Leukerbad walks

Daubensee is the largest natural lake in the Canton of Valais. It is approximately 1.6 km long and 300 metres wide. In winter, it is covered by a thick layer of snow and becomes a vast plateau ideal for winter activities. This magnificent hike takes place right on the lake.

A superb route across the wide Lämmeren plateau, offering breathtaking views of the Wildstrubel and its glacier.

This circuit is suitable for almost everyone. Before starting your circuit, you can admire the peaks of the Bernese Alps from a footbridge equipped with an orientation table. You can take a leisurely walk around the lake surrounded by mountains. Several options allow you to adapt the circuit to your level.

This superb route follows the historic mule track from the Gemmi Pass to Sunnbüel. It is one of the few Alpine passes well known to the Swiss that can be traversed on foot in winter.

This loop allows you to discover vast mountain pastures covered with flowers in season, admire the larch and other conifers in the woods you pass through, stroll along the shores of Lake Majingsee, and continue on to the rocky outcrop overlooking Leukerbad.

Alternating between woods with imposing trees, alpine pastures carpeted with alpine flowers in season and rhododendrons in bloom (late June-early July). View of the impressive rock face overlooking Leukerbad and extending eastwards on the opposite slope to the circuit. Passage at Majingsee, ideal for contemplation. In the woods, birdsong will accompany you depending on the time of year.

A superb route starting from the spa resort of Leukerbad (canton of Valais) and ending in Lenk (canton of Bern). You will take the historic Gemmi mule track that connects these two cantons. From Schwarenbach, a former customs post that once welcomed famous personalities, you will gradually descend into the canton of Bern. You will also stop at Alpe d'Engstlige, where you can admire the famous Engstlige waterfalls. The last stage, starting from Adelboden, will take you to Lenk along the Via Alpina.

A magnificent ascent along a historic trail linking the cantons of Valais and Bern. From Leukerbad, it is difficult to guess the route that crosses this imposing wall. You will climb the Gemmipass at your own pace (900 m in 3 km) and in complete safety. At the pass and at the Gemmi Lodge, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Valais Dom, Weisshorn, Matterhorn and Dent Blanche, all over 4,000 metres high. In the evening, you will sleep in a mountain hotel that once welcomed famous personalities such as Jules Verne, Guy de Maupassant, Pablo Picasso and even Lenin.

A short walk offering a variety of views of the surroundings of Leukerbad. The vantage point is high enough to provide an exceptional view of the Gemmi cliffs. On this route, you can also admire the peaks of the Vallon de Réchy.

Climbing up the Dala Gorge, you will discover a bubbling river, learn about the thermal springs, walk overlooking the gorge and climb metal stairs near a waterfall. The return trip involves a slight climb, but this can be avoided.

After a night spent in absolute silence, this second stage begins with a pleasant climb to Schwartzgrätli. A fairly exposed section along the Felsenhorn wall will require a little caution, despite the cables and ropes. You will then continue along the Engstlige ridge with the Tschingellochtighorn, with its remarkable relief, in your sights. To conclude the day, you will descend via the Ärtele ridge to Engstligenalp, a superb mountain pasture at the foot of the Wildstrubel.

After a night in the wilderness, for this third stage you will leave the Engstlige Alp and descend into the Adelboden valley. This route is enhanced by the famous Engstlige waterfalls. The Engstlige waterfalls plunge 600 metres into the valley, offering an exceptional spectacle. They are a protected site and are the second highest waterfalls in Switzerland. In the evening, you can enjoy the charming resort of Adelboden.

The Engstligen Falls, near Adelboden in the Bernese Highlands, consist of two waterfalls, Engstligen Fall I and II, with heights of 97 and 165 m respectively. They are listed in the Swiss inventory of landscapes of national importance.

This fourth stage will take you from Selde to Lauchernalp. You will start by crossing the Kander via a suspension bridge. After Gfelalp, you will have a superb view of the Kanderfin glacier, the source of the Kander. The climb to the Lötschenpass crosses a glacier without any difficulty. An equipped passage takes you to the pass, where you can enjoy a break at the hut. You will admire the wide panorama of the 4,000-metre peaks of the Valais Dom, Weisshorn and Matterhorn. At the Lötschen Pass, as at Lauchernalp, you can see the Restipass, which is the planned route for the next day's stage.

For fans of bisses (Swiss irrigation channels). A very lovely hike covering part of the Tsittoret bisse. We avoided the first section of the bisse, which we’d been told was steep, by starting our walk from a place called l’Aminona. The walk is generally accessible as it follows the channels, though there are a few fairly steep flights of steps. A few beautiful waterfalls and magnificent views will make this walk truly special. A lovely mix of shaded and rocky areas will help you adapt to this walk whatever the weather. We made a detour towards the Petit Mont Bonvin and returned via the Tièche valley to complete a circular walk. (No. 101211191)

This third stage will take you from Kandersteg to the hamlet of Selde. The Kander river will accompany you throughout this beautiful route. Calm from Kandersteg to Eggeschwand, the Kander can be heard as you climb up through the gorges, where you can enjoy the various waterfalls and cascades. You will then follow it more peacefully through the wide Gastertal valley to Selde.

For this fourth stage, you will follow the Via Alpina to Lenk. At the Hahnenmoospass, you can enjoy views of the Wildstrubel and Wildhorn mountains and the Plaine Morte glacier. A long descent will take you to the peaceful village of Lenk in the Simme Valley.

A lovely little hike offering access to Lake Oeschinen, at the mere cost of a bit of a sweat, rather than paying for the cable car. There are no difficulties on this route, apart from the fact that it’s uphill all the way on the way there, but nothing technically challenging in itself.

In Valais, ‘bisses’ are irrigation channels built along the mountainside to distribute water from glacial torrents. Walking along the bisses generally makes for easy (little elevation gain) and pleasant walks. The route suggested here combines several bisses to form a circular route: out via the Bisse Neuf and the Bisse de Varen, through the forest; back via the Bisse de Mengis along the edge of the vineyards, passing by the Cascade de la Raspille. This results in a slightly greater elevation gain (as the outbound and return bisses are at different altitudes), but it allows for a greater variety of landscapes along the way.

This hike makes for a relaxing day out. You can stroll around the lake and enjoy a bite to eat. The starting point, at Camping Kanderseg, is at an altitude of 1,228 metres, whilst Lake Oeshinensee is at 1,590 metres. You then return to the starting point