Aletsch Glacier 
To the north of Brig extends a magnificent glacier region. Between the Riederhorn (2,230 m/7,317ft) and the Eggishorn (2,937 m/9,636ft), a natural terrace exposed to the sun, from which the land falls steeply away, forms a transition to the Rhône valley. From Brig there are various routes to the Aletsch glacier which offer attractive day or half-day outings, with the help of cableways and lifts.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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The Great Aletsch glacier is a unique feature of great magnificence - the largest stretch of firn (ice formed from snow ) in the Alps and in Europe (area 170 sq. km/66 sq. mi, length about 25km/16mi). Its catchment area extends from the south side of the Bernese Alps, around the Jungfrau, to the almost level Konkordiaplatz, where the ice is some 800 m/2,625ft deep, and from there southwards to the Aletschwald (nature reserve), one of the highest forests of stone pines in Europe.
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Breiten ob Mörel
A new-style holiday resort can be found at Breiten ob Mörel, 8km/5mi up the valley from Brig (900 m/2,953ft; pop. 80). This centrally managed resort on a sunny terrace above the valley of the infant Rhône is the only brine spa in the Alps (water at 33 deg C/91 deg F, with a well-equipped treatment and fitness facility (heated SB, SP) and its own farm (cheese dairy of 1713).
Eggishorn
From the Eggishorn (2,916 m/9,600ft) there are panoramic views in the Upper Valais. A cableway (length 4,795 m/15,732ft, height difference 1,807 m/5,929ft, time 13minutes) ascends to the Kühboden and from there to the summit (magnificent view of the Aletsch glacier). Under the north face of the Eggishorn is the Märjelensee (Lake Märjelen; 2,345 m/7,694ft: nature reserve).
Konkordiaplatz
8km/5mi northeast of the Eggishorn is Konkordiaplatz (2,840 m/9,318ft: Swiss Alpine Club hut; guide required).
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Blatten - Belalp, Switzerland
(Near Brig)
From Brig-Naters there is a good road up the Chelchbach valley to Blatten (1,327 m/4,355ft; pop. 50), a typical little Valais mountain village, from which there is a cableway (length 1,780 m/5,840ft, height difference 766 m/2,513ft, time six minutes) to Belalp (2,080 m/6,824ft). From here a footpath (half-hour) leads to the Belalp Hotel, at the foot of the Sparrhorn and above the western tip of the Aletsch glacier.
Facilities
On-site accomodations
Fiesch, Switzerland
(Near Brig)
The Aletsch area can be reached from Fiesch, 18km/11mi east of Brig (1,050 m/3,445ft; pop. 700). Fiesch, which first appears in the records in 1203, has a chapel with an altar of 1704. There is a large health and holiday complex for young people, opened in 1966 (1,050b., SB, gymnasium).
Riederfurka - Villa Cassel
The Villa Cassel on the Riederfurka was the first office for the protection of nature established by the Schweizer Bund für Naturschutz (Swiss Association for the Protection of Nature: exhibition, Alpine garden).
