Belalp

State :

Switzerland

Canton :

Valais (VS)

District :

Brig

Municipal municipality :

Naters

Postal code :

3914

Coordinates :

641207 / 135697 coordinates: 46 ° 22 '17 " N , 7 ° 58' 27" O ; CH1903: 641207 / 135697

Height :

2094 m above sea level M.

Website:

www.belalp.ch

Belalp

map

Belalp is an alpine and holiday resort in the political municipality of Naters in the Brig district in the canton of Valais in Switzerland .

geography

Balls

Chapel on the Alpe Bäll

Ball Chapel

Belalp is located five kilometers north of Naters, on the southern flank of Unterbächhorn ( 3554 m above sea level ) and Sparrhorn ( 3021 m above sea level ), on a terrace.

World heritage

On December 13, 2001, UNESCO added the Belalp to the World Heritage Site, along with the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn area .

tourism

The Massaschlucht is a 6.5 kilometer long gorge that belongs to Blatten near Naters and in which the Gebidem dam is located. The rocky landscape was created over thousands of years by ice and meltwater. The height difference of the gorge is a total of 600 meters. The Suone Riederi, which leads through the Massa Gorge, was first mentioned in 1385 . The water was led around the rock walls in wooden jugs. The construction and maintenance of the bisse was life-threatening and repeatedly claimed deaths. Today the Massa Gorge is a destination for hikers and adventure seekers. In addition to the Massaweg high above the gorge, you can climb through the gorge while canyoning .

A suspension bridge now stands where the Aletsch Glacier was once crossed on foot . The ongoing climate change has melted the Aletsch Glacier. Because the glacier retreats by up to 30 m annually, it has been impossible to cross this point for a long time. The old hiking trail has been rehabilitated and the crossing time has been reduced from eight to five hours. The connection to Riederalp is ensured by this suspension bridge. The path leads down to «Aletschji», from there to «Leng Acker» and after the bridge via Grünsee to Riederfurka.

The path to the Oberaletschhütte also had to be rebuilt because of the melting of the glacier . A sandy road leads east from the Belalp cable car station up to the Aletschbord. There is the Hotel Belalp, a viewing platform on the Aletsch Glacier and a chapel, which was built as an Anglican church in 1883/84 and has served as a Catholic chapel since 1941. From there, the route first leads steeply downwards over the «Steigglen» and the old path. We continue along the slope to the southern old moraine of the Oberaletsch glacier, down to the gorge. After crossing the bridge, you then climb up to the northern, old lateral moraine. From here the path leads over the moraine up to its end and then steeply up to about 2600 m. ü. After about five hours on the new path (opened in 2005) you reach the Oberaletschhütte. In the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage Jungfrau Aletsch, at 2640 m. ü. M., offers a view of the Valais Alps.

From Blatten near Naters ( 1300 m above sea level ) a cable car leads to the Belalp. With a sloping length of 1767 meters, it overcomes a vertical height of 763 meters and can transport a maximum of 740 people per hour.

Every year at the end of August, the Schäful Shepherd Weekend takes place, a festival on the occasion of the sheep driving down the mountain .

The ski area extends from 1300 m. ü. M. to 3112 m. ü. M. and comprises three chairlifts and five ski lifts. From the mountain station of the Hohstock lift you get to the piste through a ski tunnel. A valley run, which also doubles as a toboggan run, takes you back from Belalp to the valley station in Blatten. Every year in January the Hexenabfahrt takes place, a Swiss popular ski race.