For those of you who are planning a holiday in Canton Valais, we at Swisferien have prepared a two-week tour of canton Valais, which is suitable for children.
© Valais/Wallis Promotion
- Day 1 Zermatt-Gornergrat
- Day 2 Saas-Fee-Spielboden-Langfluh
- Day 3 Visit to the Aletsch Glacier
- Day 4 Grächen
- Day 5 Anniviers Valley
- Day 6 Matterhorn Paradise
- Day 7 Mittelallalin
- Day 8 Val d’Herens
- Day 9 Leukerbad
- Day 10 Rothorn Paradise
- Day 11 Hohsaas and Kreuzboden
- Day 12 Sunnega Paradise
- Day 13 Saas Valley
- Day 14 The Lötschen Valley
Day 1 Zermatt-Gornergrat
The Gornergrat train is a real experience. It passes through some truly wonderful places that will surely be etched in your memory forever. Riffelalp and its breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, Riffelberg, Riffelsee, a picture-postcard lake with the Matterhorn pyramid behind it and the top of Gornergrat with its glacier views and magical sunsets are the ultimate expression of the Alps.
Day 2 Saas-Fee-Spielboden-Langfluh
Saas-Fee is another wonderful village that looks like an amphitheatre surrounded by the stunning Mischabel massif. Like Zermatt it has a lot to offer visitors and one of its main attractions is to take the cable car up to Spielboden and feed the marmots – whether you’re an adult or a child, you’ll have a great time with these friendly rodents. At the top station of Langfluh a lunar landscape awaits you, surrounded by glaciers and with spectacular views of Saas-Fee. On the way back you can continue to have fun on the fantastic Feeblitz, a fantastic mountain toboggan run and above all spend some time strolling around this charming alpine resort.
Day 3 Visit to the Aletsch Glacier
This true wonder of nature is the longest glacier in Europe at 24 km. There are several places to climb the Aletsch Arena: Moosfluh, Bettmerhorn or Eggishorn are the viewpoints of the famous ice tongue. Once you’ve seen it, don’t miss the wonderful sunny terraced villages with magnificent views such as Riederalp or Bettmeralp, especially the latter, which has a beautiful high altitude lake where you can take a dip and the chapel of Mary of the Snows with the Alps as a backdrop.
Day 4 Grächen
This small village is situated before Zermatt on a privileged sunny terrace above St.Niklaus. Grächen is the ideal place to enjoy a lovely day in the Alps, a charming village full of chalets and flowers, a small fairytale lake, kneipp circuits or the fairytale cable car: Hannigalp, from where you can admire breathtaking mountain views and make memorable excursions. If you’re travelling with children, don’t miss the wonderful children’s playground.
Day 5 Anniviers Valley
The Anniviers Valley is the quintessential valley of the Valais region. Here you will find Grimentz, one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. Others such as Chandolin, Zinal or Vissoie are not far behind. In addition, near Grimentz you can climb up to Lake Moiry via a spectacular, winding road to find an imposing dam at the top.
Day 6 Matterhorn Paradise
If you’re in the mood for a thrill and a record-breaker, you can take the cable car up the Klein Matterhorn, at almost 4,000 metres above sea level. The scenery at the top is absolutely breathtaking. Glaciers, eternal snow, fog and rock. You can also enter the Ice Palace or go snow tubing. On the way down it is essential to stop at the intermediate station of Schwarzsee, a beautiful mountain lake located at an altitude of 2,500 metres, which together with the Chapel of Mary of the Snows is one of the classic postcards of Zermatt. In the afternoon you can take the opportunity to visit Zermatt, with its many attractions such as its Alpine museum, its beautiful old town or its very interesting shopping street, the BahnhofStraße.
Day 7 Mittelallalin
If you pass through Saas Fee, don’t miss the opportunity to take the highest underground train in the world, which will take you to an altitude of 3,500 metres, from where you will have a majestic view of the Mischabel massif. You will also have lunch in the highest revolving restaurant in the world. A 360° turn will allow you to contemplate an unparalleled alpine panorama from where it is even possible to see Milan. An ice grotto completes the visit to this impressive place.
Day 8 Val d’Herens
This valley in the French canton is characterised by its quiet and authentic villages such as Évoléne and Les Hauderes. You can admire the fantastic rock formations of the pyramids of Euseigne, at the foot of the road, and above all visit the Grande Dixence dam, an engineering landmark and a work of colossal magnitude in a superb alpine setting.
Day 9 Leukerbad
Leukerbad is a hot spring paradise. It is the ideal place to recharge your batteries after long hikes or walks. The Gemmiweg hike is a must. Pure alpine spectacle. You have the sensation of flying. In the afternoon you can relax and enjoy the therapeutic properties of the water in Leukerbad Therme or other spas in the village.
Day 10 Rothorn Paradise
This is one of the lesser known viewpoints in Zermatt, but the Rothorn is probably the most beautiful. The Matterhorn pyramid is right in front of you and the view is sensational. Before heading back, go to the back of the restaurant, where there are many landmarks and you can get some unforgettable photos of the majestic mountain. As you will have plenty of time, you can always use the rest of the day to visit Zermatt.
Day 11 Hohsaas and Kreuzboden
Hohsaas is the top station and starting point for a short and easy hike to the Trift Glacier. Magnificent panoramic views and everything you could ask for from such a place. Kreuzboden, the middle station is a children’s paradise, with one of the best playgrounds in the Alps, and a small lagoon.
Day 12 Sunnega Paradise
From Zermatt an underground funicular railway takes you to Sunnega, an area of great alpine Sunnega is an area of great alpine beauty, with the Matterhorn as the main attraction. Postcard lakes such as Grindjisee or Stellisee, with the silhouette of the Matterhorn reflected in their waters, Grünsee or Leisee, where on hot days you might want to take a dip, are some of the most popular places for travellers. A fun playground and a fairytale alpine hamlet like Findeln round off a memorable day in the mountains.
Day 13 Saas Valley
This valley is made up of the villages of Saas Almagell, Saas Grund, Saas Fee and Saas Balen and is a succession of green meadows and Valais mountain chalets. Kilometres of hiking trails from one village to the next, playgrounds for children to take a break and play, waterfalls, rivers, beautiful churches, the famous Valaisian raccards and the great entertainment and many activities that can be enjoyed in Saas-Fee complete a very interesting offer for a pleasant day out. Finally, you should go up to the head of the valley and visit the Mattmark dam, located in a majestic setting at the foot of the Italian border.
Day 14 The Lötschen Valley
The Lötschental is wild and mysterious. The presence of Tschäggätta masks on the old chalets and raccards further intensifies this feeling. This valley is like visiting the Valais of two centuries ago, everything seems to have stopped and man’s presence is much less than in other parts of the canton. Nature is mistress and master of all and man has adapted as best he can to this wild and harsh environment. Wiler and especially Blatten transport you to another era and allow you to delve into the roots and origins of its people.
These are our suggestions for a two-week holiday in the Valais. We hope you enjoyed them.