Eggerberg – Trails, landscape and village history

Eggerberg lies in Upper Valais on the southern side of the Bernese Alps and on the northern side of the Rhône Valley. The municipality stretches across sunny slopes, pastures and forests and is part of the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park. Parts of the municipality are included in the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO World Heritage Site. This offers different ways to shape your stay: trails through the hillside landscape, views over the Rhône Valley and insights into village life.

Getting here and trails along the south ramp

Eggerberg is accessible by car, postbus and the Lötschberger (BLS). The BLS railway station is unstaffed; check the timetables before you travel. In Eggerberg, walking and hiking trails run along the Lötschberg south ramp and through sunny slopes overlooking the Rhône Valley. The south ramp stretches for about 27 kilometres from Hohtenn station via Eggerberg to Brig. This distance refers to the route as a whole, not to every local trail. Individual sections may be affected by seasonal conditions; check locally before setting out.

A shorter themed option is the seven-kilometre “Lifeblood: Air” trail. It runs from Mund along the northern flank of the Rhône Valley to Eggerberg, above Visp. Five information boards cover the atmosphere and its delicate balance, air and health, global warming and air pollution. The information on the boards may change over time. For a different view of the surrounding area, visit the Finnen alpine pasture above Eggerberg: from there, you can look down into the Rhône Valley, up towards Goms and across to the Mischabel range.

Some historic water structures can also be included in your travel plans. At “Mehrheji”, a 20-minute walk from the hamlet of Eggen, you can see a Chännel. Only people who are not afraid of heights should walk along the Chännel.

Village history and cultural insights

The Trielstadel Museum is located in the village centre of Mühlackern. On display are selected, documented tools and materials from the area’s former farming life. A wooden fruit and grape press, known as a Triel, dates from 1750. The museum also shows films about local crafts, as well as finds from the Late Bronze Age, including burial urns, pots and bronze tools from caves in the municipality of Eggerberg. The exhibition may be updated.

The parish church and chapels are also part of the history of the village. Eggerberg’s parish church was built in 1863 in Mühlackern, on the site of the former St Joseph’s Chapel. Eggerberg was first mentioned in 1307 under the name “Ecun”. Two resin kilns in Schmittuwald are in remarkably good condition; chapels and historic buildings reflect village life. Every year, a fire brigade service is held in St Agatha’s Chapel in Eggen in honour of the patron saint, St Agatha. Regular Sunday services are held in summer at the Chapel of Our Lady in Finnen.

A guided village tour is available for visitors wishing to see the ancient houses in Finnen. A guided tour of Eggerberg, including the telling of local legends, comprises a museum visit, an aperitif and a fondue get-together afterwards. This offer is intended for visitor groups; check the booking details before you travel.

Local tradition

The Valais rye bread made by the Geteilschaft Backhaus Grabo is part of the village’s culinary character. The cooperative makes the bread, and its baking days take place mainly in spring and autumn. This seasonal timing is useful when planning your trip if you would like to combine your stay with a glimpse of local traditions.

Discover more destinations: Zwischbergen, Naters, Birgisch, Rothwald, Rosswald, Termen, Simplon Hospice, Brig

Go to the main travel overview: Brig.