Lötschberg Region
The Lötschberg Region lies in the Upper Valais in southern Switzerland, on the sunny southern slopes of the Lötschberg massif above the Rhône valley. It is a rural, village-based tourism region made up of the municipalities of Ausserberg, Baltschieder, Eggerberg, Niedergesteln, Raron and St. German, with no large cities. The landscape rises from the Rhône river up to the high peaks of the Bietschhorn massif and the Wiwannihorn, and parts of the area belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch. The region is known for its historic villages, old irrigation channels called Suonen, vineyards and wine villages, and its cultural heritage linked to the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, whose grave lies in Raron. The village of Raron forms the central hub of the region, which is crossed by the historic Lötschberg railway line and its southern ramp.
Summer activities
The Lötschberg Region is a hiking destination par excellence. The cultural path from Ausserberg to Raron leads past old Suonen irrigation channels and through the wine village of St. German, while the classic Lötschberg southern ramp trail follows the historic railway line from Hohtenn to Naters and Brig. The wild Baltschiedertal valley, part of the UNESCO World Heritage, offers hut hikes to the Baltschiederklause and the Wiwannihütte, with climbing sectors and the ascent of the Wiwannihorn. Suonen walks along the spectacular Niwärch and Gorperi water channels, the suspension bridge over the Jolischlucht gorge, and the round walk over the Bietschtal bridge round out the offer.
Winter activities
Winter in the Lötschberg Region is above all a season for quiet winter walking rather than downhill skiing. The popular winter hiking trail from Ausserberg via St. German and the Heidnischbiel to the Rilke village of Raron leads through the silent, snow-covered landscape and past typical Valais villages. The UNESCO Brischeru trail in the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn World Heritage offers a snowshoe walk with panoramic views of the highest peaks of the southern Valais Alps.
Culture and entertainment
The Lötschberg Region is rich in cultural heritage concentrated in its historic villages. Raron, the Rilke village, is home to the poet Rainer Maria Rilke's grave, the castle church with its famous Last Judgement fresco, and a rock church carved into the hill, alongside a museum on the castle hill. Niedergesteln, the knight village, features the ruins of Gestelnburg castle, a walkable ice-age cave, a clock museum and a knight path with carved wooden figures. The region also offers village tours, wine cellars and breweries, the traditional Eringer cow fights in Raron, the Wild Man play in Baltschieder, and the Rencontres Musik concert series in the castle church of Raron.
