These ten hiking destinations are easily accessible from Leukerbad by public transport, offering a mix of thermal springs, alpine meadows, and stunning mountain vistas. From the Loop to Flüealp alpine pasture to the challenging Ascent of the Torrenthorn, each trail showcases the natural beauty of the region. Whether you're looking for a relaxing walk or a more strenuous hike, there's something for everyone in the area surrounding this famous spa town.
The hikes are listed in order of travel time from Leukerbad, making it easy to plan your adventure based on your schedule and preferences. Check out the map to explore thousands of destinations and activities, reachable from any starting point in Switzerland.
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Leukerbad owes its existence to the abundant hot springs in the spa resort and along the Dala gorge above. This hike climbs out of the town to trace a high-altitude loop around the entire upper Dala gorges, and showcases Leukerbad’s magnificent mountain setting in grand style. In and around Leukerbad, 3.9 million litres of water bubble every day out of 65 thermal springs at a temperature of 51 degrees, feeding a variety of pools and spas. The hot springs have drawn bathers since Roman times, and for centuries have been an attraction on the historical route linking Valais and the Bernese Oberland via the Gemmi Pass. This climbs the towering Daubenwand cliffs above Leukerbad via a zig-zag mule trail hacked into the rock more than 250 years ago; the sight of this vertiginous trail from our hike makes the mountain scenery all the more impressive. Our route climbs from the centre of the resort straight up to the Folljeret pastures to the west, and then on up to the Majing pastures further up the valley, and finally up to Flüealp. In summer, alpine flowers create a dazzling display of colour in the meadows on which the cattle graze; you can taste the natural goodness in the resulting cheeses. At the far point of the loop, just beyond Flüealp, a natural rock grotto was enclosed in the early-19th century to make a tiny rock chapel. This place of pilgrimage is a wonderfully peaceful, contemplative spot, with its own spring just below. From here, the trail leads back to Leukerbad along the opposite side of the valley, via the pastures of Clabinu. The restaurant at Buljes offers a relaxing spot for refreshments just above Leukerbad. Highlights: High-level walk around upper valley with spectacular views of mountain scenery Alpine pastures along route with working cheese dairies; charming rock chapel Spas in Leukerbad – dozens of thermal pools and a vast range of wellness facilities Other outdoor attractions include theme trails (thermal springs), gorge walk, via ferratas
13.38 km
674 m
674 m
4h 30mThis dramatic walk packs in tremendous variety, even for Valais: culture and history, spectacular mountain scenery, dramatic gorges, winemaking villages and glorious views of the wildest stretch of the Rhône valley. The hike falls into two halves. It begins at the spa resort of Leukerbad with a descent of the wild Dala valley. Lower down, the trail diverts through the vineyards of two of Valais’ most charming winemaking villages. The route finishes just short of the river Raspille, which marks the border between German- and French-speaking Valais. The trail is marked as a Kulturweg – «Cultural Pathway» – for good reason. The ancient Romans came this way to frequent Leukerbad’s hot mineral springs, the most abundant in the Alps. For centuries, the Dala valley was an important trade route into Valais – from the Bernese Oberland via the Gemmi Pass. The very first group package tour to Switzerland, organised by Thomas Cook, travelled up the Dala valley in 1863, and the route is now commemorated as the ViaCook. Part of our trail follows the route of a disused railway line, which ran between Leuk and Leukerbad from 1915 to 1967. But it was another railway line that definitively diverted traffic away from the valley: the Lötschberg, which opened in 1913. In 2007, the pioneering new Lötschberg tunnel opened: 400 metres lower, it can accommodate trains travelling up to 250 km/h. The first half of the trail follows a scenic route through the Dala valley, incorporating sections of the old Roman path and former railway line. The second stretch leads through the vineyards of Varen (known for its Pinot Noir wines made with grapes grown by natural methods) and Salgesch (home to one of the two sites of the Wine Museum of Valais). Highlights: Leukerbad spa resort – the most abundant hot springs in the Alps Wild Dala valley: Roman path, historical villages, picturesque chapels Winegrowing villages of Varen and Salgesch, superb views over untamed Rhône
