Fiescheralp to Eggishorn Hike

If you're looking for a challenging hike with fantastic views and lots of different hiking options, then you will enjoy the hike from Fiescheralp to Eggishorn. The hike offers amazing views of the Aletsch Glacier, which is the largest glacier in the Alps and is amazing to see. There are lots of options for hiking in this region as well as numerous cable cars, which makes it easy to enjoy this fantastic region.

The hike described here begins at Fiescheralp, which is a small and touristy mountain village with several hotels and restaurants. To get here you'll need to take a cable car, which leaves from nearby the Fiesch train station. There is parking at the cable car station. Check here for a timetable and prices (under "Fiesch-Eggishorn," look at "Fiesch-Fiescheralp").

Note that you can also begin the hike at the Fiesch train station. However, due to the demanding hike and the extra elevation, it may be worth it to just take the cable car to Fiescheralp and begin hiking there; it saves over 3,700 feet of elevation!

Once you reach Fiescheralp, head right from the cable car station. You'll soon see a yellow hiking sign (and a drinking fountain). Follow this sign down the gravel road toward Eggishorn. At 0.7 miles, keep an eye out for the trail on the left, which will take you up toward Eggishorn. The rocks are painted with blazes and labels, and there are yellow signs. The trail will immediately become steeper and start switchbacking up the slope.

There are a few points where the trail crosses ski runs, which can make the trail a bit hard to follow. However, just keep following the yellow signs toward Eggishorn. The trail is marked with white-red-white blazes.

When you are approaching the summit, the trail becomes more technical as you navigate over rock scrambles. The final push to the Eggishorn cable car station is steep, but as soon as you reach the ridge you are rewarded with incredible vistas of the Aletsch Glacier. Across from the cable car station there is also a very small restaurant.

But the hike isn't over yet. To the north stands the Eggishorn at 9,600 feet. It's only a 15- to 20-minute walk to the summit - and the views are worth it. To the south, west, and north the massive Aletsch Glacier flows from the Jungfrau and Mönch peaks. To the east there are too many mountains to count. And on a clear day, you can also see the Matterhorn and the Dufourspitze off to the south!

The summit of Eggishorn is very rocky, and there's not a lot of space to sit, but back near the cable car station is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch or snack. When you are done you can either take the cable car or hike down from here back to Fiescheralp and Fiesch.

For an easier (and maybe more sensible) option, you can do this hike in reverse by taking the cable car to Eggishorn and hiking down to Fiescheralp. Make sure you bring water, because although there are bathrooms at Eggishorn, there is no potable water (except if you buy it at the restaurant).

It goes without saying that you should bring warm clothing. Even in August, Eggishorn reaches temperatures below freezing every morning, and it can get very windy as well. Be sure to plan ahead, and you'll have a great time in the Aletsch region!

Be sure also to check out the Eggishorn to Bettmeralp adventure!