The best road cycling routes around Törbel

Parish Church of St. Michael – Stalden With its distinctive tower, the Parish Church of St. Michael shapes the historic village center of Stalden. The present-day Baroque building was constructed in 1777 on the site of an older church and rises impressively above the confluence of the Mattervispa and Saaservispa. Inside the bright church interior, the richly decorated high altar, ornate side altars, and the historic pulpit are impressive. Around the church, the well-kept cemetery and traditional Valais wooden houses recall the long history of the bridge village of Stalden. From here, beautiful views also open up into the Mattertal and Saastal valleys as well as the surrounding mountains.

Unterstalden is one of the oldest and most original villages in Valais. Narrow alleys, centuries-old, sun-tanned wooden houses, granaries on stilts, and lovingly restored buildings characterize the village. The traditional architecture bears witness to the village's long history and the close connection of its people with the steep vineyards and mountain agriculture. Between the historic houses, an impressive view of the vineyard terraces and the Rhône Valley repeatedly opens up. Together with the St. Jodern winery and the highest vineyards on the European mainland, Unterstalden is a worthwhile destination for anyone who wants to experience culture, history, and the Valais wine tradition.

Wine hike through Europe's highest vineyard, combined with a wine tasting at the local St. Jodern winery. Below the village of Visperterminen lies Europe's highest, contiguous vineyard, at an altitude between 650 and 1,150 meters. In short terraces with high dry stone walls, the vineyard, called „Rieben“, overcomes 500 meters of altitude difference in a confined space. Hundreds of these retaining walls turn the steep slopes into small vine gardens, often no larger than two bedsheets. The southern exposure of the slope, in one of Switzerland's driest regions, and the large stone surfaces of these dry stone walls make the „Rieben“ a heat chamber until late autumn, which gives the grapes – along with a few gusts of Föhn wind – the necessary ripeness.

The inn has up to 80 seats in the dining room and additionally a large sun terrace as well as a lounge area. It is only open during the summer season. Further information and opening hours can be found here: https://www.dorbia.ch/unser-restaurant

The old Visp developed in the hilly zone because until about 150 years ago there were repeated floods in the valley floor. The Rhone and the Vispa were corrected, expanded and channelized. This made the whole area free for development. Another reason why people built on the hill was the military pressure on the Upper Valais. On a hill with ring walls, one could defend oneself better. Several fires in the 13th and 14th centuries respectively, and the great fire of 1518 destroyed almost all of Visp. Thus, only individual houses built before 1518 can be found.

The quaint old town lies on the banks of the river Vispa, at the entrance to the valley of the same name. The alleys hide many charming restaurants and cafés, perfect for a stop on your bike tour.

Be sure to try the wine, it's worth it 🍷

High above the town of Visp lies Visperterminen with its fantastic view. The place was already settled in prehistoric times, and in 1715, four villages joined together to form the present-day municipality. A special feature of Visperterminen are the vineyards: on terraces built from dry stone walls, vines are cultivated up to an altitude of over 1,100 meters, making Visperterminen the highest vineyards in Europe. Heida is the name of the white wine made from the Savagnin grape.