Winter hikes in Valais

On the medium-difficulty Zermatt-Zmutt winter hike (no. 121), you immerse yourself in a winter wonderland steeped in history. As you cover a distance of around 2.7 kilometres, you immerse yourself in the traditional history of the hamlet of Zmutt, whose dark wooden houses have exuded a romantic atmosphere for over 500 years. The small, white chapel is an eye-catcher even from a distance. It lends the village a special charm.

On the way through the hamlet, you cross the Zmuttbach stream. If it is cold enough, you will experience a fascinating spectacle of mighty icicles and glistening ice walls in the depths. Not only do you hike through a dreamlike landscape, but you also have a marvellous view of the majestic north face of the Matterhorn. Part of the route runs along the Matterhorn Trail, where you will find informative boards about the Matterhorn.

Tip: The picturesque hamlet of Zmutt with its 20 or so dark wooden houses and the white chapel in the centre is a wonderful photo opportunity.

The Lötschental, a right-hand side valley of the Rhone Valley, is considered the most beautiful valley in Valais. On the moderately difficult Lauchernalp winter adventure trail, you can immerse yourself in the valley's dreamy winter landscape over a distance of around 4.6 kilometres.

The start and finish of the circular tour is the Lauchernalp mountain station, Holz at 1,969 metres. Along the winter hiking trails, 12 interactive stations await you, allowing you to experience winter in the Lötschental in a unique way. From "The wonder of snow" and "Avalanches - the white danger" to "Where are the animals in winter?", a variety of topics are covered. You can admire snow crystals through a kaleidoscope or match different skins to the corresponding animals in feel boxes. This winter hiking tour is a particularly exciting experience for families with children.

The Fiesch - Fieschertal winter hiking trail is excellently prepared and suitable for all ages. The approximately 5.5 km long winter hiking trails lead gently through the snow-covered forest and along the frozen river landscape of the Wysswasser. Deep winter impressions and breathtaking views await you.

The starting point of this winter hiking tour is the old valley station of the Fiesch-Eggishorn cable car. From here, you follow the picturesque Bregeraweg trail, which is slightly elevated and runs parallel to the Wysswasser glacier stream to Fieschertal. In the snow-covered forest, you can enjoy wonderful views of picturesque Fiesch time and again. The last section of the trail takes you through open terrain, past Hämischbode and the charming hamlet of Wichel to the village square in Fieschertal. The way back is on the other bank of the Wysswasser. Bizarre frozen river sections, frozen trees and bushes create an impressive backdrop along the water.

Tip: Alternatively, you can also use the sports bus or post bus from Fieschertal for the return journey to Fiesch.

Whether winter hiking or snowshoeing, fantastic views of the majestic four-thousand-metre peaks in the surrounding area await you on the 7.1-kilometre route from Bendolla to Grimentz. The winter hiking tour offers breathtaking views of the imposing west face of the Weisshorn, the majestic Dent Blanche, the striking Zinalrothorn and many other peaks in the region. For the most part, the paths are laid out on wider summer hiking trails, with shorter sections over the ski piste.

The winter hiking trails are moderately well signposted, so it may be useful to take a map or sat nav with you. There are plenty of places to stop for refreshments along the route, including Bendolla, Hotel de Moiry, A La Claire Fontaine and Alpina.

Tip: Finish the tour with a visit to the old village centre of Grimentz, one of the oldest preserved mountain villages in Switzerland.

There are no major ascents on the easy, 5.2 km long winter hiking trail Waldpromenade Bettmeralp. You can concentrate fully on the marvellous view of the picturesque Bettmeralp and the majestic Valais mountains. The winter hiking trails on this sunny plateau make for pure pleasure hiking.

The starting point for the tour is the Bettmeralp cable car mountain station. From there, the route leads to the Hotel Aletsch at the eastern end of the village of Bettmeralp. The path leads you through the Baschweri in the direction of Martisbergeralp. After about 30 minutes of walking, the path makes a 180° turn to the west. A slight ascent follows before the trail continues flat towards Alte Stafel. The route takes you past the Möriken camp and back to Bettmeralp.

Tip: The junction with the Fiescheralp - Bettmeralp winter hiking trail is a fantastic photo spot. Here you have a wonderful view of Bettmeralp.

The Chemin des Prés-d'Orvin winter hike is around 8.8 kilometres long and immerses you in the picturesque landscape of the Jura bernois. From Les Prés-d'Orvin, the winter hiking trails lead up to the enchanting Chasseralgrat.

During this scenic tour, you will pass the charming Métairie de Prêles and Le Bison Ranch, ideal places for a refreshing break. The majestic Chasseralgrat ridge offers a breathtaking view of Lake Neuchâtel. On a clear day, you can even see as far as the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. The descent takes you along the winter hiking trails of the picturesque Métairie d'Evilard down to the village of Les Prés-d'Orvin.

Valais is a true paradise for gourmets and delights with a variety of exquisite regional products. From mineral wines and alpine cheeses to vitamin-rich fruit and vegetables, the culinary excellence of the region is reflected. The mixture of traditional knowledge and innovative experimentation makes Valais a delicatessen garden that stretches from the Rhone Valley across sun-drenched slopes to idyllic alpine meadows.

Valais also impresses with its natural wonders and historical masterpieces. The Great Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps, and the world-famous Matterhorn, the iconic pyramid, bear witness to the majestic beauty of the landscape. The imposing Grande Dixence, the highest gravity dam in the world, and the Abbey of Saint-Maurice with its 1,500 years of history emphasise the impressive culture and history of the canton.

The most beautiful villages in Valais

• Albinen - in a marvellous location at the foot of the Gemmi on the sunny slopes of the Dala Valley. Cobbled streets wind their way between the raccards and chalets with wooden façades nestle against the fragrant forest edges.
• Évolène - in this picture-postcard village in the Val d'Hérens, the Valais from earlier times is still present. The locals here often still wear traditional costumes.
• Ernen - the village of Goms seems to have sprung straight out of a fairy tale. The village is characterised by the baroque church with its masonry tower and stands out in the alpine landscape of rock and greenery. On the façade of the famous Tellenhaus is a picture of William Tell, who was sentenced to shoot at the apple on his son's head with a crossbow.
• Grimentz - one of the most picturesque villages in Valais, with a pretty church and bell tower. The Mayens, blackened by the sun, have balconies adorned with geraniums and pretty granaries. The last assemblage of white grape varieties from the Rèze is still produced in this gem.
• Saillon - a medieval village on a hill high above the Rhone Valley. Here you can follow in the footsteps of Farinet, an adventurous counterfeiter who lived in the second half of the 19th century. After a stroll through the village, you can relax in the thermal baths.