Leuk takes you from an engaging local history to a variety of discoveries: its castle, ossuary and alleyways sit alongside nature and leisure activities. The municipality is located in the heart of the Pfyn-Finges Regional Nature Park. Those looking to combine culture, landscape and an activity will find plenty of options here, from historical landmarks to a golf course.

Leuk in the Rhône Valley

Leuk town lies in the Swiss Rhône Valley, on the northern bank of the Rotten, east of where the Dala flows into the Rotten. Leuk is the main town of the Leuk district in the German-speaking part of the canton of Valais. The town’s historical connection to the Gemmi Pass is also an important part of its story: in the past, Leuk controlled access to the pass. North of Leuk, in the direction of the Gemmi Pass, lie the thermal baths of Leukerbad.

This local history can be combined with a variety of present-day interests. You can go hiking in the Pfyn Forest, while guided tours through the alleyways of Leuk town focus on medieval traces. If you prefer to explore history digitally, you can discover Leuk town using augmented reality, accompanied by figures from the past. If you plan to join a guided tour of the alleyways, it is advisable to check the date before travelling.

Castle, town hall and historical landmarks

Leuk Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1254 and was later restored by architect Mario Botta. In 1507, the Bishop of Sion, the future Cardinal Matthäus Schiner, and the Duke of Savoy signed the peace treaty between Valais and Savoy there. Another chapter in the town’s history dates to 1541: that year, the community of Leuk acquired the masonry and had it converted into a town hall by Ulrich Ruffiner. These dates mark different chapters, from the castle’s first mention in medieval times to the peace treaty and the conversion of the masonry.

The ossuary by St. Stephen’s Church stands out for its scale: around 22,000 skulls are piled along a 24-metre-long wall. A story about one individual is also associated with the site. A woman whose name is unknown, who died in the 17th century, was rediscovered as a mummy in the ossuary in 1982. The Ringacker Chapel offers another glimpse of history: the present-day chapel was built between 1690 and 1694 to replace a small pilgrimage chapel associated with a plague cemetery dating from 1629 to 1630.

Choose culture and leisure activities to suit your interests

Literature and wine are also part of Leuk. Since 2001, the Schloss Leuk Foundation has awarded the Spycher: Leuk Literature Prize annually. A Cornalin vine planted in 1798 also grows in Leuk town and is considered the oldest vine in Switzerland. These two subjects offer a different perspective from the town’s architecture and history: one represents an annual award, the other a distinctive part of the local wine-growing heritage.

There are a variety of ways to stay active. Golf Leuk has an 18-hole course, with the course layout—and particularly the greens—modelled on a classic Scottish links course. The Detective Trail in Leuk is designed as a treasure hunt for children and adults, combining puzzles with a treasure chest and a prize. The 134-metre-long Bhutan suspension bridge is part of a circular hiking route offering views of the Illgraben. Conditions on this route may vary.

You can choose the focus of your stay according to your interests: historic architecture and local history, a guided tour of the alleyways or a digital discovery, hiking in the Pfyn Forest, golf or a treasure hunt. For guided activities, checking the date is a useful part of planning; for outdoor activities, you should take the relevant conditions into account. Discover more destinations: Susten, Pletschen, Turtmann, Oberems, Gampel, Niedergampel, Ergisch, Albinen.

Go to the main travel overview: Leuk.