Experiences along the Grand Tour in Valais

North of St. Maurice and the abbey, high above the castle at the Rhone narrows, the Fairies' Grotto has carved its way more than half a kilometre into the mountain. At the end of their walk, visitors will find a small subterranean lake and a 50 metre-high waterfall.

In the 16th century, the architect Ulrich Ruffiner built the St. Romanus fortified church on the rock spur above Raron. Almost 500 years later, the people of Raron opened the cavernous St. Michael rock church. Together with the grave of the poet Rilke, the pair of churches are a magnet for tourists in the community in Valais.

The Münster recreational and leisure area is situated between Münster airfield and the Rhône roughly in the middle of the airfield surrounded by beautiful meadowlands. Various children’s play equipment, a natural jogging trail, tennis courts as well as a volleyball court invite to relax and play.

The "bisses" are traditional irrigation channels which were built several centuries ago in order to bring precious glacier water to the cultivated land around Crans-Montana.

As visitors enter the Valais, they are greeted by impressive mountain cliffs and a waterfall that is, unfortunately, smaller than it used to be.

The hiking routes around the resort of Zermatt – site of Switzerland’s most famous mountain, the Matterhorn – offer you breathtaking panoramic vistas, lush flowering meadows and fragrant larch forests.

Accessible to all types of hiker, this easy route takes you from the village of Saillon to the Farinet footbridge over the Salentze gorges.

On a sunny high plateau (at 1,480 meters above sea level) one finds Birkendorf Bürchen. During an easy two-hour hike from Bürchen to Zeneggen, discover the squirrel trail and the didactic forest trail, where you can learn many important and interesting things about these two topics.

The Alpine pass and the legendary Great St. Bernard Hospice symbolise the hospitality shown by the monks to travellers over the centuries. Barry, the large and good-natured St. Bernard dog, is famous for saving the lives of lost mountaineers – this four-legged hero has always been bred here.

An educational trail leading up to the Wildstrubel Glacier displays exciting details about the glacier, climate, rocks, landscape, flora and fauna on 10 stations and offers a lot of fun for the whole family.

The Valaisian Suonen Museum is in the heart of the little village of Botyre (Ayent Community) 6 kilometres away from Anzère. It is dedicated to issues pertaining to the Suonen (ancient irrigation channels).

The Simplon Pass links Brig (Valais) with Domodossola in Northern Italy. Now generally open in winter, it was used as early as the Stone Age, though until the 17th century it was mainly traversed by smugglers and mercenaries as the narrow Gondo Gorge was considered impassable, even by Roman Era architects.

Kreuzboden above Saas-Grund is not only the starting point for many lovely hikes, but is also well worth a visit in its own right - especially for children!

Fighting is in the nature of the Eringen cows. Every spring, this is how they determine the hierarchy within the herd. The strongest cow will be the leader of the herd throughout the summer.

There is quite a contrast between the southern village of Martigny at the elbow of the Rhone and the wilderness of Durnand Gorge, or the Gorges du Durnand as it is called in French.

Safe and secure all the way, you traverse some truly impressive rock formations as you make your way up a total 305-meter climb in around 2 hours to find yourself at the top of the Eggishorn - best vantage point on the grand Aletsch Glacier and end point of the via ferrata.

Nepal and the Valais have a lot in common. The educational trail along the Massa Trail shows in a remarkable way the parallels between the two cultures.

In the olden days, the road through the Twingi Gorge could be deadly in winter. Before the tunnel between Ausserbinn and Binn was built, the self-sufficient valley would be cut off from the outside world for weeks.

In full view of the Valaisian Alps one glides safely on steel ropes through the romantic larch forest. Switzerland’s highest fixed rope park is an adventure for the entire family!

The newly created garden with its own grape vines and a fragrant rose garden invites you to dream. These areas with various plants lend the castle a pleasant feeling of spaciousness.

Fondation Gianadda in Martigny is an internationally renowned cultural foundation with multi-faceted aspects. The museum offerings range from archaeological exhibits, a vintage car and sculpture park to art collections and concerts.

This is a symbolic place in the city of Sion, located below the Bisse du Montorge and above the Gravelone district. Built in 1885, the Bisse de Montorge collects water from the Lac de Montorge and supplies the southern flank of the slope, including the famous Mont d'Or area. The photo spot is located in an environment with a gentle blend of iconic panorama, quiet residential area and vineyard terraces.

Illgraben is a bowl-shaped, steep-sided mountain basin that towers over the Rhone Valley. It is also one of the key starting points for debris flows in Switzerland.

Just follow the birds – is the motto of this family hiking trail.

Riding all the way from Torrent to Leukerbad by means of the Monster TrottinettS - fun for the entire family.

Some people say that the Matterhorn is best viewed from the Rothorn, since it showcases its pyramid shape perfectly. And who are we to argue? The mountains to the east of Zermatt are great viewpoints.

Robis Waldspielpark is located in the village of Grächen. It offers many exciting attractions for young and old.

With glorious views of the Matterhorn, a trip to Sunnegga-Rothorn is sure to be an unforgettable experience for young and old alike. It’s part of the Matterhorn ski paradise in winter, turning into a hiking paradise and land of adventure in summer: Whizz down on mountain carts and kick bikes or embark on the five-lake trail and discover the idyllic Lake Stelli, famous for its impressive reflection of the Matterhorn.

Already the Romans trod this path from the main Valais valley to the north. The historic Gemmipass crossing unites Leukerbad with Kandersteg – without roads, instead mountain rail.

On the theme trail from Bettmeralp to the village of Betten, visitors get closer to the early inhabitants of the region with every step and learn how the inhabitants of Betten used to live.