Bettmerhorn: the must-knows

  • You can reach Bettmerhorn by cable car from Betten in the Rhone Valley.
  • This mountain ridge offers one of the best views of the Aletsch Glacier.
  • Bettmerhorn is somewhat similar to Eggishorn, but has slightly more activities at the top.
  • You can combine a visit to Bettmerhorn with easy panoramic walks between the mountain villages Bettmeralp, Riederalp and Fiescheralp.
Min. time required: 2:00
Season: early January to early April, early June to mid October and mid December to late December
Recommended season: early January to early April, early June to late June and early September to mid October
Max. altitude: 2647 m (8684 ft)

What is the Bettmerhorn? Copy link to clipboard

The mountain Bettmerhorn is one of the best locations to view the Grosser Aletschgletscher, which is the largest glacier in the Alps. The location you reach by cable car from the Rhone Valley in the Valais is called 'Bettmergrat'. This is a ridge at an altitude of 2647 m. The actual summit of the Bettmerhorn is 500 m further up north, at an altitude of 2858 m.

The Bettmerhorn is located on the edge of the UNESCO Natural World Heritage property "Jungfrau - Aletsch - Bietschhorn": an extraordinary high-alpine region that also includes the Eggishorn and the famous Jungfraujoch.

Prices, tickets and reservations Copy link to clipboard

Bettmerhorn prices

A return ticket between the cable car valley station in Betten and Bettmerhorn costs CHF 49.

Full-fare return tickets aren't your only option:

Where to buy your Bettmerhorn tickets

Tickets to the Bettmerhorn are for sale at the manned desks in the Betten and Bettmeralp cable car stations.

Reservations

You don't have to make reservations. Just show up at any time that suits you and board the cable cars.

Get your tickets for Aletsch Glacier excursions Copy link to clipboard

Aletsch Glacier: Round-trip Cable Car Ticket to Eggishorn
Aletsch Glacier: Round-trip Cable Car Ticket to Eggishorn
Travel in comfort from the valley to the sun plateau or the viewpoints of the Aletsch Arena with a round-trip cable car ticket. Discover and enjoy the beauty of the Unesco Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage Site.

Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com

  • Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
  • Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
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Aletsch Arena: Paragliding Tandem Flight Basic
Aletsch Arena: Paragliding Tandem Flight Basic
ParaglidingDay tour
Experience the dream of flying on a paragliding tandem flight! Enjoy the ultimate liberating experience with us in the Aletsch Arena and feel free.

Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com

  • Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
  • Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
  • Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Aletsch Glacier-Tandem Paragliding
Aletsch Glacier-Tandem Paragliding
ParaglidingDay tour
Explore the Aletsch Glacier, a Unesco World Heritage site, flying over it in a tandem paraglider.

Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com

  • Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
  • Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
  • Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
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Discounted cable car tickets with your rail pass Copy link to clipboard

PassDiscount
Adventure Card Discount 50%:
  • Betten to Bettmerhorn (cableway)
Day Pass No discount:
  • Bettmeralp to Bettmerhorn (cableway)
More information:

Betten to Bettmeralp (cableway): free.

Saver Day Pass No discount:
  • Bettmeralp to Bettmerhorn (cableway)
More information:

Betten to Bettmeralp (cableway): free.

Swiss Half Fare Card No discount:
  • Bettmeralp to Bettmerhorn (cableway)
More information:

Betten to Bettmeralp (cableway): 50% discounted.

Swiss Travel Pass No discount:
  • Bettmeralp to Bettmerhorn (cableway)
More information:

Betten to Bettmeralp (cableway): 50% discount.

Swiss Travel Pass Flex No discount:
  • Bettmeralp to Bettmerhorn (cableway)
More information:

Betten to Bettmeralp (cableway): 50% discounted.

How to reach Bettmerhorn: directions and map Copy link to clipboard

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How does the timetable work?

The journey to Bettmerhorn consists of these stages:

  • You first need to travel to the train station of Betten. It's at a 15-minute ride from Brig. There is a parking lot too.
  • There are two cable cars to the car-free village Bettmeralp: one direct cable car (which is the one you'd normally use), and one to "Betten Dorf". From Betten Dorf, there's another cable car that ends in Bettmeralp as well.
  • After arrival in Bettmeralp, you need to turn right into the main street and follow the signs to the gondola station. It takes about 15 minutes on foot to get there. Then you can board the gondolas for the final leg to the Bettmerhorn top station.

