Switzerland: The Valais & Goms Valley

Self-Guided Walking Tour, Switzerland: The Valais & Goms ValleySelf-Guided Walking Tour, Switzerland: The Valais & Goms Valley

Switzerland

The Valais & Goms Valley

overview

The Goms Valley is perhaps Switzerland’s best-kept secret. Situated near the Italian border in the southern Alps, this undiscovered region is a haven for experienced travelers seeking to avoid the crowds and enjoy a wilder Alpine experience. Your self-guided walks here will have all the hallmarks of classic Swiss adventure—picturesque villages nestled against dramatic snow-clad peaks and lush meadows. Explore on your own schedule through green hills to Geschinen and walk into bluebell-dotted pinewoods to the charming village of Oberwald, where 9,000-foot peaks tower above. Follow a riverside path from Münster to Gluringen’s beautiful baroque church and take a cable car to the top of the Eggishorn. Known as the “Mountain of Views,” its 360 degree vistas take in the Aletsch Glacier and the Aletsch-Jungfrau-Bietschhorn UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, nearby 13,000-foot summits, and legendary Mont Blanc to the distant west. It’s just one of the many natural spectacles you’ll find waiting on this in one of Switzerland’s most untouched regions.
 

tour includes

  • Continental breakfast and dinner daily (lunches and beverages are not included)
  • All accommodations (with private bathrooms) while on tour
  • Local transfers as noted in the itinerary
  • Luggage transfers between the hotels
  • Detailed route notes and maps
  • Basic travel insurance coverage
  • The exclusive ease of a mobile phone rental with our Cellhire partnership. Receive preferred calling rates, free phone rental, and complimentary shipping of mobile phones
  • 24-hour emergency service
  • The unbeatable and cumulative experience of the CW staff
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From our blog

Details

Length
8 days, 7 nights
Activity Level
Easy to moderate; 5-10 miles daily
Meet
Obergesteln, Switzerland
Depart
Blitzingen, Switzerland

gallery

Itinerary and Accommodations

Days
Destination
1
Obergesteln
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2
Obergesteln
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3
Obergesteln
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4
Blitzingen
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5
Blitzingen
View on map
6
Blitzingen
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7
Blitzingen
View on map
8
Blitzingen
View on map
Day 1

Obergesteln

Arrival in Obergesteln

After a panoramic mountain rail journey, we meet you in Obergesteln and transfer you (5 mins) to the hotel where you’ll spend the next three nights. There is time to relax over a welcome cocktail before dinner.

Hotel Hubertus

Obergesteln, Switzerland

This classic wooden four-story chalet-style hotel is located on the outskirts of Obergesteln, with an extensive network of walking trails right out the door. Bedrooms are spacious and light, with pine furnishings, a small sitting area, and balconies. A swimming pool offer wonderful views over the village and the valley. With a central fireplace in the lounge area surrounded by comfy sofas, the warm wood dining room is also especially pleasant in the evening by candlelight. One of the highest villages in the Goms Valley, Obergesteln is still a traditional farming community, with an unusual number of stone and brick homes built to resist the frequent fires to wooden structures in the past.

Day 2

Obergesteln

The Upper Goms; 9km/5.5mi/2hr30min or 12.4km/7.5mi/3hr45min

You start out today with a stroll across the valley floor and a gentle climb across the flower-covered hillside. The easier option is to descend to Geschinen, where you can peer into the woodcarver’s shop to admire his intricate artwork, before a riverside stroll by the Rhone takes you to Münster. If you are feeling more energetic, you can climb into the wild and rocky Minstigerbach valley, a fabulous place for a picnic. Both walks end with a ride on the little red train for the nine-minute journey back to Obergesteln.

Hotel Hubertus

Obergesteln, Switzerland

This classic wooden four-story chalet-style hotel is located on the outskirts of Obergesteln, with an extensive network of walking trails right out the door. Bedrooms are spacious and light, with pine furnishings, a small sitting area, and balconies. A swimming pool offer wonderful views over the village and the valley. With a central fireplace in the lounge area surrounded by comfy sofas, the warm wood dining room is also especially pleasant in the evening by candlelight. One of the highest villages in the Goms Valley, Obergesteln is still a traditional farming community, with an unusual number of stone and brick homes built to resist the frequent fires to wooden structures in the past.

Day 3

Obergesteln

Obergesteln Circular Walk; 10km/6mi/3hr or 12.2km/7.6mi/3hr45min

Directly from the hotel, a path through bluebell-dotted pine woods leads to the charming little village of Oberwald; it’s right at the upper end of the valley and overlooked by majestic peaks towering to more than 3000 meters or 9843 feet. After lunch, you circle round the valley and back to the hotel with plenty of time to relax in the Jacuzzi and enjoy an aperitif on the terrace while admiring great mountain views.

Hotel Hubertus

Obergesteln, Switzerland

This classic wooden four-story chalet-style hotel is located on the outskirts of Obergesteln, with an extensive network of walking trails right out the door. Bedrooms are spacious and light, with pine furnishings, a small sitting area, and balconies. A swimming pool offer wonderful views over the village and the valley. With a central fireplace in the lounge area surrounded by comfy sofas, the warm wood dining room is also especially pleasant in the evening by candlelight. One of the highest villages in the Goms Valley, Obergesteln is still a traditional farming community, with an unusual number of stone and brick homes built to resist the frequent fires to wooden structures in the past.

