Vals – Thermal Baths, Mountain World and Walser Culture

Vals lies at the end of a side valley in the Surselva. Vals Platz is the village centre of the municipality. The inhabited main valley, the Valsertal, is crossed by the Valser Rhine and is cut off by a gorge to the north and south. The municipality covers just under 176 square kilometres and consists of five valleys. Its landscape includes meadows and alpine pastures, mountain forests, and rocky and glacial areas. The Rheinwaldhorn reaches 3,402 metres above sea level within the municipality.

Thermal Baths and Mountain Scenery

At the heart of Vals is the 7132 Therme, at the canton of Graubünden’s only thermal mineral spring. Peter Zumthor built it from quartzite and concrete. This makes both the unique thermal spring and the clearly identifiable choice of architectural materials central to Vals.

The mountain landscape also offers a variety of points of interest. The Adula massif in the Valsertal comprises 50 peaks and offers mountaineers opportunities for alpine excursions. Conditions in the mountains can vary.

Hikes and Summer Excursions

The Valser Moor nature trail passes through a raised bog habitat, with five stops along the way. A popular hike in the Valsertal crosses moorland and alpine pastures to a viewpoint overlooking the Zerfreila reservoir. The Three Lakes hike offers views of the Zervreilasee, Amperveilsee, Guraletschsee and Selvasee. This provides a range of points of reference for planning your hikes: stops in the raised bog, a viewpoint above the reservoir or views of four named lakes.

In summer, the mountain railway takes visitors to Gadastatt for hiking and mountaineering. Seasonal operations may vary; check the latest operating information for your travel dates.

Winter Sports and Getting There

The Vals ski area offers 25 kilometres of pistes and reaches almost 3,000 metres above sea level. As seasonal operations may change, the latest operating information is useful for planning your trip. Cross-country skiing, sledging, winter hiking and snowshoeing are also possible in Vals. Conditions on individual routes depend on the situation at the time.

The post bus connects Vals with Ilanz, where there are regular connections to the Rhaetian Railway. Check the current timetable for your travel dates, as timetables may change.

The Walser Trail, Music and Local Produce

Vals is a key stage stop on the Great Walser Trail. The route runs from Zermatt through the Alps to Kleinwalsertal in Vorarlberg. The municipality is home to typical Walser farmsteads, most of which are still used today as Maiensässe (summer pastures). Walser heritage is therefore reflected both in the long-distance hiking trail and in the farmsteads that remain in use.

The Valser Musiksommer is a concert series held at various scenic locations in the village of Vals. The programme ranges from classical music to jazz; dates and programme vary. Check the details for your chosen travel period before your trip.

The high-altitude pastures of the Valser Alps are the basis of Vals’s dairy farming. Products include Valser alpine milk, butter and cheese. At the Geissalp Peil, the alpine team sells fresh goat’s milk products; sales are seasonal and availability may vary. Visitors can also watch the goats return from the Peiler mountain pastures. Exact dates may vary.

A Look Inside Hydropower

During guided tours of the Zervreila power plants, experts explain how a hydropower plant works. The tour may also include a visit inside the dam. The visitor programme may be available seasonally; check tour dates for your travel period in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ilanz, Igels, Schluein, Ladir, Vignogn, Sagens, Obersaxen, Sumvitg.

Go to the broader travel overview: Surselva.