Susten

For a trip to Susten, nature, trails, culture and regional cuisine can each take centre stage. You’ll find practical guidance on duration, season and starting points.

Natural landscapes and birdwatching

Susten is the gateway to the Pfyn Forest nature reserve, which has been officially protected since 1997. The forest is one of the largest contiguous pine forests in the Alps and is known for its rich biodiversity. The Pfyn-Finges Nature Park stretches from Gampel to Sierre. Leukerfeld offers a different focus: ponds and dry meadows shape its ecological diversity. From Leukerfeld, you can see the habitat of the European bee-eater; sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed.

The Illgraben also offers a distinctive way to experience the landscape: its streambed runs through Susten’s alluvial fan and gives a sense of the power of erosion. If you’d like to explore nature on foot, the ornithological circuit runs from Susten via Leukerfeld to Agarn. It is accessible year-round, but the best time for birdwatching is between May and September. Animal activity and trail conditions can vary by season.

Routes with different time requirements

The circular route over the Bhutan Bridge starts and ends at Susten/Leuk SBB; the stated duration is 2½ hours. The bridge itself is 134 metres long. Check trail conditions before setting off, as they may change. For a bike ride, Valais Alpine Bike 1 offers a different time frame: it is rated as moderately difficult, covers 26.11 kilometres, has a stated duration of 3 hours and 20 minutes, and ends in Leuk/Susten. Comparing the two duration estimates can help with planning without treating the activities as equivalent.

Other options have different starting and ending points. From Susten or Leuk, you can cycle along the Dala Bärgüf route; the Valais Wine Trail starts in Susten. One hike runs from Sierre via the Illgraben and Pont Bouthanais to Leuk/Susten, ending at Leuk/Susten railway station. Another route runs from Susten (Leuk SBB) via Pfyn Forest and the Ermittage information centre to Siders. A route leads via Pletschen and the Bhutan Bridge to Leuk SBB. Another trail sequence runs from Susten via Leuk town and the satellite ground station to Thel and Guttet. These stages and endpoints offer different reference points if the route itself matters more than a specific duration.

Church art and regional specialities

The parish church of St. Theresa was built in 1949 to plans by architects Markus and Dionys Burgener. Its bright interior has featured a wooden coffered ceiling since 1986/87. A. M. Bächtiger created the choir painting in 1951. The central section depicts Jesus as the Good Shepherd, with Thérèse of the Child Jesus and Brother Klaus at his side. The construction date, ceiling and painting give the church a clearly defined architectural and artistic character.

For a culinary activity, Savurando starts at Leuk Tourism, Bahnhofstrasse 6, 3952 Susten. The treasure hunt includes six stops featuring regional food and drink specialities. As dates, conditions and participating stops may change, check the latest information before planning your day around it.

The Leuk Detective Trail starts at Leuk railway station in Susten, where participants solve the first riddle. It can be started at any time without prior registration. Check the latest conditions before travelling. This makes the trail a flexible option to consider, while you can plan other activities around, for example, the stated duration of the bridge circuit or seasonal birdwatching.

Discover more destinations: Pletschen.

For the broader travel overview: Leuk.