Blitzingen in the sun-soaked Upper Valais, high valley of Goms is a starting point for mountain tours, hikes, wildlife watching and bike tours, and also has Switzerland’s longest natural Kneipp path. Goms also offers attractive cross-country ski runs in winter.

In addition to the many typical Upper Valais houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, Blitzingen (1290m) and its four hamlets have chapels and churches well worth a visit. In Bodmen, a small local museum gives an insight into culture and traditions. The oldest chapel is also found here. The hamlet of Ammen has open-air and handicraft museums. Blitzingen also lies on the national cycling route along the course of the Rhone.

Neighbouring Niederwald is the birthplace of internationally famous hotel pioneer Caesar Ritz, whose name still graces hotels in almost all major cities in the world. The Caesar Ritz Life Trail links Niederwald with Blitzingen and many regional hotels and restaurants serve Ritz menus or base their hotel philosophy on their great role model. Blitzingen also has its own hotel pioneer: Alexander Seiler founded the Seiler Hotel in Zermatt.

Goms is an excellent cross-country skiing area. The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway has stations in almost all Goms villages, making possible a variety of cross-country tours. Snowshoe trails and extensive winter-walking paths also offer peaceful, near-to-nature experiences.

Touristic offers are considerably greater at Fiesch, the nearby regional centre: the Eggishorn at 2927m is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn and the largest ski region close to Blitzingen.

Highlights

• Caesar Ritz – Theme Trail between Niederwald and Blitzingen, on the founder of the Caesar Ritz luxury hotels.
• Goms cross-country runs – snow-sure Goms is one of the best-known cross-country skiing areas in Switzerland with a network of some 100km of runs.
• Gommer Höhenweg – high-level trail with superb views along south-facing flanks from Bellwald to Oberwald.