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WALK 2

Fieschertal (1108m) – Gletscherstube Märjela (2373m)

With a lot of height to gain, this is quite a demanding walk, but the scenery is lovely throughout and the paths are mostly good. The Gletscherstube Märjela (also known as the Märjela Hut) is located near the Grosser Aletschgletscher, so it would be worth spending a night there, and next day take your time to walk beside the glacier as described in Walks 5 and 6. Should this be your intention, make a point of phoning ahead (Tel 027 971 47 83) to reserve a bed.

Follow directions given in Walk 1 as far as the Klettergarten junction at 1573m – about 1½hrs to here. While the route to the Burg Hut branches right, continue ahead among trees, steadily gaining height for another 50–60mins where there’s another path junction. This is known as Stock (1931m), and once again the right-hand option goes to the Burg Hut. Our route is optimistically signed to Märjela in 1hr 40mins.

The way now climbs steeply up the wooded crest of an old moraine, gaining spectacular views of the Fiescherhörner and the glacier gorge below, while the Fiescher glacier itself can be seen ahead to the right. On gaining the top of this moraine the path suddenly swings left to begin a long, steadily rising traverse of a steep grass slope at the head of the valley. In early summer alpine flowers flank the path; there are a few minor streams to cross, and as height is gained, the way makes a few zigzags and eventually comes into the Märjelental near some ruined stone huts. Keep ahead to a small reservoir, at the far end of which you will come to the Gletscherstube Märjela (2373m accommodation, refreshments).