The Aletsch Glacier

The Aletsch Glacier in Valais is the largest glacier in the Alps and a central feature of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage site. Stretching over 20 kilometers in length, the massive ice flow winds majestically between some of Switzerland’s highest and most iconic mountains, including Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger. The glacier can be enjoyed from a number of spectacular and easily accessible vantage points such as Eggishorn, Bettmerhorn, and Moosfluh, where well-designed panoramic trails provide direct views of the deep blue ice crevasses, moraines, and the slow movement of the ice. Modern cable cars and gondolas from Bettmeralp, Fiescheralp, and Riederalp allow hikers, families, and photographers to reach the heights without technical expertise. The area is renowned for its unique light, which changes dramatically throughout the day, and for clear nights with views of the starry skies far from city lights. In summer, the surrounding alpine meadows bloom in full color, while autumn highlights the landscape with golden larch forests and exceptional visibility over the glacier.