Round trip in the Lötschental Valais

If you like to take it easy or want to test your new E-MTB first, this is the tour for you. The route through the little-used, magical Lötschental runs along forest tracks and small asphalt roads and passes pretty, typical Valais villages where many old customs have been preserved.

We start in Wiler at 1403m, at the valley station of the cable car to Lauchernalp. Then we first descend the valley towards Goppenstein to the village of Kippel, passing the parish church dedicated to St. Martin. Kippel is home to the Lötschental Museum with an important exhibition of Lötschental masks.

At the lower edge of the village we cross the Lonza river and cycle on the other side of the stream along a natural path through mountain meadows and woods back towards Wiler and past it. Only at the Tännerstäg (before the Meeschtu Mattä) do we cross the Lonza again and now continue, partly on the valley road and partly on field paths. This way we also pass the wooden chapel in Ried near Blatten, which is dedicated to St. Peter. Let's hope that we don't have to blame the patron saint of popes for bad weather...

The route forks at the Breithorn Restaurant; we keep to the left and drive through Blatten and along a natural path to the hamlet of Eisten and on to the small, impressive stable village and pilgrimage site of Kühmad with the baroque chapel of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. Here we will definitely stop for a longer photo stop - calendar pictures!

Then we continue on the small road until it ends at the Fafleralp (at about 1800m). This idyll with flower meadows, torrents and clear mountain lakes like the romantic Faflersee is perfect for a rest. The restaurant, which is also idyllically situated, offers cozy views between the larches through to the Lötschenlücke - but also guarantees culinary delights.

As soon as we have seen enough of the scenery - and enjoyed the rest with culinary delights - we drive downhill. At the Kühmad chapel we stay on the road, cross the river again and roll leisurely to Blatten. Continuing on the asphalt road we soon come back to Wiler, where we end the tour.