Holiday in Valais

What makes Valais special as a destination?

Valais is the canton of superlatives and the wild heart of the Swiss Alps. With 41 peaks over 4,000 meters, including the legendary Matterhorn (4,478m) and the highest elevation in Switzerland, the Dufourspitze (4,634m), Valais offers the most dramatic high mountain landscape in the country. At the same time, the Rhône Valley is one of the driest and sunniest regions in Switzerland — with over 300 sunny days a year, apricots, saffron, and top-quality wines thrive here. The vineyards of Valais stretch up steep terraces and produce specialties such as the mineral Fendant and the robust Humagne Rouge. Sion, the capital of the canton, sits with the castle ruins of Valère and Tourbillon on two rocky hills above the city and is one of the oldest permanently inhabited places in Europe. The historical Suonen — medieval water conduits that directed glacier water through steep rock faces into the fields — are now fascinating hiking trails. Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, and Crans-Montana are among the most renowned ski resorts in the Alps. The Zermatt-Cervinia ski area offers snow reliability up to over 3,800 meters and even allows summer skiing. In summer, the Valais Alps attract climbers, mountain bikers, and hikers from all over the world — the Europaweg from Grächen to Zermatt with the 494-meter-long Charles Kuonen suspension bridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world, is an absolute highlight. Valais combines high culture, culinary delights, and alpine adventures like hardly any other region in Europe.