Day 4

Blitzingen

Obergesteln to Blitzingen; 10.6km/7mi/3hr45min or 13.2km/8mi/4hr30min

Today you walk from the Upper to the Lower Goms, with a relaxed start by train to Münster. From there it’s a choice: the easier route meanders above the river before crossing to Gluringen, a picturesque village with a pretty church. The longer route winds along the Gommer High Level Path, in and out of striking side valleys and past quintessential alpine cafés. There are tremendous views towards the snowcapped Weisshorn as you near the Hotel Castle, perched high on the hillside.

Hotel Castle

Blitzingen, Switzerland

Situated high above the village of Blitzingen at 4,429 feet in the heart of the imposing mountain world of the Valais region, and named after the fortress on the site of which it was built, the Hotel Castle has sweeping panoramic views over the entire Goms Valley. The modern guest rooms are one-bedroom suites with a living room and kitchenette (with refrigerator). The hotel is known for its excellent restaurant, a gothic-style dining room, where the food is of particularly high quality and artistic presentation. On the premises are also a small spa area (massages available), a typical cozy wood-lined “stube” bar, and an expansive sun terrace.

Day 5

Blitzingen

The valley narrows at Blitzingen before opening out to broad mountain views as you approach the sunny, timber-built village of Bellwald at just over 1600 meters (5249 feet). Its warren of narrow flower-filled alleys are a delight to explore. You can take the chairlift up to enjoy a sky-high picnic amidst clover and buttercups before rambling back down through Niederwald, the birthplace of César Ritz, the famous hotelier who founded several hotels and whose name became synonymous with exclusivity and elegance.

Hotel Castle

Blitzingen, Switzerland

Situated high above the village of Blitzingen at 4,429 feet in the heart of the imposing mountain world of the Valais region, and named after the fortress on the site of which it was built, the Hotel Castle has sweeping panoramic views over the entire Goms Valley. The modern guest rooms are one-bedroom suites with a living room and kitchenette (with refrigerator). The hotel is known for its excellent restaurant, a gothic-style dining room, where the food is of particularly high quality and artistic presentation. On the premises are also a small spa area (massages available), a typical cozy wood-lined “stube” bar, and an expansive sun terrace.

Day 6

Blitzingen

Villages of the Lower Goms; 13.4km/8mi/4hr

Today offers a splendid walk through villages unchanged for centuries on the southeast side of the river. Explore lovely Mühlebach with its traditional Valaisian wooden buildings dating from the 14th century. You continue on to Ernen, Village of Culture and Music, which features murals and friezes on the Tellenhaus, and gasthofs (taverns) for well-earned refreshments.

Hotel Castle

Blitzingen, Switzerland

Situated high above the village of Blitzingen at 4,429 feet in the heart of the imposing mountain world of the Valais region, and named after the fortress on the site of which it was built, the Hotel Castle has sweeping panoramic views over the entire Goms Valley. The modern guest rooms are one-bedroom suites with a living room and kitchenette (with refrigerator). The hotel is known for its excellent restaurant, a gothic-style dining room, where the food is of particularly high quality and artistic presentation. On the premises are also a small spa area (massages available), a typical cozy wood-lined “stube” bar, and an expansive sun terrace.

Day 7

Blitzingen

Eggishorn and the Aletsch Glacier; 3.6km/2.2mi/1hr30min or 14.4km/9mi/4hr45min or 20.3km/12.6/6hr45min

A tremendous finale to your week begins with a ride by cable car to the top of the Eggishorn at 2926 meters (9600 feet), where you will be awestruck by the vista. There are full-length views of the mighty Aletsch glacier, the longest in Europe, and a 360º panorama that includes Eiger, Jungfrau, Finsterhorn, and Matterhorn. Superb picnic spots abound just beside the glacier.

Hotel Castle

Blitzingen, Switzerland

Situated high above the village of Blitzingen at 4,429 feet in the heart of the imposing mountain world of the Valais region, and named after the fortress on the site of which it was built, the Hotel Castle has sweeping panoramic views over the entire Goms Valley. The modern guest rooms are one-bedroom suites with a living room and kitchenette (with refrigerator). The hotel is known for its excellent restaurant, a gothic-style dining room, where the food is of particularly high quality and artistic presentation. On the premises are also a small spa area (massages available), a typical cozy wood-lined “stube” bar, and an expansive sun terrace.

Day 8

Blitzingen

Depart Blitzingen

After breakfast you are transferred to the Blitzingen train station for connections home or your onward destination.

Itinerary Disclaimer

Bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience. If you are currently booked on a CW adventure, an itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call CW at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact itinerary or hotels selected for any of our tours.

Guest Comments

L. & S. Lansdale, Maryland, July 2011

Wonderful! Incredible scenery, great accommodations and food, fantastic hiking! We were thrilled with the experience.