Sentier viticole / Rebweg
Sierre
9/21°
Scenic wine trail through vineyards, winemaking villages and the wild Raspille gorge. The route, illustrated with info panels, links the two sites that make up the Wine Museum of Valais.
Difficulty
EasyLength
7.53 kmDuration
2:00 h
Description
The Sentier Viticole («Vineyards Trail») offers a fascinating experience of the world of Valais wine. The route runs from Sierre – regarded as the capital of Swiss wine, home to the VINEA Swiss wine fair – to Salgesch, one of the Valais’ most prestigious winegrowing villages.
The trail leads through winemaking villages and across vineyards, with 80 information panels that explore the different grape varieties, the history and techniques of winemaking and the life of the people who created and tended this landscape. Many were farmers from the Val d’Anniviers who lived a nomadic life between the mountains and the valley: the wooden houses that they built for their work in the vineyards are among the trail’s highlights.
In other ways, too, the trail represents a link between different worlds. These vineyards may date back for thousands of years, but walkers still encounter pristine nature – for example in the wild Raspille gorges on the beginning of the walk, which also mark the boundary between the French- and German-speaking parts of Valais.
The trail links the two sites that make up the Wine Museum of Valais. Starting point is at the historical building in Salgesch, home to a permanent exhibition that explores the world of wine in an original, thought-provoking and entertaining way. The itinerary finishes at the 16th-century Château de Villa in Sierre, which stages the museum’s temporary exhibitions. The château is also home to a restaurant and the «Oenothèque du Château deVilla», where enthusiasts can taste more than 650 Valais wines.
Highlights:
- Museum of Wine – two contrasting sites at start and end of walk
- Scenic variety: vineyards, winemaking villages and a wild gorge
- Plenty of opportunity to taste the grapes and wines – among the finest in Switzerland
Turn-by-turn directions
When planning the walk, allow time to explore the two sites of the Wine Museum at the start and end of the walk. Beginning at the wine museum’s site in Salgesch, the first stretch of trail then plunges into the gorges of La Raspille, a site of outstanding natural beauty. It then goes up to the Chivirau vineyards, the showcase of the exceptional diversity of Valais vines, with 34 varieties of grape to touch and taste.
The trail continues through the village of Veyras, which has long attracted writers and artists – including the poet Rainer Maria Rilke.
The last section of trail leads behind and above the city of Sierre and through the winemaking village of Muraz, and focuses on the traditional houses built by the nomad winegrowers. Finally, the Château de Villa in Sierre offers a chance to taste the exceptional variety and quality of Valais wines.
Start
Salgesch, train station (576m)
Destination
Sierre, train station (533m)
Author's recommendation
At the Chivirau vineyards, stop to touch and taste the 34 different grape varieties cultivated.
Technical information
Altitude
660m
534m
Ascent
+185m
Descent
-225m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
Approach
Parking
Large car park on south side of railway station (access via Route de la Monderèche).
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
