5 fantastic sights not to miss in Valais

If you think the highest gravity dam in the world sounds impressive, wait until you see it. The wall measures all of 285 metres high and weighs a casual 15 million tonnes. Take a guided tour to learn more about this human-made marvel, but the real fun comes from heading to the top of the dam, which you can do by cable car or – if you want to give your legs a workout – by foot. The complex that Grande Dixence is part of generates two billion kWh of power per year, accounting for a whopping 20% of Switzerland’s energy storage capacity. More importantly, though, the concrete behemoth of a structure and the often-snow-covered peaks surrounding it make Grande Dixence look like a set from a James Bond movie, which just adds to the appeal.

As you might expect from Europe’s highest open-air cog railway, the views of the Alps from Gornergrat are spectacular. The viewing platform you’ll be whisked along to stands at 2,089 metres above sea level, though you’ll still be dwarfed by the 29,400-metre-high peaks surrounding you, including the legendary Matterhorn and the mighty Dufourspitze (Monte Rosa’s highest peak). Seek out one of the Viscope telescopes when you’re at the top, which provide information about what you’re looking at alongside extreme close-ups of the landscape. If you want to extend the adventure, there are plenty of hiking trails, biking paths and fixed rope climbing routes nearby.

Sion, the capital of Valais, has much to offer all visitors, but however you spend your time there, don’t miss these two imposing buildings that form a big part of the town’s identity and history. Tourbillon Castle, perched high above the town, was destroyed by fire in 1788, but the remains still offer a dramatic glimpse into the past. Valère Cathedral, atop the neighbouring Valeria hill, offers not only a beguiling mix of architectural styles, but also what’s claimed to be the world’s oldest pipe organ still in use.

This natural wonder – the largest natural underground lake in Europe – is the result of millions of years of rock formations, erosion, earthquakes and other complex geological processes, none of which you need to understand to appreciate its beauty and sheer mysteriousness. Discovered in 1943 by explorer Jean-Jacques Pittard, the site was opened to the public in 1949 and you can still explore it today on a 30-minute guided boat tour, which takes you around the illuminated – but still eerie – lake, accompanied by fascinating information about its history.

There are many great spots from which to watch the sunrise in Valais, but none are quite as special as Mont Fort. Make your way up to the peak (easily reached via cable cars and gondolas from various locations nearby) and you’ll find yourself at an altitude of 3,300 metres. As the sun slowly emerges, the Matterhorn, Dent d’Hérens, Grand Combin, Mont Blanc and around one hundred other Alpine peaks slowly reveal themselves, making for a mind-blowing and life-affirming experience. This is one sunrise you won’t forget.