Raron: Rilke, the Castle Church and Trails

Raron brings together traces of Rainer Maria Rilke, Romanesque architecture and trails through the Jolischlucht gorge. The Castle Church, the Viztum Castle and the rock church provide tangible settings for the area’s cultural history; several routes offer different ways to explore literature, the gorge and wine.

Castle, Churches and Museum

The Church of St. Romanus stands at the beginning of a rocky promontory that extends far into the valley. On its south side is the grave of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, visited every year by many admirers. Viztum Castle dates from the 12th century and was first mentioned in 1268. It is considered the best-preserved and probably the finest example of Romanesque secular architecture in Valais. Secular architecture refers to non-religious, rather than ecclesiastical, buildings. From the 12th century onwards, Raron Castle served as the seat of episcopal administrators.

The Rock Church of St. Michael was completed in 1974 after three years of construction; its interior was carved artificially out of the rock in the castle hill. St. Michael’s Church has 500 seats and is located entirely inside the rock. In the castle museum, an exhibition features the church builder Ulrich Ruffiner and parish life in the mid-19th century. There is also a gallery with changing exhibitions of contemporary artists’ work and a carillon experience room where visitors can try their hand at playing the bells.

In Rilke’s Footsteps and Trails Through the Gorge

The Rilke circular trail combines photographs with Rilke’s words: 17 displays featuring excerpts from his poems accompany visitors from the rock church along a paved road to the grave on the south side of the Castle Church. The return route leads from the eastern cemetery exit along a nature trail back to the rock church. The outward and return journeys are therefore described as following different routes.

Regional trains from Sierre or Brig/Visp run to Raron railway station. From the station, a paved path leads to the Castle Church. The hiking route through the Jolischlucht gorge starts in Raron and ends in Niedergesteln. The gorge is visible from the Rhône Valley; the route includes a 20-metre-high suspension bridge with views into the gorge. Conditions may affect its use. Check its current status before setting out on the hike.

The landscape is also part of a larger initiative: for the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage project, the municipality of Raron agreed to make a large part of its municipal territory available. The Bietschhorn and the Bietschtal valley are an integral part of it.

More Tours and a Wine Experience

The Bietschtal Bridge adventure trail starts in Raron or Sankt German at an altitude of 636 metres and is accessible only with a guide. Conditions and guided tour arrangements may change; check the latest information before planning your tour. For cyclists, the Augstbord enduro route passes through Eischoll and follows the Lunggi Trail back to Raron.

A guided, more challenging vineyard hike starts in Raron and leads through the vineyards. Check the booking details before planning. The wine experience near Raron includes a wine tasting: local grape varieties are sampled alongside a Valais platter. Alongside culture and hiking routes, vineyards and regional produce are therefore also options to consider when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Riederalp, Ferden, Kippel, Grengiols, Steg, Bettmeralp, Bitsch, Bister

Go to the main travel overview: Raron.