Things to Do in the Valais
Valais is a canton in Switzerland, characterized by its diverse alpine and valley landscapes. The region encompasses a significant portion of the Swiss Alps, featuring numerous peaks over 4,000 meters, extensive glaciers including the Aletsch Glacier, and the Rhône River flowing through its central valley. This varied topography provides a foundation for several sports like hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more.
Things to Do in Valais
Valais offers a wide array of outdoor activities and routes for…
264
Routes
4.6
(4827)
Average rating
52827
People visited
4.9
(84)
754
hikers
7.92km
03:29
500m
490m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.9
(194)
1,388
hikers
8.81km
04:48
840m
840m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.9
(118)
844
hikers
5.14km
01:30
130m
130m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(106)
893
hikers
15.4km
04:34
460m
460m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(15)
744
riders
67.2km
04:30
2,150m
2,150m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(2)
653
riders
95.6km
06:37
2,750m
2,750m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
4.6
(11)
454
riders
50.0km
03:04
1,300m
1,300m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
4.8
(4)
337
riders
65.8km
05:03
2,520m
2,520m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.4
(47)
542
riders
55.0km
03:08
120m
120m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(47)
437
riders
97.4km
05:39
250m
250m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(2)
256
riders
99.1km
06:49
1,650m
1,650m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(15)
207
riders
48.7km
02:49
100m
100m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(14)
374
riders
31.2km
04:48
1,670m
1,660m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.8
(60)
363
riders
42.0km
04:18
1,480m
1,480m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
4.9
(37)
317
riders
38.2km
03:38
210m
1,170m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.6
(36)
311
riders
26.9km
03:23
790m
790m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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238
runners
43.7km
07:35
2,450m
2,880m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
77
runners
12.2km
02:22
860m
860m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
73
runners
7.64km
01:21
630m
630m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
59
runners
11.8km
02:44
870m
870m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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5.0
(1)
39
riders
47.9km
04:50
1,570m
1,570m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
5
riders
93.5km
10:06
3,190m
3,200m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
13
riders
33.9km
03:36
1,100m
1,100m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
7
riders
64.3km
06:13
2,100m
2,090m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(19)
360
hikers
10.3km
05:58
630m
630m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.7
(7)
228
hikers
6.72km
06:53
1,170m
1,170m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.8
(5)
185
hikers
10.4km
06:40
510m
510m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
5.0
(5)
156
hikers
5.99km
04:34
710m
710m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Top attractions in the region
Explore the region
Most popular attractions in Valais
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Valais?
Valais offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Road cycling, Mountain biking, and Touring cycling. The region features more than 9,800 routes across various sports. These routes have an average rating of 4.62 stars from over 1.8 million visitors.
What types of hiking trails are available in Valais?
Valais provides extensive hiking trails suitable for all skill levels, from valley paths to high alpine routes. The region is known for its diverse terrain, including paths near glaciers, mountain lakes, and vineyards. More than 5,000 hiking routes are available. For more information, consult the Hiking in the Valais guide.
Are there family-friendly hiking options in Valais?
Yes, Valais offers numerous family-friendly hiking trails. These routes are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for various age groups. Specific guides are available to help identify suitable options. Refer to the Family-friendly hikes in the Valais guide for details.
What are the road cycling opportunities in Valais?
Valais offers a diverse network of road cycling routes, including ascents to over 20 mountain passes, with seven exceeding 6,500 feet (2,000 meters). Routes explore vineyards, valleys, and gorges, catering to various skill levels. The Road Cycling Routes in the Valais guide provides further details.
What kind of mountain biking trails are in Valais?
Valais features over 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) of mountain biking routes, including bikeparks with various difficulty levels and flowtrails. The region's public transport network and over 100 cableways provide convenient access to numerous itineraries. The MTB Trails in the Valais guide offers comprehensive information.
What are the major natural landmarks in Valais?
Valais is home to over 40 peaks exceeding 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), including the Matterhorn and Dufourspitze. The Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is another prominent feature. The Rhône River also flows through the central valley.
Are there easy hiking trails for beginners in Valais?
Yes, Valais provides a selection of easy hiking trails suitable for beginners. These routes typically feature less elevation gain and shorter distances, offering an accessible way to experience the region's landscapes. The Easy hikes in the Valais guide lists suitable options.
How can I access hiking trails using public transport in Valais?
Valais has an extensive public transport network that provides access to many hiking trails. Bus stations often serve as starting points for various routes, making it convenient to reach trailheads without a private vehicle. Consult the Hikes from bus stations in the Valais guide for specific routes.
What are some notable man-made attractions in Valais?
Valais features several impressive man-made structures, including spectacular dams like the Grande Dixence, one of the highest in the world. The region also has numerous charming villages and historical sites. Vineyards are a prominent feature, especially along cycling routes.
What is the best way to contact the official tourism organization for Valais?
The official intersectoral promotion organization for the canton is Valais/Wallis Promotion. Their official websites are valais.ch and visitvalais.ch. They can also be reached by phone at +41273273600.
Are there traffic-free cycling routes in Valais?
Yes, Valais offers traffic-free cycling routes for both road cycling and touring cycling. These routes provide a safe and enjoyable experience away from vehicle traffic. Guides are available for both Traffic-free bike rides in the Valais (Road Cycling) and Traffic-free bike rides in the Valais (Touring Cycling).
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