The finest panoramic excursions in Valais
The pleasure of an outing starts the moment you set off: the journey is part of the adventure, especially when you are travelling through the ever-changing landscapes of Valais.
As you relax in your train, bus or cable car, you admire the vineyards and mountain summits, watercourses and idyllic villages as they pass before your eyes. Here is our selection of the finest excursions in Valais that combine scenic journeys, dramatic vantage points and interesting visits.
The highest border crossing – From Zermatt to Cervinia
With the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, the seamless connection of destinations Zermatt and Cervinia in Italy becomes a reality. The journey across the national border takes about an hour and a half in total, with the cable cars covering over 4,000 metres in altitude. The decelerating experience in the modern gondolas offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains – with the Matterhorn always in sight.
A ride on the Gornergrat Bahn
Europe’s highest open-air rack railway is the Gornergrat Bahn, which carries passengers from Zermatt through spectacular landscapes of deep gorge, larch forests and alpine meadows up to the Gornergrat ridge. Make your trip even more unforgettable: aboard the NostalChic class, you'll embark on a journey back in time, with culinary delights and fascinating anecdotes shared by an expert on the region. Here you enjoy breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, the Monte Rosa massif, the Gorner Glacier and 29 summits higher than 4,000 metres.
Three panoramic View Points to admire the mightiest glacier in the Alps
In the Aletsch Arena holiday region, three dramatic vantage points offer thrilling views over the Great Aletsch Glacier. The rides up are mesmerising, too. From Mörel, ride a cable car and then a gondola up to Moosfluh; from Betten, ride a cable car and then a gondola up to the Bettmerhorn; or from Fiesch, ride a gondola and then a cable car up to the Eggishorn. Each “View Point” offers an awe-inspiring panorama taking in the largest glacier in the Alps and the surrounding peaks.
Fairy-tale ride in Grächen
Board a gondola unlike any other: while you admire the glorious landscapes of the Grächen region, you explore an imaginary world during the whole ride up to Hannigalp. The gondolas have an audio system that allows you to listen to a much-loved story, with each cabin individually decorated to match: a fairy-tale experience that will delight passengers of all ages.
To the top of the Gemmi Pass cliffs
From Leukerbad, a cable car carries you up to the Gemmi Pass. The ride up the steep mountainside is electrifying: you feel you could almost touch the cliffs. Up at the Gemmi Pass, an observation platform suspended 250 metres above the abyss offers superb views over Leukerbad way below and to the snow-capped Valais peaks on the far side of the Rhône valley.
360° views from Croix de Culet (Champéry)
The cable car from Champéry up to Croix de Culet promises a sensational ride with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks. The summit station provides an unrivalled vantage point for admiring the iconic serrated massif of the Dents du Midi and the Dents Blanches: marvel at the 360° views and perhaps stop to enjoy a delicious meal at the panoramic restaurant.
An incomparable vantage point by the Plaine Morte Glacier
From Crans-Montana, a gondola carries you up to Les Violettes. From here, you take a Funitel cable car which brings you to a ridge just above the Plaine Morte Glacier. Admire the sweeping views of the Rhône valley and its side valleys, and try to pick out the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc among the string of snow-capped peaks lined up before you.
Jausses viewpoint
The village of Nax stands at the entrance to the Val d’Hérens, perched on a clifftop. Locals call their community “Le Balcon du Ciel” – the balcony of the sky – and you can see why when you visit the Jausses viewpoint. The design suggests a large balcony or terrace high above the Rhône valley, with a view extending from the Val d’Hérens to Lower Valais. The celebrated cartographer and cleric Chanoine Berchtold used the location to produce the first maps of Valais. The pyramid of the “triangulation point” recalls the importance of the Nax outcrop in carrying out these measurements. The viewing platform is currently closed.
To the top of the Mont Fort
At an altitude of more than 3,300 metres, the Mont Fort is the highest point of the “4 Vallées” ski/holiday region and offers stunning panoramic views: from the 4,000-metre peaks of Valais, including the Matterhorn and Grand Combin, as far as Mont Blanc. From Nendaz (Siviez) or Verbier, ride up to the Col des Gentianes by cable car, and then glide over the Tortin Glacier in another cable car up to the Mont Fort. Thrill-seekers can test their nerves on Europe’s highest zip line, which runs from the Mont Fort all the way back down to the Col des Gentianes.
Hohsaas: View of 18 four-thousand-metre peaks
The cable car takes you from Saas-Grund via Kreuzboden up to Hohsaas at 3,200 m above sea level, where the view of 18 four-thousand-metre peaks awaits you. Your eyes will sweep from the highest mountain in Switzerland, the Dom, to the highest point in Switzerland, the Point Dufour. To get to know the mountains better, we recommend the path of the 18 four-thousand-metre peaks. On this one-hour trail you will learn many interesting facts about the mountains of Saas.
High adventure with the Mont-Blanc Express and VerticAlp up to Emosson Dam
In summer only
Starting in Martigny, the route of the Mont-Blanc Express offers a fine chance to marvel at the deep Trient gorges, spanned by the impressive Gueuroz bridge. The train continues through Les Marécottes, where you can stop to visit the alpine zoo or take a dip in the natural rock swimming pool. When you reach Le Châtelard, take the funicular, one of the world’s steepest, up to Les Montuires, where you board a miniature panoramic train that will carry you to the foot of the Emosson dam. From here, ride the minifunicular to reach the spacious Emosson esplanade that looks out over the reservoir.
The void beneath your feet aboard the Alpine Top (Grimentz)
In summer only
This panoramic precision-engineered cabin made in Switzerland guarantees an exceptional transport experience between Grimentz and the Espace Weisshorn during summer. More than just a means of transport, Alpine Top is a great tourist attraction, thanks to its glass floor offering a unique perspective beneath your feet, complemented by glass walls and balconies. You can enjoy a breathtaking 360° view ensuring an unforgettable experience in the heart of an exceptional setting.
Crans-Montana – The “125 years” project
In summer only
A 12-letter destination: Crans-Montana. For more than 125 years, Crans-Montana has created wonderful memories for its guests – and now invites them to explore its own colourful history. Come and see the 12 giant letters erected throughout the region, from the valley up to the glacier: located at the 12 finest vantage points, they showcase the resort’s unique combination of attractions. You’ll discover entertaining stories, anecdotes and reminiscences on every excursion, all in an idyllic setting in the heart of Valais.
Cable car to the Grande Dixence dam
In summer only
The bus ride from Sion up to the Grande Dixence dam offers an opportunity to admire the impressive church in Hérémence and see the natural rock pyramids of Euseigne. When you arrive at the foot of the world’s tallest gravity dam, a cable car will carry you up to the top of the dam. From here you can set off on a walk along the Ibex Trail, or enjoy a blast of adrenalin as you hurtle down the 700-metre zip line that runs alongside the wall of the dam.