Tourist attractions and day trips in Wallis

City walk Brig

"A town centre with a long history"

The strategically located town of Brig benefits from the transit traffic crossing the Alps to reach Italy. The nearby Simplon pass is an important route and dates from way back. It made Brig a relatively wealthy town with a beautiful town centre. An eye-catching point of interest is the Stockalperpalast (on the picture), that has been built by Kaspar Stockalper von Thurm between 1658 and 1678. On foot, the castle is 15 minutes away from the railway station. It is regularly open for public access. The rest of the town centre offers many historic buildings and a sufficient number of stores and restaurants to enjoy yourself here for a day.

Grosser Aletsch glacier

"The world of glaciers separating northern and southern Europe"

An impressive view on a giant glacier... that's what you can expect if you make the journey to the Grosser Aletsch glacier. You can choose from four beautiful viewing points that can be reached from the Rhône valley via the train stations of Mörel, Betten and Fiesch (refer to the map). You can take the gondola from there. The gondola station is located next to the train station in Mörel and Betten. A five minute walk is required in Fiesch. From Mörel, you will reach Riederalp, where you either walk (10 minutes) to the chair lift that takes you to Hohfluh, or to the gondola (10 minutes) that takes you to Moosfluh. From Betten, you will reach Bettmeralp. It is one kilometre (0.6 miles, 15 minutes) walk to another gondola which takes you to the Bettmerhorn. From Fiesch, you will reach Fiescheralp, where you can continue to the Eggishorn straight away. You can enjoy a grand view of the largest glacier in the Alps from all viewing points. This glacier, as well as the surrounding area and the mountains behind it in the Bernese Oberland, is considered as natural inheritance by UNESCO and therefore has a protected status. It is possible to take a short walk, especially at Hohfluh, Moosfluh and the Bettmerhorn. A popular short hike is the one from Hohfluh to Moosfluh. A return ticket to either one of these locations allows you to return from the other location as well (subject to alteration). A longer trail along the glacier is Bettmeralp - Aletschwald - Riederalp.

Lac d' Emosson

"A spectacular trip to a huge structure"

Picture: PicSwiss.

This day trip is a nice combination of travelling, scenery, viewing points, technical highlights and, if you like, a hike. Your journey starts in Martigny, where you can take a cog railway to Le Châtelard. After leaving the station of Vernayaz the train climbs steaply and eventually reaches a narrow valley with deep ravines, where it stops several times. From the station of Le Châtelard it takes a two minute walk to the starting point of a very steap funicular, which is situated next to a hydro-electric power station. The power station is fed with water from a flood-control dam in the lake Lac d' Emosson. You need to change after the funicular. A small train on a short but beautiful railway transports you over to a mini-funicular, which is a cabine on a single rail that takes you to your destination: the Lac d' Emosson. This beautifully situated lake and its flood-control dam are not far from Western Europe's highest mountain, the Mont Blanc (4,807 m, 15,771 ft). You can walk on the dam, have something to eat in the restaurant, and enjoy the beautiful view. There are several ways to get back to the valley: you can either take the same route in the opposite direction or you can take the bus or walk to the village of Finhaut. The cog railway takes you from Finhaut back to Martigny. The beautiful descent to Finhaut takes about two hours and takes you through the woods while you can regularly enjoy a view on the village.

Hohsaas

"An overview of the entire Saas valley"

From Saas Fee, several gondolas can bring you up into the alpine world, but the farther on located gondola to Hohsaas can be recommended to enjoy a panoramic view of all mountains surrounding this tourist centre. At 3101 m (10,174 ft), you can expect to find a restaurant and a magnificent view of the Fee glacier, the Allalinhorn (4027 m, 13,212 ft), the Alphubel (4206 m, 13,799 ft), the Dom (4545 m, 14,911 ft) and the Nadelhorn (4327 m, 14,196 ft). Moreover, you are standing right next to the Trift glacier and there is a view of a large part of the Saas valley. Do not forget to get off at the middle gondola station of Kreuzboden (2397 m, 7,864 ft). The view is impressive here as well, and in addition there is a beautiful mountain lake: the Kreuzbodensee (on the picture). Furthermore, there is a restaurant and for children there are a playground and some animals. Kreuzboden is the starting point for several hikes, among which the popular trail to Gspon near Stalden. If you would like to hike across the valley you have been viewing from Hohsaas, you can consider the trail Unter dem Berg - Saas Fee. The valley station of the gondola is located in the village of Unter dem Berg, near Saas Grund. There are a parking lot and a bus stop.

Jungen

"Peace and quiet in an isolated mountain village"

The small village of Jungen is a typical example of a classical mountain village. It is located over 900 m (2,950 ft) above the floor of the Matter valley and can only be reached on foot by a steep trail or by a small gondola that departs behind the railway station of St. Niklaus. The gondola has two small cabins for 4 persons each and it also carries up goods and cattle. The trip takes about 10 minutes. Due to the limited capacity, you need to take some waiting time into account when there is a big crowd. There is a small park in Jungen, as well as great panoramic views of the Weisshorn (4506 m, 14,783 ft) and most of the Matter valley. Jungen is the starting point for some (generally less easy) hikes to the high Jung valley or the Augstbord pass. You can just make a short walk in Jungen as well. Visiting Jungen gives you an impression of life in a small isolated mountain village.

