Vals lies at the end of a side valley in the Surselva region. The season shapes what is on offer: in winter, activities include skiing and other winter pursuits; in summer, the cable car takes visitors to Gadastatt for hiking and mountaineering. Other themes include the high moor, architecture, music and agriculture. Seasonal operations and mountain conditions can vary.
Getting there and the village centre
The post bus connects Vals with Ilanz, where there are regular connections to the Rhaetian Railway. Check the timetables for your specific travel dates, as some departure times may change. Vals Platz is the centre of the village of Vals. This distinction clarifies the geographical context: Vals lies at the end of a side valley, while Vals Platz refers to the village centre.
Thermal spring and architecture
The 7132 Therme is in the heart of Vals, at the canton of Graubünden’s only thermal mineral spring. Peter Zumthor built it from quartzite and concrete. The spring and the building materials offer two distinct perspectives on this place: its connection to thermal waters and a specific architectural work. For anyone interested in architecture, it offers another focus for trip planning alongside mountain sports and nature.
High moor, pastures and lake views
The nature experiences can be grouped by theme: the Valser Moorlehrpfad trail passes through the high-moor habitat, with five stops along the way. A popular hike in the Valsertal runs through moorland and across alpine pastures to a viewpoint overlooking the Zerfreila reservoir. The Three Lakes hike offers views of Zervreilasee, Amperveilsee, Guraletschsee and Selvasee. The options range from the high moor as a habitat to pastureland and views of several lakes.
Mountain sports in summer and winter
The Adula massif in the Valsertal includes 50 peaks and offers mountaineers opportunities for alpine excursions; conditions vary. Vals is also a central stage on the Walserweg, which leads from Zermatt through the Alps to Kleinwalsertal in Vorarlberg. The local connection thus ranges from alpine excursions in the massif to a stage on a route crossing the Alps.
As of 2026, the Valser ski area offers 25 kilometres of pistes and reaches almost 3,000 metres above sea level. Seasonal operations may vary. Other winter activities in Vals include cross-country skiing, sledging, winter hiking and snowshoeing; specific routes depend on conditions. This selection presents several ways to experience winter in Vals without limiting all activities to skiing.
Music and Valser agriculture
The Valser Musiksommer is a concert series held at various picturesque locations in the village of Vals. The programme ranges from classical music to jazz; dates and programmes change every year. If attending a concert is part of your trip, coordinate your travel dates with the relevant programme.
At the Geissalp Peil, the alpine team sells fresh goat’s milk products. This seasonal offering and its availability may vary. Visitors can also watch the goats return from the Peiler mountain pastures; exact dates may vary. The high-altitude pastures of the Valser Alps also form the basis of Valser dairy farming. Products made from this milk include Valser alpine milk, butter and cheese. Vals thus offers a look at both the agricultural foundations and the products themselves.
Landscape and settlements within the municipality
The municipality of Vals is home to typical Walser farmstead settlements, most of which are still used as Maiensässe today. The municipal area comprises five valleys. The Valser Rhein flows through the inhabited main valley, the Valsertal; in this valley, Vals is cut off to the north and south by a gorge. The municipality covers just under 176 square kilometres and includes meadows and alpine pastures, mountain forest, and rocky and glacial areas. The Rheinwaldhorn reaches 3,402 metres above sea level within the municipality. These details refer to the municipality and broaden the picture beyond the village centre to encompass the surrounding landscape.
Discover more destinations: Luven, Ilanz, Suraua, Andiast, Breil-Brigels, Igels, Siat, Schluein
For the broader travel overview: Surselva.
