Hikes

Over the Raspille

Albinen

8/13°

Discover the diversity of the Valais in the tiniest of areas on a hike that crosses the Raspille river and the German-French language border.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

10.69 km

Duration

3:15 h

Description

This hike starts in the Valais village of Inden, which can be reached by bus or on foot from Leuk or Leukerbad. As far back as the late Middle Ages, the Romans used this route to reach the thermal springs in Leukerbad, the most productive in the Alps. The hike starts at the former train station and follows the Dala-Raspille cultural trail and the route of the former Leuk-Leukerbad railroad (1915-1967). The trail continues up past a mountain flank, which Johann Wolfgang von Goethe described in 1779 as "not a dangerous trail, but one that looks very frightening". Despite being exposed in places, the path is wide, technically easy and partly secured with wire ropes. You will be rewarded with a sweeping view of the wild Dala valley and the opposite side. Cross the German-French language border, the Raspille river, and follow the trail down to the village of Miège, where the bus will take you back to Sierre.

Turn-by-turn directions

The hike leads slightly downhill from the former train station in Inden along the cultural hiking trail and the route of the former Leuk-Leukerbad railroad. From here, the trail climbs steeply, directly along the vertical mountain flank. Once at the edge of the "Schattuflüe" gorge, the trail continues through the Varner forest and along a forest path to the hamlet of Taschunieru. You will arrive at the entrance to the Varner Suone (Grossi Wasserleitu) after a short climb. The trail follows a straight stretch of the Suone, before crossing the Varneralp rock fall. After crossing the Raspille River and the French-German language border at La Proprija, the trail descends to Miège. Continue walking to Sierre train station or take the bus.

Start

Inden (1135m)

Destination

Miège (699m)

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Author's recommendation

Discover the historic lime kiln in Inden for a glimpse of the late Middle Ages.

Technical information

Altitude

1140m

699m

Ascent

+244m

Descent

-680m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Leuk can be reached by train (SBB), then by bus (LLB - Leuk Leukerbad Bus Reisen) to the starting point in Inden.

Approach

From Basel and Zurich: A1 motorway to Bern; A6 to Spiez; direction Kandersteg; Kandersteg - Goppenstein car transport; direction Gampel; Leuk - Leukerbad.

From Geneva: Motorway A1 to Lausanne; direction Sion/Sierre; Leuk - Leukerbad.

From Milan: Motorway A8/A26 direction Simplon; car transport Iselle-Brig; direction Leuk - Leukerbad.

Parking

Various parking options in the village of Inden. Follow the local parking guidance system.

Source

This activity is brought to you by Leukerbad . Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.