The best city hikes and walks in Alpes Suisses Jungfrau-Aletsch

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 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.

The original Martinskirche cannot be precisely dated, but old records document renovations as early as the 13th century; it is presumed that the wealthy priest Mathias Belwalder significantly advanced the construction of a new church in the 17th century and financed a considerable part of it. Even today, a stone in the wall commemorates his work.

A train station in the middle of Switzerland.

A view of the Lonza site in Visp

Camping Mühleye is your base in Visp if you enjoy being in a natural environment, not just for biking, but also for relaxing before or after your hike. Surrounded by native trees and shrubs, you can choose from around 200 pitches, ranging from comfort pitches (150 m², luxurious with water and sewage connections) to standard pitches (100 m², very spacious for standard furnishings) to mini-standard pitches (approx. 80 m², ideal for smaller vehicles, VW buses, and tents). On hot summer days, the large swimming pool is also a draw, where you, as a camping guest, even benefit from free entry from 6 p.m. – perfect for cooling off after a fast-paced day on the slopes around Visp. You can find more information about the campsite here: https://camping-visp.ch/.