Valais: Glaciers, Wine and Culture

Valais combines alpine mountains with sunny valleys. It stretches mainly along the Rhône Valley, from its upper reaches to Lake Geneva, and lies between the Pennine Alps and the Bernese Alps. There is also a marked contrast within this landscape: the central Rhône Valley is one of the drier areas of Switzerland, while the highest peaks receive plenty of snow and rain. The scenery thus ranges from drier sections of the valley to high-alpine areas with extensive glaciers.

Glacier Landscapes and Hiking Trails

The Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses the most heavily glaciated part of the European Alps and the largest glacier in Europe. The Great Aletsch Glacier is part of the World Heritage Site. A distinct upper and lower treeline characterizes Aletsch Forest. The UNESCO area can be reached by train via Mörel, Betten or Fiesch; mountain railways then take you to the glacier. This route provides a practical guide if you want to make glacier landscapes the focus of your trip.

Valais has more than 8,000 kilometers of marked trails for hiking. A range of tours are available at the Great Aletsch Glacier: a six-hour glacier tour starts from Riederalp. The UNESCO glacier tour includes a two-hour roped hike on the 20-kilometer-long Aletsch Glacier. The time estimates refer to different types of tour: six hours for the glacier tour from Riederalp, and two hours for the roped hike included in the UNESCO glacier tour. Trail conditions can change seasonally; check them in advance.

Suspension bridges also offer contrasting perspectives on the landscape. The Belalp–Riederalp bridge crosses the Massa Gorge, is 124 meters long and 80 meters high. It can be reached via a five-hour hike between Belalp and Riederalp. The Aspi-Titter suspension bridge connects the Aletsch region with the Goms, crosses the 120-meter-deep Weisswasser Gorge and is located at the foot of the Fiescher Glacier. The underground lake of Saint-Léonard, the largest navigable underground lake in Europe, offers a very different landscape experience. Access and boat trips may be seasonal.

Grande Dixence: Dam and Activities

The Grande Dixence dam is 285 meters high. Guided sound-and-light tours inside the dam are held seasonally; check current availability before your trip. The 700-meter-long AlpinLine zipline runs along the dam, and access to it is seasonal. The Sentier des Bouquetins starts at Grande Dixence and passes the Prafleuri Hut. Conditions on this mountain route can change seasonally. The dam, zipline and hiking trail therefore offer different ways to experience the alpine surroundings.

History, Museums and Valais Specialties

In Sion, Valère is home to the city’s first cathedral, where Romanesque and Gothic art come together. Valère is also home to the world’s oldest playable organ, dating from 1390. Tourbillon was built in the 13th century and served as the summer residence of the Bishop of Sion. Together, the two sites reflect different aspects of history: sacred art and music, as well as the history of the bishops’ residence.

The Valais Cantonal Museums 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; special programs may vary. Another cultural highlight is in Salgesch: the Wine Museum presents the history of regional winegrowing and traditional winemaking practices.

On request, the Wine Museum offers guided tours, wine tastings and a walk along the wine trail between Salgesch and Sierre. Reservation and seasonal conditions may apply. Raclette du Valais AOP also combines flavor with a long tradition: the cheese is still made from raw milk according to a traditional recipe. Cheesemaking in Valais is documented as far back as the 4th century BC.

Nature Park, Winter Sports and Getting There

Pfyn-Finges Nature Park stretches from Sierre to Gampel and from the terraced vineyards near Salgesch to the Bishorn. It is easy to reach by public transport. In the warm, dry central Valais, the rich diversity of species is reminiscent of Mediterranean regions. This is a way to discover the landscape and nature beyond the glaciated high-altitude areas.

Valais ski resorts offer around 2,000 kilometers of slopes for skiing and snowboarding. Snow conditions and open areas vary by season. It is also worth checking the specific connection for your journey: central Valais can be reached several times a day by direct train from Paris, Milan and Hamburg. The train journey from Sion to Leuk takes less than 20 minutes. Timetables may change; check your connection before traveling.

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

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