Ried-Brig: Discover Trails and Cultural Heritage

Ried-Brig is situated on a natural terrace above Brig. The trails vary in length, duration and character; they also include the military history of the 36er Trail and the architectural history of Burgspitz.

Hiking and exploring the plateau

There are walking paths on the plateau between Ried-Brig and Termen, including circular routes suitable for pushchairs. The Brigerberg circular trail passes through several hamlets in Termen and Ried-Brig; its highest point is Burgspitz. This gives you the choice of walks on the plateau or a route that passes through several hamlets. Check the latest route information before setting out.

The Ried-Brig Vitaparcours is a 2.31 km jogging trail of moderate difficulty. The route is listed as having an elevation gain of 120 m and taking 30 minutes. These figures give you specific information for planning a circuit.

The Achera Biela nature trail is an easy 1.46 km hike with a listed duration of around 40 minutes. Compared with the Vitaparcours, the route is shorter, but the listed duration is longer. So when planning your day, it is worth considering the distance and time separately.

The 36er Trail: a hiking route with military history

The 36er Trail zigzags up the mountainside from Ried-Brig to Rosswald. It was built in 1939 during the Second World War by Battalion 36 of Mountain Brigade 11. During the border occupation, it was used to supply the troops stationed in Rosswald. Today, the trail is frequently used for hiking in summer and snowshoeing in winter. Hikers can return to Ried-Brig from Rosswald by cable car. As services and availability may vary, check the connection in advance if you are planning your return journey.

Archaeology and architectural history at Burgspitz

Archaeological evidence of human presence in the municipality of Ried-Brig dates back to the Neolithic period. Burgspitz hill saw several uses during the Metal Ages, from 2200 to 15 BC. The Chapel of the Annunciation on Burgspitz was built in 1707 by the Burgerschaft of Ried-Brig.

The Ganter Bridge

The Ganter Bridge is a structure on the Simplon Road through the Ganter Valley. Christian Menn designed the 678 m-long bridge as a daring S-curve. It was built between 1976 and 1980 and, until the Poya Bridge in Fribourg opened in 2014, it had the largest span of any bridge in Switzerland. Its history offers an engineering highlight alongside the trails and Ried-Brig’s older architectural history.

Getting there and practical planning

Ried-Brig can be reached by PostBus or private vehicle. Parking is available in the village, and the PostBus connects Ried-Brig with Brig railway station. Timetables and parking regulations may change; checking the latest information before you travel will help with your planning.

The Polti fire pit and leisure area is located at the edge of the forest in Ried-Brig. It offers a paid barbecue area with tables and benches, a kitchen with a fridge, sanitary facilities and a covered shelter. The site is a five-minute walk from the “Ried-Brig, Lauenen” stop. As the municipality may adjust the facilities, check the current details before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Naters, Belalp, Simplon, Simplon Hospice, Birgisch, Rosswald, Zwischbergen, Eggerberg

Back to the main travel overview: Brig.