Aletsch

• Location: 5.2 km from Bettmerhorn, 3992 Betten, Switzerland
• Area: 117.6 km²
• Length: 23.95 kilometers

About a quarter of the earth's surface is under ice and snow, and eleven percent under the eternal glaciers. Aletsch (Aletsch Glacier) was formed about ten thousand years ago. It covers the high-mountain valley of the Bernese Alps in Canton Valais in Switzerland and is the largest and longest in Europe. Its area is almost one hundred and twenty square meters, and a separate sleeve has a length of about twenty-four kilometers and is called Big Alech.

What do you need to know about the glacier?

Every year, much more snow falls here than it manages to melt, due to this, it thickens and turns first into firn - cumulated long snow, and then into ice. Slides into the valley it already in the form of a glacier, thereby forming an amazing canyon, attracting the views of travelers with bizarre and unusual shapes. Although many visitors have the impression that Aletsch is still and unapproachable, but in fact he lives and even breathes. The glacier is sent to the Valle valley from the northern slopes of Monch, Eiger and Jungfrau . The speed of his regal movement is small, only two hundred meters a year. In the middle of the nineteenth century, the thickness of the ice was greater by as much as two hundred meters, and the length was almost three thousand meters. For the year 2005 to 2006 glacier Aletsch retreated a hundred meters.

To attract public attention to the problem of global warming in August 2007, the American photographer Spencer Tunic organized the so-called "Alech photoshoot." He shot nude people as his models. Six hundred volunteers took part in this action. They conducted it together with the well-known Greenpeace organization. The protest turned out to be very unusual: the dazzling peaks of the mountains vividly contrasted with the bare human bodies.

In 2005, the Alech glacier was officially recognized as a nature reserve zone. Here grows a real relic forest, the age of trees is almost nine hundred years. They are considered to be the oldest in Switzerland , and the forest itself is located at an altitude of two thousand meters and is the highest mountain in Europe. Also, Aletsch is protected by the World Heritage Organization of UNESCO, as a natural landmark, which is included in the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bichhorn region. In addition, the glacier was included in the list of applicants for the highest title "Seven Wonders of Nature".

What to see?

Although Aletsch glacier is located on the highest point of the Alps , this does not prevent it from enjoying great popularity among tourists. It is visited daily by hundreds of people to admire the snow-white slopes of the mountains, the crystal clearness of the ice cover and the delightful canyon that was formed with the help of thousands of tons of ice. For the convenience of travelers, six cableways were launched from the valley of the river to the resort villages of Fisheralp, Riederalp and Bettmeralp. The most high-altitude railroad in Europe, Jungfraujoch, leads to Alec. It is known for the fact that the last ten kilometers of the road pass in a closed tunnel and end among dazzling snow-white slopes.

From the glacier to the observation deck of tourists lifts a high-speed elevator for twenty-five seconds. The height of the Eghisskhon observation platform is 2927 meters. From here you can see a picturesque panoramic view of the beautiful Alps, their highest point - the Jungfrau, and also you can see other countries, for example, France. By the way, the playground is glazed, so it seems as though you are floating above the peaks of the mountains. There is also a meteorological station and the Sphinx Observatory, whose form really resembles a famous statue. Inside it is the Ice Museum with frozen figures of ice.

Summer vacation in Alecia is just a dream: virgin nature, clean mountain air and attractive places that are ideal for walking. Here, in the middle of the picturesque Alps, is a natural reserve and Villa Cassel is the information center of the organization protecting the nature of Pro Natura. It is a classic guest house located in an amazing location on the picturesque mountain ridge of Riederfurke, where British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once stayed.

If you are enthusiastic about taking care of the environment, it is in this place that you can get full information about all the features of the surrounding landscape, as well as about excursions and tours. A beautiful mountain road leads to the organization of Villa Cassel, and then, through the Aleccha forest, to Riederalp to the foot of the glacier. Here in the historical mountain hut Nagulschbalmu, which was built in 1606, is located the Alpine Museum. In this institution you can get acquainted with the fascinating life of the Swiss mountain farmers of the past centuries.

To the tourist on a note

Here is an important information for those who are planning their trip to the Alec glacier:

1. Brave tourists who have experience in rock climbing can actively spend their leisure time in the Massa Gorge in a stunning canyon. True, this is permitted under the guidance of an experienced mountain guide.
2. Bettmerhorn is a picturesque ice world. Fans of the animated cartoon "Ice Age" have the opportunity to follow the footsteps of adored heroes, and the multimedia exhibition will dedicate you to all secrets of Europe's largest glacier.
3. In summer, various marathons are held in Aletsch: Gommer Openair in Luckke in July, Gratzug Night in August on Marela Lake in Fischeralp and half-marathon Aletsch in Bettmeralp in June.
4. In winter and late autumn seasonal entertainments take place: the Gommer Advent Market in Fisch in November, the opening of the Aletsch Arena season and the traditional St. Petersburg holiday. Nikolaus Trichjer (St. Nicholas) in Fiesch in December.
5. Also hold competitions in the Swiss team sport Gilihüsin - an old version of the "Hornus".

The Alec glacier is mentioned in many ancient fairy tales, and is called "the white giants". When there is a roar and a clatter of crumbling rocks in the silence of the night, anxiety and excitement are generated in the hearts of the local residents. Therefore, in these parts there is a huge number of legends and fables, which the Swiss are happy to tell travelers.

How to get to Aletsch glacier?

There are several routes to the glacier, the main ones starting in the villages of Fish, Jungfrau and Riederalp. You can get to them by public transport , rented car or plane. The train schedule is at each railway station. From these mountain villages on a cable car you can climb to a height of up to three thousand meters.

A crisp white snow under your feet, crystal mountain air, a stunning panorama of the picturesque Alps and sunlight from the very morning until late evening have not left any visitor of Alech glacier indifferent.