City walk Sion

"The centre of the oldest town in Switzerland"

The capital of Wallis, located in the warm Rhône valley, is surrounded by vineyards and attracts attention from miles away because of the two castles towering on rocks above the town. But the Château de Tourbillon and Château de Valère are not the only points of interest. From the railway station, a 10 minute walk via the Avenue de la Gare brings you to the square of Place de la Planta, which is a good starting point to explore the historic town centre. This is also the place where you can find the tourist office, that can provide you with a map or other information. You can join a guided tour or wander along the cathedral, several churches and numerous other historical buildings yourself. The town centre also hosts several museums, among which the Cantonal Museum of Archeology (Musée cantonal d'archéologie) and the Cantonal Museum of Natural History (Musée cantonal d'histoire naturelle).

City walk Visp

"The surprising centre of an old town"

When you are arriving in Visp by train, it is inevitable to pay attention to the town's industrial zone. However, Visp has a surprisingly beautiful historical town centre, that is certainly worth paying a visit. From the railway station, you can reach the pleasant shopping zone via the Bahnhofstrasse in just a few minutes. The historical part of the town centre begins a bit furtheron. Several churches and some very old residential houses can be found here. The tourist office can be found on the La Poste Platz, on the edge of the town centre.

Stand

"A remarkable 360° panoramic view"

The viewing point of Stand is very different from viewing points that can be reached by gondolas. Stand is a hill in the forests of Moosalp. It is located relatively low at 2122 m (6,962 ft), but its location is unique which results in a remarkable panoramic view. Almost the whole of the Matter valley can be seen, with the Ried glacier, the tourist resort of Grächen, the Weisshorn (4506 m, 14,783 ft) and the Breithorn (4164 m, 13,611 ft). In the north, right across the Rhône valley, the triangle shaped Bietschhorn (3934 m, 12,907 ft) draws most of the attention. Moosalp can be reached from Visp or Stalden by car or by postcar. A trip by postcar can be recommended, because it is a good opportunity to view the landscape along the way, and it also spares you from a car ride on a long and narrow mountain road, with a difference in altitude of 1200 m (3940 ft). There are two restaurants and a parking lot on Moosalp. The walk to Stand takes about 25 minutes. You can make a circular walk across the forests of Moosalp along Stand and the nearby small lakes as well.

City walk Zermatt

"Discover the less well-known places of a tourist centre"

Zermatt is especially known as a luxurious winter sports resort. Even in summer, some ski runs are open near the gondola station of Klein Matterhorn. A visit to Zermatt is worthwhile, even if you do not stay in this crowded tourist centre. There is a great shopping zone with many restaurants, and you can combine your visit with a trip to one of the many viewing points in the immediate area, among which the Gornergrat, Sunnegga and Klein Matterhorn. In spite of mass tourism, it is very nice to walk through Zermatt to discover the less well-known places of this car free town. A walk of an hour takes you along the Alpines Museum, St. Peter's English Church, the parish church with its graveyard for mountaineers, classical wooden Walliser houses, the district of Winkelmatten with beautiful chalets and a little chapel, and through the Bahnhofstrasse (on the picture), with its many stores, hotels and restaurants. The tourist office can be found on the station square in Zermatt. Zermatt is a car free town that can be reached by train only. Drivers can use a large parking lot in nearby Täsch. There are frequent train services to Zermatt from here (travelling time 10 minutes). You can park in Visp as well, which is easy to be reached by car from the Rhône valley. A train to Zermatt departs from Visp about once per hour (travelling time approximately 65 minutes). This spares you from a car ride through the Matter valley (30 km/19 miles, difference in altitude 790 m/2590 ft, travelling time about 60 minutes).

Gornergrat

"Come face to face with the impressive Matterhorn"

Clear weather is a great opportunity to take a journey to the Gornergrat and enjoy a fantastic view on the Matterhorn (4,478 m, 14,692 ft). You will travel to Zermatt by train, from where the Matterhorn can already be seen. Zermatt is car free and drivers need to use a large parking lot in nearby Täsch. From Täsch, trains frequently depart to Zermatt. A cog railway takes you from Zermatt to the Gornergrat. Here you can enjoy a beaufitul panorama of glaciers and high mountains. The Matterhorn draws most of the attention. A bit less prominent is the Dufourspitze, the highest point in Switzerland with its 4,634 m (15,203 ft). If you like, you can round off your visit with a short hike to one of the lower situated train stations Rotenboden or Riffelberg. The Gornergrat can be reached by a cog train that departs right across the railway station of Zermatt. The beautiful ride takes about 45 minutes. Zermatt is a car free town that can be reached by train only. Drivers can use a large parking lot in nearby Täsch. There are frequent train services to Zermatt from here (travelling time 10 minutes). You can park in Visp as well, which is easy to be reached by car from the Rhône valley. A train to Zermatt departs from Visp about once per hour (travelling time approximately 65 minutes). This spares you from a car ride through the Matter valley (30 km/19 miles, difference in altitude 790 m/2590 ft, travelling time about 60 minutes).

