Leukerbad (elevation 1411 m) is a mountain spa and ski resort in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is best known for its thermal springs (up to 51° C) and unique mountains scenery.
The village is mostly walkable and offers very nice scenery as it is surrounded by near-vertical cliffs. One interesting feature are the public fountains around the town, some of which have hot water from the thermal springs.
- Thermal Springs Walkway ("Thermalquellensteg"). Free. Open during summers, this trail leads through a narrow gorge and culminates at a very loud waterfall. Some small brownish outlets of thermal water are visible next to the Dala river.
- Steep walls of alpine chalk are surrounding the village entirely
- Catholic Church, Kirchstrasse. The foundation of this church lie in the 15th century, but most of what is seen today comes from a major renovation in 1856. A special feature is the Stations of the Cross painted on linen displayed around the church.
Catholic Church, Kirchstrasse. The foundation of this church lie in the 15th century, but most of what is seen today comes from a major renovation in 1856. A special feature is the Stations of the Cross painted on linen displayed around the church.
Leukerbad is known for the combination of mountains and thermal baths. There is a good number of hikes in the area with varying difficulty levels. In winter the Torrent ski area is popular, with one piste leading all the way to the village of Leukerbad.
There are several thermal baths, ranging from the public Burgerbad to private spas in the big hotels.
- Leukerbad Therme, Rathausstrasse 32 (One of the first buildings when driving into Leukerbad. When arriving by bus, it's less than 100 meters downhill from the bus station., +41 27 472 20 20. 08:00 - 20:00 (hot springs), 10:00 - 20:00 (sauna and steam baths). Probably the biggest and best value for money spa in the village. It has a lot of different pools in all shapes. Mostly for relaxation, however there is an indoor pool for kids as well as a sports pool and two water slides on the rooftop. More than half of the pools are outdoors, which can be quite interesting in winter, when snow lies next to the pools. Most of the pools are at 35°C, however there are some hotter Kneipp pools and a steam bath. Fr. 25 for 3 hours, Fr. 30 for whole day.
- Walliser Alpenterme, Dorfplatz, +41 27 472 10 10. 09:00 - 21:00. This option is more for people looking for relaxation rather than excitement. It is smaller than the Leukerbad Therme but pools are spacier and there's less kids running around as there are no water slides. Downstairs there is a lovely sauna village with little chalets and a quiet room available for a surcharge. Fr. 25 for 3 hours, Fr. 30 for whole day.
- Sportarena, +41 27 470 10 37. 10:00-20:00. This is a sport centre which offers sports such as curling, ice skating, tennis, badminton, squash, snookers, table tennis, bouldering, weight lifting, indoor football and miniature golf. Prices vary by activity.
Leukerbad Therme, Rathausstrasse 32 (One of the first buildings when driving into Leukerbad. When arriving by bus, it's less than 100 meters downhill from the bus station., +41 27 472 20 20. 08:00 - 20:00 (hot springs), 10:00 - 20:00 (sauna and steam baths). Probably the biggest and best value for money spa in the village. It has a lot of different pools in all shapes. Mostly for relaxation, however there is an indoor pool for kids as well as a sports pool and two water slides on the rooftop. More than half of the pools are outdoors, which can be quite interesting in winter, when snow lies next to the pools. Most of the pools are at 35°C, however there are some hotter Kneipp pools and a steam bath. Fr. 25 for 3 hours, Fr. 30 for whole day.
Walliser Alpenterme, Dorfplatz, +41 27 472 10 10. 09:00 - 21:00. This option is more for people looking for relaxation rather than excitement. It is smaller than the Leukerbad Therme but pools are spacier and there's less kids running around as there are no water slides. Downstairs there is a lovely sauna village with little chalets and a quiet room available for a surcharge. Fr. 25 for 3 hours, Fr. 30 for whole day.
Sportarena, +41 27 470 10 37. 10:00-20:00. This is a sport centre which offers sports such as curling, ice skating, tennis, badminton, squash, snookers, table tennis, bouldering, weight lifting, indoor football and miniature golf. Prices vary by activity.
The Torrent ski area (elevation 1411 m to 2610 m, reached via cableway from the village) offers some of the most magnificent views over the Swiss Alps and the main valley of Valais. 55 km of pistes, including one leading all the way to the village of Leukerbad.
A good number of hikes start in Leukerbad and the surrounding mountains, including hikes to both Gemmi Pass and Torrent.
A difficult Via Ferrata ("Klettersteig Daubenhorn), the longest in Switzerland, leads up to the peak of Daubenhorn (2941 m). A second, far easier, Via Ferrata for adventurers is located right by the mountain station of the Gemmi cableway.
There is a good number of sports and clothing shops. Most shops are around the centre in the church street, around the village square and the area between church street and the bus station. Between the bus station and the Leukerbad Therme there is a large Migros, which is open 7 days a week during high season.
There are plenty of restaurants in the town, all of which are fairly expensive. There is only one fast food outlet and it's not exactly cheap, so the best way to eat on a budget is to buy from the local Migros.
- Hike across the Gemmi Pass to Kandersteg
Hike across the Gemmi Pass to [[Kandersteg]]