For adventurers young and old: hiking paths, thermal baths, pristine nature – upper Valais with its Aletsch Arena and the high valley of Goms is one of the most beautiful parts of Switzerland.
Source: Silvio Burgener
Go on a journey back in time to the glorious 17th century in the city of Brig. To the present day, the castle, built by Kaspar Stockalper (1609-1691), is still the pride of the local inhabitants. This remarkable entrepreneur left his mark with salt mines, a canal, a warehouse for his commercial activities, and various architectural styles. From the castle and its gardens you can enjoy a magnificent view of the monastery, the Jesuit church and the old town of Brig with its towers.
Switzerland’s largest spa complex combines wellness and fun with 2,600m2 of water in summer and views over the Valais Alps. The heated grotto pool cut into the rock (water temperature of 40 to 42° C), the longest water slide in the Alps (182m), the lazy river outdoor pool and spa, the Olympic swimming pool, six outdoor spa pools (27 to 38° C), a paddling pool for small children and Switzerland’s largest underwater massage-jet system set new standards when it comes to wellness. The spa area is laid out over two floors with a variety of saunas, pools and massage showers as well as a new wellness and beauty programme.
Outward journey.
Stop: Visp, then continue by bus to Brigerbad, Thermalbad.
A village, a museum and an educational trail for the whole family. Search for traces of one of the most precious spices in the world; the ‘red gold’ of Mund. On an area of 1,800m2 in Mund, saffron is obtained from the pistils of the crocus flower (Crocus sativus). Here you will learn how and why saffron is harvested by hand. A historic granary from 1437 – one of the oldest wooden buildings in Switzerland – houses Mund's saffron museum. TToday, Mund is one of the last places in Switzerland where saffron is still cultivated and where a centuries-old harvesting method and tradition have been able to survive.
Source: Valais/Wallis Promotion - Christian Pfammatter
Mountain streams, glaciers, Alpine meadows in full bloom and an idyllic lake are what give the Lötschentaler Höhenweg (Lötschental High Route) its magic. This panoramic hike of exquisite beauty comprises four sections of varying lengths (Kiental-Kandersteg-Selden-Lauchernalp) and plenty of variety. From the Lauchernalp you glide down to the valley by cableway. Postbuses regularly run between Goppenstein and Fafleralp. For experienced hikers. Overnight stays in mountain huts available.
Outward journey.
Stop: Gampel-Steg or Goppenstein, then continue by bus to Fafleralp.
20% discount on a one-way Wiler–Lauchernalp journey by cable car and a coffee or 300ml mineral water at the Zudili Lauchernalp panorama restaurant.
Offer valid: 6 June 2020 to 25 October 2020.
Go to the combined offer
Source: Pascal Gertschen
On Chiematte, at the end of the ski lift, you will find this completely bewitching and delightful witches' paradise for children. Ideal for trying out skiing for the first time, and fun for the little ones. The children's snow playground offers a tubing track, a witchy forest, photo spots, a giant witch's broom, a nursery and even a refreshment stand. Here, the basics of skiing are taught in a fun, child-friendly way.
Outward journey.
Stop: Brig, then continue by bus to Blatten b. Naters and then by gondola lift to Belalp Chiematte
The five-hour hike from Riederalp to Belalp takes you across a suspension bridge. At a height of around 80 metres above the impressive Massa Gorge, this 124-metre bridge will take you from one side of the valley to the other. Enjoy the clear view of the snout of the Aletsch Glacier. Built in 2008, the suspension bridge restores the old link between Riederalp and Belalp, which had been destroyed by the melting of the glacier; all in cooperation with Pro Natura, the WWF and the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Outward journey.
Stop: Mörel, then continue by cable car to Riederalp West; head back by cable car from Belalp, then by bus from Blatten b. Naters, Luftseilbahn and by train from Brig. Or make the trip the other way around.
Information.
Aletsch Arena Furkastrasse 39 3983 Mörel-Filet
Tel. +41 27 928 58 58
Difficulty: intermediate.
June to October.
The hike can also be done in the opposite direction.
10% discount on a one-way Blatten–Belalp and Riederalp–Mörel journey.
Offer valid: 30 May 2020 to 25 October 2020.
Go to the combined offer
Source: Valais/Wallis Promotion - Frederic Huber
In this UNESCO World Heritage-listed high-altitude landscape, the river of ice flows between rocks and stone steps. Numerous vantage points, such as the Bettmerhorn above Bettmeralp, provide impressive views of this sea of ice. A free visit to the multimedia exhibition ‘World of the Great Aletsch Glacier’ is a great way to round off your hike. A shorter path leads through an illuminated tunnel to the other side of the Tälligrat. At the foot of the glacier river is the romantic lake of Märjelensee, which is fed by glacial meltwater.
