Mountain air, myths and beauty – hiking in the Lötschental

The Lötschental is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Valais region of southern Switzerland and is nestled between the Bernese and Valais Alps in the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. The wild river Lonza rushes through the entire Lötschental and with 200 kilometres (124 mi) of marked hiking trails, it is a paradise for pleasure hikers. The refreshing and energising mountain air makes hiking an experience for body and soul.

The ‘Magical Valley', as the Lötschental is also called, is rich in exciting legends, as well as unusual traditions and customs. It boasts a unique mountain-valley panorama and the most beautiful valley head in the Alps. Refreshing and energising mountain air adds to the appeal of what is probably the most authentic valley in the Alps. Bietschhorn’s peak (3,934 metres / 12,907 ft) towers majestically as the highest elevation in the Lötschental in the midst of a breathtaking mountain range, while the Valais, Bernese and French Alps stand behind this giant as a magnificent distant panorama.

The Lötschentaler Höhenweg route combines all these components and is one of the most well-known high-altitude trails in the Valais. Situated mostly at an altitude of 1,900 to 2,100 metres (6,234 - 6,890 ft), it offers a magical panorama of the Lötschental. The hiking trail leads through wildly romantic forests, across lush alpine meadows and offers idyllic picnic spots, for example at the picturesque Schwarzsee lake.

Ten different Lötschental legends take the keen hiker into the world of myths and fairytales and the trail becomes an experience for young and old. The best-known part of the Lötschental High Trail takes hikers from the mountain station of the Lauchernalp cable car to Fafleralp in just two and a half hours. Combined with unspoilt nature, unique fauna, an impressive mountain panorama and the Bietschhorn as a constant companion, this special hike never fails to inspire.

Alpine adventure trail

In 2018, a new adventure trail for young and old was opened on Lauchernalp. The adventure trail itself is designed according to the latest environmental education findings and shows life on the alp in both the past and present with an interactive and multi-sensory display.

Young visitors experience everything about life and work on the alp at 14 points. Plants are explained through slide show holes, a wooden cow can be milked, a typical scythe swing can be practised and children can compose their own song on bells. The hike takes about two hours with children, with the pure hiking time being about 60 minutes. The alpine adventure day can be concluded with a delicious lunch at Lauchernalp or a subsequent fast-paced scooter ride.

The Lötschental is much closer than many people think, and can now be reached quickly and easily by train and bus. Retaining its rustic charm, the Lötschental offers its visitors unspoilt landscapes, intact village scenes, authentic hospitality as well as customs and legends to experience first-hand. The hiking paradise of Lötschental is a mountain pearl away from the big tourist centres – a valley full of magic.