6 great family activities in Valais

Get a helping hand on your family holiday from Cheesy, the Hérens cow who acts as the mascot of Nendaz Tourism. Guided by this super-smart cow, the kids can embark on a treasure hunt, solving puzzles to make their way along the scenic Panorama Trail, where you’ll enjoy stunning views across Mont-Blanc and the Bietschhorn. 

If that’s fired-up your appetite for exploring, take a look at the other treasure hunts around Valais that the whole family will love. From stepping back in time to see the Valais of years gone by to discovering the story of the Gogwärgini dwarves, there’s a treasure hunt to suit every occasion, with all kinds of puzzles and quests along the way. Find out more here.

The mountain village of Grächen is always popular with families, and it’s not hard to see why. Set at 1,620 metres above sea level, it’s an impossibly pretty destination and is full of excellent leisure facilities for children. Best of all, however, is the fact that the whole family can embark on a mini-Swiss safari here. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you’ll trace the Zaniglas valley and look out for chamois, marmots and ibex.

The SiSu Family Park is, quite simply, a paradise for children. Let them roam free and discover climbing gardens, a petting zoo with donkeys and goats, water games and the summer tube train, which takes passengers on an aerial loop before descending into a tunnel – essentially a child-friendly rollercoaster. Best of all, families can arrive at the park via a colourful, fairytale-themed gondola, which is sure to wow the kids.

Let the kids see a true wonder of nature with a family excursion to the Aletsch glacier. With a knowledgeble guide, you’ll undertake an adventure that’ll let you experience this monumental feat in all its glory, and considering the glacier extends over 23 kilometres – the size of 12,000 football pitches – there are plenty of photo opportunities along the way. The perfect way to get the children adventuring at an early age.

Teach the children about the natural world in the best way possible – by letting them discover it for themselves. The Pro Natura Centre Aletsch lets them do just that, giving visitors fascinating information about the area’s incredible flora and fauna before encouraging them to get out there and explore. Remember to make time for the venue’s Alpine Garden, which showcases more than 200 plants from the region,

Kids will love shedding their shoes for this fun nature walk, which encourages visitors to stroll barefoot through sections of sand, wood chips, pebbles and pinecones along the way. At the end of the route you’ll reach the Printse river, the ideal opportunity for a much-deserved and refreshing footbath.