Hiking

Erosion caused the mountain to collapse and the vast, pale yellow and reddish rock basin to form, which becomes bigger every year. The "Grand Canyon" of Valais can be reached in an hour on foot from the village of Chandolin. From the Grabenrad or the Illhorn (2716 m) there are terrifying yet stunning views down into the Rhone valley.

Hoch über dem Walliser Talboden schlängelt sich der Wanderweg der Lötschberg Südrampe den Bergflanken entlang Richtung Brig. Der Weg führt vorbei an reissenden Bergbächen, die in den tiefeingeschnittenen Seitentälern fliessen.

Der Rhonegletscher hat sich vor 9000 Jahren zurückgezogen. Dennoch ist das Leben im Goms manchmal hart.

Die Landschaft im Unterwallis wird von Rebbergen an den Talflanken und von Obstplantagen im Talgrund des Rhônetals geprägt. Zwischen Sierre und Sion ist dies nicht anders. An den sonnigen Südhängen wird jeder Quadratmeter für den Weinbau ausgenutzt.

The 10-km-long valley between the Turmtann glacier in the south and the Rhone in the north is as rewarding for hikers as it is for lovers of blood-curdling legends, cultural history and natural diversity. It is the westernmost German-speaking southern valley and, from its start at 3000m next to the glacier down to the valley floor at 678m, reflects the world of the Upper Valais with all of its characteristics.

Scorched by the sun and difficult to access, the steep Valais hillsides are often watered using the so-called "suonen", or irrigation channels. Dug into the ground, hanging from rocks or carved from them, they are a constant reminder of the farmers' struggle against drought. Today, picturesque hiking trails follow these historic water channels.

Europe's longest glacier is not listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for no reason. The landscape through which this four-hour hike from Bettmerhorn mountain station runs is spectacular. Flagstones make the mountain trail easily accessible and on a panoramic level high above the Aletsch Glacier it leads towards the magical Lake Märjelen. The Talligrat tunnel is a shortcut back to Bettmeralp.

The ‘Pro Natura’ nature reserve belongs to the most impressive forests in Switzerland. The vegetation in the light mountain forest comprises larches, stone pines and dwarf shrubs. Around 330 ha of the Aletsch forest, endangered earlier due to overgrazing, have stood under a protection order since 1933: from the forest-free ridge of the Hohflue and Moosflue across closed stretches of forest to the glacier periphery with its moraines.

The Binn Valley is Switzerland's treasure chest, where most mountain crystals are found. The area therefore attracts guests from everywhere in the world eager to hunt glittering crystals.

The hike connecting Gspon to Saas Grund is an all-time favorite among persons who know this area well. It is part of the 'Great Walser Trail' which traces the historic West-East migration pattern of the Walser.