# The Aletsch Glacier in a day from Geneva: the Riederalp forest, lunch at the Riederfurka and the Bettmerhorn

Train to Mörel, the Aletsch forest and Villa Cassel, lunch at the Riederfurka, a walk to Bettmeralp and the glacier from the Bettmerhorn. Works on a Sunday.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/valais/aletsch-glacier/itineraries/riederalp-forest-and-bettmerhorn · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 07:27 · Salida: 2 h 30 by train (EC from Geneva to Brig and regional train to Mörel)
  - 10 min by cable car (gondola from Mörel to Riederalp West)
- 10:45 · Aletsch Forest and the Pro Natura Centre at Villa Cassel (30 min on foot from Riederalp West; Bischofsitz and Silbersand walk, about 2 h; Pro Natura centre, CHF 8)
  - 5 min on foot
- 13:00 · Riederfurka Restaurant (on the Riederfurka, next to the villa; meals from 11:30 to 14:30) · Riederfurka Restaurant, €€€
  - 1 h 30 on foot
- 14:15 · Bettmerhorn and the bend of the glacier (on foot along the promenade to Bettmeralp and gondola up; with the Aletsch Explorer pass)
- 18:15 · Vuelta: 15 min by cable car (gondola to the village and cable car to Bettmeralp Talstation)
  - 2 h 45 by train (18:47 train with a change at Brig; in Geneva around 21:30)

The Aletsch Glacier is a long way for a day from Geneva, but it can be done: two and a half hours by train to Mörel, a cable car and you are in Riederalp, a car-free village at around 1,900 m. This plan fits the best of the terrace into one long day: the Aletsch Swiss stone pine forest, which grows right above the ice, the Villa Cassel, lunch at the Riederfurka restaurant, a stroll along the promenade to Bettmeralp and the great bend of the glacier from the Bettmerhorn. You return to Geneva in the evening without having touched a car.

## Getting there from Spain

The plan starts at Geneva station. There are flights to Geneva from several Spanish cities and the airport station is next to the terminal. Arrive the evening before and sleep in Geneva, or better still in the Valais: if you sleep in Brig or at the glacier itself, you save five hours of train. If you have two nights, look at the two-night getaway to the glacier.

## The day, hour by hour

7:27 · Train to Mörel. The EC from Genève to Brig follows Lake Geneva and the Rhône valley. At Brig you change to the regional Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train, which drops you at Mörel in eight minutes. Check the summer timetable on SBB.

10:00 · Cable car to Riederalp West. Two leave from Mörel: the large one goes to Riederalp Mitte and the small cabins go to Riederalp West, which is the one that puts you closest to the forest.

10:45 · Aletsch forest and Villa Cassel. From Riederalp West it is about 30 minutes on foot to the Riederfurka. Do the Bischofsitz and Silbersand walk, about two hours through old Swiss stone pines and moorland, with the glacier glimpsed between the trees. On the way back, go into the villa's Pro Natura centre (CHF 8), open from 10:30 to 17:30.

13:00 · Lunch at the Riederfurka. Next to the villa. Valais cooking with the house rye bread: the cured meat and cheese platter, the risotto with Binntal cheese or the burger. Lunches from 11:30 to 14:30.

14:15 · On foot to Bettmeralp and up the Bettmerhorn. Follow the promenade east to Bettmeralp and take the cable car up to the Bettmerhorn, at 2,647 m. The viewpoint is 200 m from the station, on a flat path, and from it you see the great bend of the glacier.

18:15 · Return. Take the cable car down to Bettmeralp and the aerial cableway to Bettmeralp Talstation. The 18:47 train changes at Brig and reaches Genève around 21:30.

## What it costs

The train from Geneva to Mörel and back is the most expensive part of the day; look at SBB's saver fares. Up top, the Aletsch Explorer day pass covers the cable cars up, the viewpoint gondolas and the train between Brig, Mörel, Betten and Fiesch: it cost CHF 55 until 12 December 2026 and half price with the Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card. Add the Pro Natura centre and lunch, CHF 35 to 60.

## Cómo llegar

### Without a car
It is the natural way: train to Mörel, cable cars up and train back from Betten. The villages do not allow cars.

### By car
If you come by car, leave it in Mörel and return there at the end: go down from Bettmeralp to Betten and take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train to Mörel, which is included in the Aletsch Explorer.

## Consejos

### Leave on the first train
The day is long and the Bettmerhorn cable car runs to a timetable. Check the last descent in the Aletsch Arena's updates.

### Take a jacket
It is cold on the Bettmerhorn even when it is sunny in Riederalp.

### Don't go down onto the ice on your own
You only set foot on the glacier with a guide.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Can you see the Aletsch Glacier in a day from Geneva?
Yes, with about five hours of train travel there and back. If you can, sleep one night up there.

### Do I need a car?
No. The villages do not allow cars and everything is done by train, cable car and on foot.

### Does it work on a Sunday?
Yes: the Riederfurka and the Villa Cassel are open every day of their season.

### Is it suitable for children?
Yes, if they can walk for about two hours. The Bettmerhorn has a flat viewpoint beside the station.