RoutesHiking trails & RoutesSwitzerlandValaisContheyGundis
Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion – Basilica of Valère loop from Châteauneuf-Conthey
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesSwitzerlandValaisContheyGundis
Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion – Basilica of Valère loop from Châteauneuf-Conthey
Moderate
5.0
(2)
15
hikers
Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion – Basilica of Valère loop from Châteauneuf-Conthey
04:13
16.1km
120m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: July 30, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Train Station
Get Directions
1
7.31 km
Government Building of the Canton of Valais
Highlight • Monument
History of Valais
The history of Valais covers the development of the Rhone Valley above Lake Geneva since prehistoric and early history. Settlements have been documented in the large Alpine valley since the Mesolithic period. During antiquity, the land, previously inhabited by Celtic peoples, formed the Roman province of Vallis Poenina. In the fifth century AD it became dependent on the Kingdom of Burgundy and in the seventh century on the Frankish Empire.
In the ninth century, an Alemannic ethnic group coming over the northern Alpine passes settled in the upper part of the region, which has since been divided into two language areas, the Romanesque-Franco-Provençal Lower Valais and the German-speaking Upper Valais. Over time, the language border emerged, which since the late Middle Ages has been on a line west of Zermatt, Turtmann, Salgesch and Leukerbad.
The independent regional history of Valais begins with the granting of county rights in the Rhone Valley from Martigny upwards by the Burgundian King Rudolf III. to Bishop Hugo of Sitten in 999. Part of the Holy Roman Empire since 1032, the Valais came under the control of the Counts of Savoy in the 11th century. In several armed conflicts, the growing communities of the upper part of the country, organized since the 14th century in the tithes and represented by the district council, united with the Bishop of Sitten, pushed back the Savoy rule until, during the Burgundian Wars in 1475, they were able to conquer their castlanies down to Saint-Maurice and organize them as subject territory. In 1536, the Chablais to the left of the Rhone as far as Lake Geneva was added.
After the French Revolution, the people of Monthey and Martigny rose up against the rule of the Upper Valais in 1798 and in 1799 France conquered the whole of Valais by force and in 1802 established the formally independent "Republic of Valais", which was incorporated into the French state in 1810 as the Département du Simplon. In 1815, Valais followed the recommendation of the Congress of Vienna to join the Swiss Confederation. Since 1848, the canton has belonged to the new Swiss federal state.
With the expansion of the pass roads over the Simplon (1805) and the Great St. Bernard (1905) and the construction of the railway tunnels through the Simplon (1905) and the Lötschberg (1913), Valais became an important modern transport corridor through the Alps. New industrial regions emerged in the easily accessible area, and the high mountains became a scene of mountaineering from the 19th century onwards and of widespread tourism in the 20th century. Several railway lines (Furka, Gornergrat, Châtelard) and many cable cars were built for tourist traffic, which became a major branch of the economy in the Alpine canton. Several major corrections to the course of the Rhone put an end to the previously often severe flooding of the wide valley floor and allowed the cultivation of large fruit crops on the land. In the 20th century, energy companies from all over Switzerland built powerful hydroelectric power stations in the mountain valleys, which further increased the development and economic development of some regions of the Valais. Road construction in the mountains and the unexpectedly lengthy construction of the Rhone motorway remain a major challenge for the canton to this day. Since the second half of the 20th century, the heavy construction activity and urban sprawl have led to difficult problems for spatial planning and the maintenance of the infrastructure.
Text / Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geschichte_des_Wallis
The history of Valais covers the development of the Rhone Valley above Lake Geneva since prehistoric and early history. Settlements have been documented in the large Alpine valley since the Mesolithic period. During antiquity, the land, previously inhabited by Celtic peoples, formed the Roman province of Vallis Poenina. In the fifth century AD it became dependent on the Kingdom of Burgundy and in the seventh century on the Frankish Empire.
In the ninth century, an Alemannic ethnic group coming over the northern Alpine passes settled in the upper part of the region, which has since been divided into two language areas, the Romanesque-Franco-Provençal Lower Valais and the German-speaking Upper Valais. Over time, the language border emerged, which since the late Middle Ages has been on a line west of Zermatt, Turtmann, Salgesch and Leukerbad.
