Eggishorn Panorama Trail
If you only have time for one hike in the Aletsch Arena, make it the Eggishorn Panorama Trail.
This short alpine hike combines one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Switzerland with constant views of the Great Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps. Thanks to the cable car from Fiesch or Bettmeralp, you reach almost 2,900 metres with minimal effort before continuing along an unforgettable panoramic trail.
Whether you’re visiting the UNESCO World Heritage region for the first time or returning for another adventure, Eggishorn offers one of Switzerland’s finest mountain experiences.
Quick Facts
Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 10 km
Elevation gain: 730 m
Duration: 4–4.5 hours
Best season: June–October
Why Hike the Eggishorn Panorama Trail?
The Eggishorn Panorama Trail isn’t about reaching a summit—it is about the views that you might see in the next decades due to receding glaciers.
Within minutes of leaving the cable car station, the entire Great Aletsch Glacier unfolds beneath your feet. Stretching for over 23 kilometres through the Bernese Alps, it is the largest glacier in the Alps and one of Switzerland’s most remarkable natural landmarks.
Unlike many famous viewpoints, the scenery changes continuously as you hike. Every bend reveals a new angle of the glacier, distant four-thousand-metre peaks, alpine lakes and rugged ridgelines.
How to Get There
One of the best things about this hike is how easy it is to reach. The Aletsch Arena is well connected by both public transport and road, and the trail starts directly from the Bettmerhorn cable car station.
By Public Transport
Travel by train to Betten Talstation (also known as Bettmeralp Valley Station) on the Brig–Andermatt railway line. Full fare price by train from Bern is around 65 CHF, from Zurich around 100 CHF with no travel pass applied. A full-fare, one-way standard ticket by regional train from Andermatt to Betten Talstation (operated by the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn) costs approximately CHF 38 to CHF 44 for 2nd class, and the scenic journey takes about 1.5 hour.
By Cable Car to the Top
From the train station, it’s only a short walk to the valley cable car (Talstation). Take the large cable car to the car-free village of Bettmeralp, then transfer to the Bettmerhorn gondola, which takes you directly to the trailhead.
The entire journey is smooth and fully integrated into the Swiss public transport network, making this another swiss alpine hikes to access without a car.
By Car
To reach the valley station and parking area for Betten/Bettmeralp) by car, expect a drive of about 2.5 hours from both Zurich (180 km) and Bern (160 km). Note that Betten is a car-free resort village, so your drive ends at the valley station parking garages.
Parking
Paid parking is available directly at Betten Talstation. wo large paid parking areas are available at Betten Talstation. The main car park is located directly next to the cable car station, while an additional overflow parking area is situated just across Furkastrasse, only a 2–3 minute walk away. Both provide convenient access to the cable car. Both indoor and outdoor parking spaces are available, approx. CHF 8–12 per day.
Swiss Unlocked Tip
Swiss Unlocked Tip: Arrive a little earlier and explore Bettmeralp before heading into the mountains. The traditional alpine village and the beautiful Bettmersee are well worth a visit and make a perfect start or finish to your day.
Eggishorn Panomara Trail from Bettmergrat
The hike begins at the Bettmerhorn cable car station (2,647 m). Before setting off, take the short five-minute detour to the Bettmerhorn summit cross (2,857 m), where you’ll enjoy your first panoramic views of the Great Aletsch Glacier and the surrounding 4,000-metre peaks.
From the summit, return to the Panorama Trail and head north towards Hohbalm. This section is mostly gentle, following a well-maintained mountain path with uninterrupted views of the glacier. Several viewpoints along the ridge offer fantastic photo opportunities, and you’ll frequently find yourself looking almost directly down onto the ice.
After passing Hohbalm, the trail gradually descends to Märjelensee following to Gletscherstube Märjelen, a traditional mountain restaurant located near the historic Märjelen area. It is an ideal place to take a break before the final climb.
Near Märjelensee, you can get remarkably close to the Great Aletsch Glacier. If you’re looking for an even bigger adventure, several local guides offer guided glacier walks, giving you the opportunity to step onto the ice safely. Venture onto the glacier only after considering your glacier walking skills, as hidden crevasses and unstable ice make it dangerous without proper equipment, previous knowledge or an experienced guide.
From the hut Gletscherstube Märjelen, the route turns uphill and follows a rocky mountain trail towards Eggishorn. This is the most physically demanding part of the hike, but the ascent is steady rather than steep. As you gain elevation, the glacier panorama becomes even more impressive with every step. You can avoid this section by going through 2 km long tunnel leading to Fiescheralp middle cable car station.
The trail finishes at the Eggishorn summit (2,926 m), one of the finest viewpoints in the Swiss Alps. From here, you can admire the entire 23-kilometre-long Great Aletsch Glacier together with famous peaks including the Matterhorn, Jungfrau, Mönch, Eiger, Weisshorn and Monte Rosa. After enjoying the panorama, descend a few minutes to the nearby Eggishorn cable car station for the ride back to the valley.
Map & GPX
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