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Overview
Valais (Wallis in German) is Switzerland's third-largest canton by area, occupying the upper Rhône Valley and the high Alpine terrain surrounding it. It shares borders with France to the west and Italy to the south, and its landscape rises from valley-floor vineyards at roughly 500 m to the 4,478 m summit of the Matterhorn — one of the most photographed peaks in the world.
The canton is effectively two cultures joined by one valley. Western Valais is French-speaking and anchored by the cantonal capital Sion, while eastern Valais — locally called Wallis — is German-speaking and home to resort towns such as Zermatt and Saas-Fee. Both halves share an agricultural tradition built on terraced vineyards, fruit orchards, and high-altitude pastures.
Valais receives more sunshine than most of Switzerland, a climatic quirk that supports viticulture on slopes that would seem improbably steep to outsiders. The canton produces distinctive grape varieties — Petite Arvine, Heida, Cornalin, and Humagne Rouge among them — that are rarely found elsewhere. Add glacier-carved valleys, thermal baths, Roman-era settlements, and a network of hiking and ski trails among the densest in the Alps, and Valais offers considerable variety across every season.
Before You Go
Visas and Entry
Switzerland is not an EU member but is part of the Schengen Area. Entry rules depend on your nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) official website for current requirements before booking.
When to Go
- Winter (December–March): Peak ski season. Resorts such as Zermatt, Verbier, and Saas-Fee are busy; book accommodation well in advance. Zermatt's high altitude means skiing can extend into April or May.
- Spring (April–May): A shoulder season. Some mountain infrastructure is still closed; lower valleys show wildflowers and quiet villages.
- Summer (June–September): Ideal for hiking, via ferrata, mountain biking, and vineyard tourism. July and August are busy at popular resorts.
- Autumn (September–October): Harvest season in the vineyards, cooler temperatures, reduced crowds, and vivid foliage on valley slopes.
What to Pack
Weather changes fast at altitude. Even in summer, bring a waterproof layer, warm mid-layer, and sturdy footwear for any trail above 2,000 m. Sun protection (SPF 50+, lip balm, sunglasses) is essential in snow or on glaciers year-round. In winter, full ski gear can be rented locally if you prefer not to travel with it.
Getting There
By Air
The nearest major international airport is Geneva Airport (GVA), roughly 2–2.5 hours by train from Sion. Zurich Airport (ZRH) is an alternative for eastern Valais, with connections via Brig or Visp. Sion Airport handles some seasonal charter and regional flights — verify current routes on their official site, as schedules vary significantly by season.
By Train
Switzerland's rail network is the primary way most visitors arrive. The main SBB line runs the length of the Rhône Valley, stopping at Martigny, Sion, Sierre, Visp, and Brig. From Brig, the Glacier Express scenic rail service connects onward to Zermatt (via Visp) and to Graubünden. Direct InterCity trains run from Geneva and Lausanne into Valais multiple times per hour. Check current timetables on the SBB website or app.
By Car
The A9 motorway follows the Rhône Valley from Lausanne to Brig, making Valais easily drivable from western Switzerland and France. Note that several major resort villages — most notably Zermatt and Saas-Fee — are car-free. Visitors drive to designated parking facilities at Täsch (for Zermatt) or Saas-Grund, then take shuttle trains or buses into town.
By Road from Italy
The Simplon Pass and road tunnel connect Brig with northern Italy (Domodossola) year-round. The Great St. Bernard Pass and tunnel link Martigny with the Aosta Valley; the pass itself is typically closed in winter — verify current status before travel.
Getting Around
Regional Rail and PostBus
The cantonal public transport network is extensive and well-integrated. PostBus routes serve valleys and villages not reached by train. A Swiss Travel Pass covers most SBB trains and PostBus services and is worth evaluating if you plan to travel broadly. Many mountain railways, gondolas, and cable cars are separate ticket purchases, though some resort passes bundle them.
Mountain Railways and Cable Cars
Valais has some of Europe's highest and most technically impressive cable car infrastructure. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise above Zermatt reaches approximately 3,883 m, while the Cabane du Mont Fort above Verbier is accessible via lift. Schedules and seasonal closures vary; check with individual operators before planning a day around a specific lift.
Car
A rental car is useful for exploring smaller lateral valleys — the Val d'Anniviers, Val d'Hérens, Lötschental, and others — that receive less frequent public transport. Roads in these valleys can be narrow and steep; snow chains or winter tyres are mandatory in mountain conditions and are sometimes legally required on certain passes.
