When you arrive in Grächen, you feel it immediately: this mountain village in Valais is not just a place you visit. Grächen is a feeling – of tranquillity, sunshine and a touch of alpine adventure. Perched high above the Matter Valley at around 1,600 metres, this charming village welcomes you with its rustic wooden houses, flower-adorned balconies and an almost fairy-tale backdrop.
We were there in summer, and what can I say? Grächen showed us its best side – with bright blue skies, clear mountain air and an impressive expanse that immediately grounds you.
Our absolute highlight was the hike up the Wannehorn. The hike was recommended to us by everyone and became one of those experiences that will stay with us forever. It is one of those tours that challenges you, but rewards you with moments where you just stand and marvel.
The trail starts with a gondola ride from the centre of Grächen up to Hannigalp. The trail starts off easy, passing meadows and alpine flowers, but the further you climb, the wilder and more pristine the landscape becomes. Rugged rocks, narrow paths, a little scrambling – nothing really dangerous, but with that certain adrenaline rush. The first section rewards you with wonderful views and some shade from the blazing sun, and a little further on there is a bench where you can take a break and enjoy the view. But the last section to the summit is particularly impressive: the silence that hangs over the mountain is almost magical. Only the sound of the wind and your own breathing – nothing else.
Once you reach the top, you feel like you are in another world. You have a complete panoramic view of the mountains: the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn and even the Aletsch Glacier in the distance. Afterwards, we made a stop at Hannigalp before taking the gondola back down.
You should plan about 3-4 hours for the hike itself, depending on your speed and breaks/photos.
If you want to enjoy another spectacular view, we recommend the hike from Grächen via Gasenried to the ridge. This approximately three-hour tour covering 700 metres of altitude difference (one way) begins in the relaxed, car-free village centre of Grächen.
The trail first leads through open, gently sloping terrain towards Gasenried, a small, idyllic hamlet that feels like a stopover between everyday life and alpine freedom. Here, the scenery changes – open meadows soon give way to shady larch forests, and the trail begins to climb steadily.
From this point on, it becomes more challenging. A clearly marked path winds through the forest, past moss-covered stones, narrow clearings and, again and again, small views into the deeply carved valley. The ascent is noticeable throughout, but technically easy – sure-footedness is helpful, a head for heights is not necessary, but stamina is.
What makes this trail so special is the tranquillity and anticipation. With every step, you feel more of the mountain, more of the space around you – until, just below the ridge, the view suddenly opens up: there it is, this narrow ridge high above the valley, where you feel like you are on a quiet balcony above the world and have a great view of Grächen. A little tip: don't forget your picnic and blanket! Because here it is nice to just linger for a moment and enjoy the sun.
If you want to spend a few hours by the lake, ‘Zum See’ is the perfect place. There is also a Kneipp barefoot path here.
Unless you're standing on a mountain peak, Grächen itself offers everything you could want from an alpine retreat: a car-free village centre with narrow streets, small cafés, a few family-run restaurants where people still say ‘Salü’ and take their time. Particularly beautiful: the evening walk along the Suonen waterway, when the light falls golden over the rooftops.
Those travelling with children will find Grächen a true paradise – with the SiSu Family Park on the Hannigalp, a fairy-tale gondola lift, themed hiking trails and many little surprises along the way.
Grächen is a place for anyone looking for authenticity. No spectacle, no noise, just nature, tranquillity and intense experiences. For us, it was a mixture of mountain adventure and spiritual retreat – with one clear favourite: the hike up the Wannehorn. If you're in Grächen, you shouldn't miss this trail. Yes, it takes a bit of courage and stamina – but it rewards you with one of the most beautiful viewpoints we've ever experienced.
And anyway, once you've been to Grächen, you'll come back. That's for sure.
