Leukerfeld, with its ponds and dry meadows, and the 134-metre-long Bhutan Bridge reveal two distinctive sides of Susten: opportunities to observe nature and trails for hiking. The Pfynwald forest, cycling routes and the parish church of St. Theresia round out the picture. When choosing a hotel, it helps to first consider whether nature, activity or culture will shape your days.
Nature between Leukerfeld, Pfynwald and Illgraben
Susten is the gateway to the Pfynwald nature reserve. The forest has been officially protected since 1997, is one of the largest contiguous pine forests in the Alps and is known for its rich biodiversity. The Leukerfeld offers a different landscape, with ponds and dry meadows contributing to its unique ecological diversity. From Leukerfeld, you can see the habitat of the European bee-eater; sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed.
For birdwatching, an ornithological trail runs from Susten through Leukerfeld to Agarn. The route is accessible year-round, but the best time for birdwatching is between May and September. Trail conditions and wildlife activity can vary by season. The Illgraben also offers insight into the landscape: its streambed runs through Susten’s alluvial fan and gives a sense of the forces of erosion.
If you are looking for a hike with a different starting point, consider the route from Sierre via Illgraben and Pont Bouthanais to Leuk/Susten; it ends at Leuk/Susten SBB railway station. Another hiking route runs from Susten (Leuk SBB) through Pfynwald and past the Ermittage information centre to Siders. The routes therefore differ not only in their scenery, but also in their start and end points.
Bhutan Bridge, hikes and cycling routes
The Bhutan Bridge is 134 metres long. A circular route over the bridge starts and ends at Susten/Leuk SBB and is listed as taking 2½ hours. As the duration can vary with trail conditions, check the current route conditions in advance. The Valais Wine Trail also starts in Susten, adding another route to the options.
For mountain biking, Valais Alpine Bike 1 is a moderately difficult route covering 26.11 kilometres, with a stated duration of 3 hours and 20 minutes. It ends in Leuk/Susten. If you want to ride the Dala Bärgüf route, you can start in Susten or Leuk; the listed way to reach this route is by SBB train to Leuk/Susten. Check current train times before travelling. The stated durations make the difference between a circular hike and a mountain-bike route clear, without suggesting that both routes require the same day’s itinerary.
Church art and culture in Susten
The parish church of St. Theresia was built in 1949 to designs by architects Markus and Dionys Burgener. Since 1986/87, the bright church interior has featured a wooden coffered ceiling. The choir painting by A. M. Bächtiger dates from 1951: Jesus is depicted as the Good Shepherd in the central section, flanked by Thérèse of Lisieux and Brother Klaus. The building’s history, ceiling design and pictorial programme offer three different ways to appreciate the church.
The SOSTA cultural centre is located at Bahnhofstrasse 2, 3952 Susten. Access depends on planned activities, so time your visit according to the programme.
Regional specialities along the way
The Savurando culinary treasure hunt starts at Leuk Tourism, Bahnhofstrasse 6, 3952 Susten. It includes six stops offering regional food and drink specialities. Dates, booking conditions and participating stops may change; check the offer before your visit. This adds a culinary activity to your stay, while Pfynwald, Leukerfeld, the church and the routes offer other points of focus.
Discover more destinations: Pletschen
Return to the main travel overview: Leuk.
