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.

The hiking route

Follow the signs ‘Lötschberger Südrampe’. Also, you can pay attention to the signs pointing to the next village: Ausserberg, Eggerberg and Lalden.

Map of the Lötschberg Südrampe trail from Hohtenn to lalden

Maps are available to members only
Check out all the benefits members have access to
Create a free account
Map

Promotions Copy link to clipboard

TourRadar
Swiss travel packages deals

Various multi-day packages for guided and self-guided trips to Switzerland. The offerings change regularly. Packages including surrounding countries are available too.

These promotions are offered by our trusted partners.
Find other promotions

About the Lötschberg train route and the Valais Copy link to clipboard

RegioExpress Lötschberger between Lalden and Brig

Lötschberg Mountain Railway

The Lötschberger trains cross the Swiss Alps and connect Bern in the north to Brig in the south. It's an …
Aletsch Glacier seen from Moosfluh in September

Valais

The Valais is a spectacular region in southern Switzerland, home to the famous Aletsch Glacier and the Matterhorn. There are …

Other blog articles you may like Copy link to clipboard

Leisee at Sunnegga in Matter valley

Gornergrat, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Sunnegga-Rothorn

Gornergrat, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Sunnegga-Rothorn: three beautiful mountain excursions from Zermatt. This is how to choose, or how to …
Local train between Täsch and Zermatt

Hike Täsch-Zermatt

Walk along the railroad in the Matter Valley to the famous mountain resort Zermatt.
Bench with view of Schreckhorn and Grindelwald, between First and Grosse Scheidegg

Hike First-Grosse Scheidegg

Easy walk across alpine meadows with great views of the Jungfrau massif. You can continue by bus or on foot …

About MySwissAlps

We’re passionate tourists and locals. We share tips about how to plan a trip to Switzerland. MySwissAlps was founded in 2002.

Get a free account for a worry-free trip

  • Join our 10720 members and ask us questions in the forum
  • Access to member-only promotions
  • Detailed maps and weather forecasts

Planning your first Switzerland adventure?

Get a jump-start with Annika’s 20-minute e-mail course, “Switzerland for beginners”. Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock the course.

Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.