Riederalp and Bettmeralp are two car-free villages in the German speaking part of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. They are located a few kilometres from each other at 1,900 metres.
Riederalp and Bettmeralp are located on a south-facing terrace above the upper Rhone valley. They are both summer and winter resorts. In addition the smaller winter resort of Fiescheralp (not permanently inhabited) lies close but higher at 2,200 metres.
North of Riederalp and Bettmeralp lies the 23 km long Aletsch Glacier, part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO Heritage Site.
- The Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps, or even in Europe (23 km).
- The Aletsch Forest, a wild forest above the glacier filled with rocks carved by the glacier in colder times.
- The Villa Cassel, former residency of Winston Churchill, nowadays one of the Pro Natura centres. Hosts a permanent exhibition about the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Bettmerhorn which is a mountain approximately 3000 metres high, from where you can see the Aletsch glacier, accessible by cable car from Bettmeralp village.
- Golf, Riederalp
- Rent a boat, paddle-board, or go for a very refreshing swim at the Bettmersee, approximately 20-25 minute walk from the cable car station at the beginning of Bettmeralp.
- Hikes, there are many hikes available; like the 2- 2 1/2 hour hike to Fiescheralp where you can take a cable car up a mountain which has views of the Aletsch Glacier.
- Walk to Villa Cassel, the former home of Winston Churchill, about a 1-1.5hr walk from Bettmeralp or 25 minutes from Riederalp.
- There is a big sports centre which was recently renovated at the cost of Fr. 3.5 million. It has a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, water slide, tennis courts, Badminton and a restaurant.
- There are many inflatables next to the sports centre free for kids to play on.
- Rent a bike or scooter from the cable car station at the beginning of Bettmeralp and hire a bike/scooter and have a thrilling ride down the mountain or to another village further along the mountain, costs around Fr. 10.
- The tourist information centres run kids programmes at certain times of the year.
There is a variety of stores in the village, there are 2 food shops: a very well stocked Coop supermarket and another small supermarket.
There are many restaurants dotted along the main street with quality food on offer.
- Bergrestaurant Bettmerhorn, +41 27 928 41 91. 08:15-16:30. Self-service restaurant with a nice view.
Bergrestaurant Bettmerhorn, +41 27 928 41 91. 08:15-16:30. Self-service restaurant with a nice view.
There are many bars along the main street of Bettmeralp and Riederalp frequented by both the locals and tourists.