In Valais, alpine mountains meet sunny valleys. The climate in the central Rhône Valley is among the driest in Switzerland, while the highest peaks receive large amounts of snow and rain. The landscape also shifts in scale: the UNESCO World Heritage Site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch encompasses the most heavily glaciated part of the European Alps and Europe’s largest glacier. The Great Aletsch Glacier is part of the World Heritage Site; in Aletsch Forest, the striking upper and lower tree lines stand out.

Glacier Landscapes and Trails

Valais has more than 8,000 kilometres of marked hiking trails. Trail conditions may change seasonally. The Grande Dixence offers a special combination of engineering and mountain experiences: its dam is 285 metres high. Guided sound-and-light tours are held inside, and are available seasonally. The 700-metre-long AlpinLine zipline also runs along the dam; it too is open seasonally.

The Sentier des Bouquetins starts at Grande Dixence and passes the Prafleuri Hut. At the Aletsch Glacier, different durations apply to different experiences: a six-hour glacier tour is offered from Riederalp, while the UNESCO Glacier Tour includes a two-hour roped hike. This follows the 20-kilometre-long Aletsch Glacier.

The bridges also make their own impression. The Belalp–Riederalp suspension bridge crosses the Massa Gorge, is 124 metres long and 80 metres high. It can be reached via a five-hour hike between Belalp and Riederalp. The Aspi-Titter suspension bridge provides a different connection, between the Aletsch region and Goms: it crosses the 120-metre-deep Weisswasser Gorge and lies at the foot of the Fiescher Glacier.

Culture Between Sion and Saint-Maurice

Valère is home to the city of Sion’s first cathedral, where Romanesque and Gothic art come together. Valère also houses the world’s oldest playable organ, dating from 1390. For a different perspective on history, visit Tourbillon: built in the 13th century, it served as the summer residence of the Bishop of Sion.

The museums of the Canton of Valais comprise an art museum, a history museum and a natural history museum. Their permanent or temporary exhibitions are complemented by guided tours, themed events and workshops; the special programme may vary. Saint-Maurice Abbey also offers insights into 1,500 years of history. It has opened to the public; check the current opening hours and access conditions before your visit.

Wine and Raclette

Raclette du Valais AOP is part of the local food culture: the cheese is still made from raw milk using a traditional recipe. Cheese-making traditions in Valais date back to the 4th century BC. Learn more about wine-growing at the Wine Museum in Salgesch. It presents the history of regional wine-growing and traditional wine-making practices. On request, the museum offers guided tours, wine tastings and a walk along the wine trail between Salgesch and Siders. Booking and seasonal conditions may apply.

Pfyn-Finges Nature Park stretches from Siders to Gampel and from the terraced vineyards near Salgesch to the Bishorn. This range brings together different landscapes in Valais without reducing them to a single experience: glaciers, hiking trails, wine-growing and culture each offer their own reasons to explore the region.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Valais is connected to central Valais several times a day by direct train services from Paris, Milan and Hamburg. The train journey from Sion to Leuk takes less than 20 minutes. As timetables may change, check current connections before travelling.

Explore more destinations: Hérens, Monthey, Sierre, Raron, Entremont, Gundis, Martigny, Sion, Brig, Visp, Goms, Leuk, Saint-Maurice, Conthey.

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