Klein Matterhorn

"The highest viewing point in the Swiss Alps"

Klein Matterhorn is located on an altitude of 3883 m (12,740 ft) and is the highest reachable point in Switzerland, unless you are a mountaineer. You can enjoy winter sports here all year long. But for most visitors, the impressive view is the main reason to visit Klein Matterhorn. The observation platform can be reached by an elevator. The platform allows you to have a good view of the Breithorn (4164 m), that can be climbed relatively easy due to its gradual slope south of the top (refer to the picture). The Rhône valley with the Bietschhorn (3934 m, 12,907 ft) can be seen through the Matter valley. Even some mountain tops in the Bernese Oberland, 70 km (44 miles) away, can be seen. Binoculars allow you to get a good view of the Mont Blanc (4807 m, 15,771 ft), the highest mountain in Western Europe. Of course, the famous Matterhorn (4478 m, 14,692 ft) is also present. However, you will see it from the less characteristic south-east side. The Dent Blanche (4357 m, 14,295 ft) can be seen behind the Matterhorn. You can also view across the ski runs, far into Italy. In addition, there is a glacier grotto where a number of beautiful ice sculptures are on display. Note that you are in an alpine environment here; the thin air requires you to take it easy. Or else snow and ice are a good enough reason not to hurry. Please take into account that children up to 3 years of age are not allowed to visit Klein Matterhorn, because of the health risks that a stay at this height may bring about when they are older. Klein Matterhorn can be reached by gondola from Zermatt. The gondola station is approximately 20 minutes away from the railway station. You can use small city buses as well. The gondola ride via the transfer stations of Furi and Trockener Steg takes about 25 minutes. Zermatt is a car free town that can be reached by train only. Drivers can use a large parking lot in nearby Täsch. There are frequent train services to Zermatt from here (travelling time 10 minutes). You can park in Visp as well, which is easy to be reached by car from the Rhône valley. A train to Zermatt departs from Visp about once per hour (travelling time approximately 65 minutes). This spares you from a car ride through the Matter valley (30 km/19 miles, difference in altitude 790 m/2590 ft, travelling time about 60 minutes).

Sunnegga

"A quick trip to a viewing point of the Matterhorn"

Picture: Ski-Zermatt.com.

If you would like to enjoy a great view of the famous Matterhorn, the Gornergrat is a well-known, but not the only viewing point. A quicker and cheaper alternative is Sunnegga, at almost 700 m (2300 ft) above Zermatt. You will have a good view of the surroundings of Zermatt from the terrace of the restaurant. You may even travel further up by using the gondola to Blauherd (2571 m, 8435 ft) and the Rothorn (3103 m, 10,180 ft). Visiting Sunnegga can easily be combined with hiking. An example is the trail from Riffelalp to Sunnegga. You can reach the valley station of the underground funicular on foot in 10 minutes from the railway station in Zermatt. The funicular takes you to Sunnegga in only 3 minutes. Zermatt is a car free town that can be reached by train only. Drivers can use a large parking lot in nearby Täsch. There are frequent train services to Zermatt from here (travelling time 10 minutes). You can park in Visp as well, which is easy to be reached by car from the Rhône valley. A train to Zermatt departs from Visp about once per hour (travelling time approximately 65 minutes). This spares you from a car ride through the Matter valley (30 km/19 miles, difference in altitude 790 m/2590 ft, travelling time about 60 minutes).

Glacier Express

"Traverse Switzerland by a world-famous train"

The Glacier Express is a world-famous train, which is not only worth the attention of train enthusiasts. The train is very suitable to view the scenery in a most comfortable way. The train starts in Zermatt and runs via Brig, Andermatt and Chur to St. Moritz in the canton of Graubünden. This way the train offers a nice possibility to travel from Wallis to Graubünden. This train is also called 'the slowest express train in the world', and the journey will take you a whole day. If such a long journey does not fit in your plans, then of course it is also possible to ride along just a section of the route. In both cases we advise you to make reservations, for this train is very popular. Several trains will run during the day in summer, so that you can pick a convenient time of departure. Each train offers a restaurant and a mini-bar. In first class, you will even have a better view of the scenery because of the panoramic coaches with extra large windows. The highlights are, among others, the narrow Mattertal valley, the Rhône valley, the Oberalp pass where the river Rhine rises, the Rhine valley with its white rocks and the Landwasser viaduct near Filisur. This trip has been made possible because of the co-operation of two narrow gauge railway companies: the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and the Rhätische Bahn (RhB).

Centovalli

"An extraordinary journey through Switzerland and Italy"