One doesn’t automatically consider the Swiss Alps when looking for a disabled friendly holiday destination. With this in mind, and because we have friends visiting that need this consideration, Alpine Property Search recently took a first hand look at what disabled friendly options there are available in the Valais region of Switzerland in the Spring, Summer and Autumn months.

We hope that this will be useful reading for those considering a holiday in Valais to have a few “tried and tested” destinations that suit both those with disabilities and those without.

1. The Grande Dixence Dam, Val d’Hérémence, Valais.

We started off here simply because we hadn’t visited before. To be honest with you we didn’t know what to expect and thought it would be a “no go” for our friends as we were sure it would involve a steep climb up to the dam and would not be wheelchair friendly at all. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find that there is a cable car with disabled access that whisks you up to the top making it super accessible! There are also disabled toilets just before the cable car station and the car park is disabled friendly too. Once you have got off the cable car it is possible to walk across the top of the dam, which is totally flat and admire the views both down the valley and across the reservoir. There is also a flat (though slightly bumpy) footpath to the right of the dam as you leave the cable car that goes some distance through a tunnel, but then hugs the side of the dam allowing you to admire the views of the glacier of the Pigne d’Arolla at the end of the dam and the surrounding peaks. It should also be mentioned that there is a zip line here that goes across the face of the dam. It is not disabled friendly due to steps down to it, however, there may be others in your party that might be interested in the experience. Definitely a positive start!

2. Domaine les Iles, Sion, Valais.

This beautiful lake is situated on the valley floor only 3km from the capital town of Sion in Valais. It is a truly stunning lake with clear, turquoise blue water. There is a not quite circular walk that takes you around the perimeter which is disabled friendly for those in a wheelchair, however please note that this is a natural path so may be a little bumpy. There are lots of picnic spots, including 12 barbecue stations, and an assortment of benches and picnic tables dotted around the lake, which is open all year round. If you are not a sun lover then there are lots of places to shelter from the sun in the summer as there are areas with trees both on the banks of the lake and further away. We visited in early September, when it was a sweltering 28 degrees and there were loads of people cooling off in the lake both swimming and enjoying paddle boarding, but it should be mentioned that there are no life guards, so all water activity is undertaken at your own risk. For the adventurous members of you party there is a tree top adventure park and the sports centre here offers tennis, volleyball, a climbing wall and mini golf. For refreshments, the restaurant on the West side of the lake is disabled friendly. There are several car parks that are accessible and disabled friendly toilets are situated on the South side of the lake, but take care to note where they are when researching your visit as the route is not circular! Views of the mountains are stunning from just about everywhere and the lake is just beautiful so Domaine les Iles is a definite must see.

3. Circular walk from Sion to Bramois and back.

Visiting the fortified, medievel town of Sion is a must! The town is chock full of stunning architecture, pretty cafés and boutique shops. In terms of practicality we recommend parking at the Parking du Scex as there are disabled bays and also a lift. The public toilets are located at Place de la Planta in the centre of the town and there are disabled toilets there too. I will visit a few other car parks when I return to Switzerland and find out what the accessibility is like and update this section of the blog.

After a stroll around Sion it is possible to follow a circular walk taking in Bramois, a pretty little traditional village on the river La Borgne which feeds the mighty Rhône. We walked the route to make sure it is totally disabled friendly for a wheelchair user. And by the way the views are stunning along all of this route, from taking in the majestic peaks, to gazing at the running water of La Borgne and taking in the vineyards clinging to the mountains around Sion. From Sion follow the signs to Bramois by crossing over the Rhône on the Rue de Dixence. The signposts are easy to find on the bridge. The route starts on the pavement and takes you through some residential areas behind Aldi. You will then you go under the motorway into a beautiful apple orchard which will be useful to know, is tarmacked (there is a small section just after this that is a natural path but it is totally accessible). The surrounding views are truly majestic. You will come out by La Borgne, a river feeding the Rhône, which has a tarmacked walk back to Sion called Promenade de la Borgne. You can decide at this point whether to go to the village of Bramois by going right or go left to complete the circle back to Sion, following La Borgne and eventually the Rhône. In Bramois at the end of the promenade is a restaurant called La Belle Ombre which has a disabled friendly outside space.

Following the promenade back to Sion, you will not be disappointed by view after magnificent view. The walk along the river is beautiful with the light streaming through the trees along the promenade and the varied scenery along this walk is outstanding. Take in the vineyards covering the lower slopes in enviable military lines, the meticulous fairways of the Golf Club de Sion, the roaring glacial water of the Rhône and finally the outstanding Château de Tourbillon and the Basilique de Valère which both tower over Sion. This is definitely a walk with “something for everyone”.

4. Zermatt

Zermatt is not a resort the we imagined would be disabled friendly, as no cars are allowed, but we were thrilled that it proved us totally wrong. We parked at the parking underneath the Hotel Täscherhof because we knew there was a ramp up from the car park. Because we have a dog we decided to take a walk along the Matter Vispa river that runs down from Zermatt. The best way to get to it is to cross the river and railway line by the campsite. The path is almost totally flat so is completely disabled friendly, although it is not tarmacked. You can walk in both directions along the  river and the path is in excellent condition.

As Zermatt is totally pedestrianised you will need to take the train up to the resort. The train had this amazing ledge that came out of the side of the door and clamped onto the platform which provided a flat surface for anyone in a wheelchair to roll onto the train. We were both astounded, what an incredible piece of engineering! The town itself is clearly on a slope but it is very disabled friendly, including some disabled toilets that were accessed down a small incline in the centre of the resort. It would be easy to eat here as a lot of the restaurants were accessible and on the pavements as well as ice cream stands that back onto the street. The views of the Matterhorn are wonderful at the far end of the resort too. Another must visit destination!

5. Wine tasting!

Surely no trip to the part of Switzerland would be complete without a little wine tasting trip? Valais has a rich heritage when it comes to wine making and the dry stone walls and terraced vineyards on the South facing slopes characterise this part of the Rhône valley. There are numerous vineyards to choose from along an endless wine route.

We chose the Domaine Rouvinez which is nestled at the top of small mound, just off the A9 motorway at Sierre. There are lovely views from the domaine including views over Lac de Geronde, another beautiful lake with turquoise glacier waters. The domaine is totally disabled friendly with a long ramp up to the entrance and the tasting room is totally flat.

The family Rouvinez owns and cultivates 86 hectares of vineyards along the Rhône valley; the Colline de Géronde site produces Pinot Noir and is also their tasting centre. We had been taken to the winery in 2021 during one of the famous “caves ouvertes” (open cellars) weekends when many of the regions vineyards open to the public for free wine and raclette tastings, and were amazed by the scale of the winery operation which is hidden inside the mountain. The tour takes you through the tasting area and into the mountain which houses the enormous wooden vats and culminates in a long corridor with oak ageing barrels on either side and a door at the end. To our great surprise the door opens and you step out from inside the mountain onto a flat grassy plateau with trestle tables for eating and drinking, a flock of Valais Blacknose sheep grazing and beautiful views of the lake below.

Since we missed this year’s open cellar, we decided to drop in on the off-chance of tasting a few wines and were treated to a one-on-one tasting with the winery manager. The Domaine has a wide selection of delicious varietals including local Swiss staples such as Petite Arvine, Heida, Johannisberg, Cornalin and Humagne Rouge as well as their famous Nez Noir blends of red, white and rosé wines. It’s nearly impossible to buy Swiss wine in the UK since so little is exported, so take the opportunity to stock up on a few bottles while you are tasting, as we did!