Embd is a steep, terraced mountain village in Valais at an altitude of 1,358 m. Typical quartz-stone roofs and winding lanes define the village; the lanes repeatedly open up views of the surrounding mountains. There are also hikes with clearly distinct destinations and themes—from the enchanted forest to hamlets and alpine pastures, and the Augstbord Pass.
Village Character and Trails Through the Landscape
If you would first like to get to know the village itself, you can stroll through its winding lanes and look out for the typical quartz-stone roofs. The mountains remain in view: the lanes repeatedly open up to reveal vistas. Embd lies in an extensive hiking area; the trails mentioned differ above all in their stops and destinations, not as parts of a single circular route.
The Gogwärgji Trail leads from Schalb to Embd through the heart of the enchanted forest. Seven stops feature troll stories written by Embd schoolchildren. You can read the stories on information boards or listen to them on your smartphone via QR code. Several spots along the trail invite you to take a break and enjoy views of the mountains and the Ried Glacier. This hike therefore focuses on both the stories and the viewpoints.
The Yak Trail passes old, picturesque hamlets and places with rare plants and animals. The trail follows in the footsteps of the yaks that have been at home in Embd since 1995. The Schalb–Pletschen–Moosalp hike takes a different route: it leads from Schalb via Embd’s Pletschen alpine pasture to Moosalp and is considered family-friendly.
The other routes can also be distinguished by their stages. The Schalb–Jungu high-level trail starts in Schalb above Embd and crosses the heights of the Mattertal valley to Jungen. By contrast, the Schalb–Jungen–St. Niklaus hike follows narrow paths through forests rich in flora and past impressive rock faces. On the Schalb–Augstbord Pass–Gruben route, the Augstbordhütten mountain huts and the Augstbord Pass lie along the way; the route then descends to Gruben. The Embd–Törbel–Zeneggen hike first passes through hamlets and meadows from Embd to Törbel, then continues to Zeneggen. It is possible to extend the hike to Bürchen. When comparing the hikes, you can focus on their individual waypoints rather than treating them as interchangeable alternatives.
High-Level Trails and Regional Insights
The Embd–Schalb adventure railway takes you to a viewpoint at 1,900 m. The Augstbordhorn tour also offers its own perspective on the landscape: the section between Embd and Oberems passes through an area shaped by village life and agriculture. In the Augstbord region, Eringer cows, Valais Blacknose sheep and white alpine sheep continue to spend the summer on the alpine pastures.
A treasure hunt is particularly suitable for families with children and school classes looking for an experience in nature. Along the way, participants solve eight tasks to open the treasure chest at the destination.
Plan a Culinary Hike
For many years, the association has organized the Kulinarischer Ämbdercher as a culinary hike in Embd. Local delicacies are served at eight different stops. The hike ends in the car park by the mountain station of the Kalpetran–Embd cable car. From there, participants can take the cable car back to Kalpetran, the starting point. If you plan to make this return trip, it is a good idea to check the timetable.
When looking for accommodation in Embd, you can first consider what you would like to shape your stay: the terraced village character, a particular hike or the Kulinarischer Ämbdercher. The trails offer different, specific points of interest—from the enchanted forest and its troll stories to a route over the Augstbord Pass or the option of extending your hike to Bürchen.
Discover more destinations: Stalden, Baltschieder, Gasenried, Täsch, Saas-Fee, Saas-Almagell, Saas-Balen, Törbel.
Go to the main travel overview: Visp.
