Flying in the Lötschental Valley, Switzerland

Where the wild things are

Andy Busslinger heads to the Lötschental in Switzerland and discovers the unique Tschäggätä masked monsters and the valley they inhabit

20 January, 2025, by Andy Busslinger

Flying in formation from the summit of the Hockenhorngrat

The Lötschental Valley lies in the Bernese Alps in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Surrounded by near-4,000m mountains it is high, remote and sparsely inhabited, with only around 1,500 inhabitants spread over a handful of small villages. 

With its traditional wooden houses, forested slopes and glaciated peaks, for visitors it can seem like a fairytale version of Switzerland. But like all good fairytales, it has its monsters: because the Lötschental is known for its unique carnival-time custom...

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