Leukerbad, Switzerland: Best Things to Do in One Day (+Itinerary)
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Thinking of visiting Leukerbad, Switzerland, and wondering what to see and do and if it’s worth it? This charming alpine village in the Valais region is best known for its thermal baths, but there’s much more to explore. With stunning mountain scenery, scenic hikes, and a relaxed atmosphere, Leukerbad is a great addition to any Swiss itinerary.
Conveniently located near the car train between central and southern Switzerland (Kandersteg-Goppenstein) and just a small detour on the way to Zermatt, Leukerbad is an easy stop for travelers looking to get a bit off the beaten tourist path in Switzerland.
We recently spent a few days in Leukerbad, and in this guide, we share the very best things to do in Leukerbad for first-time visitors, including a suggested one-day itinerary to help you make the most of your visit. If you want a more relaxed experience, we recommend staying for two nights to fully enjoy the thermal baths and hiking trails.
Good to know: This is a summer guide, but many of the activities can also be done in winter. Just be sure to check what’s open and do some extra research for winter hiking trails.
PRO TIP: When you stay at local hotels, you get the Leukerbad Guest Card, which gives all kinds of discounts, but some hotels offer extra perks so be sure to check what’s included when booking your accommodation! For example, we stayed at Hotel Viktoria, which included direct access to the thermal baths and free tickets for the Gemmi cable car – a fantastic value in a perfect location! Hotel Alpenblick usually also includes free admission to the thermal baths, and there are a few others.
READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Zermatt
Here are the best things to do in Leukerbad and how to see it all in a day:
Leukerbad Therme
Leukerbad Therme is Switzerland’s largest alpine thermal spa, offering a mix of relaxation and wellness in a stunning mountain setting. This is the main attraction in Leukerbad and is absolutely not to be missed!
The complex features several indoor and outdoor pools as well as whirlpools filled with mineral-rich thermal water, naturally heated to 28-44°C (82-110°F). There’s also a sauna area, steam baths, and a cold plunge. It’s a perfect place to start your day or to unwind after an active day in the mountains.
It’s also a great place for families, with children’s pools, play areas, water slides, etc.
Good to know: Tickets are not cheap, but if your hotel stay includes them, we recommend coming here twice – in the morning and in the afternoon. Otherwise, explore Leukerbad and the surrounding mountains first and spend a few hours at the Leukerbad Therme in the afternoon.
Good to know: If you’re staying at Hotel Viktoria as we did, you can enjoy direct access to the Leukerbad Therme pools, making it easy to enjoy a quick swim before breakfast. The pools open early, so you can experience the peaceful morning atmosphere before heading out for the day.
Thermal Springs Way & Dala Gorge
After breakfast, take a leisurely stroll along the Thermal Springs Way (Thermalquellen-Weg), a scenic walking path through the village that highlights Leukerbad’s natural hot springs. The walk is marked with various informational signs, and following it, you’ll also see the entire town center.
The trail leads to Dala Gorge, which can be explored via the 600-meter-long footbridge clinging to the cliffs, aka Thermal Springs Bridge. This walk offers fantastic views of the dramatic rock formations and the rushing Dala River below.
At the end of the gorge, cross the river via a 21-meter-long suspension bridge, and follow a series of stairs that bring you closer to an impressive waterfall. This waterfall looks a bit like the famous Trümmelbach Falls in Bernese Oberland, on the other side of the mountains from Leukerbad.
At this point, you can either retrace your steps back to the village center or continue up the stairs to a forest path that leads to the upper part of town. From here, it’s just a short walk to the Gemmi cable car, another must-do experience in Leukerbad.
Good to know: The Thermal Springs Way is about 3.5 km long. The entire route from Leukerbad Therme in the center to the end of the gorge took us about 30 minutes, plus 25 minutes to get to the Gemmi cable car from the gorge. All in all, you need about 1 hour for a visit here.
Gemmi Cable Car & Gemmi Pass Viewing Platform
From Leukerbad, hop on the Gemmi cable car, which takes you up to Gemmi Pass (2,350 meters) in just a few minutes.
At Gemmi Pass, you’ll find a hotel – Gemmi Lodge 2350 – with a panoramic restaurant and a souvenir shop. See the Gemmi website for more information about this area, the cable car schedule, etc.
The main attraction here is the outdoor observation deck, aka “The Hot Spot Gemmi”. This suspended viewing platform is located at the back of the restaurant. From here, you can enjoy stunning views over the town 920 meters below and the Valais Alps. On a clear day, you can even see the Matterhorn in the distance.
Gemmi Pass Hikes
One of the best things to do in Leukerbad in summer is go hiking at Gemmi Pass. There are several options, including longer hikes and via ferratas, but for a short relaxing visit, we recommend either the loop around Daubensee mountain lake or a much more scenic hike to Lämmeren Hut:
Lämmerenhütte Hike
If you want to do some hiking in Leukerbad, we recommend the trail from Gemmi Pass to Lämmerenhütte. According to the locals, this is the best and most rewarding hike in the area.
