Brandalp, above Unterbäch, is a popular day trip destination in summer and winter. The chairlift whisks you up the 1,589-metre Alp with ease. In summer, you can zip back down to the village on a scooter, while in winter, you can take the 5 km long sledge run. Brandalp is also a base for lots of hiking trails in the Augstbord region. In the mountain restaurant Alpenrösli, with its wonderful panoramic terrace, you can enjoy culinary delights with stunning views. A modern viewing telescope provides information on the names and heights of the surrounding peaks.
Hidden to the right of the Seefeld mountain station is the idyllic Chrumm See – probably one of the most beautiful photo spots in the Augstbord region. Depending on the precipitation in winter, the Chrumm See has varying amounts of water. The breathtaking view of the Bietschhorn and the untouched nature reward the long walk.
The Alp Ginals, also known as Unners Sänntum, is a top day trip destination in the Augstbord region. From June to September, there are over 70 dairy cows on the Alp Ginals. Every day, Alpine dairy workers prepare fresh goat’s milk and mountain cheese, which are available for sale. On a guided tour, you can discover the life of an Alpine farmer and cheese production first-hand. It takes about an hour on foot to reach the 1,990-metre Alp from Brandalp. In summer, you can even drive to the Alp by car on the gravel road. Ginals has even more to offer: in the nearby Ginals mountain restaurant, you can enjoy Valais specialities and the wonderful view of the mountain panorama all year round. The charming 19th-century Ginals chapel, with a statue of Madonna of Lourdes, is the perfect place for contemplation.
From Ginals, hikers can continue on towards Augstbordhorn, Moosalp via Gibidum or Obri Eischollalp. Those who’d prefer to return to the village can zip back down in summer on an 11-kilometre trip with the Ginals scooters. In winter, you can also reach Ginals by ski or snowboard.
The Alp Ginals, also known as Unners Sänntum, is a top day trip destination in the Augstbord region. From June to September, there are over 70 dairy cows on the Alp Ginals. Every day, Alpine dairy workers prepare fresh goat’s milk and mountain cheese, which are available for sale. On a guided tour, you can discover the life of an Alpine farmer and cheese production first-hand. It takes about an hour on foot to reach the 1,990-metre Alp from Brandalp. In summer, you can even drive to the Alp by car on the gravel road. Ginals has even more to offer: in the nearby Ginals mountain restaurant, you can enjoy Valais specialities and the wonderful view of the mountain panorama all year round. The charming 19th-century Ginals chapel, with a statue of Madonna of Lourdes, is the perfect place for contemplation.
From Ginals, hikers can continue on towards Augstbordhorn, Moosalp via Gibidum or Obri Eischollalp. Those who’d prefer to return to the village can zip back down in summer on an 11-kilometre trip with the Ginals scooters. In winter, you can also reach Ginals by ski or snowboard.
The Alp Gibidum is a fantastic viewpoint at 2,089 metres. From Gibidum, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Augstbord region and the Rhone valley over to the majestic chain of the Bernese Alps. A small rest stop with a spring is a welcome reward for the strenuous hour-long climb from Brandalp.
The Grosse See lake is one of the most beautiful day trip destinations in the Augstbord region and is still considered a hidden gem. The mountain lake is situated on a high plateau at 2,546 metres, surrounded by mountains such as the Augstbordhorn, Dreizehntenhorn, Ginalshorn and Signalhorn. On the lake shore, there is a small shelter and a barbecue area with loungers. With a valid permit, you can even fish in the Grosse See lake.
The Hohegga lookout point is located on a slight elevation above the village of Unterbäch. The lookout point is about 25 minutes’ walk from the heart of the village.
From the Hohegga, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the entire village and the mountain range with the impressive Bietschhorn. Here, too, a modern viewing telescope provides information on the names and heights of the surrounding peaks.
Moosalp is without doubt one of the most famous day trip destinations in the Augstbord region. This popular Alp towers above the communities of Bürchen, Törbel and Zeneggen at 2,048 metres above sea level. On Moosalp, you can enjoy culinary delights from two restaurants. The Moosalp restaurant’s cream slice is deliciously tempting and famous far and wide. From Unterbäch, you can reach Moosalp via Brandalp in about three hours’ walk. You can return on the hiking bus from Bürchen (Ronalp) or on foot via Bürchneralp.
The ‘Upper Valais region’ guest card, which every overnight guest in Unterbäch receives free of charge, allows visitors to enjoy lots of great offers and discounts in 10 destinations: Visp, Turtmanntal valley, Moosalp Region-Bürchen, Brig-Simplon, Leuk, Gampel-Bratsch, Heidadorf Visperterminen, Staldenried-Gspon, the Lötschberg region and the Lötschental valley.
With a length of 23 km, an average width of 1,800 m and an area of about 100 km2,the Aletsch Glacier is the longest and largest glacier by area in the Alps. The Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region was added to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List in 2001 as a landscape of extraordinary beauty.
You can find all information about the Aletsch Glacier here.
The Brigerbad thermal spa is the biggest open-air thermal spa in Switzerland. You can relax in the spacious wellness and sauna area, as well as the numerous indoor and outdoor baths. In summer, the many poolsand Alpine water slide make this the perfect place for the whole familyto enjoy a dip.
You can find all the information about Brigerbad here.
The holiday village of Zermatt lies at the foot of the world-famous Matterhorn. The mountain attraction ‘Matterhorn glacier paradise’ is thehighest peak in Switzerland that can be reached by cable car and is also the gateway to Europe’s biggest summer ski resort. Other mountains with panoramic views accessible by cable car include the Gornergrat and Sunnegga-Rothorn. The ski resort offers 54 cable cars and lifts and 360 km of slopes. In summer, over 400 km of marked hiking trails are there to tempt you.
You can find all information about Zermatt here.
Sion (known as Sitten in German) is the capital of the canton of Valais, with a population of 30,000. It’s known as Switzerland’s sunniest city.The town is unmistakable from afar thanks to the towering turrets of castles Tourbillon and Valeria. The many monuments in the old town, the shopping district and the new, modern and friendly urban facilities offer a special charm.
You can find all information about Sion here.
Text & Images © Unterbäch Tourism Association, www.unterbaech.ch