Mountainbiking
Grächen
Grächen
Grächen
The mountain village of Grächen in Canton Valais lies on a wide sunny terrace at an altitude of 1620m. This holiday resort surrounded by majestic peaks is well-known for its family-focused facilities and is mainly car-free.
Many of the characteristic timbered Valais houses in the centre of Grächen have been burnt almost black by the sun’s rays. This resort has been awarded the Swiss Tourism «Families Welcome» label, offering playgrounds, babysitting facilities, a children’s gear hire service and much more. There is a lot for children to discover at the family park. A holiday’s afternoon can disappear in a flash on the exclusive ‘Ravensburg Spieleweg’ (a games trail for the entire family) or in Robi’s Play Park with its haunted house, giant slide, fairytale themed walk and more. Even Pippi Longstocking spends her holidays in Grächen and gets up to lots of amusing mischief every Wednesday afternoon. A special attraction is the Grächen «Walk of Fame», on which regular guests to Grächen and famous people are immortalised with a footprint, much like its Hollywood namesake. The sunny terrace of Grächen can be reached by postbus. A large part of the village is car-free and electro mobiles are the only form of transport.
SUMMER
Grain - predominantly rye - crops were raised in Grächen until a few decades ago. Irrigation was supplied by channels harnessing the melt water of the Riedgletscher. Many hiking trails lead along these channels (suonen) over flower-carpeted mountain pastures. Grächen also has high trails and long distance trails leading through spectacular mountain scenery. The Europaweg long-distance trail stage from Grächen to Zermatt is the highlight of the several-day Monte Rosa tour. The Hannigalp and Seetalhorn cableways give access to fantastic panoramic views. Thrill-seeking mountain bikers can get their adrenaline kick on the 7km downhill route from the Seetalhorn to Grächen.
WINTER
Two cableways lead up to the snow-guaranteed ski regions of Hannigalp (up to 2272 metres) and Seetalhorn (2868 metres) with a total of 40km of prepared pistes. 12km of cross-country ski runs, a sledge run and 25km of well-maintained winter walking trails also help to lure non-skiers out into the snow-covered winter landscape. Children can have fun and games at the large children’s ski paradise at Hannigalp.
SUMMER
Grain - predominantly rye - crops were raised in Grächen until a few decades ago. Irrigation was supplied by channels harnessing the melt water of the Riedgletscher. Many hiking trails lead along these channels (suonen) over flower-carpeted mountain pastures. Grächen also has high trails and long distance trails leading through spectacular mountain scenery. The Europaweg long-distance trail stage from Grächen to Zermatt is the highlight of the several-day Monte Rosa tour. The Hannigalp and Seetalhorn cableways give access to fantastic panoramic views. Thrill-seeking mountain bikers can get their adrenaline kick on the 7km downhill route from the Seetalhorn to Grächen.
WINTER
Two cableways lead up to the snow-guaranteed ski regions of Hannigalp (up to 2272 metres) and Seetalhorn (2868 metres) with a total of 40km of prepared pistes. 12km of cross-country ski runs, a sledge run and 25km of well-maintained winter walking trails also help to lure non-skiers out into the snow-covered winter landscape. Children can have fun and games at the large children’s ski paradise at Hannigalp.
Highlights
- Kneippark - measuring 2500 square metres in area, this is Switzerland’s largest Kneipp garden embedded in the natural landscape above the Grächersee with hydrotherapy facilities, dry basins filled with pebbles and a herb garden.
- Children’s entertainment – Grächen was amongst the first Swiss resorts to offer an extensive range of attractions and entertainment for children.
- Ravensburg Spieleweg (Games Trail) – enjoy an afternoon of games at 16 games stations which range from «memory» to «snakes and ladders»; eight mini timber play chalets are dotted along the way.
- Suonen - walks along these traditional 400-year-old Valais irrigation channels.
- Seetalhorn - summit at 3037m and sunny terrace restaurant at 2868m with breathtaking panoramic views.