The independent regional history of Valais begins with the granting of county rights in the Rhone Valley from Martigny upwards by the Burgundian King Rudolf III. to Bishop Hugo of Sitten in 999. Part of the Holy Roman Empire since 1032, the Valais came under the control of the Counts of Savoy in the 11th century. In several armed conflicts, the growing communities of the upper part of the country, organized since the 14th century in the tithes and represented by the district council, united with the Bishop of Sitten, pushed back the Savoy rule until, during the Burgundian Wars in 1475, they were able to conquer their castlanies down to Saint-Maurice and organize them as subject territory. In 1536, the Chablais to the left of the Rhone as far as Lake Geneva was added.
After the French Revolution, the people of Monthey and Martigny rose up against the rule of the Upper Valais in 1798 and in 1799 France conquered the whole of Valais by force and in 1802 established the formally independent "Republic of Valais", which was incorporated into the French state in 1810 as the Département du Simplon. In 1815, Valais followed the recommendation of the Congress of Vienna to join the Swiss Confederation. Since 1848, the canton has belonged to the new Swiss federal state.
With the expansion of the pass roads over the Simplon (1805) and the Great St. Bernard (1905) and the construction of the railway tunnels through the Simplon (1905) and the Lötschberg (1913), Valais became an important modern transport corridor through the Alps. New industrial regions emerged in the easily accessible area, and the high mountains became a scene of mountaineering from the 19th century onwards and of widespread tourism in the 20th century. Several railway lines (Furka, Gornergrat, Châtelard) and many cable cars were built for tourist traffic, which became a major branch of the economy in the Alpine canton. Several major corrections to the course of the Rhone put an end to the previously often severe flooding of the wide valley floor and allowed the cultivation of large fruit crops on the land. In the 20th century, energy companies from all over Switzerland built powerful hydroelectric power stations in the mountain valleys, which further increased the development and economic development of some regions of the Valais. Road construction in the mountains and the unexpectedly lengthy construction of the Rhone motorway remain a major challenge for the canton to this day. Since the second half of the 20th century, the heavy construction activity and urban sprawl have led to difficult problems for spatial planning and the maintenance of the infrastructure.
Text / Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geschichte_des_Wallis
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
7.41 km
St. Theodul Church, Sion
Highlight • Religious Site
Church of St. Thèodule, Sion
The first church on this site was built in the High Middle Ages on the ruins of a Roman bath. The current building was built between 1514 and 1516 on the site of a previous building. The vault of the choir (before 1502; completed in 1514), which is representative of the Flamboyant Gothic style, was made by a master builder from Valsesia who has been identified - perhaps incorrectly - with Ulrich Ruffiner. The nave was vaulted in 1644 by Adrien III von Reidmatten. The church was renovated from 1960 to 1964.
The church has been included in the list of cultural assets of national importance.
The church has a single nave and a polygonal choir. The buttresses supporting the nave have niches and canopies for statues, although most have been removed. A small stair tower is built into the southern wall at the western end of the church.
Text / Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Theodul_(Sitten)
The first church on this site was built in the High Middle Ages on the ruins of a Roman bath. The current building was built between 1514 and 1516 on the site of a previous building. The vault of the choir (before 1502; completed in 1514), which is representative of the Flamboyant Gothic style, was made by a master builder from Valsesia who has been identified - perhaps incorrectly - with Ulrich Ruffiner. The nave was vaulted in 1644 by Adrien III von Reidmatten. The church was renovated from 1960 to 1964.
The church has been included in the list of cultural assets of national importance.
The church has a single nave and a polygonal choir. The buttresses supporting the nave have niches and canopies for statues, although most have been removed. A small stair tower is built into the southern wall at the western end of the church.
Text / Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Theodul_(Sitten)
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
7.46 km
Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion
Highlight • Religious Site
Notre-Dame du Glarian cathedral, Sion / Sitten
Cathedral of Our Lady (Sion)
Towards the end of the 5th century, the bishopric was moved from Martigny (Octodurum) to Sion. However, not even the location is known of a Sion episcopal church before the 8th century. At the turn of the 9th century, the first building on today's site was a Carolingian church, which was destroyed by fire in 1010. Then the Romanesque cathedral was built, which lasted until the 15th century with a few changes. The core of the bell tower, which still exists today, was built around the turn of the 13th century. In the heyday of the secular power of the bishops of Sion, the castle and basilica of Valeria were the seat of the cathedral chapter and representative of the prince-bishopric. However, the cathedral dignity remained with Notre-Dame du Glarian.
