Day Trips: Bettmeralp, Swiss Alps
![]()
Many people who come to Stresa are interested in taking a day trip to the Alps. It's so tempting after all, to always see those snow-capped mountains around the lake and know they are so close. Also the Stresiani leave Stresa during the hottest parts of the summer and escape to the higher and cooler towns in the Italian or Swiss Alps.
Bettmeralp is a great choice to visit. It is a car-free village and ski resort which can be reached only by cable cars. It is located in the Swiss canton of Valais, 1,957 meters above sea level. One arrives at the Betten train station, either by car or train, and then takes the cable car up to the village. From the village, another cable car leads up to the summit of Bettmerhorn, which lies directly above, and giving great views of, the Aletsch Glacier. This is the largest glacier in the Alps, covering about 120 square kilometres. It moves in the direction of the Rhone valley, and eventually it becomes the source of the Massa River. There are more than 10 cable cars that can be taken up and down during the summer. What's nice about Bettmeralp is its position. From here you have a nice view of not only the glacier, but several other famous peaks, such as the Matterhorn.
Ilias describes for us what they did there:
You have to go to Bettmeralp and from there up to the top. It's only 1,30 hour drive from Stresa and then it's only 1/2 hour to go to the top using cablecars. There is an all day ticket you can use to go up and down as many times as you want and to change to different types of cablecars. With the same ticket (the same day) you can also visit Fiesch and Fiescheralp (higher than Bettmerhorn) and have from there a different view of the Aletsch glacier.
Aren't Ilias's photos stunning? Look at that great view of the Matterhorn in this last one, and back up at the top, the distinctive dark lines in the path of the glacier.
Bettmeralp is an easy drive. If you are searching directions simply search Stresa to Bettmeralp. You'll receive a map like this:
From Stresa you'll get onto the highway towards Switzerland and follow for three signs: First towards Simplon (the Simplon Pass), then towards Brig, and then towards Bettmeralp. Bettmeralp is ideal for a day of hiking. This link will get you started with some interesting walks: http://www.bettmeralp.ch/e/sommer/wandern.html
A very big grazie to you Ilias, for sharing your day with us. And what a gorgeous day you had there, with that crisp and clear blue sky that I love seeing in the Alps. I can positively feel the cool mountain air already...
These posts are about some other ways to make summer visits to the Alps:
Category Article day trips, photo gallery, places to go, walks
