Overview

Set in southwest Switzerland, Valais stretches 150 kilometres along the narrow Rhone Valley. The Valais region offers a picture-perfect slice of Swiss landscape, ranging from 4000-metre peaks and steep rock faces to lush pastures and underground lakes. Streams trickle down the mountainside into the Rhone River, which winds through the valley past pine forests, Alpine towns, vineyards, and orchards before reaching Lake Geneva. The diverse countryside between the Rhone Glacier and Lake Geneva offers a summer paradise for hiking, mountain biking, golfing, rafting, fishing, climbing, canyoning, paragliding, and helicopter skiing.

The two neighboring resorts of Crans and Montana are set at 1500 metres altitude, high above the Rhone Valley. Together they form one of the biggest holiday destinations in Valais, offering five swimming lakes, forest walks, mountain climbing, and canyoning. Crans-Montana also has a long golfing tradition. The 18-hole Severiano Ballesteros Golf Course features breathtaking views. 

The village of Champéry is set at the foot of the Dents-du-Midi and the Dents Blanches and is one of Switzerland's oldest tourist destinations. The village streets are lined with traditional chalets, charming shops, and friendly bars. Surrounding Champéry is 800 kilometres of walks, 300 kilometres of bike tracks, and a horse-riding center. There is also a 40-metre-high limestone cliff marked with climbing routes of varying difficulty.

The Romans were among the first to recognise the healing properties of the hot springs of Leukerbad. Every day 3.9 million litres of hot water gush from 65 thermal springs in this mountain spa resort, which has made Leukerbad one of the biggest spa and wellness resorts in Switzerland.

Nestled at the foothills of Mont Blanc, is the town of Pays du Saint Bernard known for its legendary dogs. The Saint Bernard dog was used in search and rescue missions during avalanches in the 19th century. Here you'll also find more than four hundred kilometres of marked walking trails and three major treks: Mont Blanc, Saint Bernard, and Combins. Be sure to stop and taste the renowned fromage, a raclette cheese produced high in the mountain pastures, for an added energy boost mid-hike.

The holiday resort of Verbier becomes one of the biggest skiing areas in Switzerland, but has plenty to offer in the summer months. The town is lined with typical Swiss chalets and is surrounded by 400 kilometres of hiking trails. There is also climbing, paragliding, and 200 kilometres of mountain biking routes.  Take the mountain railway up to the peak of Mont Fort which looks out across the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc for breathtaking panoramic views.

 Zermatt has managed to retain its Swiss mountain charm, in spite of its high profile. Electric vehicles and horse-drawn carriages are the principal means of transportation in this car-free town. Zermatt is also the starting point of the Glacier Express, which offers a panoramic journey throughout the year. Walking, cycling, climbing, and panoramic railway rides draw numerous tourists throughout the summer.

The car-free village of Bettmeralp is only accessible by cableway and offers views of the 4000-metre-high peaks of the Valais, including the Weisshorn, Dom, and Matterhorn. The resort has also been awarded the "Families Welcome" certificate and offers a full children's activity program, including pushchair-friendly hiking trails, scooter trails, downhill bike courses, and an indoor swimming pool with slides.

The Goms Valley offers a wide range of summer adventures. Visitors can cross the Rhone Glacier with an experienced guide or enjoy more relaxing pursuits such as minigolf, wildlife observation, and cheese-making.

Champex-Lac, known as Little Canada, is a picturesque village set around an alpine lake. The town boasts a long history of tourism, offering boating, lakeside walks, swimming, beach volleyball, and mountain biking.

The village of Bourg-St-Pierre is bursting with history and charm. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims by travelling the St. Bernard's Pass. In addition to the wide range of hiking options, there is also the opportunity to try out a sport unique to Switzerland - rap jumping - which entails taking an airborne glide down the side of the Toules dam in a delta wing harness.

The Valais mountain villages of Unterbäch, Bürchen and Eischoll are situated on a sun-drenched terrace high above the Rhone Valley. These small family resorts are a walker's paradise from spring to autumn, offering lazy strolls or major treks. 

Some of the most popular excursions in the Valais region include: the 200-metre-deep Trient Gorge Vernayaz; the Matterhorn glacier paradie; and the St Leonard underground lake. Mountain bike tours of Valais are also very popular, with trails taking you past the Aletsch Glacier's sea of ice, the mighty Matterhorn or through the picturesque villages of the Saas Valley.

Valais is easily accessible from the Swiss airports of Basle, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich. Direct bus lines connect Valais with the international airports every 30 minutes. Two fast roads also connect the region: the A9 motorway and the main road Evian-St.Gingolph.