Several fires and acts of war in the late Middle Ages damaged the Romanesque building so badly that the nave was built between 1450 and 1500 under the bishops Walter Supersaxo (1457–1482), Jost von Silenen (1482–1496), Nikolaus Schiner (1496–1499) [3] and Cardinal Matthäus Schiner (1499–1522) was replaced by a new Gothic building which, together with the Romanesque tower, essentially forms today's cathedral]
In 1947/48 the choir was extended by two yokes to the east.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion is an east-facing three-aisled basilica with a transept and an elongated choir. The massive Romanesque tower with a cone point dominates the cityscape.
In the portal tympanum there is a fresco in the style of the northern Italian Trecento; it shows the Mother of God, surrounded by two holy bishops and donor figures. The most important piece of equipment, the late Gothic altar triptych, represents the root of Jesse.
View of the organ
The organ was built in 1988 by the organ builder Hans Füglister. The organ case comes from an instrument made by the organ builder Casper Carlen in 1786 and was created by Matthäus Carlenin; pipe material from the instrument is still present in today's organ work. The original two-manual instrument was reworked in 1874 by the organ builder Joseph Merklin and its disposition was changed. In 1912 the organ was redesigned and enlarged by the organ builder Henri Carlen von Glis. a third manual. In 1988 the organ was restored and partially rebuilt for the last time. Some of the pipe material dates back to 1912. The slider chest instrument has 49 stops on three manual works and a pedal. the actions are mechanical.
Text / Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathedrale_Unserer_Lieben_Frau_(Sitten)
Cathedral of Our Lady (Sion)
Towards the end of the 5th century, the bishopric was moved from Martigny (Octodurum) to Sion. However, not even the location is known of a Sion episcopal church before the 8th century. At the turn of the 9th century, the first building on today's site was a Carolingian church, which was destroyed by fire in 1010. Then the Romanesque cathedral was built, which lasted until the 15th century with a few changes. The core of the bell tower, which still exists today, was built around the turn of the 13th century. In the heyday of the secular power of the bishops of Sion, the castle and basilica of Valeria were the seat of the cathedral chapter and representative of the prince-bishopric. However, the cathedral dignity remained with Notre-Dame du Glarian.
Several fires and acts of war in the late Middle Ages damaged the Romanesque building so badly that the nave was built between 1450 and 1500 under the bishops Walter Supersaxo (1457–1482), Jost von Silenen (1482–1496), Nikolaus Schiner (1496–1499) [3] and Cardinal Matthäus Schiner (1499–1522) was replaced by a new Gothic building which, together with the Romanesque tower, essentially forms today's cathedral]
In 1947/48 the choir was extended by two yokes to the east.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion is an east-facing three-aisled basilica with a transept and an elongated choir. The massive Romanesque tower with a cone point dominates the cityscape.
In the portal tympanum there is a fresco in the style of the northern Italian Trecento; it shows the Mother of God, surrounded by two holy bishops and donor figures. The most important piece of equipment, the late Gothic altar triptych, represents the root of Jesse.
View of the organ
The organ was built in 1988 by the organ builder Hans Füglister. The organ case comes from an instrument made by the organ builder Casper Carlen in 1786 and was created by Matthäus Carlenin; pipe material from the instrument is still present in today's organ work. The original two-manual instrument was reworked in 1874 by the organ builder Joseph Merklin and its disposition was changed. In 1912 the organ was redesigned and enlarged by the organ builder Henri Carlen von Glis. a third manual. In 1988 the organ was restored and partially rebuilt for the last time. Some of the pipe material dates back to 1912. The slider chest instrument has 49 stops on three manual works and a pedal. the actions are mechanical.
Text / Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathedrale_Unserer_Lieben_Frau_(Sitten)
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
7.65 km
Sion Town Hall
Highlight • Monument
Town hall, Sion / Sitten
Excavations show that the region of the Valais canton's capital dates back to 3500 BC. Was settled and is therefore one of the oldest Alpine settlements.
Sion has been the bishopric of the canton of Valais since 565, which only joined the Swiss Confederation in 1815. In the Iron Age, the Celts, to whom the name Sion (Sitten) can be traced, lived on the rocky hill above the city. Tourbillon Castle, which was built for Bishop Boniface de Challant, has also been enthroned on this rock since 1294. It was badly damaged in the war with the Savoy, but in 1447 the castle was rebuilt.