The mountain village of Grächen in Canton Valais lies on a wide sunny terrace at an altitude of 1620m. This holiday resort surrounded by majestic peaks is well-known for its family-focused facilities and is mainly car-free.
Many of the characteristic timbered Valais houses in the centre of Grächen have been burnt almost black by the sun’s rays. This resort has been awarded the Swiss Tourism «Families Welcome» label, offering playgrounds, babysitting facilities, a children’s gear hire service and much more. There is a lot for children to discover at the family park. A holiday’s afternoon can disappear in a flash on the exclusive ‘Ravensburg Spieleweg’ (a games trail for the entire family) or in Robi’s Play Park with its haunted house, giant slide, fairytale themed walk and more. Even Pippi Longstocking spends her holidays in Grächen and gets up to lots of amusing mischief every Wednesday afternoon. A special attraction is the Grächen «Walk of Fame», on which regular guests to Grächen and famous people are immortalised with a footprint, much like its Hollywood namesake. The sunny terrace of Grächen can be reached by postbus. A large part of the village is car-free and electro mobiles are the only form of transport.
SUMMER
Grain - predominantly rye - crops were raised in Grächen until a few decades ago. Irrigation was supplied by channels harnessing the melt water of the Riedgletscher. Many hiking trails lead along these channels (suonen) over flower-carpeted mountain pastures. Grächen also has high trails and long distance trails leading through spectacular mountain scenery. The Europaweg long-distance trail stage from Grächen to Zermatt is the highlight of the several-day Monte Rosa tour. The Hannigalp and Seetalhorn cableways give access to fantastic panoramic views. Thrill-seeking mountain bikers can get their adrenaline kick on the 7km downhill route from the Seetalhorn to Grächen.
WINTER
Two cableways lead up to the snow-guaranteed ski regions of Hannigalp (up to 2272 metres) and Seetalhorn (2868 metres) with a total of 40km of prepared pistes. 12km of cross-country ski runs, a sledge run and 25km of well-maintained winter walking trails also help to lure non-skiers out into the snow-covered winter landscape. Children can have fun and games at the large children’s ski paradise at Hannigalp.
SUMMER
Grain - predominantly rye - crops were raised in Grächen until a few decades ago. Irrigation was supplied by channels harnessing the melt water of the Riedgletscher. Many hiking trails lead along these channels (suonen) over flower-carpeted mountain pastures. Grächen also has high trails and long distance trails leading through spectacular mountain scenery. The Europaweg long-distance trail stage from Grächen to Zermatt is the highlight of the several-day Monte Rosa tour. The Hannigalp and Seetalhorn cableways give access to fantastic panoramic views. Thrill-seeking mountain bikers can get their adrenaline kick on the 7km downhill route from the Seetalhorn to Grächen.
WINTER
Two cableways lead up to the snow-guaranteed ski regions of Hannigalp (up to 2272 metres) and Seetalhorn (2868 metres) with a total of 40km of prepared pistes. 12km of cross-country ski runs, a sledge run and 25km of well-maintained winter walking trails also help to lure non-skiers out into the snow-covered winter landscape. Children can have fun and games at the large children’s ski paradise at Hannigalp.
Highlights
- Kneippark - measuring 2500 square metres in area, this is Switzerland’s largest Kneipp garden embedded in the natural landscape above the Grächersee with hydrotherapy facilities, dry basins filled with pebbles and a herb garden.
- Children’s entertainment – Grächen was amongst the first Swiss resorts to offer an extensive range of attractions and entertainment for children.
- Ravensburg Spieleweg (Games Trail) – enjoy an afternoon of games at 16 games stations which range from «memory» to «snakes and ladders»; eight mini timber play chalets are dotted along the way.
- Suonen - walks along these traditional 400-year-old Valais irrigation channels.
- Seetalhorn - summit at 3037m and sunny terrace restaurant at 2868m with breathtaking panoramic views.
