Massaweg

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8.65 km long
Difficulty: medium
Condition: easy
Great panorama
Hike
  • 2:45 h
  • 8.65 km
  • 196 m
  • 355 m
  • 1,174 m
  • 1,446 m
  • 272 m
  • Start: Blatten bei Naters, valley station (1332 m)
  • Destination: Ried-Mörel village - gondola lift
The spectacular hike takes you through the wild Massa Gorge from Blatten bei Naters to Ried-Mörel. Enjoy an impressive view of the Rhone Valley.

The Massaweg trail will remain closed for the coming hiking season due to the consequences of the forest fire in Riederwald in summer 2023. For safety reasons, the hiking trail will not be open until at least the end of March 2025. 

 

The Massa Trail leads you from Blatten bei Naters via the Blattnerschliecht forest to Gragg and from here along the former Suone Riederi, which was first mentioned in 1385, to Ried-Mörel. The steepest cliff face, around which six long canals led at dizzying heights until the end of the 1930s, is now bypassed by a short tunnel. Here you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Rhone Valley and the Valais Alps.

Good to know

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

In Blatten bei Naters, cross the village and hike through the Blattnerschliecht to the Gibidum bridge and follow the Massaweg signs. Via Gragg you reach the Suone Riederi and follow its route on a blasted, airy path above the impressive Massa Gorge. After about 3 hours you reach Ried-Mörel. Here you can board the gondola lift to Mörel. In Mörel you cross the main road and take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Brig.

On the Massaweg you have the option of leaving the trail earlier. For example, you can leave the trail at Ebnet and walk to Bitsch. From Bitsch you can walk the Red Mile through Naters towards Brig.


Blatten bei Naters - Massa - Gragg - Steischlag - Schwarzes-Flesch - Rischwald - Roti Flue - Ried-Mörel

Tour information

  • Cultural Interesting

  • Familiy-Friendly

  • Stop at an Inn

Equipment

Sturdy shoes, clothing suitable for the weather, sun and rain protection, as well as sufficient supplies of food and drinks, should there be no refreshment stops or shopping facilities available or open. Although the trail is very well marked throughout, you should always have a suitable hiking map with you for safety reasons. Take sticks or other aids with you.

Directions & Parking facilities

Arrival by car

From western Switzerland: A9 Lausanne - Vevey, or north-western Switzerland: A12 Bern - Vevey: A9 - Sierre: main road Sierre - Brig


From north-western Switzerland: A6 Berne - Thun - Spiez: main road Spiez - Kandersteg (Lötschberg tunnel car transport) - Goppenstein - Gampel - Brig


From eastern and central Switzerland: Andermatt - Realp (year-round Furka car transport; in summer via Furka Pass) - Oberwald - Brig


From Ticino (in summer): Airolo - Nufenenpass - Ulrichen - Brig


Or via Centovalli - Domodossola - Simplonpass - Brig


From Italy (Aosta, Mt. Blanc Tunnel): Aosta - Grand Saint Bernard tunnel (over the pass in summer) - Martigny: A9 motorway - Sierre: Sierre - Brig main road.


Or via Domodossola - Simplon Pass - Brig


Blatten bei Naters


From Brig you can reach Blatten bei Naters via Naters, then take the cable car to the car-free Belalp.

Paid parking is available at Chienzlichrommu and in the underground car park in Blatten bei Naters.

You can find more info at:


www.belalp.ch 

Blatten bei Naters can be reached by public transport from Brig or Naters.

You can find the timetable and further information on how to get there at: www.belalp.ch 

Additional information

If you have any questions, please contact:

Belalp Bahnen AG


www.belalp.ch


bahnen@belalp.ch


+41 27 921 65 10


Blatten - Belalp Tourismus AG


tourismus@belalp.ch


+41 27 921 60 40

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Along the path there are several information boards on the theme "Water connects". For example, one learns that similar methods are used in Nepal to transport water along slopes to the fields. The information boards explain the similarities between the two traditions and give insight into the customs and myths surrounding this tradition.

Safety guidelines

Closed until probably March 2025.

 


Despite the " impossible to miss " markings of the hiking trails, we recommend for safety reasons to always have an appropriate hiking map with you, so that you can quickly find your way to a safe area in case of a thunderstorm or an emergency, for example.


Especially in autumn, you should also be aware that leaves lying on the ground can hide bumps, roots, stones or holes in the path. After storms, trees can still fall over or branches can fall down. Especially in adverse weather conditions, muddy and slippery passages can occur on natural paths. You have to expect this kind of path impairment when you go on a hike.


Not all rocks or precipices are secured with ropes or railings. In some cases surefootedness is required. If you are of the opinion that certain sections of the trail are not passable for you, you should avoid them.

Nearby

Getting there

Massaweg
3914 Blatten bei Naters