Text / Source: Reiseziel.ch
reiseziel.ch/eine-der-aeltesten-alpensiedlungen-sion-die-walliser-kantonshauptstadt
Excavations show that the region of the Valais canton's capital dates back to 3500 BC. Was settled and is therefore one of the oldest Alpine settlements.
Sion has been the bishopric of the canton of Valais since 565, which only joined the Swiss Confederation in 1815. In the Iron Age, the Celts, to whom the name Sion (Sitten) can be traced, lived on the rocky hill above the city. Tourbillon Castle, which was built for Bishop Boniface de Challant, has also been enthroned on this rock since 1294. It was badly damaged in the war with the Savoy, but in 1447 the castle was rebuilt.
Text / Source: Reiseziel.ch
reiseziel.ch/eine-der-aeltesten-alpensiedlungen-sion-die-walliser-kantonshauptstadt
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
7.71 km
Lion Fountain and La Grenette (former grain market)
Highlight • Historical Site
It's time for a break at the lion fountain: in the Café de la Grenette under the arcades of the historic grain market or much more cultivated in the Boulangerie Gaillard et Fils at Rue du Grand-Pont 4 👌
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
8.24 km
Valère Castle
Highlight • Castle
Dominating the Sion skyline from one of the two hills overlooking the capital of Valais, Valère Castle is a fortified complex that seems suspended in time. Inside, it houses the Basilica of Our Lady of Valère, an architectural masterpiece blending Romanesque and Gothic styles. The castle is world-renowned for housing one of the oldest functioning organs on the planet, dating back to the 14th century, whose notes still resonate within the medieval walls today. Strolling through its courtyards and ramparts, one enjoys an unparalleled view of the Rhône Valley and the surrounding peaks. The sacred and military atmosphere of the fortified village reflects centuries of history and spiritual power, making it an unmistakable symbol of the Swiss landscape.
Showing Translation
Tip by
7
8.57 km
View of Tourbillon Castle and the town of Sion
Highlight • Viewpoint
Quickly reached from the city
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
8.77 km
Basilica of Valère
Highlight • Religious Site
Valère Castle, Sion / Sitten
The castle and basilica of Valeria, named in honor of Valeriana, mother of the Roman city prefect Titus Campanius Priscus Maximianus, who is attested in 43 AD, are located on one of the two hills that the city of Sion on the eastern side of the old town tower above. Already laid out in Celtic times, the castle and church were first mentioned in a document in 1049. The oldest parts of the three-aisled basilica, divided into four bays, with a transept and two chapels flanking the choir, were built between 1100 and 1130 in the High Romanesque style. The tower above the north transept, the polygonal window floors above the semicircular apse and the barrel vault above the pillars were added later. In the 13th century, the nave and aisles were given a cross-belt vault, modeled on the Lausanne Cathedral. The rood screen separating the choir from the nave was also installed at this time. Laid out as a pilgrimage church of “Our Lady of Valeria”, the miraculous image, a Gothic marble statue of the Madonna with the baby Jesus from the beginning of the 15th century, forms the central element of the church. Today it stands high above the high altar. Pictures of apostles, prophets and national saints decorate the walls of the choir.
Text / Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_de_Val%C3%A8re
The castle and basilica of Valeria, named in honor of Valeriana, mother of the Roman city prefect Titus Campanius Priscus Maximianus, who is attested in 43 AD, are located on one of the two hills that the city of Sion on the eastern side of the old town tower above. Already laid out in Celtic times, the castle and church were first mentioned in a document in 1049. The oldest parts of the three-aisled basilica, divided into four bays, with a transept and two chapels flanking the choir, were built between 1100 and 1130 in the High Romanesque style. The tower above the north transept, the polygonal window floors above the semicircular apse and the barrel vault above the pillars were added later. In the 13th century, the nave and aisles were given a cross-belt vault, modeled on the Lausanne Cathedral. The rood screen separating the choir from the nave was also installed at this time. Laid out as a pilgrimage church of “Our Lady of Valeria”, the miraculous image, a Gothic marble statue of the Madonna with the baby Jesus from the beginning of the 15th century, forms the central element of the church. Today it stands high above the high altar. Pictures of apostles, prophets and national saints decorate the walls of the choir.
Text / Source: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_de_Val%C3%A8re
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
16.1 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
11.0 km
2.57 km
1.73 km
407 m
402 m
Surfaces
5.05 km
3.86 km
3.72 km
2.04 km
1.48 km
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Elevation
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Highest point (570 m)
Lowest point (480 m)
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Weather
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Tuesday 1 September
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