Unterems: Hiking Trails, Suonen and the Bhutan Bridge

Unterems lies at 1,003 metres above sea level on a plateau surrounded by meadows and wooded areas. Hiking here offers a variety of themes and routes: a circular trail featuring a badger motif, the Bear Trail, and paths to the Bhutan Bridge and onward to Leuk. This lets you choose a hike based on its duration, elevation profile and scenery, rather than focusing on just one trail name.

Hiking routes with different time profiles

The Badger Trail is a themed circular hike from Agarn via Unterems and Tuminen, then Chrixhubel to Turtmann and back to Agarn. The route is 11.10 kilometres long and takes about three hours and 30 minutes. It is technically easy but requires a moderate level of fitness. This combination helps with planning your time: the technical rating alone does not indicate how much stamina the trail requires. The trail markers are shaped like badgers. Check the signs on site before setting off; if the route is changed, the route details may change too.

The Bear Trail runs from Unterems to Oberems and is 6.14 kilometres long; it takes about two hours and 30 minutes. Here, too, the technical difficulty is easy, while a moderate level of fitness is required. From the old part of the village in Unterems, the trail climbs via Prupräsu and Massoltern. Along the way, it offers views of Ergisch and the other side of the Rhône Valley. An information board at Massoltern commemorates a bear that was killed there. An old irrigation channel runs through a beautiful mixed forest.

For planning your time, the difference between the two stated durations is about one hour. But the choice is not just about duration: the Badger Trail is a circular route, while the Bear Trail climbs via hamlets.

Bhutan Bridge, Suone and Pfyn Forest

The hike to the Bhutan Bridge begins in the mountain village of Unterems and continues across the bridge to Leuk. First, the trail descends across pastureland, then passes through the forest. From the Emsbach, the hike follows a Suone—an historic irrigation channel—for a while before continuing into the protected area of Pfyn Forest. The Bhutan Bridge is a 134-metre-long suspension bridge over the Illgraben. It was built in the Bhutanese style and decorated with prayer flags. The Illgraben is considered one of the world’s most active torrent channels. Seasonal access conditions may vary; check them before your hike.

On the Unterems–Bhutan Bridge–Leuk hike, you can see the fiery-red smoke bushes on the rocky steppes across the valley in autumn. How vivid the colours are depends on the weather and timing.

More impressions of Unterems and Turtmann-Unterems

In Turtmann-Unterems, a short walk leads to a 42-metre-deep waterfall at the far end of the village. The church in Unterems is a protected historic monument.

At the show dairy in Turtmann-Unterems, visitors can experience cheese-making up close and sample regional specialities. In summer, cows graze on the lush Alpine pastures of Turtmann-Unterems, where flavourful Alpine cheese is made. Chamois, ibex and marmots can also be found in Turtmann-Unterems.

Discover more destinations: Gampel, Guttet-Feschel, Salgesch, Ergisch, Gampel-Bratsch, Leuk, Erschmatt, Agarn.

Return to the main travel overview: Leuk.