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title: "Tragic mix-up: how Hamilton Lodge on Switzerland’s Belalp got its name"
description: "Hamilton Lodge is not really what you would call a usual name for a lodgeon a Wallis Alp. But host John Wegink was so taken by the story of glaciologist John Tyndall and his wife Louisa Hamilton that he had to name his lodge after her. This, even though she slipped her beloved husband a deadly potion!"
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/switzerland/hamilton-lodge-sunny-belalp"
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translation: { lang: de, resource: "https://reisememo.ch/schweiz/belalp-hamilton-lodge-review" }
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 22
tags: ["Alps", "Lodge", "Switzerland"]
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sources:
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    title: "Original photography by Walter Schaerer"
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timestamp: 2026-07-27T19:55:15+00:00
---

# Tragic mix-up: how Hamilton Lodge on Switzerland’s Belalp got its name

> Belalp is a car-free sun terrace at 2,100 metres in the Swiss canton of Valais, part of the UNESCO Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage Site, best known for its direct views of the 23-kilometre Great Aletsch Glacier and its intimate connection to Victorian glaciologist John Tyndall.

## Destination
Belalp, canton of Valais (Wallis), Switzerland, at approximately 2,100 metres altitude above the Rhone Valley.

## Getting there
Take the train to Brig, then a post bus to Blatten bei Naters, and finally the Blatten-Belalp gondola to the Chiematte mountain station; the plateau is effectively car-free.

## When to go
The article describes a winter visit with deep snow, ski-in ski-out access, and snowshoe trails, though the area is also noted as a summer destination historically favoured by John Tyndall.

## Why visit
A quieter and less commercially developed alternative to neighbouring Riederalp and Bettmeralp, Belalp offers direct views of the largest glacier in the Alps, historic Alpine connections, and relaxed mountain atmosphere.

## What to see
- **Great Aletsch Glacier** — At 23 km, the largest glacier in the Alps, visible from Aletschbord near Hotel Belalp.
- **Matterhorn, Mischabel Group and Rhone Valley panorama** — All visible from Aletschbord on a clear day.
- **John Tyndall memorial** — An imposing monument arranged by Louisa Hamilton on Belalp; may be buried under snow in winter.
- **Suspension bridge at Aletschbord** — Reached in roughly an hour on snowshoes from Hamilton Lodge's sun terrace.

## What to do
- **Skiing and ski school** — Hamilton Lodge sits ski-in ski-out in the middle of the slope, next to lifts and a rope way; ski school available for children.
- **Snowshoeing to Aletschbord** — Approximately one hour from Hamilton Lodge's sun terrace, with glacier and suspension bridge views.
- **Spa at Hamilton Lodge** — Bio sauna, Finnish sauna, whirlpool, and outdoor hot tub; open 16:00–20:30, CHF 23.50 for hotel guests or CHF 35 for non-guests.
- **Dining at Hotel Belalp panorama restaurant** — Belle Epoque hotel with a glass-and-wood panorama extension serving Valais specialities; option to stay in John Tyndall's original room.

## Good to know
Hamilton Lodge (3-star, CHF 200–260 per night) is named after Louisa Hamilton, wife of glaciologist John Tyndall, who accidentally gave him a fatal overdose of chloral hydrate. Hotel Belalp (3-star, CHF 180–195 per night) is the oldest hotel on the plateau. Intersport rental equipment is available on the Belalp. A Spa & Dine day-guest package at Hamilton Lodge costs CHF 80 per person including spa access and a 3-course menu.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Belalp-Panorama-Rhonetal.jpg"
    caption: "At left, Hotel Belalp with view of the Rhone Valley"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Aletschgletscher-Aletschbord.jpg"
    caption: "The Great Aletsch Glacier"
    geo: {latitude: 46.3806, longitude: 7.9917}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Weisshorn-Wallis.jpg"
    caption: "The Weisshorn: a difficult climb..."
    geo: {latitude: 46.0672, longitude: 7.7139}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Matterhorn-Helikopterflug-Air-Zermatt.jpg"
    caption: "... and the even more challenging Matterhorn"
    geo: {latitude: 46.0447, longitude: 7.7451}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Meterweise-Schnee-Belalp.jpg"
    caption: "Meters deep snow on the chalets and Tyndall's memorial"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Belalp-Chalet-im-Schnee.jpg"
    caption: "Snowed-under chalet"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Hamilton-Lodge-Belalp-blaue-Stunde.jpg"
    caption: "Blue hour at the Hamilton Lodge"
    geo: {latitude: 46.3698, longitude: 7.969}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Prosecco-Hamilton-Lodge-Belalp.jpg"
    caption: "Prosecco or Heida, which is best for a good night's sleep?"
    geo: {latitude: 46.3694, longitude: 7.9687}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Kamin-Lounge-Hamilton-Lodge-Belalp.jpg"
    caption: "Comfortable lounge in the Hamilton Lodge"
    geo: {latitude: 46.3694, longitude: 7.9687}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Sueddeutsche-Hamilton-Lodge-Belalp.jpg"
    caption: "Just the right sort of comfort for leisurely newspaper reading"
    geo: {latitude: 46.3694, longitude: 7.9686}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Fauteuil-Hamilton-Lodge-Belalp.jpg"
    caption: "My favorite!"
    geo: {latitude: 46.3694, longitude: 7.9686}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Leuchte-Hamilton-Lodge-Belalp.jpg"
    caption: "Chandelier in the Hamilton Lodge Restaurant"
    geo: {latitude: 46.3694, longitude: 7.9686}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Burger-Hamilton-Lodge-Belalp.jpg"
    caption: "Burger, mountain man style"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Feuerholz-Hamilton-Lodge-Belalp.jpg"
    caption: "Firewood in the snow"
    geo: {latitude: 46.3694, longitude: 7.9686}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Hotel-Belalp-Wallis.jpg"
    caption: "Hotel Belalp with Alps panorama"
```