A municipal council decision made Unterbäch a special place in Swiss women’s history: in 1957, women here were given a one-time right to vote. Other activities range from bisse trails and a digital village tour to skiing and sledding. To plan your trip, it is worth sorting the options by season and personal interests.

A defining moment in Swiss women’s history

On 5 March 1957, the municipal council of Unterbäch granted women a one-time right to vote, against the wishes of the national government. The women of Unterbäch thus became the first women in Switzerland to vote—14 years before women’s suffrage was introduced. That is why the village is also known as the “Rütli of Swiss Women.” Anyone interested in this history can combine it with a walk through Unterbäch: the digital village tour takes in nine stops. QR codes on the information boards let you listen to the story of each location; the digital content can be updated.

Getting there and exploring the mountain landscape

If you’re travelling by train, go to Raron. From there, it’s about a five-minute walk to the valley station of the cable car to Unterbäch. The cable car runs every half hour; an 25-person gondola takes you up in eight minutes and offers views of the Löibbach Gorge along the way. Check the timetable and operating conditions before travelling.

There are mountain-biking and hiking trails of all difficulty levels around Unterbäch; many run alongside bisses, the traditional irrigation channels typical of the region. Three of these historic irrigation channels have been preserved in Unterbäch, with hiking trails following the watercourses. Other hikes pass through spruce and larch forests, across alpine pastures and over rocky ridges. With a little luck, you may spot marmots, chamois or ibex. The focus is therefore both on the cultural landscape of the irrigation channels and on the variety of landscapes and wildlife you may encounter.

Winter activities: skiing, sledding and scooter rides

The Ginals–Unterbäch ski area has 20 kilometres of ski runs for beginners and advanced skiers. The ski lifts and chairlifts take you to over 2,500 metres above sea level. For beginners in snow sports, the Swiss Snow Kids Village run by the Unterbäch ski and snowboard school has a magic carpet, seesaws, jumps, rails and a ski carousel. Check which lifts and activities are available during the season before your visit.

When choosing a descent from Brandalp, comparing the route lengths can help: the sledding run goes five kilometres downhill to Unterbäch; you can reach the start by chairlift from Unterbäch. Brandalp scooters also take you downhill from Brandalp to the village. They are available at the mountain station of the Unterbäch–Brandalp chairlift, and the paved descent is five kilometres long. One route is for sleds, the other for scooters; scooter availability is seasonal.

Another winter option is the Frauenzitate-Trail snowshoe trail from Brandalp to the village of Unterbäch. Quotes from world-famous women are displayed along the route. The trail combines a walk through the landscape with a thematic focus, while sledding and scooter rides are described as descents from Brandalp. Snowshoe and trail conditions depend on the season.

Water, local tastings and culture

Augstbord Lake Park is fed by the “Unterbächneri” bisse. The lake is 1.5 metres deep and is suitable for bathing and swimming. A loop trail around it is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs; there is also a water and adventure playground. Seasonal conditions apply to the water and play facilities.

Tüürli lets you explore the mountain landscape on a self-guided walk, with regional beers or wines available to sample at five stops. Participating stops may change. If you’d rather explore local history, choose the village tour; if you’re interested in waterways, you’ll find trails alongside the preserved bisses. These activities offer different focuses, and you don’t need to plan them in any particular order.

Discover more destinations: Bürchen, Raron, Riederalp, Kippel, Grengiols, Wiler (Lötschen), Eischoll, Bettmeralp

Back to the regional travel overview: Raron.