Valais by motorhome: Matterhorn, glaciers and mountain lakes

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This trip is planned for 18 Aug – 27 Aug 2027.

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Day 1 · Wed 18/08 2:48 hr

From Karlsruhe to Lake Constance

Arrival with a swimming break

The first day is deliberately kept short, so you arrive at the pool by the afternoon.

Start

Karlsruhe

This is where your trip begins. You drive from Karlsruhe south towards Lake Constance, where you'll spend the first night right by the water.

child-friendly
228 km · 2:50 hr
Campsite

Campingpark Gitzenweiler Hof

A spacious family campsite near Lake Constance with a heated open-air pool, playgrounds and a petting zoo. A good first stop to arrive after the drive and let the children burn off some energy. The lake is quickly reached by bike or a short drive.

40–55 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 2 · Thu 19/08 4:48 hr

Along Lake Constance into Valais

Stage to Leukerbad

A slightly longer stage, just over the 3-hour mark; plan a rest stop at Walensee.

A long stage — plan for breaks.

382 km · 4:47 hr
Campsite

Camping Sportarena Leukerbad

A quietly located campsite in the thermal resort of Leukerbad, surrounded by the steep cliffs of the Gemmi. From here you can reach the famous thermal baths on foot, ideal for relaxing after the driving day. The mountain backdrop is impressive even from the site itself.

38–50 € / night child-friendly
Website
Day 3 · Fri 20/08 18 min

Leukerbad: thermal spa and the Gemmi

Water and mountain panorama

No driving today, just relaxation and mountain air.

Thermal spa in the morning, the Gemmi in the afternoon, or swap depending on the weather.

1
Activity

Walliser Alpentherme & Spa Leukerbad

An expansive thermal spa complex with warm indoor and outdoor pools at 1,400 metres above sea level. There's a dedicated adventure area for children, while parents can enjoy relaxed bathing with mountain views. A perfect day to unwind after the journey.

25–35 € / person child-friendly
Website
· 8 min
2
Nature

Gemmibahn Leukerbad

The cable car takes you up to the Gemmi at 2,350 metres, where a wide hiking plateau opens up around the picturesque Daubensee. The view over the Valais four-thousanders is magnificent, and the easy paths up top are well suited to children too. There's a mountain restaurant up there for a break.

25–35 € / person child-friendly
Website
Another night: Camping Sportarena Leukerbad
Day 4 · Sat 21/08 1:36 hr

Via the suonen into the Mattertal to Täsch

Water channels and the gateway to Zermatt

Short drives with a nature stop in between.

Park the motorhome in Täsch; from here you'll travel to Zermatt by train only.

31 km · 23 min
3
Nature

Suonenweg Bisse de Clavau near Sion

The suonen are historic irrigation channels that have watered the dry Valais for centuries. The easy trail along the Bisse leads through vineyards with views over the Rhône valley and is easy going for children too. A peaceful stop that tells you a lot about the region.

0 € child-friendly
Website
45 km · 1:15 hr
Campsite

Camping Attermenzen Täsch

A natural campsite by the Vispa in Täsch, the last village before car-free Zermatt. From here the train takes you up in comfort, while the motorhome stays safely parked. The river invites children to hunt for stones, and the mountain backdrop is already spectacular.

35–48 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 5 · Sun 22/08 24 min

Zermatt and the Gornergrat

The Matterhorn up close

A whole day without the motorhome, all by train and on foot.

Set off early for good visibility at the Gornergrat, as clouds often roll in around midday.

4
Station

Matterhorn Terminal Täsch (car park)

The train journey into car-free Zermatt begins at the terminal in Täsch. For larger motorhomes, mind the height restriction in the car park; it's best to use the open parking areas or leave the motorhome at the campsite and walk to the station. Shuttle trains run every 20 minutes.

16–34 € / person child-friendly
Website
7 km · 12 min · 16–34 €
5
Town

Zermatt village

Car-free Zermatt lies right at the foot of the Matterhorn and is explored on foot or by electric vehicle. Stroll along the Bahnhofstrasse, discover the old Valais timber houses in the Hinterdorf, and enjoy your first view of the famous mountain. For children, the car-free peace is a real experience.

0 € child-friendly
Website
6 km · 5 min · 50–66 €
6
Nature

Gornergrat Bahn

The cogwheel railway climbs from Zermatt up to 3,089 metres to the Gornergrat, offering one of the finest panoramas in the Alps with a direct view of the Matterhorn and Gornergletscher. Up top there are easy circular walks and a restaurant. For children, the mountain railway ride itself is already an adventure.

50–66 € / person child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)

Another night: Camping Attermenzen Täsch
Day 6 · Mon 23/08 1:12 hr

Charles Kuonen suspension bridge near Randa

Thrills above the valley

A very short driving day, but a lovely walk.

