Lake Märjelen through the Tälligrat tunnel

What it is

It is the shortest route for walking from a village to the edge of the Great Aletsch Glacier. You set off from Fiescheralp, cross the mountain through a tunnel of about a kilometre under the Tälligrat and come out the other side, at Märjela, a hollow of lakes beside the east side of the glacier. From there you continue until you look out over the ice, then return. It is 10.6 km, about 3 h of walking and 312 m of cumulative ascent, according to the Brig Simplon Tourismus page.

A lake with a history

The Märjelen lakes, at about 2,300 m, are what remains of a lake dammed by the glacier itself. In the 19th century, when the Aletsch was growing, the ice closed off the hollow and the meltwater formed a lake up to 1.6 km long and 500 m wide. Every so often the water escaped suddenly through the crevasses and ran down the Massa valley: dozens of drainings are recorded between 1813 and 1895. In 1895 a drainage gallery was dug to limit the level. As the glacier retreated, the big lake disappeared; today there is a small lake beside the ice and, higher up, the Märjelen reservoir, built in the 1980s to supply water to Bettmeralp. The Tälligrat tunnel was opened for that project and is now a path.

The route step by step

1. Fiescheralp (2,222 m). You arrive on the gondola from Fiesch. Follow the yellow signs to Märjela and the Tälligrat tunnel.
2. To the tunnel mouth. A wide track, with the longest ascent of the route, to the tunnel entrance.
3. The tunnel. Straight, flat and lit, a little over a kilometre long. It is cool inside: put on a layer before going in.
4. Märjela. You come out beside the Gletscherstube, the hut beside the lake, at about 2,360 m.
5. The lakes and the edge of the glacier. A signposted path continues between the lakes to a point from which you see the Aletsch up close, wide and furrowed with moraines.
6. Return. You go back through the same tunnel to Fiescheralp.

If you have legs to spare, from Märjela you can continue to the Bettmerhorn or do the route the other way round from there: the Bettmerhorn – Märjelen – Bettmeralp circuit is 14.6 km with 486 m of ascent, a full day.

The state of the tunnel

In summer 2026 the tunnel was closed for renovation until 24 July. The Aletsch Arena signposted two detours above, over the Tälligrat and the Unners Tälli, which added between three quarters of an hour and an hour of walking. Before setting out, check the Aletsch Arena's path report.

Where to eat and sleep

The Gletscherstube Märjelensee, at 2,363 m, is the only service on the path. It opens from early July to mid-October, serves meals and has about 34 bunk places; you must book to sleep. Outside those dates take all your food and water.

When to go

From July to September, when the path is free of snow and the hut is open. In early summer there may be snow near the tunnel. Set off early: it is high ground, without shade, and storms form easily in the afternoon.

With children and safety

It is a good route for families who walk: the ascent is moderate and children love the tunnel. Take a head torch just in case, even though it is lit. At the edge of the glacier do not go down onto the ice: it has crevasses and is only walked on with a guide. If you want to walk on it, the guided crossing from the Bergsteigerzentrum Aletsch takes this same approach and continues over the ice in crampons.

If the sky closes in or there is a risk of storm, turn back at Märjela: the tunnel is the quickest way back to Fiescheralp.

How much it costs

The route is free. You pay for the gondola from Fiesch to Fiescheralp, included in the Aletsch Explorer day pass (CHF 55 per adult until 12 December 2026, half with the Swiss Travel Pass).