Читать книгу Walking in the Valais. 120 Walks and Treks онлайн

17 страница из 88

Perhaps the most attractive and challenging of Valaisian mountains on the north side of the Rhône is the 3934m Bietschhorn, which stands guard over the entrance to the Lötschental, dominates that valley with its elegant cone shape, but is also clearly evident from many paths and valleys of the Pennine Alps to the south.

The valleys

It is the lateral valleys which cut into these mountain ranges that provide the Valais with its essential charm, its scenic qualities, character and magnetic appeal. These valleys include the Saastal, Mattertal and Turtmanntal, the Vals d’Anniviers, d’Hérens, Nendaz and Bagnes, Entremont and Ferret and the Vallée du Trient, and the splendid Lötschental that carves into the wall of the Bernese Alps above Gampel. Each one has its own particular contrast of peak, pasture and glacier to ensure that walks tackled among them will provide a host of memorable experiences to relive in the months ahead.

Fieschertal and Aletsch Glacier

Northeast of Brig the Fieschertal is the longest of the northern tributaries feeding into Goms – the upper reaches of the Rhône’s valley. With Fiesch at its entrance, it’s a pleasant valley whose main attractions for walkers lie at its head, and on the high plateau of Bettmeralp to the west, reached by cablecar.