Ferden lies in the lower Lötschental at the foot of the Ferdenrothorn and beside the Lonza. South of the village, the river is dammed to form the Ferden reservoir. The rural and alpine municipality is surrounded by high Alps, lush meadows and clear mountain streams. Above Ferden, the Alps offer magnificent views of the Lötschental and are less developed for tourism. Since 2007, Ferden has been part of the UNESCO Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage Site.
Village Centre and Lötschental Culture
The old village centre of Ferden is of national importance. It lies above the main road and includes protected block-built houses; the buildings in the village centre date from the 14th and 15th centuries. The Barbara Chapel in Ferden was built in 1675. It is the starting point of the Mittelbergweg, which leads to the parish church in Blatten. Check the route and conditions again before setting out.
The churches and chapels also provide a setting for a range of cultural themes: the Hublchapllu circular walk starts at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Ferden, which was consecrated in 1960. The Hublchaplla on the walk is dedicated to Saint Francis. The Tschäggättu run takes place every year on the evening of Fat Thursday, from Blatten to Ferden. As the date is tied to this day, check the date for the relevant year when planning your trip.
At a woodcarving workshop in Ferden, groups of five to 20 people can carve a Lötschental Tschäggättä mask together under expert guidance; advance booking is required. Another craft specialism is the Viridarium Ferden textile workshop, founded in 2006, which preserves and practises weaving as a traditional craft.
Trails through the Lötschental
The Lötschental Cultural Trail passes through Wiler, Kippel, Ferden and Goppenstein and follows the course of the Lonza. Another hiking route leads from Lauchernalp via the Lötschental Alps to Ferden. On the Bietschhorn Trail, you can see the wooden chapel on Faldumalp; the route then descends into the valley to Ferden. The waypoints and routes vary, so it is worth checking route details and conditions again before setting out.
Mountain Scenery, Biking and Trail Running
The Lötschental Bike is a bike trail from Wiler through the Lötschental to Goppenstein, passing the Ferden reservoir. Along the way, the route passes through forests and meadows, alongside streams and by the reservoir. The area around Ferden also offers numerous hiking trails and winter activities. Check route conditions before planning a specific outing.
On the Ferden–Niwen–Lauchernalp trail-running route, the ascent from Ferden to the Niwengrat begins. This first section is listed as covering approximately 1,300 metres of elevation gain over about four kilometres. These specific figures can help you factor the opening section into your route planning.
Goppenstein: Getting There and History
The hamlet of Goppenstein is part of the municipality of Ferden and is home to the southern portal of the Lötschberg Tunnel. Goppenstein has a railway station with a car shuttle service and a connection towards Bern. Check the timetable and connection before travelling.
Goppenstein also has a history of coal mining: there was a mine there until the 1950s, and traces of that era can still be seen. At one time, the workers’ settlement had a population of up to 3,500, making Goppenstein the second-largest settlement in Valais at the time.
Discover more destinations: Betten, Steg, Grengiols, Bister, Bettmeralp, Eischoll, Riederalp, Wiler (Lötschen).
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