I’ve been hiking in Valais for years, and I never get tired of it. It’s probably the most bountiful Swiss canton for those who love to hike: more than 800 peaks over 3,000 meters, century-old bisses winding along the hillsides, glaciers accessible on foot, and mountain huts where you can sleep in the shadow of the Matterhorn. In this guide, I share the routes I truly recommend, categorized by difficulty level, along with the practical information you’re always looking for at the last minute: best time of year, duration, elevation gain, and gear.
Why Valais Is a Unique Hiking Playground
Valais alone is home to a large number of the Alps’ most beautiful 4,000-meter peaks: the Matterhorn, of course, but also the Weisshorn, the Dom des Mischabel, and the Obergabelhorn. This spectacular terrain offers an impressive variety of landscapes over short distances: you can start from a terraced vineyard at an altitude of 500 meters and, in a single day’s hike, reach alpine pastures at 2,500 meters with views of the glaciers. Few Alpine regions offer such a rapid contrast.
Another distinctive feature of Valais is the bisses. These traditional irrigation channels, carved into the mountainsides as early as the Middle Ages to bring water from the glaciers to the crops, have now been transformed into hiking trails that are both virtually flat and breathtaking: you walk along the edge of the precipice on a narrow path, with water flowing right beside you. The Bisse de Saint-Laurent near Sion or the Bisse du Ro in Savièse are excellent starting points for discovering this heritage, which is unique in Europe.
The Matterhorn Circuit: The Legendary Route
If I had to recommend just one long hike in Valais, it would be the Tour du Cervin (Tour du Mont Cervin, or its international version, the Tour du Cervin, which passes through Cervinia on the Italian side). Allow 8 to 10 days to complete the full route around the world’s most photographed mountain, spending each night in a different mountain hut or hotel. The cumulative elevation gain is significant, with several passes above 2,800 meters, but no section requires mountaineering skills: this is challenging high-mountain hiking, not mountaineering.
For those who only have two or three days, I recommend focusing on the Swiss section, between Zermatt and Schwarzsee, with a night at the Hörnli Hut, which offers the closest possible view of the Matterhorn’s north face without technical gear. The ideal season runs from mid-July to mid-September, when the mountain passes are free of snow.
Around Saas-Fee: Glaciers and Serene Alpine Meadows
The Saas-Fee valley, slightly less crowded than the Zermatt valley, offers, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful accessible glacier trails in Valais. The Glacier Trail (Gletscherweg) between Saas-Fee and Saas-Grund winds through a lunar landscape of moraines with a direct view of the Fee Glacier. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the hike, which involves no major technical difficulty, making it a family-friendly outing for children ages 8–10 and up.
For more experienced hikers, the loop via Mattmarksee and the Britanniasattel hut allows you to hike for several hours with the surrounding 4,000-meter peaks almost constantly in view. I recommend setting out early in the morning: the light on the glaciers at the start of the day is breathtaking, and you’ll avoid the afternoon heat on the exposed sections. To help you plan a trip to the area, I’ve detailed the lodging options and must-see attractions in my guide to Saas-Fee.
Zermatt and the Höhenweg: the Five Lakes Trail
It’s impossible to talk about hiking in Valais without mentioning Zermatt. The most famous trail, the Five Lakes Trail (5-Seenweg), connects Sunnegga to Blauherd and then descends past Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee: five mountain lakes that, on calm days, perfectly reflect the Matterhorn. It’s an easy hike, taking about 4 hours, suitable for families, and undoubtedly the most photographed trail in the canton—which also means it’s best to set out early to enjoy the lakes before the crowds arrive.
More challenging, the Europaweg, which connects Zermatt to Saas-Fee (or vice versa) over two days with an overnight stay in a mountain hut, is one of the most beautiful high-altitude trails in the Alps, offering an almost continuous view of a good dozen 4,000-meter peaks. It requires good physical fitness and some comfort with heights, as certain sections are equipped with handrails.
