Leuk between vineyards and history

Leuk lies at an altitude of 731 metres among terraced vineyards on the sunny slope above the Rhône. Alongside its historic sites, the area also has natural attractions: the rocky steppes of Leuk are part of the Pfyn-Finges Regional Nature Park, which is also a shared point of reference for the Leuk and Leukerbad tourist destinations. Those wishing to include culture, vineyard landscapes and outdoor activities in their travel plans will find a range of options here.

Architectural and local history

The tower of Leuk Town Hall has a pentagonal ground plan, dates from the 13th century and served as the official residence of the Vicedominus of Leuk, the local representative of the Bishop of Sion. The tower has been a protected monument since 1934. The Ringacker Chapel tells a different chapter of history: it stands on the site of a former plague cemetery, established during the plague years of 1629–1630. Between 1690 and 1694, it replaced the earlier chapel, which had been visited by pilgrims, and was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

Leuk Castle has an early Romanesque tower dating from the 11th to the 13th century and was first mentioned in a document in 1254. Mario Botta restored the castle. It serves as a place for creative exchange and as a starting point for education, art, tourism, leisure, social encounters, information and communication. St. Stephen’s Church and the charnel house also offer a tangible glimpse into local history: the wall there measures 24 metres, with around 22,000 skulls stacked along it.

Leuk’s history dates back to pre-Roman times; the settlement was first mentioned in 515 as villa de Leuca. Leuk controlled access to the Gemmi Pass and therefore held a degree of historical significance from the time of Roman Raetia. Alongside its historic buildings, a virtual tour with augmented reality leads visitors through Leuk town and lets them discover the place through the eyes of figures from the past.

Wine, trails and experiences

A Cornalin vine grows in the heart of Leuk town. Planted in 1798, it is described as the oldest vine in Switzerland. Vineyard hikes also bring together the landscape and regional food and wine culture: they include a guided hike, a visit to a vineyard, a wine tasting and a Valais platter. One of the vineyard hikes passes through Leuk along the sculpture trail. The Chemin du Vignoble offers another perspective on the Valais vineyards: one stage runs from St-Léonard to Loèche/La Souste; the route, about 25 kilometres long, combines hiking with tastings.

A range of routes are available for hiking through the landscape. The Leuker Sonnenberge trails lead from the mountain village of Jeizinen along the sunny southern flank of the Rhône Valley to Leuk, passing through the Pfyn-Finges Regional Nature Park. Another striking natural landmark is the 134-metre-long Bhutan Bridge, which crosses the Illgraben in the Pfynwald forest. Those looking for a different kind of leisure activity can also visit the 18-hole golf course of Golf Club Leuk in the Rhône Valley plain, designed by Scotsman John Chilver-Stainer.

There is also a specific route option for cyclists: the Dala Bärgüf (Uphill) mountain bike tour starts at Susten railway station, passes through Leuk town and climbs into the Dala Valley. The tour can be reached by train via Leuk/Susten; the Pfyn-Finges Regional Nature Park is also accessible by SBB train to Leuk. Check the current timetable before travelling.

Regional specialities and guided town walks

At the old bakery in Erschmatt, visitors can make and knead dough while baking rye bread, shape their own loaf and then bake it in a wood-fired oven. Guided walks are offered in Leuk town and at the Rye Centre in Erschmatt; as seasonal schedules may vary, it is best to check the dates in advance. At Genussland Leuk, Leuk Tourism sells regional specialities at Leuk railway station in Susten. The product selection may vary.

When choosing your destination, you can weigh up the different highlights: Leuk town offers architectural history and a connection to wine, while hiking and cycling routes bring in other landscape and activity themes. This lets you tailor your stay to the experiences that interest you most, without treating the individual places and routes as if they were the same.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Unterems, Inden, Leukerbad, Guttet-Feschel, Erschmatt, Ergisch, Albinen, Oberems, Leuk, Gampel, Agarn, Salgesch, Varen, Turtmann, Niedergampel, Gampel-Bratsch.

For the higher-level travel overview: Valais.