We have visited the Swiss canton of Valais several times in the past, but during our five-week guidebook research trip we discovered some more highlights in Valais. After our return we thought about the best places, experiences, vegetarian food, hikes, etc.
It was not easy to limit our number of Valais highlights, but finally we came up with the following list (in no particular order).
Black-nosed sheep and black-neck goats
Sheep are always cute as a rule. But the black-nosed sheep grazing on the high meadows of Valais (and some other mountainous regions in Switzerland) are particularly super-cute! Only their long fur is white, with the black nose and legs sticking out. They like to huddle together and seem to be always munching.
The black-neck goats have a similar black-and-white look with black fur in the front part and white in the back. Don’t they look as if they were wearing loose 1980s trousers?
Perfect views of Mount Matterhorn
The most famous mountain in the Valais was perhaps bound to make our list of highlights in Valais. We had visited the area before and seen the spectacular mountain briefly (most time there were clouds somewhere around the peak). But this time, we were lucky with the weather and had a clear view of the Matterhorn during our whole stay in the village of Zermatt at the foot of the mountain.
Equally fascinating was the ride with the ropeway up to the Matterhorn Glacier paradise at a height of 3.883 m. The ropeway cabin had a glass floor through which we could look down on the glacier from a short distance.
Almost equally impressive is a visit to the Aletsch glacier region, also in the canton of Valais.
Hiking over the Gemmipass
Few mountain passes connect the Valais with the neighbouring canton of Bern. In mid-June, it was still rather early to cross from Leukerbad in Valais to Kandersteg in Bern via the Gemmi Pass. The mountain range towers high above Leukerbad and there was still a lot of snow. Nevertheless, the path over the high plateau was easy to walk and held spectacular views over snowy mountains.
Arriving in Kandersteg, we could take the next train through the Lötschental Tunnel back into the Rhone valley in Valais. From there a bus brought us back up to Leukerbad to soak in a hot spring.
Albrun Restaurant in the Binntal Valley
The Binntal (Valley) had been recommended to us for its remoteness and beauty. The road leads through a long, narrow, unlit stone tunnel that seems not broad enough for two cars to pass (actually it was!). The Binntal is especially famous for the rare minerals that can be found in a certain area. We spent a perfect hiking day walking along the mineral trail and to a clear mountain lake. And then, we got a table in the prized Albrun Restaurant in Binn. They had delicious local food – conveniently for vegetarian travellers, traditional local food nearly everywhere involves more potatoes and veggies than meat. But we especially enjoyed the dessert plate that imitated the Binntal minerals and precious stones! The greenish pieces are sugar filled with absinth!
Bike tour in the Val d’Illiez
It was our first visit to the Val d’Illiez, in the French-speaking part of the Valais. Bordering on France around the towering “Dents du Midi” mountains, the area is very picturesque. Extremely alpine-looking rocky peaks start right above a friendly layer of alpine meadows.
Exploring that landscape on (E-) mountain bikes, we could admire the peaks and still roll along broad and easy trails. Along the way, there were a few Alpine huts and dairy farms for a break. A perfect day in the mountains!
Ropeways, railways, cable cars
All those steep mountains, and valleys only accessible through narrow gorges, have made travel in the Valais difficult for centuries. But from around 1900, engineers started to construct daring little cog railways climbing up the mountains. Some pass through tunnel after tunnel, or swerve around rocky precipices and lofty bridges. Funicular railways and Ropeways made even higher and steeper mountains accessible.
It was fun to sit in the panorama waggons of numerous tiny railways, climbing up into the valleys. We got used to the larger cabins of aerial tramways, where one cabin going up is balancing the other one going down. The smaller, circulating cabins of gondola lifts are easier to use, though, because they move continuously and without a timetable. Still, we like the open chairlifts most!
Traditional Cow Fighting
The Eringer breed of cows in the Val d’Herens are famous. Large, black milk cows with horns, they do what normal cows would do if they had not been calmed and domesticated over centuries. Eringer Cows spend the winter with a few other cows in their stable in the village. At the beginning of summer they go up to their Alp for grazing. There, they meet dozens of other cows to form a herd for the summer. And like wild animals in herds, they fight out the herd’s hierarchy for the summer.
We were extremely lucky to witness a cow fighting as late as June, at the Alpage Tortin in the Val d’Herens. There was an organised event around it, but the cows needed no prodding or incitement. They stood around, ignored some cows, and started fighting others, for reasons known only to them.
Grimentz
A village at the far end of a not-so famous side valley of the Rhone Valley, Grimentz had almost escaped our attention. We took the swerving serpentines on a small mountain road into the Val d’Anniviers in a small window of left-over time. And were surprised by the cute little village, which became one of our highlights in Valais.
The centre of Grimentz is a wonderfully preserved mountain village of old wooden houses along a narrow winding road. Cars are not allowed in (would they even fit?). Strolling up and down the beautifully decorated village was great fun.
Alas, we didn’t have time to try the (all-vegetarian) “rando fondue” they advertised: You can rent a camping fondue set (including cheese, bread, and wine) for a mountain hike! That would be fun – we have to try it next time!
The Valais region is also not far from the vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Have you been to Valais in Switzerland?
What were your highlights?
NB: We wrote this post in relation to a guidebook research for a Valais travel guidebook in German. For the guidebook research, we received some sponsoring from tourism associations in Valais. However, writing a blog post at all was not part of the agreement. The food and drink in this post, we paid entirely ourselves.
