The car-free village centre of Fiesch is characterised by traditional chalets. At the same time, Fiesch is an ideal starting point for excursions in the Aletsch Arena. Transport connections can be a practical guide when choosing where to stay: the transport hub connects buses, the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway and a cable car to Fiescheralp. So, alongside the village’s history, the region’s trails and viewpoints are also options to consider during your stay.
From the village to the Eggishorn
From Fiesch, one cable car takes you to Fiescheralp, and from there a second cable car brings visitors to the Eggishorn viewpoint. The summit is 2,927 metres above sea level and offers a view along the entire length of the Aletsch Glacier. The Great Aletsch Glacier is 20 kilometres long and a highlight of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. Numerous hiking trails also lead from the Eggishorn through high-alpine landscapes; they take between one and three hours.
The trail to Märjela leads directly to the edge of the glacier and can be explored on foot or by bike. Those planning a guided tour will find different meeting points: the “Aletsch Glacier Trekking” tour starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Aletsch mountaineering centre at Fieschertalstrasse 1, directly by the valley station of the Fiesch-Fiescheralp cable car. The “Aletsch Glacier Circuit” starts in Fiesch or on Fiescheralp; its meeting point is at 8:15 a.m. at the ÖV-Hub mountaineering centre in Fiesch. Meeting arrangements for this circuit may change, so check the latest information before taking part.
Suonen trails and watercourses
The Laggera high-level trail runs above Lax, Fiesch and Fieschertal. For much of its length, it follows the old Laggerawyssa and Fiescherwyssa suonen. For generations, these irrigation channels supplied water from Fieschertal to sunny meadows and pastures. One section of the Laggera above Fieschertal runs alongside a channel made of local larch wood: it carries water along a rock face, while the hiking trail runs over a wooden walkway attached to the side. From Fieschertal, a section follows the banks of the Wysswasser back towards Fiesch.
The “Aletsch Arena Treasure Hunt” also connects the village with a watercourse: its eight stations lie along a 5.3-kilometre route through the village to a playground in Fieschertal. The starting point is at the Aletsch Arena AG Guest and Information Centre, where the treasure map is also available. The return route follows the Wysswasser stream, which originates at the Fiesch Glacier.
Village history and seasonal experiences
Fiesch was first mentioned in a document in 1203. The “Des Alpes” hotel was built around 1860 and marked the beginning of tourism in Fiesch proper. Another local feature is the traditional hay barns: stone slabs between the lower and upper structures were intended to keep out pests and moisture. Since 2010, the people of Fiesch have also had papal permission to pray against the melting of the threatened glaciers that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The two-hour “Fiesch Village Tour” shares stories from the past to the present; a small apéritif is offered afterwards. Dates and included services may change, so check the latest information in advance. For an independent exploration, the treasure hunt offers a different kind of village tour, while the guided village tour puts history centre stage.
Summer and winter in the Aletsch Arena
In summer, the Sport Resort Fiesch has a fun mini-golf course with 15 holes. As opening hours may change, check them before your visit. The Gogwärgiweg is a family activity for summer. The seasonally changing events programme also includes “Märlistunde”, a story hour with a storyteller who transports visitors to a world of mysterious tales.
Winter is another factor to consider when choosing when to travel: the Aletsch Arena has 104 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes for skiers and snowboarders. This means the region’s options vary considerably by season compared with its summer trails and village activities.
Discover more destinations: Blitzingen, Oberwald, MĂĽnster-Geschinen, Bellwald, Reckingen, Grafschaft, Binn, Lax
Go to the regional travel overview: Goms.
