56: Fafleralp – Guggistafel – Anenhutte – Langgleitscher – back other side of river – Fafleralp

A walk up to the glacier at the head of the Lötschental valley and Anenhütte up above it

The view to the Lötschen glacier from around Anenhütte:

This is a medium-hard walk at the top of the Lötschental valley. The Langgletscher is probably the most easily accessible glacier in the area as it can be reached simply by following the path beside the river upstream from the car park at Fafleralp - a walk of around 4km each way and less than 250m climb, along a good path. For a more strenuous day with better views, take the higher route up to Anenhütte and admire the whole Lötschental valley over a glass of beer.

From Kandersteg, take the BLS train to Goppenstein and the Post Bus to Fafleralp. There are several alternatives routes from the Fafleralp car park. Two of them gain height fairly quickly as they climb away from the river towards Guggistafel and Guggisee. The two routes merge just beyond Guggisee, and there is then a gentle section through the higher alpine meadow. At the bridge across the Anenbach the path forks again and you can take either route to Anenhütte; both are a fairly hard climb, gaining 250m in less than 1km distance. Anenhütte itself sits just in front of the glacier and provides food, accommodation and superb views. On a clear day, looking up the glacier, you can see Hollandia SAC hut way up on the ice; at 3178m, it is 800m higher than Anenhütte, and definitely only for the experienced, well-equipped climber.

The route back to Fafleralp takes the alternative (left-hand) path to the bridge over the Anenbach (thus doing the steep bit first!), and then takes the left-hand path to again drop steeply down to the main bridge over the river that emerges from the Langgletscher. You can either turn right and head straight down the valley back to the car park, or turn left and follow the path, which eventually becomes boulder-strewn as you approach the face of the glacier. It adds about 20 minutes each way to go to the glacier face but it is an awesome sight.

The path down the valley follows the river and is a gentle, easy path with abundant flower meadows.

A walk of about 5km from Fafleralp car park to Anenhütte and a total height gain of 600m. If you add on the detour to the glacier face then the overall distance will be around 12km. There are steep sections on the route, notably around Guggistafel and the last section up to Anenhütte, but there are also some long easy sections with plenty of opportunity to admire the views and the flowers. Make sure you know the times for the Post Bus back from Fafleralp - if you are back early then the restaurant at the car park provides beer, ice cream and other refreshments (there is also a loo there).

-- JaneCurry - 2009-06-12 - 18:07