Outward journey.
Stop: Betten, then continue by cable car to Bettmeralp and by gondola lift to Bettmergrat.
The Aletsch Arena terrace, which guarantees snow from December to April, towers over the Rhone Valley at an altitude of 1,845 to 2,869 metres above sea level. The winter sports resorts of Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiesch-Eggishorn connect a total of 104 perfectly groomed kilometres of piste. Freeriders and snowboarders will enjoy the snowparks, halfpipes, freeride slopes and the slopes for everyone – from beginner to expert. Skiing pleasure at the highest level, with a package offer for all slopes.
Outward journey.
Stop: Mörel, Betten Talstation or Fiesch, then continue by cableway.
In this park, wild and tame animals live in a natural environment. At the valley station of the Fiesch–Eggishorn cableway, children and nature lovers will find many opportunities to observe animals, stoke them and learn more about wildlife conservation. Ibex, marmots, peacocks, dwarf goats, geese, ponies, miniature pigs, guinea pigs and doves all await children and their families.
In the heart of the Binntal valley in Upper Valais, nature reveals its secrets. On foot or in the saddle on a mule, you will follow old smuggler's paths and discover picturesque villages, untouched nature and a mineral mine. With two GaultMillau-listed restaurants, one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland, and charming and breathtaking landscapes, this is a destination for connoisseurs.
Outward journey.
Stop: Fiesch, then continue by bus to Ernen, Dorfplatz.
The Halsesee is a lake in a marshland area of national importance which is particularly beautiful and easy to reach. The incredibly beautiful Schaplersee is surrounded by luxuriant Alpine meadows. At 2400 metres, you will find the calm, cool Geisspfadsee and several glacial lakes surrounded by a moonscape of scree and boulders. It’s also worth visiting little Grängjersee, a jewel of a lake located on a ledge in Saflischtal.
Outward journey.
Stop: Fiesch, then continue by bus to Binn, Dorf or Binn, Fäld.
The cable car from Fiesch to Eggishorn (2,927m) gives you a breathtaking view of the entire Aletsch Glacier, the Matterhorn and the summits of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Fiesch is an ideal destination for families. It was awarded the label “family destination” by the Swiss Tourism Federation.
Outward journey.
Stop: Fiesch, then continue by gondola lift to Fiescheralp and cable car to Eggishorn.
Source: Valais/Wallis Promotion - Christian Pfammatter
From Oberwald to Realp on the Belle Époque steam train – an unforgettable journey. The faithfully restored rack-and-pinion steam locomotive takes passengers on a journey back in time. Passing alpine meadows and a sea of flowers, you will then reach the Furka Pass (2,160m). Here you can enjoy the view of the glaciers during an extended stop.
Outward journey.
Stop: Oberwald
Information.
Dampfbahn Furka Bergstrecke AG P.O. Box 15 6490 Andermatt
In the village of Bellwald (‘family destination’ seal of quality) a treasure is waiting to be found. There are also various marvels to be discovered. The search begins at the tourist office. Here, a fantastic treasure map awaits the children, which they can use to travel back in time in search of clues. Playgrounds, minigolf, football and tennis courts provide entertainment and relaxation for treasure-hunters. Drinks and snacks are available at the nearby kiosk.
Outward journey.
Stop: Fürgangen-Bellwald valley station, then continue by cableway to Bellwald, Bergstation.
In the winter, Goms is a paradise for cross-country skiers: 90 kilometres of trails are freshly groomed every day. From the end of November to the beginning of April, cross-country skiers can enjoy hospitality, sunshine and nature here, very close to the source of the Rhone. A different kind of cross-country skiing: In the evening an illuminated, four-kilometre-long night trail awaits you. During the day, experienced skiers take to the demanding five-kilometre FIS racing trail. The charming Rottenloipe connects the 12 villages of the valley, passes through forests of larch and runs along the frozen Rhone. Tired out? In every village, the trail will take you to the railway station. Enjoy a pleasant trip to your destination on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.
Obergoms is home to three of Switzerland’s most beautiful Alpine passes, a dream for many cyclists. The road up to the Furka Pass, which links the cantons of Valais and Uri, twists its way upwards along the Rhône Glacier. From there, you can keep going on up to the steep Nufenen Pass, which links Valais with Ticino. And you can even also keep cycling towards the Grimsel Pass with its attractive mountain lake to get from Valais to the canton of Bern.
