The best city hikes and walks in Westlich Raron

The Ennetbrücke bridge connects the historic district of Ennet with the center of Visp. From the bridge, there is a beautiful view of the milky-turquoise Vispa river, which flows down from the Mattertal and Saastal valleys and merges with the Rhône – also called Rotten in Upper Valais – just a few hundred meters further. Especially in summer, lush flower boxes adorn the bridge railing, adding colorful accents against the impressive mountain backdrop.

Not far from the train station, this modern bridge spans the Vispa. It connects the two banks for pedestrians and cyclists, while trains of the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn and SBB run immediately next to it. From here, there is a beautiful view of the milky-turquoise glacial water of the Vispa, which flows into the Rhône (also called Rotten in Upper Valais) just a few hundred meters further on. The bridge is a striking crossing between the train station, the residential areas, and the riverside paths along the Vispa.

The Kleegärten-Nord roundabout immediately catches the eye with its modern art installation. A filigree, red-lacquered steel structure encloses a central pillar and forms a striking eye-catcher in the industrial area of Visp. The facility is complemented by lovingly maintained planting and decorative figures. Those travelling from the train station towards the Vispa and further to the mouth of the Rotten will pass this roundabout on their way through the industrial area. It sets a modern design accent and shows that even traffic structures in Visp can be attractively designed with art and greenery.

The roundabout at Kleegärtnerstrasse is adorned by a striking sculpture featuring several leopards. Surrounded by flowers and greenery, the colorful animal group stands out clearly from the nearby traffic artery and the Valaisian mountain backdrop. The distinctive roundabout is located on the path from the train station through the industrial area towards Visp and the confluence into the Rotten.

The modern bridge over the Rotten connects the two banks of the Rhône valley and, in addition to the roadway, has a separate cycle path and footpath. From here, a wide view opens up downstream. On the left bank, the Vispa flows into the Rotten, bringing the milky-turquoise glacier water from the Mattertal and Saas valley into the largest river in Wallis. The surrounding mountains and the broad Rhône valley shape the landscape. Despite the nearby traffic and commercial facilities, this viewpoint impressively conveys the vastness of the main Wallis valley and the confluence of two important Alpine rivers.

Visp train station is one of the most important transport hubs in Valais. Here, trains from the Lötschberg and Simplon lines meet the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, which takes travelers on to Zermatt, Brig, or Andermatt. Since the opening of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel in 2007, the modernly designed station has gained considerable importance. Thanks to the fast connections, Visp is now the central gateway for visitors to the Mattertal, Saastal, and many other Valaisan alpine regions. For me, the station was both the starting and ending point of my multi-day stay in Valais – the journey towards Zermatt began here and ended here after unforgettable days around the Matterhorn.

West of Visp station, the Vispa flows into the Rhône, which in German-speaking Upper Valais is traditionally called the Rotten. The approximately 8.5-kilometer-long Vispa is formed in Stalden by the confluence of the Mattervispa from the Mattertal valley and the Saaservispa from the Saas valley. Both tributaries carry milky-turquoise water from the glacier-covered high mountain regions around Zermatt and Saas-Fee. After its short course through the Vispertal valley, the Vispa finally joins the significantly wider Rotten. From here, the water continues its journey through the Valais and Lake Geneva, before the Rhône flows on through France to the Mediterranean Sea. The confluence is also a beautiful viewpoint and a fitting place to say goodbye to the Valais once more after a hike through the mountain world around Zermatt. It impressively shows how the water from the Valais Alps shapes the valleys and landscapes far beyond the high mountains.

Directly at the Visp train station, the "Le Dieu de Viège" greets visitors. The bronze figure is a copy of an approximately 1,700-year-old Gallo-Roman statuette found on Visp soil. The fountain was donated by the Visp community in 1994 and commemorates the long history of the place. As a symbol of fertility and prosperity, the "God of Visp" uniquely combines the Roman past with the present-day cityscape.