At Ernen’s village square, historic buildings meet a varied music programme; outside the village, trails lead through the landscape of the Binntal. You can tailor your stay to your interests, whether that means village history, concerts or outdoor activities. There is also a specific destination for outings with children: the Zauberwald adventure playground between Ernen and Ausserbinn.
Village Square, Houses and Church
The village square is considered one of the most beautiful in Switzerland. The Zendenrathaus stands there, the square’s most striking building, constructed between 1750 and 1762. The Jost-Sigristen House, dating from 1581, is located at the lower Hengert on the village square. The Tellenhaus was built in 1576 as an inn and staging post and is now Ernen’s municipal building. St. George’s Parish Church was built between 1510 and 1518 by master builder Ulrich Ruffener. These buildings reveal different periods of construction and their original uses. Ernen received the Wakker Prize in 1979 for preserving its townscape.
Since 1999, the church museum has been housed in the crypt beneath the high altar. Its exhibits include the Schiner chasuble, dating from around 1500, and the Schiner chalice. The museum is shown as part of village tours; check the local tour details before your visit. The tour offers insight into the village’s eventful past. It also includes the Zendenrathaus, with its torture chamber, two prison cells in the basement and a collection of documents from the 14th and 15th centuries.
The Jost-Sigristen Museum offers another perspective on the village’s history. Its permanent exhibition shows how the regional governor Jakob Valentin Sigristen (1733–1808) lived and worked; the museum also features a painted parlour ceiling. If you want more than a chronological look at historic buildings, this museum focuses on the life and work of a specific historical figure.
Music Village and Events
The Musikdorf Festival takes place in Ernen in summer. Its programme ranges from piano recitals and orchestral concerts to Baroque and chamber music, as well as jazz. There are also public masterclasses, talks and literary events. Alongside the historic buildings, music and cultural events can therefore be a focus of your visit. As individual events may change, check the latest programme details when planning your trip.
Zauberwald and Hiking Options
The Zauberwald adventure playground is located between Ernen and Ausserbinn in the Binntal Landscape Park. Children aged three to ten can accompany BrĂĽna the squirrel through the forest, following more than 20 stations. The facilities include a pinecone slide, a swing tree and ravine paths. The age range and stations give families a specific point of reference when planning this outing.
If you want to hike from Ernen, consider the Chäserstatt hike: it starts in the village, passes through the forest and the Rappental valley, and reaches the Chäserstatt viewpoint. Seasonal conditions can affect the trail, so check the latest trail conditions before setting out. Another short hike leads from the old village centre over Mosshubel to Mühlebach, then returns to Ernen via the Panorama Trail. Both descriptions name Ernen as the starting point or return destination, but give different intermediate destinations.
A nearby alternative is the Mühlebach–Trusera–Wasen trail, which is 4.5 kilometres long and takes about one hour and 45 minutes. It is marked in yellow. The route climbs from Mühlebach to the Trusera, follows the irrigation channel to Binnachra and descends to Wasen. The nearby irrigation channel draws water from the Milibach in the Rappental valley and carries it through the Ernerwald forest to the fields in Binnachra. The Trusera is an important Valais irrigation channel, first mentioned in 1499. It was out of service from 1994 to 2006 before being restored.
Another notable structure is the Goms Bridge: it crosses the Lammaschlucht ravine 92 metres above the Rotten and connects the hiking areas of Bellwald and Ernen. Check the latest trail and access information before your visit. This gives you a choice of hikes starting or ending in Ernen, as well as routes linking the hiking areas.
Getting There and Planning
Ernen is accessible year-round by public transport or car. Check the latest connections for your travel date. When planning, first decide whether to focus on village history and music or on outdoor trails. For the routes mentioned, it is also advisable to check the latest trail conditions and tour details.
Discover more destinations: Fiesch, Blitzingen, Fieschertal, Ulrichen, MĂĽnster-Geschinen, Niederwald, Lax, Oberwald.
Back to the main travel overview: Goms.
