Niedergesteln

Back when the region was still French-speaking, Niedergesteln was known as Châtillon-le-Bas and nestled at the foot of a rocky ridge crowned by a fortified castle. Today, only ruins stand guard over a tiny, sleepy village, tucked away from the main roads and thus somewhat forgotten.

Like its neighbour Raron, Niedergesteln is one of those old Valais villages that have escaped the tourist rush and which you stumble upon by chance as you venture away from the main roads.

Take the small road linking Rarogne to Gampel-Steg and look down at the foot of the mountain: suddenly, in the distance, medieval ruins come into view – a deep gash in the rock, a bell tower, old houses... Let your curiosity guide you!

Here you’ll discover an impressive rocky gorge through which a torrent flows, a beautiful esplanade dotted with strange statues, the Knights’ Path leading up to the castle ruins, a glacial cave, beautiful stone and timber houses, and tiny little squares where tables and chairs await you...

As you explore the castle ruins, you can play at being a caver in the Feschtiloch, the glacial cave open to the public that is the subject of mysterious legends – but only if you’re not claustrophobic and have a good pair of shoes!