recommended route
Magic waters experience Grächen
Hikes
· Valais
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/ Start of the Magic water experiencePhoto: Grächen Tourismus, Grächen Tourismus -
/ Infrastructure along the Magic waters experience GrächenPhoto: Grächen Tourismus, Grächen Tourismus
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/ Family hiking along the trailPhoto: Grächen Tourismus, Grächen Tourismus
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/ Infrastructure along the Magic waters experience GrächenPhoto: Grächen Tourismus, Grächen Tourismus
The "Magic Waters" discovery trail along the Eggeri and Chilcheri bisses (ancient water channels) offers fun and relaxation for the whole family.
easy
Distance 15 km
4:35 h
330 m
325 m
This invigorating, fun hike along the Grächen Bisses is a treat for young and old alike. Discover the precious elixir of life in all its facets during a fascinating adventure involving all the senses and suited to all ages. The entrance portal marks the start of your journey through the wonderful, refreshing world of water. Signposts and stelae inscribed with magical symbols remind us that water rights were once established and controlled according to engravings wooden markers. Enjoy a footbath on one of the "wellness islands" and take a seat on the unbelievably comfortable "magic wave". Inviting picnic areas offer ideal places to rest and regain your strength. Go with the flow as you discover Grächen’s magic waters!
Author’s recommendation
After the walk, pay a visit to the Kneipp facilities at Grächner Lake.
Difficulty
easy
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Riederwald, 1,825 m
Lowest point
Village Square, Grächen, 1,565 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Safety information
Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.
For all hikes:
- Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on «Print» icon, top right of this page.
- Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Close gates after passing through.
- Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
- Do not leave any waste in nature.
For mountain hikes:
- Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
- Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
- Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
For high-altitude hikes:
- Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
- Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
- Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.
Tips and hints
View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility:
More information about the destination:
Start
Village Square, Grächen (1,621 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'630'891E 1'116'060N
DD
46.195294, 7.838800
DMS
46°11'43.1"N 7°50'19.7"E
UTM
32T 410402 5116401
w3w
///hill.released.surfacing
Destination
Village Square, Grächen
Turn-by-turn directions
The walk begins at the village square in Grächen. There are two ways to get to the entrance portal. Trail 1 leads to the sports centre and then up a steep path to Robi's Waldspielpark (recreational area). From here, follow the water until you reach the entrance gate to the Chilcheri water channel. Trail 2 also leads to the sports centre, then follows a rough track. After a left-hand bend, the entrance portal is located around 200 metres away on the right-hand side. The trail continues alongside the bisse until you reach the Riedbach stream. After a short climb, you’ll get to the Bisse d’Eggeri. Follow this waterway to head back to the start via the Äpnet alpine pasture and Grächner Lake, before descending back to Grächen itself. The entire trail is signposted.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Regular train services link the whole of Switzerland to Visp train station. Here, change onto one of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn rack railway trains which run every half-hour from Visp to St. Niklaus through Switzerland’s innermost valley. In St. Niklaus, change onto a bus for Grächen. At weekends and on public holidays, a direct bus runs direct from Visp to Grächen. Take a Post Bus and the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn for the return journey.Getting there
From Visp, follow the signs to Zermatt as far as St. Niklaus. Here, after the first roundabout, turn left towards Grächen. The resort of Grächen is partially car-free; access for private cars is permitted only as far as the village centre. Hotels, holiday home providers, taxi and transport companies all offer transport services.Parking
Parking is available at two car parks in Grächen: Millegga and Autosilo.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'630'891E 1'116'060N
DD
46.195294, 7.838800
DMS
46°11'43.1"N 7°50'19.7"E
UTM
32T 410402 5116401
w3w
///hill.released.surfacing
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
Get the the Valais/Wallis hking map to discover the best hikes in the region.
The Grächen tourist office can provide you with a range of informative documents and brochures about hiking in the destination.
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo maps 1:25'000: 1308 St. Niklaus
Equipment
We recommend:
- good footwear
- clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
- hat or cap
- sunscreen
- bottle for water
- picnic
- camera
- binoculars (optional)
- hiking poles (optional)
- printout of this hike (click «Print» icon, to download)
For certain walks:
- Swimwear
Difficulty
easy
Distance
15 km
Duration
4:35 h
Ascent
330 m
Descent
325 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
Duration
: h
Distance
km
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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