Hikes

Sentier viticole / Rebweg

Sierre

3/15°

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

Easy

Length

7.53 km

Duration

2:00 h

Weinberge von Salgesch mit Blick auf den Pfynwald

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)

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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

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Train to Sierre; walk to start of route (1 km). End of route is a gentle walk (800 m) from Salgesch station. Find full timetable information at cff.ch.

Approach

A9 motorway, exit 28 (Sierre-Ouest) if driving from the west or exit 29 (Sierre-Est) if approaching from the east.

Parking

Large car park on south side of railway station (access via Route de la Monderèche).

Equipment

We recommend:

good footwear
clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
hat or cap
sunscreen
bottle for water
picnic
camera
binoculars (optional)
hiking poles (optional)
printout of this hike (click «Print» icon, to download)

For certain walks:

Swimwear

Safety information

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.

For all hikes:

Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on «Print» icon, top right of this page.
Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Close gates after passing through.
Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
Do not leave any waste in nature.

For mountain hikes:

Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.

For high-altitude hikes:

Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.

Additional information

More information about the destination:

Sierre, Salgesch & surroundings

Literature

The tourist office in Sierre has got brochures and information material about hiking in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo maps 1:25’000: 1287 Sierre

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion