Out and about in the World Heritage 1 10 principles for an unforgettable experience 1 2 The first UNESCO World Heritage of the Alps 1 2 3 2 1 Bietschhorn © Stefan Eggel 2 Great Aletsch glacier © Bettmeralp Bahnen 3 Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau © Jungfraubahnen A unique alpine landscape The UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch has a surface of 824 km² and includes almost all of the Bernese Alps with the monumental rock massifs in the territory of the cantons Bern and Wallis. Around 90 percent of the surface of the World Heritage is covered by rocks and ice. The World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch stands for the marvelous beauty of the Alps. The mountains Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and the glaciers surrounding the Great Aletsch glacier make up the centre. On the south facing slope of the Bietschhorn the high alpine scenery changes via various vegetation zones and gradually turns into a rock steppe with Mediterranean character. This diversity of different landscapes and ecosystems melts into a picture of exceptional beauty. In a charter the 25 participating communes assert that they will preserve the world heritage in its aesthetical diversity and uniqueness for the generations to come. 3 1 Map of the perimeter © Flotron AG, Meiringen 1 Welcome to our World Heritage As an active guest and athlete you can determine your own path, speed and rhythm. This liberty is precious but not limitless, as it requires responsibility towards nature and others. Our World Heritage, like all other mountain regions, is sensitive to disturbance. Many creatures are specialized in living in a certain environment. Only with your help and consideration can we preserve this unique area of unspoiled nature for our progeny – so they can also move freely within the region. This guide will show you what to pay attention to. We look forward to your visit! 4 1 1 Grünsee and glacier tongue Great Aletsch glacier © Lorenz A. Fischer / Allvisions Time to marvel Take your time, take a break and enjoy! Hectic and nature don't go together! The diversity, uniqueness and beauty of the region are best experienced unhurriedly and with the necessary carefulness. 1 Oeschinen lake © natur-welten.ch 2 Swiss stone pine woods by the Grimselsee © natur-welten.ch 5 1 2 Experience cultural variety Let the rich variety of the local products and cultural assets surprise you. The World Heritage doesn't only consist of mountains and glaciers. Each valley has its own traditions and culture, the abundance of agricultural and artisan products is ample. 2 3 6 1 1 Tschäggättä © Hans Kalbermatten 2 Women in traditional festive clothing © Hans Kalbermatten 3 Shepherds at Steiglete (Belalp) © Brig-Belalp Tourismus Traces in the countryside Treat our nature and countryside as if they belonged to you. The nature and countryside of the mountains are sensitive. Damage only heals slowly. We would like to preserve the World Heritage for our children. 1 2 7 3 1 Children © Lötschental Tourismus 2 Bridge © Lötschental Tourismus 3 Steep face skier on the Mönch © Lorenz A. Fischer / Allvisions Beeing a guest 1 Schwarzsee © Lötschberg Tourismus 2 Hiker at the Hasliberg © Haslital Tourismus 3 Biking in Rosenlaui © Haslital Tourismus You can prosper with respect. It's great to have you as our guest! As your host we depend on your fairness and understanding. Mutual respect results in a benefit for all. 8 1 2 3 1 Snow grouse © Stefan Zurschmitten 2 Marmots © Laudo Albrecht 3 Ibex © Foto Fux 1 Marmots and Co 3 9 Keep a respectable distance to animals. You are here to visit – alpine animals live here. Don't drive them away. Especially during the hard mountain winter it is essential for their survival that they are not disturbed. 2 Edelweiss and gentian Do not pick, dig up or trample down plants. Many alpine plants – even unimpressive ones are protected by law. Mountain flowers are prettiest in untouched nature. 1 2 10 1 Alpine aster, protected © Stefan Zurschmitten 2 Cobweb house-leek, protected © Foto Fux 3 Alp-Edelweiss, protected © sens’or Gestaltungs-GmbH 3 1 1 Purpur-Enzian, geschützt © Stefan Zurschmitten 2 Rauchquarz © Toni Labhart 3 Türkenbund, geschützt © Peter Ritler 2 Gathering in proportion Consider the laws and gather in proportion. There are laws for the picking of mushrooms, berries, plants and minerals. The best souvenirs are memories, impressions and pictures. 11 3 1 2 1 Mother chamois with kid © natur-welten.ch 2 Snowboarder © Managementzentrum No limitless freedom Respect the rules and the protected areas. Boundaries and protected areas insure the coexistence of nature, leisure and sport. Trespassing into protected areas can be fined. 12 Paths and routes Stay on marked paths and keep to the described routes. If you follow the paths, field damage and the disturbance of wild animals are minimal. In winter massive disturbance of wild animals is only avoided if you keep to the allowed routes. 1 13 2 1 Moraine path Oberaletsch © wandern-extra.ch 2 Bietschhorn (Location Lötschenpass) © Peter Ritler Travelling and mountain air Make use of the public transport. The excessive use of cars leads to global warming and the melting of glaciers. Enjoy travelling by train, bus, boat and cable-cars. 1 Bus and goats Grosse Scheidegg © Grindelwald Bus 2 Train in the Kandertal © BLS AG, Bern 14 1 2 Imprint Editor Foundation UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps JungfrauAletsch, management centre Text and images are copyrighted. Use and reprint only by written assent of the editor. 1st edition 2011 Idea and concept Core group 1.5 Gelenkte Outdoor-Aktivitäten (2005 / 2006) Swiss Alpine Club SAC department for ecology (2006) Realisation Revision concept and realisation 2011: UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, management centre Design sens'or Gestaltungs-GmbH, Naters 15 1 Photos cover Hiker in the Baltschiedertal © natur-welten.ch 2 Mountain avens © natur-welten.ch 3 Faulhorn looking towards Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau © natur-welten.ch 4 gossamer-winged butterfly © natur-welten.ch Thanks to: Members of the core group 1.5 Gelenkte Outdoor-Aktivitäten 2004 – 2006: Peter Mani (Leader core group, SAC Sekt. Blümlisalp), Angelica Brunner (Walliser Wanderwege Valrondo), Walter Egger (SAC Grindelwald), Heinz Imhasly (Luftseilbahnen Fiesch-Eggishorn AG), Lukas Kalbermatten (Hotel Edelweiss), Ralph Manz (WWF Oberwallis), Jürg Meyer (former environmental officer SAC Switzerland) Swiss Alpine Club SAC department for ecology (2006): Jürg Meyer, Petra Vögeli Thank you for your consideration. Enjoy your stay and come back soon. Managementzentrum UNESCO Welterbe CH - 3904 Naters T: +41 27 924 52 76 www.jungfraualetsch.ch 3 4