The bridge sways slightly, so hold nervous children's hands firmly.

4 km · 3 min
7
Town

Randa

The small mountain village of Randa lies between Täsch and St. Niklaus and is the starting point for the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the Alps. A quiet spot with good views of the surrounding peaks. From here you set off on the walk to the bridge.

0 € child-friendly
Website
1 km · 1:10 hr
8
Nature

Charles Kuonen Hängebrücke

The 494-metre-long suspension bridge hangs up to 85 metres above the ground and is part of the Europaweg route. The walk from the car park at Randa takes around a good hour uphill and rewards you with a real thrill. An unforgettable experience for brave children, while more timid ones can simply watch.

0 € child-friendly
Website
Another night: Camping Attermenzen Täsch
Day 7 · Tue 24/08 18 min

On to Saas-Fee

Glacier village with fun for kids

A short driving day, leaving time for the village and the pool in the afternoon.

17 km · 13 min
Campsite

Camping Kapelle Saas-Grund

A well-kept mountain campsite in the Saastal with access to the nearby open-air pool and a stream for splashing about. Saas-Fee itself is car-free, so the motorhome stays here while you take the bus up. All around, thirteen four-thousanders rise up, a magnificent backdrop.

35–48 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

2 km · 2 min
9
Town

Saas-Fee village

The car-free glacier village of Saas-Fee is framed by four-thousanders and feels like an open-air museum of old timber houses. There's a great playground for children and a Kneipp path at the village entrance. Many easy hikes with glacier views set off from the village.

0 € child-friendly
Website
Day 8 · Wed 25/08 6 min

Saas-Fee: glacier and water fun

Nature, marmots and swimming

No long drive today, plenty of mountains and animal encounters.

Pack warm jackets and sturdy shoes for the ice grotto.

10
Nature

Mittelallalin and Alpin Express

The Metro Alpin underground railway takes you to the highest revolving restaurant in the world at 3,500 metres, where you can also visit the world's largest ice grotto inside the glacier. The walk through the glittering ice caves delights children and adults alike. On a clear day, the view stretches over countless peaks.

60–80 € / person child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

3 km · 2 min
11
Activity

Spielboden marmots

At Spielboden you can watch tame marmots up close and sometimes even feed them. For animal-loving children, this is a highlight of the trip. The mountain station is quickly reached by cable car and offers easy walking trails.

30–42 € / person child-friendly
Website
Another night: Camping Kapelle Saas-Grund
Day 9 · Thu 26/08 1:24 hr

Aletsch Glacier at Riederalp

The largest glacier in the Alps

The glacier visit requires the cable car, so allow enough time for the ascent.

Last night in Valais with lake access for a peaceful finish.

34 km · 26 min
12
Station

Mörel-Filet valley station

In Mörel you park the motorhome at the car park by the valley station, as Riederalp is car-free. From here the cable car takes you up to the viewpoint over the Aletsch Glacier. The car park is also suitable for larger vehicles.

30–44 € / person child-friendly
Website
7 km · 5 min · 30–44 €
13
Nature

Aletschgletscher viewpoint Moosfluh

The Great Aletsch Glacier is the longest glacier in the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a vast river of ice winding through the mountains. From Moosfluh and the viewpoints of Riederalp you have unobstructed views of the ice. Easy walking trails up top make the visit pleasant for children too.

0 € child-friendly
Website
36 km · 55 min
Campsite

Camping Augenstern Turtmann

A family-friendly campsite in the Rhône valley with a bathing pond and natural lake access, ideal for winding down your days in Valais. Centrally located for continuing your journey the next morning. Children quickly find playmates by the water.

32–45 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 10 · Fri 27/08 5:42 hr

Return journey to Karlsruhe

Journey home

The last day involves a bit more driving, broken up by a visit to the Verkehrshaus.

Plan for enough breaks, as today's total distance is the longest of the trip.

A long stage — plan for breaks.

121 km · 2:10 hr
14
Activity

Lucerne Verkehrshaus car park

On the way back, it's worth stopping at the Verkehrshaus der Schweiz in Lucerne, the country's largest transport museum. Trains, cars, aeroplanes and a cinema delight the children and break up the long drive home. The car park is also suitable for motorhomes.

20–35 € / person child-friendly
Website
272 km · 3:30 hr
15
Town

Karlsruhe

Back at the starting point, your round trip through Valais comes to an end. With plenty of mountains, glaciers and swimming moments in your memory, you arrive back in Karlsruhe.

0 € child-friendly
Website

See tickets on WeGoTrip(affiliate link)

This trip is planned for 18 Aug – 27 Aug 2027.

Copy it and move it to your own dates.

Free account, no credit card. Copying, moving and adjusting are included.