Circular hike from Riederalp via Silbersand, Bishop's Seat and back

7.07 km long
Round trip
Difficulty: medium
Condition: easy
Great panorama
Hike
  • 2:30 h
  • 7.07 km
  • 344 m
  • 344 m
  • 1,909 m
  • 2,066 m
  • 157 m
  • Start: Riederalp, mountain station cable car west
  • Destination: Riederalp, mountain station cable car west
Nature does not hold back with its charms on this beautiful hike: ancient larches in the protected Aletsch forest are followed by the breathtaking view of the Great Aletsch Glacier.

From the mountain station Riederalp West, hike up to the Riederfurka. There, follow the Lower Aletsch Path east through the protected Aletsch forest with its sometimes over 900-year-old larches. Along old moraines, hike down to Silbersand, where you can first catch a view of the impressive Great Aletsch Glacier. From there, continue hiking to the Bishop's Seat. This place owes its name to a former bishop who was often carried up to this point in a sedan chair. On the way back, hike via Lengmoos Path through the old larch stock of the Aletsch forest, up to the Riederfurka. Here is the impressive Villa Cassel housing the Pro Natura Center. As the last trail section, the descent from the Riederfurka to the mountain station Riederalp West awaits.  

Aletsch Arena AG
Aletsch Arena AG

Good to know

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

Riederalp West – Riederfurka – Lower Aletsch Path – Silbersand – Bishop's Seat – Lengmoos Path – Riederfurka – Riederalp West

Tour information

  • Loop Road

Equipment

We recommend:   

  • Good footwear 
  • Weather-dependent clothing: always carry a waterproof vest 
  • Headgear 
  • Sunscreen  
  • Water bottle 
  • Picnic 
  • Camera 
  • Binoculars (optional) 
  • Trekking poles (optional)
  • Printout of the hiking trail (click “Print” to download)  

Directions & Parking facilities

Additional information

Aletsch Arena AG 
Furkastrasse 39
CH-3983 Mörel-Filet
+41 27 928 58 58
info@aletscharena.ch
www.aletscharena.ch 

Literature

You can get a free panoramic map at the mountain railways and info centers of the Aletsch Arena. 

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

The exhibition and alpine garden of the Nature Conservation Center in Villa Cassel at Riederfurka are worth seeing! Make sure to plan a visit! 

Safety guidelines

Summer sports report

Use of the hiking trails and information on this website is at your own risk. Conditions on site may cause changes to the route. Aletsch Arena AG accepts no responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information on this website.   

  • Carry a map with you. Download the complete description of the hiking trail with a large-scale map by clicking “Print” at the top right of the page. 
  • Use only marked hiking trails and observe all signposts and instructions - for your own safety, to protect grazing animals, and out of respect for wildlife. 
  • Close gates after passing through. 
  • Be considerate towards other trail users, plants, and animals.   

Map

National maps SwissTopo: 1:25,000: 1269 Aletsch Glacier  

Nearby

Location and Contact

Circular hike from Riederalp via Silbersand, Bishop's Seat and back
3987 Riederalp