Hiking in the Baltschiedertal

We wanted to see the sun, so we took the train down to Visp to do a hike into the Baltschiedertal.

After walking out of Visp we cross the river and then head up, up towards Ausserberg. At this point the valley is full of clouds, but we remain optimistic and carry on. There's some fun with trails not which are on the map not being particularly used/findable and a stretch through a large and very healthy patch of stinging nettle (ahh 2021... such a great year for stinging nettle!), but we continue up to the spot at p1265 where the path along the suonen and the one through the tunnel split. We opt for the suonen version. This is a nice fun trail, quite exposed at times for the bit through the rock face (which is creepy while in a cloud), but then broadening out once in the forest. Once we get to Ze Steinu things start to open up a bit and we can even occasionally see the Stockhorn at the end of the valley. We continue on a bit until we find a nice sunny spot for a food break. Nice break in the sun, beset by butterflies, and then we turn around to head back.

Just past Ze Steinu we move down to the lower path and continue along. Admire the crazy avalanche remains at the bottom of the Furggbach and then continue on to the bridge. Up a bit and then we pick up the suonen path on the other side. Here along the water, through tunnels, skipping the optional crazy exposed bit (g wasn't even willing to think about it), and along the really nice path to the end of the maintained bit. Here a food break on a bench with a nice view near the little water wheel with a hammer hitting a cowbell (old method to let the maintainer know that the water is still flowing) and then down, down down through Eggerberg and back to Visp. We have time to grab dinner and then it's onto the train and the trip back home.

Being able to get down to Visp in 2 hours is just sooooo nice. :-)

Track:

Stats: 6:20, 20.4km, ~800m up and down