16.23 km230 m850 m3h 0mThis walk combines parts of the resort’s «Thermal spring trek» theme trail (Thermalquellen-Weg) with the «Thermal canyon walk» (Thermalquellen-Steg) into the Dala gorge. The theme trail explores the history and significance of the thermal springs in Leukerbad. Our route begins in the village centre and crosses the resort to reach the Dala gorge. Information panels along the way give details of the various hot springs in the resort and reveal the medicinal properties of the thermal water and its importance for the local economy. At the entrance to the Dala gorge, you leave the theme trail and begin the «Thermal canyon walk». This follows a walkway opened in 2004: a secured steel structure that leads deep into the gorge. Leukerbad’s famous thermal springs bubble up in the river bed below your feet. Rust-brown streaks show the high iron content of the thermal water, which emerges from cracks and fissures in the gorge’s rock walls. The wheelchair-accessible walkway is about 600 metres long and leads through the Dala gorge as far as a 35-metre-high waterfall. Able-bodied visitors can continue via flights of steps up to the source of this waterfall – a peaceful pool of crystal-clear water. Our route now leaves the ravine and returns to Leukerbad via the northern side of the gorge and the hamlet of Buljes. The described route follows only part of the theme trail. This additionally leads through the lower part of the village of Leukerbad – offering a potential extension to our walk.
2.83 km165 m165 m1h 30m
Difficulty:
Maximum elevation: 1542m
Minimum elevation: 1387m
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Highlight of this walk is the ascent of a sequence of eight wooden ladders, which once provided the only link between Leukerbad and Albinen. The latter is a traditional Valais village of ancient wooden chalets blackened by sunshine. The two-hour hike from Leukerbad to Albinen is only for those with a good head for heights. Starting in the village of Leukerbad, the trail leads southwards and through the Lochwald forest to reach the beginning of the thrilling ascent of the Albinen ladders. These once provided the only link between Leukerbad and Albinen, and were primarily used for the transport of agricultural goods. It is also likely – although unproven – that the ladders formed an extension of the Gemmi Pass route linking the Kander valley with the Rhône valley. The sequence of ladders represents a climb of about 100 vertical metres and ends by the base station of the Flaschen–Torrentalp gondola. Here, the Restaurant Flaschen offers a welcome break for refreshments. The trail continues, partly through forest, partly through fields and meadows, passing above the hamlet of Dorben before reaching Albinen. This is a typical Valais mountain village with many well-preserved houses and barns. Only the village church is built in modern style, as its predecessor was destroyed in an earthquake. The population was largely self-sufficient until the mid-20th century; the access road was built only in the 1960s. To make the most efficient use of the land available, locals built their houses very close together. As all the gables of the houses face the same way, across the valley, the village has a remarkably uniform appearance, and is today a heritage site of national importance. From Albinen, hikers can either continue in the direction of the mountain villages of Guttet-Feschel and Erschmatt or return to Leukerbad. In order to follow a different route back, walkers can return to Leukerbad via Torrentalp and another dramatic passage, the Wolfstritt. Highlights: The dramatic Albinen ladders, which once provided the only link between Leukerbad and Albinen. The unspoilt mountain village of Albinen with its well-preserved wooden houses dating from the 17th and 18th
6.26 km185 m317 m2h 0mDiscover the dramatic rocky Alpine terrain around the Wildstrubel massif on this hike to the Lämmeren mountain refuge and back. The route crosses the Lämmerenboden plateau, with its fissured calcareous rock and mounds of schist. The warden of the Lämmeren hut has created a glacier trail here in collaboration with the University of Bern. Along the trail, information stations provide fascinating information on the geology, landscape features and biology of this unique environment. A brochure on the theme trail is available. At the far end of Lämmerenboden, a climb of about 200 vertical metres leads to the Lämmeren refuge. Difficult passages are secured with chains. With a little luck, you may spot some of the ibex that regularly gather in the vicinity of the hut. Assorted trails offer the chance to explore the surrounding landscapes; climbing enthusiasts can choose from a number of routes of varying difficulty. For the return leg of the hike, follow the same route back as far as Lämmerenboden, and then walk eastwards to the Lämmerensee lake. When you reach the left bank of the Lämmerendalu river, you rejoin the glacier trail. A little before the Daubensee lake, the trail branches to the right to return to the Gemmi Pass.
