Ernen: a living open-air museum
Ernen is one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Valais. With its wooden houses, stone fountains and the imposing late-Gothic Church of St George, built between 1518 and 1519, the village breathes history. It is the gateway to the wild, unspoilt Binntal Landscape Park.
The village is just 3 km from LuxLax and can be reached by car (5 min.), by bicycle or on foot along a beautiful path beside the Rotten.
Ernen is on the UNESCO World Heritage candidate list and is protected as a Swiss cultural monument.
A centre for organised nature and cultural activities.
What to see in Ernen
- St. George's Church (16th century)
- Historic village square with fountain
- Museum in the old village schoolhouse
- Musikdorf Ernen Festival (summer)
- Historische Kellerstrasse
- Panorama terrace over the Obergoms
- Local restaurants and terraces
- Walking trail Lax–Ernen (45 min.)
- Zauberwald
- Walk along the suonen
- View on Fiescherglacier and Finsteraarhorn
- Suspension bridge
Musikdorf Ernen Festival
Every year in July and August the Musikdorf Ernen Festival takes place — one of Switzerland’s most prestigious classical music festivals. World-class pianists and musicians perform in the acoustically perfect St. George’s Church. The combination of medieval village and top-class classical music is unique.
Walking from Lax to Ernen
The walking trail
The path from Lax to Ernen partly follows the historic Suonenweg — ancient irrigation channels that brought mountain water to the villages. The walk takes approx. 45 minutes one way and offers views over the Rhône valley.
The path is well signposted and suitable for all ages.
Practical
- Distance: 3 km (45 min.)
- Altitude difference: 80 m uphill
- Difficulty: easy
- Start: Village square Lax
- End: Village square Ernen
- Return: same path or bus