Within Car-Free Resorts
Zermatt uses electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages. Luggage can be forwarded to hotels through registered luggage services — confirm availability with your hotel in advance.
Where to Stay
Resort Towns
Zermatt, Verbier, Saas-Fee, Crans-Montana, and Leukerbad each offer a range of accommodation from budget hostels and self-catering apartments to luxury hotels. Zermatt and Verbier in particular skew toward higher price points. Booking months in advance is advisable for the Christmas–New Year period and mid-February school holidays.
Valley Towns
Sion (the cantonal capital), Sierre, Martigny, and Brig are practical bases with lower accommodation costs than the mountain resorts. From these towns, several ski areas and hiking valleys are reachable by public transport within 30–60 minutes. Sion in particular makes a useful hub for exploring the western Valais vineyard region.
Rural and Lateral Valleys
The Val d'Anniviers, Val d'Hérens, Lötschental, and other side valleys contain smaller villages with guesthouses, mountain inns, and farm accommodation. These offer quieter experiences and direct access to less-visited terrain. Public transport reaches many of these villages but may be infrequent — check PostBus schedules before planning.
Practical Notes
Many hotels in Swiss mountain resorts include a local guest card (Gästekarte) that provides free or reduced-price transport and facilities during your stay. Ask your accommodation to confirm what is included when you book.
Things to See & Do
Skiing and Snowboarding
Valais contains some of Switzerland's largest ski areas. Verbier anchors the Four Valleys domain, one of the biggest linked ski areas in the Alps. Zermatt's ski area extends across the Swiss-Italian border and includes glacier skiing that operates into summer on certain lifts. Saas-Fee markets itself as a year-round glacier ski destination, though verify current operating conditions on their official site. Crans-Montana offers high-plateau skiing with wide runs suited to intermediate skiers.
Hiking
The canton has thousands of kilometres of marked trails, from valley-floor vineyard walks to multi-day high-altitude routes. The Haute Route — a classic trekking and ski mountaineering itinerary — runs from Chamonix (France) to Zermatt across glaciated terrain. The Europaweg between Grächen and Zermatt is considered one of the most scenic lower-altitude trails in the region. The Zermatt area alone has over 400 km of marked summer trails. Always check conditions with local tourist offices before setting out on high-altitude routes.
The Matterhorn
The iconic 4,478 m pyramid dominates the skyline above Zermatt. Climbing it requires technical mountaineering skills, prior Alpine experience, and a certified guide; it is not a hiking objective. The view of the peak from the Gornergrat rack railway (verify current fares and schedules) or from the 5 Seenweg (Five Lakes Walk) is achievable for most fit visitors.
Wine and Vineyard Visits
Valais is Switzerland's largest wine-producing canton. The terraced slopes between Martigny and Leuk carry an AOC designation and produce wines from varieties found almost nowhere else — Petite Arvine, Heida/Paien, Cornalin, and Humagne Rouge. Many domaines offer tastings; contact individual producers or the Valais wine promotion body (Vins du Valais / Walliser Weine) for current information on open cellar days and tours.
Thermal Baths
Leukerbad (Loèche-les-Bains) is one of Europe's largest Alpine spa villages, with thermal pools fed by natural hot springs. Several bath complexes are open to day visitors; verify current opening hours and admission fees on operators' official websites. Brigerbad in the Rhône Valley also has open-air thermal facilities.
Other Activities
- Via ferrata routes in various difficulty grades throughout the canton
- Glacier walks and ice cave visits above Zermatt and Saas-Fee (guide recommended; verify seasonal availability)
- E-bike and road cycling on the signed Rhône Valley cycling route
- Paragliding from several locations including Verbier and Crans-Montana (use certified operators)
Food & Drink
Regional Specialties
Valaisanne cuisine reflects both its Alpine heritage and Franco-Italian influences. Raclette — melted cheese scraped over potatoes, pickles, and charcuterie — originated in Valais, and eating it here, made with genuine Raclette du Valais AOP cheese, is a different experience from versions served elsewhere. Fondue is equally common in the French-speaking west.
Rye bread (Roggenbrot / pain de seigle) baked in communal ovens is a local staple. Dried meat (Walliser Trockenfleisch) — typically beef cured and air-dried in mountain conditions — is served as an appetiser or part of a cold plate. Cholera is a savoury pastry pie filled with vegetables, cheese, and sometimes pears, historically associated with the canton despite its name.
