Guttet-Feschel lies on a sunny terrace at an altitude of 1,000–1,300 m above sea level. From here, the view stretches across the entire Rhône Valley; the area is also characterized by a dry climate and many sunny days. Feschel itself is situated on a prominent hill spur. The landscape and village history give your stay two distinct focal points: sweeping views across the valley and the historic architecture of the village center.
Sunny Terrace and Natural Forest Reserve
The “Feschilju” Natural Forest Reserve covers forest within its boundaries in the municipalities of Guttet-Feschel and Leuk. Its total area is 41.55 ha. The reserve is intended to contribute to the biodiversity goals of Forest Policy 2020. The views across the Rhône Valley and the reserve’s defined boundaries offer different points of interest: one is a sweeping landscape view, while the other is a specific forest area with a designated size.
Village Center and St. Anthony’s Chapel in Feschel
The village center of Feschel, in the municipality of Guttet-Feschel, is of national importance and is listed in the ISOS inventory. The houses are built using the timber construction method typical of the region. The location of St. Anthony’s Chapel also shapes the village scene: it is built directly onto the municipal building and marks the end of a long row of houses.
According to surviving documents, the chapel was built in 1499. Until 1669 it was dedicated to St. Michael; since 1669, it has been dedicated to St. Anthony. Inside, a Baroque altar with several statues forms the centerpiece. The chapel’s architecture, construction history, and two periods of dedication offer different perspectives—from the building’s place in the village to its religious history.
The history of the two districts also has clear dates: Guttet was first mentioned in a document in 1261, and Feschel in 1267. The two former municipalities merged in 2000. Those focusing on culture and local history will therefore find a different planning focus in the village center than on a route through the landscape.
Hiking and Cycling Routes
A difficult stage of the Valais Sun Trail is an 8.2 km winter hike from Guttet via Feschel to Albinen. The route is listed as taking 2 hours and 20 minutes, with 313 m of ascent and 335 m of descent. These figures provide a specific guide for planning your time and elevation; check current trail conditions before setting out on a winter hike. On the Albinen–Feschel winter trail, you can enjoy views across the Rhône Valley all the way to Feschel.
For cyclists, the Guggerhubel Bike Tour follows a singletrack through the Hewald forest and continues to Guttet-Feschel. Hewald was destroyed by a fire in 2003. Another option is the “Landscape & Authenticity” cycle route, which passes through a variety of cultural landscapes and offers views of the Rhône Valley. From Jeizinen, it follows the slope to Erschmatt and/or to Feschel/Guttet. The routes are described differently in terms of activity and course; the hiking trail, singletrack, and cycle route should each be considered a separate option.
Getting Here and Choosing Accommodation
The “Guttet, Dorf” stop is listed for travel by public transport. Check the current timetable before your journey. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay connected with Guttet-Feschel, you can first decide what to focus on: the village scene and chapel, or planning a hiking or cycling tour. The information about the winter stage provides specific guidance on time and elevation; other routes follow their own course.
Discover more destinations: Wiler, Gampel, Gampel-Bratsch, Unterems, Leukerbad, Turtmann, Salgesch, Varen
For the overview of the wider region: Leuk.