9.34 km321 m321 m3h 15mDifficulty: Medium
Maximum elevation: 2502m
Minimum elevation: 2256m
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| 481 (2m) | |
| PB (6m) | |
This great mountain hike leads from Lauchernalp first on the Lötschentaler Höhenweg via Hockenalp and Kummenalp to Restialp. From here, the mountain trail climbs steadily to the Restipass at 2,626 m.a.s.l. From the top of the pass, the trail leads through a beautiful mountain landscape, gently descending past small lakes to the Rinderhütte station, from where the cable car takes you to Leukerbad.
14.84 km896 m530 m5h 30mDifficulty: Medium
Maximum elevation: 2633m
Minimum elevation: 1969m
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| 481 (5m) | |
| 481 (3m) | |
| 2242 (5m) | |
Starting point for the hike is Rinderhütte, the summit station of the cable car from Leukerbad. The climb leads across the alpine pastures of Torrent, where many cows, sheep and goats spend the summer. The path leads steadily towards the western ridge of the Torrenthorn via the Rinderhalte pastures, where hikers will frequently hear the whistling of marmots. At an altitude of around 2,700 m, the grassy alpine meadows give way to rocky terrain. Up on the ridge you enjoy a magnificent view of the Majingalp pastures and the dramatic Montanji cliffs: best known for the precipitous Gemmiwand rock face above Leukerbad, they extend eastwards all the way to the summit of the Balmhorn on the border between Valais and the Bernese Oberland. After about another kilometre you reach the summit of the Torrenthorn, also known as the “Rigi of Valais”. From the summit you have a complete 360° panoramic view, and on a clear day you can see peaks including the Jungfrau, Bietschhorn, Monte Leone, Weissmies, the Mischabel massif, Monte Rosa, Matterhorn, Grand Combin and even Mont Blanc. For the return leg, the most direct route is along the ridge and via the historical Hotel Torrenthorn back to Rinderhütte. However, it is also possible to extend the hike via alternative descents. For example, you can follow the ridge south towards the Schafberg and climb another peak before following the alpine route (marked white-blue-white) down to Rinderhütte. Another alternative is to turn north at Rinderhalte to descend to the Majingalp pastures, and then walk along the Dala river back down to Leukerbad. Highlights: Summit of the Torrenthorn, with superb panoramic views of the Valais and Bernese Alps – and on a clear day, the French Alps. Many options for extending the hike via a variety of alternative descent routes.
6.84 km690 m690 m3h 0m
Scenic high-level trail with panoramic views of the Valais Alps and views down into the Rhone Valley. Variety of attractions along the route: thermal spa in Leukerbad, viaducts on the Lötschberg-Südrampe, splashing water channels and the Museum of the Swiss Guard at Naters.
76 km3300 m4100 m
Landscape: With panoramic views
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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An age-old trail leads to the quaint village of Albinen in a superb location above the Dalaschlucht (gorge); along the way, the ancient hamlets of Brentschen, Engersch and Jeizinen also sit on the sunny slope, linked by peaceful hiking paths.
23 km1000 m1750 m7h 30mLandscape: With panoramic views,Onto an alp
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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Pleasant hike from Montana along the Bisse du Tsittoret, past inviting mountain inns into the valley of the Tièche. Then on a sunny slope over Varneralp to Leukerbad, where weary hikers can relax in the warm thermal spa.
24 km1150 m1250 m7h 40mLandscape: Onto an alp,With panoramic views
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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Difficulty: Medium
Maximum elevation: 2069m
Minimum elevation: 1387m
Difficulty: Medium
Maximum elevation: 1401m
Minimum elevation: 577m
Difficulty: Medium
Maximum elevation: 1554m
Minimum elevation: 1270m
Difficulty: Medium
Maximum elevation: 2997m
Minimum elevation: 2312m
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Learn more on
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