Wine
Drinking local wine is an integral part of eating in Valais. Fendant (Chasselas) is the ubiquitous everyday white; it pairs naturally with raclette and fondue. Johannisberg (Sylvaner) is fresh and aromatic. Among reds, Dôle — a blend typically based on Pinot Noir and Gamay — is widely produced, while single-variety Cornalin and Humagne Rouge offer more distinctive regional character. Petite Arvine, a white with mineral salinity and notes of rhubarb and citrus, is widely regarded as the canton's most distinctive grape.
Eating Out
Restaurant options range from simple mountain huts (Bergrestaurants) serving hearty alpine staples to established dining rooms in resort hotels. In Zermatt and Verbier, the range extends to higher-end establishments, though prices in these resorts are elevated relative to Swiss averages, which are themselves high. Reservations are advisable in peak season at popular spots.
Practical Information
Money
Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). Card payments are widely accepted, including contactless, but smaller mountain huts or farm stalls may be cash-only. ATMs are readily available in towns and most resort villages.
Communications
Mobile coverage is good in valleys and major resorts but can be absent in remote high-Alpine terrain. Swiss SIM cards or roaming on a European plan both work. Public Wi-Fi is available in most hotel lobbies and many larger restaurants.
Health and Altitude
Most visitors do not experience significant altitude effects below 2,500 m, but those with cardiovascular conditions should seek medical advice before visiting high-altitude areas. Glacier skiing above 3,000 m and multi-day high routes carry greater physiological demands. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers EU/EEA nationals for medically necessary care in Switzerland but does not replace travel insurance. Mountain rescue in Switzerland can generate substantial costs; ensure your travel insurance includes mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation cover.
Emergency Numbers
- General emergency (Europe): 112
- Swiss police: 117
- Swiss ambulance: 144
- Swiss mountain rescue (Rega): 1414
Electricity
Switzerland uses Type J plugs (3-pin). Visitors from the EU will generally need an adaptor; visitors from North America will also need a voltage converter for some devices (Switzerland uses 230V/50Hz).
Safety
Valais is generally a safe region by any international comparison. The primary risks are environment-related rather than crime-related.
Mountain Safety
Weather in the Alps can change rapidly. Check the MeteoSwiss forecast and any avalanche bulletins (issued by the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, SLF) before backcountry travel in winter. Avalanche risk is a real hazard off-piste and on uncontrolled terrain. Always carry emergency equipment (avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel) in avalanche terrain and do not travel alone. Hiring a certified mountain guide (IVBV/UIAGM certified) is strongly recommended for glacier travel, ski touring, and technical peak ascents.
In summer, afternoon thunderstorms are common, particularly in July and August. Start high-altitude hikes early and descend before midday if thunderstorm risk is forecast. Stay well clear of ridgelines during electrical storms.
Trail Conditions
Switzerland's trail network is well-marked with colour-coded waypoints (yellow for hiking, white-red-white for alpine routes, white-blue-white for high alpine/fixed-rope routes). Alpine routes (white-red-white) require sure-footedness and appropriate footwear. If you are uncertain about route difficulty, consult local tourist offices or the Schweizer Wanderwege trail organisation.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Valais has a distinct cultural identity shaped by its relative geographic isolation — many valleys remained difficult to access until the twentieth century, preserving dialects, building traditions, and customs that have faded elsewhere in Switzerland. The German-speaking eastern valleys speak Walliserdeutsch, an Alemannic dialect that even other Swiss-German speakers sometimes find hard to follow.
The Lötschental, in particular, has preserved carnival masks and traditions — the Tschäggättä, wild masked figures who appear during the weeks before Lent — that draw ethnographic interest. Similar folk traditions involving processions, costumes, and communal rituals persist in several villages. Local tourist offices can advise on public event calendars.
Religion has historically played a central role in Valais, which remains predominantly Catholic. Churches, chapels, and pilgrimage sites (including the pilgrimage church at Visperterminen and the Saas valley chapels) are numerous and often architecturally significant. Visitors should dress modestly when entering churches.
The bilingual and bicultural nature of the canton means that crossing from Sierre westward into Sion you shift from German to French — menus, signs, and conversational norms all change. In tourist-oriented settings, English is spoken widely, but making an effort to greet people in the local language (French or German) is appreciated.
