Swiss Hiking Night 2026

Saturday evening, 9:00 PM

We’ll meet at the valley station of the Fiescheralp cable car in Fiesch. After a brief welcome, an equipment check, and a briefing on the night’s itinerary, we’ll take the cable car up to Fiescheralp together.

10:00 PM – Departure from Fiescheralp

We set off from Fiescheralp and head into the night. The trail leads us on a steady ascent over the Fiescherhoreli toward the Eggishorn. We have about 700 meters of elevation gain ahead of us, which we tackle at a steady, even pace. As our eyes adjust to the darkness and the beam of our headlamps becomes our only guide, the starry sky above the Valais opens up—weather permitting, one of the darkest and clearest night skies in Switzerland.

Eggishorn Summit (2,927 m)

Right on time at midnight, we reach the highest point of the tour. At the summit of the Eggishorn, we take a longer break, savor the moment, and catch our first glimpse down at the Aletsch Glacier, which stretches like a bright ribbon through the darkness. On a clear night, the lights of the surrounding Valais villages can be seen far below us.

Descent to the Märjelen Reservoir

From the summit, we descend toward the Märjelen Reservoir. The trail winds downhill in several switchbacks, past the rugged rock formations below the Eggishorn. The reservoir lies still in the night, and only the occasional sound of loose scree or distant rockfalls from the mountain slopes breaks the silence.

Traverse above the Aletsch Glacier

Now begins the longest and most impressive stage of the tour. We traverse westward above the vast Aletsch Glacier, always along the southern flank of the Eggishorn and Bettmerhorn. Even though we cannot see the glacier directly in the pitch-black night, its presence is unmistakable: a constant, distant murmur accompanies us—the meltwater flowing through the ice masses, occasionally punctuated by the crunching or cracking of the glacier at work. This auditory perception of its immense dimensions is an experience that is not accessible in the same way during the day.

In this phase, our endurance is put to the test. The fatigue of the early morning hours sets in, and the rhythm of our steps becomes a form of meditation. We take regular short breaks, drink something, eat a bar, and continue on.

Climbing Back Up to the Ridge

Far below us, we can make out the sleeping lights of Bettmeralp. We gain altitude again and reach the ridge that will lead us further west—toward Sparrhorn. The ridge demands our full attention: there are a few exposed sections and narrow paths, so sure-footedness is essential.

Dawn on the ridge

As we continue along the ridge toward Sparrhorn, the sky begins to lighten in the east. At first just a faint gray, then the first hint of pink behind the Valais Alps. The world around us slowly regains its contours and color. This is one of the most magical moments of the entire tour: after hours in the dark, witnessing the landscape literally awaken—and the Aletsch Glacier, which has accompanied us acoustically all night, now revealing itself in all its grandeur.

Gentle ridges above Riederalp

We reach the gentler slopes above Riederalp. The finish line comes into view; the hardest part is behind us. Here we take time for a longer break, enjoying the first rays of sunshine and the view back at the route we’ve covered.

Descent to Riederalp

The final few hundred meters take us downhill. We turn east and finally reach the houses of Riederalp—after a long, memorable night in the mountains.

A hearty breakfast at Riederalp

At the café in Riederalp, we treat ourselves to a well-deserved, hearty breakfast. Coffee, fresh bread, Valais specialties—and time to reflect together on the night’s experiences.

Descent by cable car

Tired but happy, we float back down to the valley by cable car. Here ends a unique experience—a night that will linger in our memories for a long time to come.

The Aletsch region in the Upper Valais is one of the most impressive high-mountain landscapes in the Alps. At its heart lies the Great Aletsch Glacier—at around 20 kilometers long, it is the largest glacier in the Alps and part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch.

The three car-free mountain villages of Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp sit like a balcony high above the Rhone Valley and are accessible only by cable car. This location defines the character of the region: silence, crisp mountain air, and an unobstructed view of the Valais four-thousanders. The high-altitude trails above the villages lead along gentle ridges and rugged peaks such as the Eggishorn, Bettmerhorn, and Sparrhorn—offering ever-changing perspectives of the glacier and its ice fields.

At night, the region takes on a special atmosphere. Without the lights of the valley, without street noise, accompanied only by the distant roar of the glacier—an experience that cannot be fully appreciated during the day.

The meeting point is the valley station of the cable car to Fiescheralp in Fiesch at 9:00 p.m. We’ll take the last cable car up to Fiescheralp at an elevation of 2,215 meters, where the night hike begins. Fiesch is easily accessible by public transportation as well as by car (parking is available near the cable car station).

The hike ends on Sunday morning at Riederalp, from where participants can take the cable car down to Mörel on their own. Mörel also has good public transportation connections; from there, Fiesch is just under half an hour away by train.

Breakfast at Riederalp is included in the price. Participants are responsible for their own food and drinks during the hike. There are no opportunities to stop for a break along the way. The hike will take a total of nine to ten hours, so you must bring plenty of food and drinks, such as energy bars, snacks, and beverages.

Clothing and Footwear

• Hiking pants and functional hiking clothing
• Spare T-shirt
• Warm jacket (Primaloft, down jacket, or similar)
• Rain jacket and rain pants
• Hiking boots with good traction
• Backpack for day hikes (approx. 20–30 liters)
• Hat
• Gloves
• Optional hiking poles

Please keep in mind that even in summer, weather conditions in the mountains can change quickly. You should therefore be equally prepared for sun and clouds, storms, and rain.

Food and drinks

• Enough drinks for about 10 hours of hiking
• Snacks such as energy bars or a packed lunch

Additional equipment

• Bright headlamp with several spare batteries
• GA / Halbtax card or cash for the mountain railways
• If available: bivouac sack
• If necessary: personal medication, etc.

Personal travel arrangements

Personal expenses

Cable cars to Fiescheralp and down from Riederalp

Cancellation insurance

We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. Membership in an alpine club or with Rega protects you from excessive costs in the event of a rescue operation. Please contact the respective providers directly to learn about their terms and coverage limits.