8 reasons to visit Valais, home to Switzerland’s most iconic peaks

If there’s an image of Switzerland more recognisable than the heirloom watches, chocolate bars and fondue sets, then it’s the majestic Matterhorn, the iconic pyramidal peak located in Valais, a canton in the south west. This French- and German-speaking region abounds with mountains and glaciers, all easily explored on panoramic trains and ski lifts. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, here are eight ways to enjoy the natural highs of Valais.

1. Marvel at the Aletsch Glacier

The Alps’ longest glacier is a wondrously eerie place for an adventure. The 14-mile ice flow is a ghostly presence, all exposed white ribs and shadowy crevasses. For the best views of the glacier, head to Bettmerhorn and Eggishorn; both viewpoints are accessible by cable-car from the village of Bettmeralp. Weighing 10 billion tonnes, the Aletsch Glacier overlooks the medieval town of Brig, known for having one of the largest open-air thermal baths in the Alps. Across the Rhône River, in the village of Naters, you’ll also find the visitor centre of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area, where you can learn more about this glacial wonder through interactive exhibits and a panoramic cinema featuring a 100sq metre curved screen.

2. Tour the historic Stockalper Palace

Brig is where you’ll also find the Stockalper Palace, a baroque beauty completed in 1678 by wealthy merchant and early capitalist Kaspar Stockalper. The grand building lies at the foot of the Simplon Pass, a historic trade route between Switzerland and Italy. After taking in its granite towers, you’ll be struck by the castle’s monumental proportions — at the time of construction, it was the largest private building in the country. A guided tour of the palace takes you through warehouses, arcades, halls, courtrooms, a chapel and sweeping gardens, all backdropped by the surrounding Alps.

3. See the sunrise over the Riffelsee

Found nestled at the bottom of Switzerland’s most-impressive mountain, the Matterhorn, the alpine village-resort of Zermatt is renowned for its skiing, climbing and hiking. However, those looking to venture a little further should take a short ride on the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Rotenboden station, where you’ll find one of Valais' most picturesque lakes, the Riffelsee. Reflecting the Matterhorn in its crystal-clear waters, the Riffelsee attracts plenty of tourists, so it's best to head out early to ensure you have the views to yourself. On Sundays during the summer months, the first train departs before dawn and drivers deliberately switch off their lights, offering stunning views of the mountains as the alpine scenes begin to illuminate.

4. Take a unique train ride to the Gornergrat ridge

Riding the rails to the Riffelsee isn’t the only bucket-list journey available in Zermatt. The NostalChic Class train rattles up the Gornergrat Railway to 3,089 metres (10,135ft) — but not in the way most modern Swiss trains do. The restored carriage from 1961 abandons sleek minimalism for old-fashioned details, with wooden seats, cosy cushions and lace curtains. The distinctive railcar holds a maximum of 22 passengers, so every guest can have a window seat with stellar views of the surrounding mountains. Along with commentary from a knowledgeable concierge, the six-hour experience includes a welcome aperitif at Edward's Bar in the Hotel Monte Rosa in Zermatt and a four-course lunch at Ristorante Al Bosco, part of the Riffelalp Resort, with dishes such as marinated salmon with potato salad and tzatziki or risotto with porcini mushrooms and mountain cheese.

5. Feed the marmots in Saas-Fee

You soon learn that you’re never truly alone in the Saas-Fee/Saastal holiday region. Above Saas-Fee village at Spielboden, little furry marmots scurry and burrow — and they welcome visitors, especially if you come armed with treats. You can buy a bag of marmot food (peanuts) at the Saas-Fee Tourist Office for CHF 6/£5. It’s also likely you’ll spot these little mountain dwellers while hiking along the family-friendly Marmot Trail, a short themed loop starting and ending at the Spielboden cable-car station. Marmots hibernate from around October to mid-April, so summer is the best time to pay them a visit.

6. Soar above the Allalin Glacier on a virtual flight

Even higher above the Saas Valley lies the Allalin Glacier — an ancient ice flow surrounded by mighty 4,000m peaks. The glacier can be explored from the Mittelallalin station at the top of the Metro Alpin funicular. Here, you can visit the world's highest revolving restaurant, Revolving Restaurant Allalin, which rotates 360 degrees around its axis each hour, offering constantly changing views of the surrounding landscapes, or you can check out the VirtuAllalin, a VR experience that launched in 2025. With a virtual flight over the ice and close-up views of the Allalinhorn’s snow fields, this experience was created to help inspire visitors to see more of the glacier and the surrounding valley.

7. Fish at the beautiful Lac Vert

In the midst of one of the Alps' most notable mountain ranges, the Dents du Midi, situated in the Portes du Soleil area, you'll find Lac Vert — a peaceful refuge sitting 1,980m above sea level. With panoramic views of the surrounding teeth-like peaks, the lake is a renowned fishing spot, where you're likely to catch a rainbow or fario trout. Sitting above the village of Les Crosets, the lake is easily accessible from the Mossettes chairlift. For a Valaisan fishing permit (CHF29/£27), visit the Refuge de Chésery, located near the lake.

8. Hike the spectacular Tour des Dents du Midi

One of the oldest hiking trails in Valais, the Tour des Dents du Midi route started out in the early 1960s as a mountain race for the country’s soldiers. The 29-mile alpine path offers thrill-a-minute views of cathedral peaks, mountain passes, waterfalls and glaciers — but with plenty of elevation changes, it’s no Sunday stroll. Plan for three to four days on the circuit, staying at quaint mountain refuges and traditional Valaisan lodges along the way. If that full expedition seems too gruelling, opt for day hikes from the base-camp villages in the spectacular Val-d’Illiez.