Sierre is at the heart of one of Switzerland’s main wine-growing regions. But if you decide to leave the picturesque vineyards behind you, you’ll also find wild forest and untouched nature in Leuk and the Val d’Anniviers.
The six-kilometre vineyard trail from Sierre to Salgesch links the two sites of the Valais Wine Museum. On the way, you will learn all sorts of things about the wines of Valais from information boards and at tastings: 80 information boards complement the sights to be seen, providing insights into life in the vineyard, the work of the winegrowers and viticulture. In Sierre, in the impressive Château de Villa, you can discover the local products and find out which wines are best suited to the local cheeses.
Outward journey.
Stop: Sierre/Siders or Salgesch.
Information.
Office du Tourisme de Sierre, Salgesch et Environs Place de la Gare 10 3960 Sierre
With a total area of 277km2, the Pfynwald forest between Sierre and Gampel is one of the most important landscape, culture, plant and bird hotspots in Switzerland. 350 kilometres of hiking and/or cycling trails. In the largest pine forest in Europe, the wine-growing terraces from near Salgesch all the way to the Bishorn, unique places such as the Turtmanntal or the rocky outcrops of Leuk and its castle, renovated by Mario Botta, you can immerse yourself in another world. Between 530 and 4,153 metres above sea level, there is an entire eco-system waiting to be discovered.
Underground, there is an incredible place of worship beneath the vineyards between Sierre and Sitten. With a length of 300 metres and a depth of 30 to 70 metres, it is the largest navigable underground lake in Europe. Board the boat, glide through the water in this silent grotto, and discover the secrets of this ancient world. Departure every 40-45 minutes, multilingual tour guide.
Outward journey.
Stop: St-Léonard.
Information.
Lac Souterrain de Saint-Léonard Case postale 75 Rue du Lac 21 1958 Saint-Léonard
Tel. +41 27 203 22 66
March to November.
Please note: Due to construction work, the winter break will be longer than usual, extending from the evening of 22 September 2019 to 6 June 2020.
The Crans-Montana skiing area will delight all winter sports fans with its ski touring park, snowpark and family area. But in summer it becomes a true golf resort with its four legendary courses. And if you like urban sports, Alaïa Chalet provides 5000 square metres of everything you’d ever want for your skateboard, BMX, trampoline or scooter.
Outward journey.
Stop: Sierre/Siders, then continue by cableway or bus to Montana.
Information.
Remontées Mécaniques Crans Montana Aminona (CMA) SA Route des Barzettes 1 3963 Crans-Montana 1
Follow the watercourse of the historic irrigation channels of Valais. For children, it is great fun to float along the canals in boats. In the Hameau de Colombire, the Mountain Eco-museum awaits you with fascinating insights into the world of yesteryear. The 17-kilometre-long walk, with opportunities for splashing around in the water, starts and ends in Montana at an altitude of 1,500 metres.
Outward journey.
Stop: Sierre/Siders, then continue by cableway or bus to Montana.
Information.
Crans-Montana Tourisme &Congrès Route des Arolles 4 3963 Crans-Montana 1
The thermal bath which provides fun and sporting activities for the whole family. A true blessing – every day 3.9 million litres of warm, natural thermal water (up to 51°C) bubble into the pools of the thermal baths, which are open 365 days a year. A wide range of activities and wellness opportunities awaits families with children. The Gemmi and Torrent ski lifts will take you up to the ski slopes, while beginners can enjoy the Snowpark Sportarena. Amongst the hundreds of indoor and outdoor sporting activities on offer, everyone will find something that suits them.
Discover a typical Valais village, built to protect the harvest against harsh winters. The old granaries, their beams blackened by sun and age, are as much witnesses to the passage of time as the tools and traditions of the past which you will see displayed here. The road through the village is short – but you should still allow plenty of time to take in the historical insights which have been installed by the villagers. Grimentz in Val d'Anniviers is the starting point for numerous activities – from here you can easily reach the sports resorts of St-Luc, Chandolin, Zinal and Vercorin. Skiing, hiking, the via ferrata, and animal watching – in Grimentz, pristine nature and a wealth of history combine to form a charming whole.
Outward journey.
Stop: Sierre/Siders, then continue by bus to Grimentz.
If you want to bake our bread, you have to take your time. Rye is the grain used, and it grows even under the most extreme conditions. It thrives in Valais. During the summer months, workshops in Grimentz and St-Luc will allow you to discover the history and secrets of how the traditional bread of Valais is made – a bread which lasts for months. When it gets hard, you chop it up and dip it in your soup. The compact and nutritious bread of Valais was ideally suited for use as provisions by the nomadic population of the past. The shuttle bus will take you from one workshop to the next.
Outward journey.
Stop: Sierre/Siders, then by bus to Grimentz or St-Luc.
From Grimentz to the top of the dam (2,250m). Following prior registration, the inside of the 148-metre high dam wall can be accessed between the end of June and the first major snowfalls. Lots of hiking routes begin here; a point from which you can marvel at the mountains and their reflections in the clear water of the reservoir. You should allow two hours for a walk around the lake. This tour can be extended to the Cabane de Moiry, the Becs-de-Bosson or to the end of the Via Ferrata de Moiry. You can follow the path along the reservoir to the snout of the glacier at 2,350 metres on foot or by mountain bike. The family-friendly Restaurant du Lac de Moiry will welcome you for a tasty break. Don't forget to admire the wonderful view!
Outward journey.
Stop: Sierre/Siders, then continue by bus to Moiry VS, Barrage.