Verbier and the 4 Vallées: Hiking and 360° Panoramas
Verbier isn’t just the ski resort we know in winter. In summer, the 4 Vallées ski area transforms into a vast hiking terrain, with ski lifts that remain open to help you gain elevation quickly. The Mont-Fort trail, accessible by gondola and then on foot, offers a 360° panoramic view of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and the Grand Combin all at once—a rare sight. For less experienced hikers, the walk between Verbier and Lac des Vaux is a leisurely 2- to 3-hour option with a picnic by the water.
Difficulty Levels and Trail Classification in Valais
Switzerland uses a classification system that I find very reliable for assessing the actual difficulty of a route:
- Hiking trail (yellow markers): accessible to everyone, wide and non-exposed, suitable for hiking sneakers.
- Mountain hiking trail (white-red-white markings): steeper terrain, occasional exposed sections; high-top hiking boots and trekking poles recommended.
- Alpine hiking trail (white-blue-white markings): high-mountain terrain; may include sections on glaciers or snowfields; technical gear (crampons, ice axe) and experience required.
Before setting out, I always check the difficulty rating on the signs at the trailhead and on the SchweizMobil app, which I consider the most reliable tool for hiking in Switzerland.
When to Go: The Question of Season
The ideal window for high-altitude hiking in Valais runs from mid-June to late September. In June, snow may still block passes above 2,500 meters, depending on the year—I recommend checking for remaining snow conditions before setting out on a pass route. July and August are peak season, with more stable weather but also more crowds on classic trails like the 5-Seenweg. September is my favorite time of year: the days are still long, the light is softer, the larch trees begin to turn yellow toward the end of the month, and the mountain huts are significantly less crowded. Below 1,500 meters, hiking is possible almost year-round, including in winter when conditions are good—it’s also the ideal time to combine hiking and skiing in the same week, an option many visitors to Valais are unaware of.
Practical Tips Before You Go
Here are a few things I always check before heading out into the mountains in Valais:
- Local weather: Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the high mountains during the summer. I always aim to set out early in the morning and arrive before 2 p.m. on exposed routes.
- Gear: High-top hiking boots with good traction, thermal layers even in summer (the wind at high altitudes can quickly change conditions), and high-SPF sunscreen—UV radiation increases rapidly with altitude.
- Hydration and snacks: Water fountains and SAC huts dot most major trails, but I always set out with at least 1.5 liters of water and energy bars.
- Maps and apps: SchweizMobil or swisstopo maps at a scale of 1:25,000 remain the gold standard. Cell service is decent in the valleys but quickly disappears at higher elevations.
- Transportation: The Valais network of post buses and ski lifts often allows for one-way routes without having to retrace your steps—an option I use consistently to experience a variety of landscapes.
After the Hike: Recover in the Best Possible Conditions
After a long day of hiking with significant elevation gain, nothing beats a break at one of the canton’s many wellness destinations. Valais has several thermal baths and spa facilities open to the public, particularly around Leukerbad, which has been renowned for centuries for its natural hot springs. I’ve dedicated a comprehensive guide to this topic, featuring the spots I truly recommend, in my article on wellness and thermal baths in Valais.
For an overview of the region, its valleys, and its villages, I also recommend my general guide to Valais, which complements these hiking routes with information on lodging, cuisine, and local heritage. And if you’re still looking for inspiration when it comes to authentic villages, my article on Veyras—nestled among terraced vineyards and hiking trails—is an excellent resource for planning a trip to Central Valais.
My Final Tip
If this is your first time in Valais and you’re torn between all these options, I recommend choosing a base (Zermatt, Saas-Fee, or Verbier, depending on your preferences) and exploring the surrounding area for 4 to 5 days rather than trying to do everything back-to-back. The Valais is worth the effort: the most beautiful views are often reached after an hour or two of hiking, and are never accessible by car. That’s exactly what makes it, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful hiking regions in the Alps.