This comprehensive guide explains why Grächen is the perfect, stress-free alternative to overcrowded destinations such as Zermatt, what secret weapons the village has to combat boredom, and how both young and old can find plenty to enjoy here.
“I’m bored!” – a phrase parents would rather not hear at all whilst on holiday. The secret to a successful family holiday lies in striking the perfect balance between safety for the little ones and real thrills for the older ones. In Grächen, these two worlds blend seamlessly.
Even on arrival, it feels like a proper holiday. As the historic village centre of Grächen is largely car-free, children can move about freely, carefree and safely, whilst their parents can relax and take a deep breath.
Anyone who thinks that this mountain village in Valais offers nothing but traditional hiking for young people is very much mistaken. Grächen delivers exactly the kind of thrills that teenagers and young adventurers are looking for:
The snow park in winter: On the Hannigalp (near the Paradiesli lift), the hearts of freestyle fans beat faster. The park is divided into a Race Line (for high-speed measurements), a Fun Line and an action-packed Freestyle Line with a rail park.
Racing through the snow – Snow biking: If you fancy trying something new, hire a snow bike and have a brilliant time on the slopes.
Bikepower in summer: The fast-paced Flow Trail from Hannigalp down into the valley offers pure downhill thrills, whilst the challenging Mattsand Enduro Trail poses a real challenge to absolute pros.
The ‘Fragender’ circular route: Had enough of boring walks? On the Quiz Circular Walk, tricky questions and exciting brain teasers await you. Perfect for a challenge between siblings or to make a walk with friends really interesting!
Soar high with paragliding: With professional tandem paragliding flights, young people can experience the Mattertal from a bird’s-eye view.
KOOR Alpine Games: Fancy a fun competition with friends or siblings? At the KOOR Alpine Games on the Hannigalp, the trendiest outdoor games await you this summer, such as pétanque, Kubb (Viking chess), cornhole and giant Mikado. Perfect for a cool challenge in the great outdoors!
The Sports Centre: Work up a sweat with climbing, tennis, badminton or a workout at the local sports centre.
Outdoor Escape Game: A real highlight for teenagers, where you’ll have to work together outdoors to solve tricky puzzles and crack the mystery – teamwork and thrills guaranteed.
Many families visit the Valais to experience the spectacular mountain scenery around the Matterhorn and the four-thousand-metre peaks, but want to escape the hustle and bustle, the huge crowds and the long walks in Zermatt.
Grächen is considered the absolute hidden gem in the Mattertal:
Intimate rather than overcrowded: You never lose sight of one another, and the distances are short.
A world-class starting point for hikes: Grächen is directly linked to world-famous routes – such as the legendary Europaweg (the Grächen – Zermatt) or the Saas-Fee to Grächen high-altitude trail.
Grächen is perched on one of the sunniest plateaus in the whole of Switzerland. Around 300 days of sunshine a year mean plenty of time outdoors, high spirits and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
The southern part of the village of Grächen is car-free, allowing you to enjoy your stay without any road traffic. You can leave your car behind whilst on holiday, explore the village at your leisure and relax.
Grächen is specifically designed for families with children of all ages: from toddlers in pushchairs (SiSu & Friends gondolas, Wolkenland) through to schoolchildren (play trails, treasure hunts) and teenagers (quiz trail, outdoor escape game, snow park, flow trail).
The local sports centre offers indoor activities such as climbing walls, tennis, badminton and fitness.
Ready for an unforgettable family holiday? Discover the available accommodation now on the Grächen booking portal or contact the team at Grächen & St. Niklaus Tourism for personalised advice at info@graechen.ch.
