Snowshoe trekking

Hüoterhüsi Trail
Visperterminen–Riedbach–Hüoterhüsi–Bodma–Ried–Visperterminen

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Hüoterhüsi Trail
Visperterminen–Riedbach–Hüoterhüsi–Bodma–Ried–Visperterminen
The Hüoterhüsi trail leads through dense fir forests, along a Valais suone (irrigation channel) to the water warden's house: the Hüoterhüsi. The return route via the Alp Bodma pasture in its dream-like setting is enough on its own to make this tour worthwhile.
The Hüoterhüsi trail is a tour that starts directly in Visperterminen, at an altitude of around 1,300 m.a.s.l. To tackle the hike in snowshoes, there needs to be enough snow and sub-zero temperatures. Then the tour becomes an utter delight, taking you through forests deep in snow and the Alp Bodma pasture in its dreamlike setting. You start out directly next to Visperterminen bus terminal. For the first few meters, you climb at a stately pace along Bifigastrasse. From A Stalu, a footpath leads past the last houses in the village to the edge of the forest. Now, the route winds its way at a moderate gradient through dense forest with fir and larch trees. After crossing the Riedbach stream, the trail climbs more steeply across a forest clearing to reach the Bodme pastures. From here, it descends gently into the forest traversed by the Bodmeri-Niwa water channel. Before the Gibidum tunnel was built, this channel (or "suone") was used to irrigate the pastures around Visperterminen.
Following the suone, you reach the "Hüoterhüsi", the intermediate destination of this trek. From this little house, you have sweeping views of the Rhone Valley and the mountains opposite. As its German name suggests, it used to be the water warden's house. He kept watch over the channels that carried the precious water from neighbouring Nanz Valley to Visperterminen and beyond. The occupant of the Hüoterhüsi was also responsible for maintaining the channels. The water was directed over a water wheel to ensure a continuous flow.
The return route follows only a small section of the same trail, and then branches off to the right towards Bodma. The forest opens up here to reveal a superb panorama of the Weisshorn peak, over 4,000 meters high. At the very far end of the Matter Valley, the peak of the Matterhorn soars skywards. The trail descends rather more steeply across the Bodma pastures to Riedhof hamlet, where it crosses the Riedbach stream. Then you climb back up a short way to return to the village and the tour's starting point.
Following the suone, you reach the "Hüoterhüsi", the intermediate destination of this trek. From this little house, you have sweeping views of the Rhone Valley and the mountains opposite. As its German name suggests, it used to be the water warden's house. He kept watch over the channels that carried the precious water from neighbouring Nanz Valley to Visperterminen and beyond. The occupant of the Hüoterhüsi was also responsible for maintaining the channels. The water was directed over a water wheel to ensure a continuous flow.
The return route follows only a small section of the same trail, and then branches off to the right towards Bodma. The forest opens up here to reveal a superb panorama of the Weisshorn peak, over 4,000 meters high. At the very far end of the Matter Valley, the peak of the Matterhorn soars skywards. The trail descends rather more steeply across the Bodma pastures to Riedhof hamlet, where it crosses the Riedbach stream. Then you climb back up a short way to return to the village and the tour's starting point.
The Hüoterhüsi trail leads through dense fir forests, along a Valais suone (irrigation channel) to the water warden's house: the Hüoterhüsi. The return route via the Alp Bodma pasture in its dream-like setting is enough on its own to make this tour worthwhile.
The Hüoterhüsi trail is a tour that starts directly in Visperterminen, at an altitude of around 1,300 m.a.s.l. To tackle the hike in snowshoes, there needs to be enough snow and sub-zero temperatures. Then the tour becomes an utter delight, taking you through forests deep in snow and the Alp Bodma pasture in its dreamlike setting. You start out directly next to Visperterminen bus terminal. For the first few meters, you climb at a stately pace along Bifigastrasse. From A Stalu, a footpath leads past the last houses in the village to the edge of the forest. Now, the route winds its way at a moderate gradient through dense forest with fir and larch trees. After crossing the Riedbach stream, the trail climbs more steeply across a forest clearing to reach the Bodme pastures. From here, it descends gently into the forest traversed by the Bodmeri-Niwa water channel. Before the Gibidum tunnel was built, this channel (or "suone") was used to irrigate the pastures around Visperterminen.
Following the suone, you reach the "Hüoterhüsi", the intermediate destination of this trek. From this little house, you have sweeping views of the Rhone Valley and the mountains opposite. As its German name suggests, it used to be the water warden's house. He kept watch over the channels that carried the precious water from neighbouring Nanz Valley to Visperterminen and beyond. The occupant of the Hüoterhüsi was also responsible for maintaining the channels. The water was directed over a water wheel to ensure a continuous flow.
The return route follows only a small section of the same trail, and then branches off to the right towards Bodma. The forest opens up here to reveal a superb panorama of the Weisshorn peak, over 4,000 meters high. At the very far end of the Matter Valley, the peak of the Matterhorn soars skywards. The trail descends rather more steeply across the Bodma pastures to Riedhof hamlet, where it crosses the Riedbach stream. Then you climb back up a short way to return to the village and the tour's starting point.
Following the suone, you reach the "Hüoterhüsi", the intermediate destination of this trek. From this little house, you have sweeping views of the Rhone Valley and the mountains opposite. As its German name suggests, it used to be the water warden's house. He kept watch over the channels that carried the precious water from neighbouring Nanz Valley to Visperterminen and beyond. The occupant of the Hüoterhüsi was also responsible for maintaining the channels. The water was directed over a water wheel to ensure a continuous flow.
The return route follows only a small section of the same trail, and then branches off to the right towards Bodma. The forest opens up here to reveal a superb panorama of the Weisshorn peak, over 4,000 meters high. At the very far end of the Matter Valley, the peak of the Matterhorn soars skywards. The trail descends rather more steeply across the Bodma pastures to Riedhof hamlet, where it crosses the Riedbach stream. Then you climb back up a short way to return to the village and the tour's starting point.
Length | Number of stages
8 km
| 1 Stage
Ascent | Descent
360 m | 360 m
Hiking time
3 h 30 min
Fitness level
medium
Arrival | return travel
Season
Winter season
The winter season generally lasts from December to March.
Signalization
Routing
Due to snow conditions, the locally signposted route may differ from that shown on the SwitzerlandMobility web map. If in doubt, follow the local signs.
More …
Amended routing, Hüoterhüsi Trail
Duration
until further notice
Reason
Amended routing
Please note the amended routing and follow the local signposts. See map for details.
Data source: SwitzerlandMobility / Cantonal office
Hints
Arrival | return travel
Contact
Heidadorf Visperterminen Tourismus
Dorfstrasse 128
3932 Visperterminen
Tel. +41 ()27 946 03 00
info@heidadorf.ch
www.heidadorf.ch
Dorfstrasse 128
3932 Visperterminen
Tel. +41 ()27 946 03 00
info@heidadorf.ch
www.heidadorf.ch