sights along the way	Steeped in legend, the idyllic Schwarzsee invites hikers to bathe in summer.
Points to note	This route does not have its own way-markers! Look at the route guide online and follow the way-markers to the individual lakes.

Hiking app and elevation profile

Glacier mouth round walk

The entire route of this mountain hike lies in the protected UNESCO world heritage site of Jungfrau-Aletsch. Enjoy the easy walk at the end of the Lötschental valley with its breath-takingly wild nature. The landscape of meadows and moraine in this area is of national importance, and part of the hike goes across an area of Swtizerland where hunting is banned. For this reason, dogs must be kept on leads. Young animals will thank you for it.

Hiking trail	Fafleralp–Grundsee–Lang Glacier–Guggisee–Fafleralp
Distance	10,1 km
Duration	2 hours 50 min.
Elevation difference	+ 440 m / - 440 m
Degree of difficulty	medium
Verpflegungsmöglichkeiten	Rest area with barbecue by Schwarzsee Lerchärboden barbecue area, Fafleralp Hotel Fafleralp
Catering options	Guggisee, view across the Lötschental valley Lötschenlücke mountain pass Glacier mouth
Sights along the way	The last section to the glacier mouth is an Alpine hiking trail (blue and white markings)

Hiking app and elevation profile

Anenhütte glacier nature trail

This nature trail themed around the climate and glacier landscape lies in the UNESCO world natural heritage site of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch. The hike takes you through the diverse vegetation zones of the glacier foreland and reveals a spectacular mountain landscape. There are few places in the Alps where a glacier foreland is as easy to access as at the Lang Glacier behind Fafleralp, which is recognised by UNESCO.
The nature trail does not feature the usual display boards but subtle numbered signs. Free flyers contain the information on the individual stations. A QR code is also available, alongside the numbered signs. Take a photograph of the code using the camera on your smartphone and a previously installed program will decode the information.

Hiking trail	Fafleralp–Grundsee–Lang Glacier–Anenhütte–Guggisee–Fafleralp
Distance	12,1 km
Duration	4 hours 15 min.
Elevation difference	+ 674 m / - 674 m
Degree of difficulty	medium
Catering options	Rest area with barbecue by Schwarzsee Lerchärboden barbecue area, Fafleralp Hotel Fafleralp Anenhütte
Sights along the way	Guggisee, view across the Lötschental valley Lötschenlücke mountain pass Anenhütte
Points to note	The last section to the glacier mouth is an Alpine hiking trail (blue and white markings)

Hiking app and elevation profile

Operating times Today (Saturday) open

10 June to 29 October 2023

The post bus runs hourly with a connection in Goppenstein to the RegioExpress.

Subject to changes

Timetable for the Wiler–Lauchernalp cable car

Getting there

Travel in comfort by train to Goppenstein. From Goppenstein train station, the post bus (in the direction of Blatten/Fafleralp) will take you to the starting point at Fafleralp in around 30 minutes.