Gondo/Zwischbergen

On the Italian border

A municipality south of the Simplon Pass, Zwischbergen lies right on the Italian border. The municipality includes the well-known border village of Gondo, where the majority of its 74 inhabitants live. Opposite the village, a road winds up onto a terrace, behind which the beautifully rugged, 16-km-long Zwischbergental valley opens up.

The aptly named Zwischbergental (‘valley between mountains’) is surrounded by mountain peaks up to 4,000 metres high. The gold mines at the entrance to the valley have been known about since Roman times. They were shut down at the end of the 19th century and have since been turned into a visitors’ mine.

Zwischbergen Gondo Gold rush Gastronomy Accommodation

Zwischbergental valley hikes

In the Zwischbergental valley, you can journey along old smugglers’ trails, take a day-long hike across the border to Italy and back, or put your skills to use on the lengthy mountain hike over the Zwischbergen Pass. Retreat to the rugged and romantic Zwischbergental valley to recharge your batteries. Marvel at no fewer than seven mountain lakes on the Tschawinersee lake hike. If you need to get from Gondo to Bord (in the Zwischbergental valley) during the summer months, the PostBus PubliCar runs a service that operates according to a timetable and can be booked in advance by phone.

Our hiking recommendations in the Zwischbergental valley:

Gondo hikes

The Stockalperweg trail, the region’s best-known hiking trail, takes you from the village of Simplon through the Gondo Gorge, past the old barracks and through the fortress on to Gondo. If you want to head to Presa Cima or Presa Bruciata, simply hike along the old military trails starting at the Ramserna stop. The journey, and what you see along the way, will amaze you. You’re also bound to love the Alpje above the old barracks. Here are our hiking recommendations for Gondo:

Hikes

Discover the eastern Valais Alps in 9 stages over 122 kilometers.

easy 7,8 km 3,5 h

This circular hike is suitable for a day trip to the Zwischbergen valley. You hike on the Maria Bru circular trail from Zwischbergen, Bord to the Maria Bru chapel and back again.

medium 6,6 km 2,5 h

Challenging hike to Corwetsch with rewarding views over Gondo and the Gondo Gorge

difficult 12,1 km 5,0 h

The Stockalperweg (ViaStockalper), a mule track developed more than 300 years ago by Kaspar Stockalper, has been revived as a cultural hike for several years now.

closed difficult 17,2 km 7,5 h

The hike from the border town of Gondo (CH) to Bugliaga (I) was opened to hikers in 2017. The route used to serve as a smuggler's trail between Switzerland and Italy.

closed medium 12,7 km 5,4 h

Italian and Swiss soldiers faced each other at the Monscerapass during the last world war. Cigrate-smugglers and border guards tried to outwit each other.

difficult 13,0 km 7,0 h

The rather strenuous hike to the Seehorn is rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and offers a tingling view deep into the Gondo Gorge.

difficult 10,9 km 5,0 h

Accommodation

If you’re looking for somewhere to spend the night, there are plenty of places to stay in addition to the tower built by Kaspar Stockalper himself. What will you choose?

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Gastronomy

Discover the restaurants in Gondo and Zwischbergen.

We are located in the centre of Gondo, 100m from the border crossing from Italy.

Culinary experience right by the border.

↵Our restaurant is located at an altitude of 1359 m and is a summer operation.

Activities

Hiking might be one of the most popular leisure activities in Gondo-Zwischbergen, but climbing is also high up on the list. You can find even more exciting activities here:

The Gold Mining Museum in the Stockalperturm in Gondo offers a fascinating journey through the history of gold mining in the Simplon area.

Beim Wandern, Trailrunnen, Skitouren oder Schneeschuhlaufen in der Region um Simplon Punkte sammeln und Preise gewinnen.

The old Stockalper trail leads in about 40 minutes to the area of the legendary gold mine of Gondo.