Lötschberg southern ramp hiking trail from Hohtenn to Lalden

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Hohtenn-Lalden: the facts

Hiking time: 5h05
Difficulty: moderate
Elevation: 793 – 1076 m
Distance: 18.1 km
Terrain: trail along the railway through meadows, forests and rocky slopes
Region: Upper Rhone Valley in the Valais; the nearest larger town is Brig

About this trail

The Lötschberg Mountain Railway from Spiez to Brig is an impressive piece of railway engineering. The trail allows you to admire the viaducts and trains at this southern section of the railway, but also the rough landscape of this region. This dry area has a warm Southern European climate in summer. You may encounter salamanders here. The area has an ancient open irrigation system consisting of narrow channels, which is still in use today.

You will pass the beautiful Luogelkinn viaduct at the beginning of the route. About halfway between Hohtenn and Ausserberg, you will walk through a pedestrian tunnel that has been used by small work trains when the railroad was built. You will reach the Bietschtal viaduct right after the tunnel. If you want to take a picture here: a good shot of the entire viaduct can be taken about 500 m (1,600 ft) further down the trail.

The majority of the route consists of easy paths. The trail is a bit more difficult as you cross the Baltschiederbach, a stream between Ausserberg and Eggerberg.

The route can easily be shortened by taking the train from Ausserberg or Eggerberg instead of Lalden. Also you can extend the route by 2h40 by continuing to the town of Brig, down in the valley.

Note that there is a trail along the northern section of the Lötschberg train line too.

Directions and map

How to get to Hohtenn and from Lalden

The easiest way to reach the railway station in Hohtenn is by the regional Lötschberger train from Spiez or Brig. These trains stop in Lalden as well.