Get your pulse racing in Valais with these activities

With a staggering 8,000-plus kilometres of trails around the region, Valais feels like it was made for hiking. There’s an adventure to be had for everyone, whatever your ability, whether you’re an experienced hiker or just keen for a casual stroll. The only difficult part is choosing your route, so to get you started, try the climb that takes you high above the Rhône Valley to the Lac de Taney, a gorgeous lake in an Alpine nature reserve. Or you could combine your hike with a stay in a mountain hut, such as the eye-catching Cabane FXB Panossière in Verbier, set at 2,645 metres above sea level and offering magnificent views across the Alps. Strap on those boots and get stomping.

There’s nothing quite like zipping through the Valais countryside on two wheels, and there are 2,000 kilometres of fantastic cycle routes all around the region to suit any and every cyclist. Get stuck-in to the ten stages of the famous Valais Cycling Tour to really see the area at its most varied, from Crans-Montana’s dramatic mountains in Stage One to the final ascent up to the pretty spa town of Ovronnaz in Stage Ten. For something a little different, try cycling the popular Vineyard Trail, which takes you past historical landmarks and luscious green expanses, and of course you’ll make a few stops along the way to sample some delicious local tipples. 

Alternatively, combine biking with sightseeing in the ‘Best of Valais with a guide’ package. Led by an expert rider, you’ll tour around the Valais destination of your choice, taking in the highlights as you cycle. Your guide will adjust the tour to your level of experience and interests, whether that’s wild trail riding or leisurely cycling between top restaurants. Find out more here.

Fancy cranking up your bike ride? Mountain biking will let you do just that and Valais is the perfect place for it. You’ll have an extensive network of well-marked out mountain biking trails to explore, taking you up rugged hillsides before sending you hurtling back down the other side. It’s an exhilarating experience, but don’t worry if it all sounds a little too exhilarating, as there also are plenty of opportunities for gentle, scenic-focused journeying, too. Enthusiasts will love the 26 downhill mountain bike tracks spread around six bike-parks, while beginners will appreciate the flow trails – easy descending routes with no obstacles, allowing you to simply enjoy the ride.

And if you’re craving a real adventure, book the Valais Bike experience, a three-day journey across exciting and varied mountain biking trails in upper Valais. You’ll traverse high-altitude tracks between Rinderhütte and Untere Feselalp, climb the steep ascent to Moosalp and descend into Kalpetran, where you’ll see incredible panoramic views around Lake Gibidum. Find out more and book here.

There are many great ways to view Valais, but none are quite as special as seeing it from the sky. Floating through the air while gazing at the landscape below is a special thrill indeed, and it’s not as scary as you might think, especially if you get skilled-up beforehand. The experts at various paragliding schools can help, like Ecole de Parapente d’Anzère or Flyingcenter Oberwallis, where you can fly over the mighty Aletsch Glacier or combine your air-time with a bracing, beautiful walk in the ‘fly and hike’ package.

Valais’ mountains and rocky outposts make it a paradise for climbers, who make use of the many ‘fixed rope’ or ‘via ferrata’ routes around the region. As the name suggests, these are popular climbing trails where ropes or cables have been anchored in place to assist the climbers, making it easier, quicker and safer to traverse the rockface – but that’s not to say it can’t be challenging if you want it to be. Ascend 1,400 metres up to the Wiwannihütte in the Baltschiedertal valley for unrivalled mountain peak views or try the thrilling Aletsch fixed rope route, which features the longest via ferrata suspension bridge in the Alps.

Valais’ mountain lakes are a thing of beauty. But why settle for just looking when you can get out onto the water to make the most of them? Watersports are a Valais rite of passage and there are plenty to choose from. Explore your surroundings on a canyoning trip, where you’ll be scaling rocks and jumping into the water at every opportunity, or crank up the excitement with a wild rafting ride on the Rhone. Alternatively, you could just find inner calm as you gently stand-up paddle-board across a lake and take-in the views around you.

The best way to end a day of strenuous outdoors activity? By heading back to a cosy, comfortable hotel, where you can relax in stylish surroundings. To make that sound even more appealing, how about adding in a great special offer? Hotel Ambassador in Zermatt is offering an overnight stay in a double room with breakfast (plus a free upgrade to a junior suite with a stunning Matterhorn view) for just 100 CHF instead of 175 CHF. There’s even a whirlpool and sauna to help reinvigorate those weary muscles after a day of hiking, cycling and climbing. Book a discounted stay between September 9 to October 31 2020 by clicking here.