Valais: vineyards, spas and the Aletsch Glacier

Route description

Martigny, at the bend of the Rhône, has a Roman amphitheatre and the Gianadda Foundation art centre. The valley road (A9 and the older main road) heads east between vineyards on the sunny slopes to Sion, the capital of the Valais.

In Sion, climb to the Valère Basilica and the Tourbillon ruin on the twin hills above the old town. The steep vineyards around Sion and Sierre produce Fendant and Petite Arvine; many cellars offer tastings.

At Leuk, turn north up a steep road to Leukerbad, a spa village beneath the huge Gemmi cliffs with large public thermal baths. Back in the valley, head to Visp and up the Saas valley to Saas-Fee, a car-free village surrounded by glaciers; leave the car in the large car park at the entrance.

Continue to Brig and up the Goms valley to Fiesch, where a cable car climbs to the Eggishorn for a view of the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps. The Rhône valley is dry and sunny, with fine weather into October; the side valleys are narrow but well maintained.