The hike takes you to the Lämmeren Hut, a mountain refuge with breathtaking glacier views. The total distance is about 9.3 km, and it takes about 3-3.5 hours round-trip – perfect if you have one day in Leukerbad.
The biggest part of the trail is easy and simple to follow, only the final ascent to the hut is more challenging – offering a true high-Alpine experience. At this point, you can also decide to loop back which would save you about 1 hour in hiking time. You can find more information and photos in our detailed guide via the link below.
LEARN MORE: Lämmeren Hut Hike from Gemmi Pass
Daubensee Loop
For an easier walk at Gemmi Pass, you can opt for the Daubensee loop, a 5.5 km trail that circles the lake. While the scenery is less dramatic compared to other hikes in the area, this peaceful alpine walk is a great way to enjoy the surroundings and takes about 1.5 hours to complete.
The southern side of the lake features a wide, flat gravel path, making it an easy walk – even for young children. On the northern side, the trail narrows in some places and has a few steeper drop-offs toward the lake. While not particularly challenging, this section may not be ideal for families with very young kids.
We did both the Daubensee loop and the Lämmerenhütte trail – and by far preferred Lämmerenhütte. If you’re up for a more scenic and rewarding hike, that’s the one to choose!
Good to know: You’ll see plenty of hikers around Daubensee, but that’s because the lake lies on the route to Kandersteg, a town on the other side of the mountains. Kandersteg is home to the stunning Oeschinen Lake, a destination worth visiting on its own. However, if you only have a day in Leukerbad, we don’t recommend hiking all the way there – it takes over two hours to return to Leukerbad by train and bus.
Leukerbad Sportarena (for families)
Back in Leukerbad town, you can stop at the Sportarena, which offers a variety of activities like indoor climbing, tennis, ice skating rink, minigolf, and more. For more info, please see the official website.
This is a great option for families with kids or if you’re looking for something different to do in Leukerbad before heading back to the thermal baths.
Good to know: Most of the activities at Leukerbad Sportarena are included with the Leukerbad Guest Card (which you will get for free if you stay overnight in Leukerbad hotels).
Relax at Leukerbad Therme
After a day of hiking and exploring, treat yourself to a few hours of relaxation at Leukerbad Therme, which we already described at the top of this guide. With multiple pools, saunas, and hot tubs, it’s the perfect way to soothe sore muscles and take in the peaceful alpine surroundings.
TIP: Get a drink at the Pool Bar, located on Level 2 in the indoor pool area. There is also a restaurant and a café here, but we recommend having dinner at one of the local restaurants.
For more information, opening times, and facilities, check the official website of Leukerbad Therme.
Enjoy Dinner at a Local Restaurant
End your day in Leukerbad with a delicious Swiss meal at one of the local restaurants. From classic cheese fondue and hearty rösti to fresh alpine trout – there are plenty of delicious options. And if you prefer a pizza or some Asian food, you’ll find that as well.
One of the best meals we had in Leukerbad was at Restaurant Bar Tannuheim, serving traditional Swiss specialties. Locals recommended their cordon bleu, cheese fondue, and mille-feuille cake and everything was excellent!
We stayed in Leukerbad for a few days and tried several other restaurants too. Kids loved pizzas at Pizzeria Giardino and Chinese food at Restaurant Canaan was also good.
Itinerary for 1 Day in Leukerbad
Here is an overview of what your day in Leukerbard could look like (the times indicated below are quite generous):
- 8 – 9 AM: Leukerbad Therme (optional in the morning).
- 9 – 10 AM: Breakfast.
- 10 – 11 AM: Thermal Springs Way & Dala Gorge.
- 11 – 11.30 AM: Cable car to Gemmi Pass (the ride is not long, but you might have to wait a bit for the next gondola).
- Noon: Lunch at Gemmi Pass. You can also have lunch at Lämmeren Hut or simply pack a picnic (there is a supermarket in Leukerbad).
- 12.30 – 4 PM: Lämmeren Hut hike (or Daubensee loop).
- 4 – 4.30 PM: Cable car back to Leukerbad.
- 4.30 – 7 PM: Leukerbad Therme (must-do) and Sportarena (optional).
- Evening: Dinner.
READ ALSO: Switzerland Itinerary for 10 Days
So, this is our guide to the best things to do in Leukerbad in a day. It’s a great destination that combines relaxation and stunning Swiss landscapes. Even if you have just one day, you can soak in the famous thermal baths, hike through stunning alpine landscapes, and experience the best of Swiss mountain culture.
Whether you’re here for a short visit or planning a longer stay, this itinerary gives you a perfect taste of what Leukerbad has to offer. Have a great trip!
More travel inspiration for your trip to Switzerland:
- Practical info:
- Our favorite cities:
- Top mountain destinations:
- For many more destinations, top hikes, and insider tips, please see our Switzerland travel page.
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