Question for neckervd
 

You mentioned the Loeschental valley trail on one of my past Switzerland trip reports. I am now researching the area for a return trip.

I see the closest towns to the Loeschetal Panorama trail, which I think is the trail you were referring to, are Ferden, Blatten, Wiler and Kippel, but they look pretty small and I may have trouble finding accommodation.

I've also run across Baltscheider, which looks to be a five minute train ride from Visp, and while a longer train journey to the trail, might make a decent base as it's bigger and offers more services.

Am I on the right path, or do you have different suggestions for a base village/town in the area?

LOETSCHENTAL
The Loetschntal begins at Loetschenlücke Pass (10 km south-west of Jungfraujoch) and ends at Gampel-Steg in the Rhone Valley.
There are small villages in the central part of the Valley only.
The upper part consisted of glaciers until the begin of the last century. The highest (in summer only) settlement is Fafleralp.
The villages inhabited all the year round are Blatten, Wiler, Kippel and Ferden.
Below Ferden begins a somewhat gorge-like area with tons of avalanches every winter.
Therefore, before the construction of the Loetschberg railway line (some 110 years ago), the Valley was usually completely isolated during months in winter.
The Loetschberg trains coming from Kandersteg through the old Loetschberg Tunnel reach the Valley at Goppenstein (a railway station protected from avalanches by tons of avalanche barriers built high in the mountains) and disappears again in tunnels up to Hohtenn railway station, 440 metres above the Rhone Valley. There begins the panoramic "Suedrampe" leg with stunning views down into the Rhone Valley (up to Sierre) and to the more than 4000 high peaks of the Mischabel Glacier area.
Trains from Bern to Frutigen - Kandersteg - Goppenstein (- Brig) run every hr.
There are connecting buses from Goppenstein to Ferden - Kippel - Wiler - Blatten (all the year round) - Fafleralp (June 7th until Oct 26th) after the arrival of every train

LOETSCHENTAL CLIMATE
Loetschental is surrounded by more tham 3000 m high peaks on 3 sides and the narrow gorge down to the Rhone Valley on the fourth side.
Due to this position (high mountains hiding the sun), there is less sunshine than in other parts of Canton du Valais, before all between Sepember and Mach,
After days of rainy weather, clouds may stay longer in Loetschental than down in the Rhone Valley.
On the other hand, if the Rhone Valley is covered by fog (in automn-winter only), Loetschental will be in bright sun (but only at places where the sun is not covered by mountains).

LOETSCHENTAL HIKING TRAILS

Talweg:
There is a easy hiking trail (mostly on the southern side of Lonza river) from Goppenstein railway station upf to Fafleralp. There are easy and very short connecting trails from it to all village centers.
During the winter season, this tralis is prepared as winter hiking trail.

Hoehenweg:
The most popular hiking trail goes from Lauchernalp gondola station via Weritzalp - Tellialp - Lake Schwarzsee to Fafleralp Hotel and Post bus station. You may also hike in the other direction, but be aware that in October, there will be no more sun at Lauchernalp after about 3pm.
From Lauchernalp, you can continue to the West to Kummenalp - Restialp - Faldumalp - Oberi Fesilalp - Niwenalp - Bachalp - Oberu - Tschermilonga - Torrentalp gondola station. jhere are sjhortcuts from this almost endless itinerary to Jeizinen gondola station, Erschmatt bus stop or Guttet bus stop.

Anan Hut trail:
There are 2 different trails from Fafleralp - Anen Hut SAC, above Langgletscher

Loetschenpass trails:
You may go from Laucheranl to Satttlegi - Loetschenpass and hen either back via Kummentalp or into the Canton of Bern (rather steep descent) to Selden (bus to Kandersteg).

Restipass trail:
Yoou may go from Lauchernalp to Kummenalp - Restialp and then oover the Restipass to White Lake - Rinderhuette, Start early if you don't want to miss the last gondola from Rinerhuette down to Leukerbad.

LOETSCHENTAL ACCOMMODATION

You may have a look at https://regio.outdooractive.com/oar-...7.733,46.39502
The most traditional house aof the Valley is he hotel nest- und Bietschhorn

Du to the excellent train- us cponnections, it's also possible to stay at aa hotel close to Kandersteg railway station
or at Hotel Bahnhof Ausserberg (panoramic position 3 min from the railway station)

LOETSCHENTAL HIKING TRAILS

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Thank you neckervd - very helpful. I will look for your last post when released from moderation.

Mel - if you go to the Lötschental don't miss seeing the museum in Kippel and especially the section on the masks. They are fascinating...

Thank you Hambagahle, I will look for the museum.

Loetschentaler Museum: https://loetschentalermuseum.ch/katalog/
open Tuesday - Sunday afternoon from June until October.