Naturpark Pfyn-Finges
Bhutan bridge
This 134 m long suspension bridge was launched as a project as part of the "UNO - year of mountains 2002" campaign. It was constructed and opened in 2005 together with the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Viewpoint
Walking through Pfyn forest
Hiking trail
Time required: 4 hoursLength: 14.00 km
Season
All season
Naturpark Pfyn-Finges - An exciting walk across the forest of Pfyn/Finges nature reserve. Discover the points of interest in the nature reserve.
The walk starts directly from Leuk railway station. Soon we leave Susten behind and follow the signposted hiking trail in the direction of the Bhutan Bridge. We cross the bridge over the Illgraben, one of the most active mudslide regions of the Alps.
Then we dip into the magical world of the forest of Pfyn/Finges and follow the way parallel to the Illgraben down towards the River Rhone.
The trail leads under the Illgraben bridge and so we reach the flatter part of the nature reserve. Past the Pfyn Estate (Pfyngut, large farm) it continues to the ponds, where amphibians and reptiles can be observed. The terrain now becomes surprisingly hilly. These hills were caused by a landslide, whose area of fracture above Salgesch and Varen can still be made out today.
Finally we reach the main road, where there is immediately a bus stop. The post bus brings us back to Sierre railway station.
Is also suited as a night walk. The best is from Sierre to Leuk railway station.
Route-information
Route-information
- Length
- 14.00 km
- Vertical heigth
- 80 m
- Altitude difference ascent
- 380 m
- Altitude difference descent
- 460 m
- Time required
- 4 hours
- Level technique
- Easy
- Level condition
- Middle
Height profile view map
Details
The Pfyn-Finges Regional nature park boasts numerous protected areas of national importance. The most well-known is the forest of Pfyn/Finges with the wild river Rhone between Leuk and Sierre. Please take note of the information signs and markings. In addition, in this region we request you to:
remain on the marked trials
not bathe in the ponds
enjoy the plants, flowers and bushes but do not pick them
keep dogs on a lead
take your rubbish with you
fires are strictly forbidden in the forest of Pfyn/Finges!
Thank you for helping to preserve this unique area.
Tip: the walk through the forest of Pfyn/Finges is very suitable as a night walk. Important note: It is best to start in Sierre and walk from there to Leuk railway station. Do not forget your torch!
Arrival
- Starting point
- Leuk (Altitude: 624 m)
- Arrival by public transport
- Leuk, Bahnhof Timetable SBB
- Destination
- Siders (Altitude: 554 m)
- Arrival by public transport
- Sierre/Siders, gare Timetable SBB
Suitable for
The offer is suitable for
- Adults
- Children from 7-12 years
- Children >12 years
- 50+
Discovering underway
Naturpark Pfyn-Finges
Wild Rhone
The only section of the Rhone that could not be channelled, because of the constant flow of debris from the Illgraben!
Natural landscape / Habitat
Naturpark Pfyn-Finges
Steppes in the Pfyn Forest
Living conditions in the steppe landscape are extreme for plants. The soil is stony and dry and it can get extremely hot in summer. In the Rottensand temperatures of up to 65 °C have been measured.
Natural landscape / Habitat
Naturpark Pfyn-Finges
Ponds in the forest of Pfyn
In the heart of the forest of Pfyn/Finges the groundwater forms a series of ponds with resounding names such as: Muggotolo, Pfafforetsee, Muggenseeli, Rosensee and Schafsee.
Natural landscape / Habitat
Naturpark Pfyn-Finges
Hills in the Pfyn Forest
Enormous rock masses from a post ice-age landslide have formed the hills in the forest of Pfyn/Finges in the foot of the valley.
Natural landscape / Habitat
Naturpark Pfyn-Finges
Illgraben
The Illgraben is one of the most active mountain streams in Switzerland with several mudslides per year. These flows of debris can transport several 10,000 tons of rock, stone and earth that are up to 2 m high and flow with speeds of up to 25 km/h.
Natural landscape / Habitat
Naturpark Pfyn-Finges
Pfyn-Finges Nature Reserve
The forest of Pfyn/Finges nature reserve is the centrepiece of the regional nature park Pfyn/Finges. The forest of Pfyn/Finges has been officially protected since 1997, after it had already been included in the KLN inventory in 1963.
Natural landscape / Habitat
Naturpark Pfyn-Finges
Cave de la Pinède
This ‘Turriljigut’ (a country estate which has been under family ownership for several hundred years) comprises 10 hectares of land and is based in one of the biggest pine forests in Europe, the Pfyn Forest (Pfyn-Finges Nature Park).
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