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We had to choose a few places to see when we visited Switzerland. But knew we would miss many that meant we would be back. I can see we need to plan to spend some time in the Valais area when we go back. We did not get enough of the mountain views and really want to see the Matterhorn. Ropeways, railways and cable cars – we will take them all! But would probably pass on the cow fighting.
The Valais area also has very good wine – it is the biggest wine growing canton in Switzerland. You will love it!
You had me at drinks with a view. Glad to see there’s lots to do outside of winter. Always a fan of mountain biking. That dessert looked delicious!
There are a lot of amazing mountain biking opportunities in Valais. E-Mountainbiking is also quite popular – with charging stations at a lot of the Alpine huts.
Valais looks like a great place to visit. There is hiking, views, and good food too. That dessert plate that imitated the Binntal minerals and precious stones is so unique! Also, I have never seen any milk cow-fighting. I am saving your blog for future reference. 🙂
The Valais might be the only place where you can see the cow fightings. We are vegetarians, but if you eat meat they do have some very tasty meat specialities as well.
The views you shared are stunning! It’s nice that you were able to take great notice of that cute little village. They were able to preserve this architectural heritage.
Yes, Switzerland has a lot of stunning views! The village of Grimentz is really worth a visit for its traditional wooden houses.
I’ve never ever heard of cow fighting. Interesting! The mountains are so beautiful, and I’d love to see these cute sheep. I’m a sucker for animals – even while traveling. I need to head back to Switzerland!
The sheep are super cute – you would love them!
Oh my God hiking on the snow must have been amazing. I will definitely add Gemmipass to my list as I would love to go hiking there. I have been to Switzerland only once and I was mostly in Zurich. Valais looks stunning and I will surely add it to my list for my next trip to Switzerland.
Actually hiking on snow is quite strenuous and can be dangerous too. You would want to avoid this if possible. This year it was very cold and in early July there was a lot of snow left.
Switzerland is so darn enchanting. The wood houses of Grimentz looks out of a storybook and the hiking opportunities look unreal all around this area. How fun you got to research a guidebook here and soak it all in!
Yes, we are lucky to write a guidebook about this wonderful area. As for soaking it all in – there is usually not enough time for that on a research trip. But we had a great time!
Switzerland is still on my bucket list. So far, I have visited Zurich only and passed through Switzerland when driving to Italy. But I would love to take an RV road trip there. Valais seems to be the perfect destination for such a trip. It offers perfect views of Mount Matterhorn. As a photographer, I would love to shot it. Hiking over the Gemmipass is also a great adventure. We travel with our bikes on RV, so I add to bucket list also bike tour in the Val d’Illiez.
A lot of winter destinations discover mountain biking as a summer activity and new trails are added all the time! You will be spoiled for choice.
I have never seen bi-colored mountain sheep. They look super cute. I loved the views that you share around there. And cow-fighting – well I know of bull fights but cow fights are the first that I have heard of .
Yes – the cow fighting is unique to this part of Switzerland. And most Europeans do not know about it. It was quite an experience!
Vallais looks like a beautiful place. It is refreshing to see non-snowy parts of Swiztzerland. I really love those black sheep. We have a few of those in the farm nearby and daughter always gets excited to see them. The white ball of fur with black nose lamb; legs sticking out is so so cute! I’m so glad that you stumbled upon Grimentz. It is indeed very charming. Good to know it is close to Lavaux.
The thought of exploring Valais’ beautiful landscapes and witnessing their natural splendor is truly captivating. And how thrilling it must have been to embark on a bike excursion in the Val d’Illiez! Cycling through the gorgeous valleys and immersing yourself in the region’s exquisite charm seems like a dream come true. I must admit that I had never heard of Traditional Cow Fighting before hearing about your experience, but it has piqued my interest. It sounds like an authentic and one-of-a-kind cultural experience, and I’m delighted you were able to witness it.
I would definitely see Grimentz. The village looks quaint and they must be having a unique cuture. I would like to try the cable cars, railways and ropeways. The black and white sheep are priceless. Their coats shine so much. I would avoid the cow fighting though, not my cup of tea. Bike tour in the Val d’Illiez sounds like a must do too.
Dear Ambica, while going up with an e-Mountain bike is quite easy, going down is a different matter. We saw several people taking a fall.
What I would give to see Matterhorn in all its glory. Biking through this region looks like a wonderful thing to do and also to stop by and say hello to the cows and goats too. Going up the mountains via ropeways , cable cars is definitely on the top of my wish list.
I agreed with you, putting sheep and goats as one the highlights when visiting Valais. They look so cute! The views of Matterhorn and the hiking trails are amazing. I also like the electric mountain bike. Sounds like it makes biking in the mountain easier. And of course, it’s hard to miss the cute little Grimentz.
Valais looks like a nature lover’s dream! As someone who likes cycling, I would love to go on a ride around Val d’Illiez on an e-bike, those views are incredible! I have never hiked on a glacier before, so going to Gemmipass would be a highlight when I’ll visit this canton in Switzerland. I would also love to stroll around Grimentz, especially as the cars are not allowed in the village.
Wow! This is amazing. There are so many things to see and do in Valais. Also, a hike over the Gemmipass sounds exciting. We’d love to explore the area and enjoy the wonderful view.
This is the first time I heard about the cow fight and I got worried. Hope they did not get hurt at all.
Dear Clacrice, unfortunately some of the cows do get hurt during the cow fight. As they are prized cattle the owners take them immidiately out of the fight if this happens. But still – not good, I agree.