The South Ridge is the classic normal mountaineering route on Altels. It is generally a non-technical alpine climb, but it still requires sure-footedness, route-finding, and comfort on steep rocky terrain. The ridge is typically climbed from the Kandersteg/Fründenhütte side or from the Lötschental side depending on conditions and access, with the exact line varying by season. Snow and ice can make the upper sections more serious than the nominal grade suggests. Objective hazards include loose rock, residual snow, and exposure on the ridge. It is a well-known summit route in standard alpine literature for Altels.
