Switzerland is home to some of the most breathtaking valleys in the world.
Each valley offers a unique experience, from roaring waterfalls to charming villages.
Today, I will explore the 3 best valleys in Switzerland.
Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
Val Bavona
Welcome to one of the rawest and most mystical valleys of Switzerland. Val Bavona feels like you are lost somewhere in Lord of the Rings.
But in contrast to Lauterbrunnen Valley, which could also be in such a movie, Val Bavona feels serene and untouched.
Val Bavona is best known for its beautiful village of Foroglio, charming with the fantastic view of the waterfall in the background.
The Foroglio waterfall is one of my favorite waterfalls in Switzerland. It’s a very nice place to go for a swim or simply for relaxation. Moreover, try out the swing that makes a great forest bond.
Foroglio
Foroglio is a picturesque village full of traditional stone houses that you’ll find everywhere in the valleys of this canton.
Val Bavona is not simply all about Foroglio; there are also quite a few places to see.
Sonlerto
There are many smaller and less-known villages that are great to visit. Sonlerto is one of them.
It’s similar to Foroglio, just a lot less busy, and you’ll actually find some beautiful traditional houses built beneath the rocks.
Most of the houses are very unique in this valley and should be one of the main reasons for you to visit. At San Carlo, the uppermost village, you can get some traditional food and find those houses.
The village is very serene and definitely great to explore. And if you’re very lucky, you may even bump into farmers sending the goats and cows back to stables.
Sabbione
Also, Sabbione is a very similar village with more unique houses, especially one of them is called “The Hobbit House”.
The Val Bavona is great to visit from April to October. I really like it during spring with the wisteria and the shiny light green colors.
In summer, it’s warm and looks even more inviting with the striking colors. Val Bavona is accessible by road from nearby towns and cities in Ticino.
Public transportation options, such as buses, are available, which makes it relatively easy for you to explore the valley.
Pay a visit to this beautiful and picturesque valley when you are in Ticino.
Simmental
Simmental is located in the Bernese Oberland, a region in the Swiss canton of Bern. This valley is known as the greenest in all of Europe.
This is no doubt one of the most beautiful valleys in Switzerland and the perfect destination for families and budget travelers.
Simmental is like how people would idealize Switzerland. Green hills everywhere with some small villages scattered with traditional houses.
This valley’s chalets are known for their unique architecture.
The chalets are tall and consist mainly of wood; some of them have beautiful paintings, and sometimes also prayer writings on the chalet’s walls.
Boltigen
Boltigen is also a small village down in the valley. It’s traditional and also very convenient to visit.
You can visit the bicycle museum, a fascinating attraction dedicated to the history and evolution of the bicycle.
Now, the Simmental is a lot more than only the home to beautiful chalets. It holds two of the most impressive waterfalls in Switzerland. Both of them are located in Lenk.
Simmen Falls
The Simmen Falls are a series of waterfalls that you can see when you’re hiking up to the Siebenbrunnen waterfall.
The hike takes roughly 40 minutes, and then you reach its field with the cow and the waterfall in the background.
Here you can get one of the most beautiful impressions in Switzerland. The Iffigfall is a bit easier to reach. It’s very tall and creates a lot of spray.
Both of these waterfalls can be visited in the same day. There’s also the Jaumpass low altitude pass road taking you from the Simmental to the canton of Fribourg.
The view from the higher part is really breathtaking.
Schächental
Schächental is also known as the Schächen Valley, located in the canton of Uri in central Switzerland.
Recently being a big hype on Instagram, Schächental has eventually become famous internationally. Yet despite being much hyped on social media, it isn’t really busy because many people are not into hiking.
Visiting this wonderful valley certainly would come for seeing Stäubifall. Stäubifall is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
You have to hike for 40 to 45 minutes to reach the waterfall. The trail leads you through a small forest and along the river called Schächen.
The village also around the waterfall feels incredibly calm. Although the Stäubifall may be your primary reason to come up here, you also should try the road of the Klausen Pass.
Spiringen
Spiringen is quite a nice village great for a quick stop. It’s one of the main villages in the Schächen Valley, known for its traditional architecture and charming atmosphere.
If you have time and want to explore more, then visit Urnterschächen and the Brunnital to see a glimpse of the rural Swiss lifestyle.
