Val d'Hérens
The Val d'Hérens is a preserved Alpine valley in the Swiss canton of Valais, branching off from the Rhône valley near Sion. It is a rural, high-mountain region of traditional villages, alpine pastures and dramatic peaks such as the Dent Blanche, with no large cities and abundant nature. The valley is not dominated by a lake but is shaped by the Borgne river and its side valleys, including the Val des Dix with the Grande Dixence dam. It is known for its strong living traditions, the Hérens cattle breed and its agritourism, and it has remained largely untouched by mass tourism. The region is organised around the communes of Evolène, Hérémence and Saint-Martin, with Evolène and Arolla as central hubs, and is served by public transport lines from the city of Sion.
Summer activities
Summer in the Val d'Hérens is a paradise for outdoor sports. More than 500 km of marked trails cross the valley, from family walks to the multi-day Tour du Val d'Hérens trek, with highlights such as the Ferpècle glacier valley and the turquoise Lac Bleu d'Arolla. The region is a renowned mountaineering and climbing destination, with crags and long routes around Evolène, Arolla, Hérémence and the Grande Dixence, plus a via ferrata. Mountain bikers and e-bikers enjoy over 330 km of marked routes, from family loops to the technical Grand Raid, while trail runners can tackle more than 20 marked courses between 500 and 3000 m. Paragliding, downhill scooters, fishing and the AlpinLine zipline at the Grande Dixence round out the offer.
Winter activities
Winter in the Val d'Hérens offers skiing on the slopes of the 4 Vallées, one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland, accessible from Les Masses near Hérémence, as well as the three friendly resorts of the Espace Dent-Blanche (Evolène, La Forclaz and Arolla), which together offer around a hundred kilometres of pistes between 1400 and 3000 m. The valley is also a stronghold for ski touring and freeriding, with countless unmarked itineraries and prestigious mountain huts, plus timed rando-parc routes. Cross-country skiers enjoy several kilometres of groomed trails around Evolène, Les Haudères, Arolla and Pralong, including a night trail, while snowshoe and winter hiking trails, sledging runs, an ice rink, dog-sledding and ice climbing round out the winter offer.
Culture and entertainment
The Val d'Hérens is a valley of strong living traditions and a rich built heritage. Its centuries-old villages, with their characteristic wooden houses, granaries and barns, are among the most authentic in Switzerland, and guided tours led by local residents reveal the architecture and way of life of past centuries. The region is famous for the Hérens cattle breed and its traditional cow fights, celebrated through the inalpes (ascent to the alpine pastures) and the regional queen fights. A lively calendar of festivals and events runs through the year, from the traditional carnival of Evolène and village feasts to the classic music festival of Les Haudères, the CIME mountain celebrations and the Patrouille des Glaciers, alongside museums, heritage trails and local terroir products.