Map: cableway route Betten-Bettmeralp-Bettmerhorn

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Map

Operation dates, schedules and timetable Copy link to clipboard

Operation dates for Bettmerhorn

The cable car to Bettmerhorn operates from 16 December 2023 to 6 April 2024, and from 8 June to 20 October 2024.

How to plan the journey to Bettmerhorn

Consult the Bettmerhorn schedules through the links at the bottom of this page. Or plan your trip with the Swiss timetable. These names are used:

  • "Betten" for the train station of Betten
  • "Betten Talstation (Seilbahn)" for the cable car valley station
  • "Bettmeralp" for the town Bettmeralp where you walk to the 2nd section of the cable car route
  • "Bettmeralp (Bettmerhorn)" for the gondola station in Bettmeralp
  • "Bettmergrat" for the gondola top station (this is close to the actual mountain "Bettmerhorn")

Best season for Bettmerhorn Copy link to clipboard

We prefer visiting Bettmerhorn from early January to early April, early June to late June and early September to mid October. Details:

  • In January-February, the views over the snowy glaciers and mountains of the Valais are brilliant.
  • March, early April and the month of June (there's usually a maintenance break from mid-April to early June) provide the best contrast between the green Rhone Valley and white snowy mountain peaks.
  • From mid-September to mid-October, chances of snow on the highest mountain tops will increase as autumn draws nearer.

From July to early September there's usually less snow on the peaks surrounding the glacier. That's why we think the area looks somewhat less attractive in these months.

Weather at Bettmerhorn Copy link to clipboard

The panoramic views over the Aletsch Glacier and the Swiss Alps are your main reason to visit Bettmeralp. That's why clear skies are best. It helps to check webcams showing live views from the top: sometimes low clouds can block the views down in the valley, whereas it's cloudless at higher altitude.

If you plan to hike, make sure you can count on dry and stable weather conditions. Find more hiking preparation tips here.

Forecasts for Bettmerhorn

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What to expect at the top

This is what you can see and do at Bettmerhorn:

  • You’ll be in a beautiful high-alpine world with views of the glacier and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland and the Valais.
  • The Panorama-Restaurant serves Swiss dishes while you enjoy the view from indoors.
  • There’s an exhibition about the glacier and the people who first explored it in the 19th century.
  • In summer there are many high-altitude hiking options. Examples: you can walk north along the Aletsch Glacier toward Lake Märjelen. Or you can hike south along the glacier to Moosfluh (although walking the other way round is better). Descending to the village Bettmeralp is another option.
  • Easy panoramic walks can be made between the mountain villages Bettmeralp, Riederalp and Fiescheralp.
  • In winter, the whole area is great for winter sports and snow fun. There are lots of ski slopes around Bettmeralp and its neighbouring villages, as well as several sledge runs. In addition, you’ll find a network of groomed winter hiking trails with amazing views.

Why the Aletsch Glacier is so special

The Grosser (‘Big’) Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier of the Alps and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Read all about this extraordinary glacier here.

About possible altitude sickness

The Bettmerhorn gondola station is located at an altitude of 2647 m. Anyone can suffer from (light) altitude sickness from about 2000 m. Usually it helps to take things slow and sit down for a while. Special precautions apply to children under 2 years old, as well as people who are pregnant or in poor health: before visiting areas over 2500 m, you’d better consult your doctor. In most cases, staying at such altitudes for just a few hours is no problem though.

How to choose between Bettmerhorn and Eggishorn

The Bettmerhorn and the nearby Eggishorn have a few things in common. Both mountains are located south of the Aletsch Glacier and offer magnificent views of the glacier and a 360° view of the Alps. It’s worth visiting both, but if you have to choose, these considerations may help:

  • We like the view from the Eggishorn slightly better, because the location allows you to look ‘around the corner’ of the curved glacier. So you’ll see a bit more of it.
  • Visiting the Bettmerhorn is more varied: there’s more to do on the top, and the short walk across the village of Bettmeralp, halfway up the mountain, is really enjoyable.
  • If you’re based in Brig, the Bettmerhorn is easier to reach.

How long an excursion to Bettmerhorn takes

Allow at least 1 hour at the top to enjoy the view. If you do so, a round trip from Betten takes about 2 hours. If you take your time, count on half a day.

Other websites of interest

Schedules

Prices

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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.