Thermal Springs (general)

Leukerbad, known in French as Loèche-les-Bains, is a village in the canton of Valais at the foot of the Gemmi Pass, and it is the largest thermal spa resort in the Alps. The reason is the water. Dozens of hot springs rise in the valley, and together they deliver millions of litres every day at temperatures of around fifty degrees Celsius. The water comes from deep underground, where it has been heated by the Earth and has dissolved minerals from the rock, particularly calcium and sulphate, which give it its characteristic composition. The springs have been known since Roman times, and the village has been a destination for bathers for centuries, with a long tradition of visitors from across Europe who came to treat rheumatism and skin conditions.

The water is used in several large bathing complexes and in many smaller facilities attached to hotels. The best known baths offer a mix of indoor and outdoor pools at different temperatures, so that you can move from warm to hot water and back, with massage jets, bubble loungers and views of the mountains from the open-air pools. Some include saunas, steam rooms and a style of sequence called a Roman-Irish bath, in which the guest moves through rooms of different temperatures and humidity, with showers, a scrub and a rest. Others focus on wellness treatments, with massage and other therapies. The facilities differ in style, from traditional to modern design, so it is worth checking what each offers and choosing according to taste and budget.

One of the pleasures of bathing in Leukerbad is the setting. The village lies at the bottom of a huge natural amphitheatre of limestone cliffs, with waterfalls, forests and high pastures above, and the contrast between hot water and cold mountain air gives the experience a special character, especially in winter, when snow falls around the steaming pools. In summer the same surroundings are used for hiking, and many visitors combine a morning on the trails with an afternoon in the baths. The Gemmi Pass, the historic route over the mountains to Kandersteg in the Bernese Oberland, is within reach, and a cable car lifts walkers to the pass, where there are views over a large part of the Alps and where a path runs along the cliffs.

The village has a typical Valais look, with dark wooden chalets and narrow streets, and it caters for visitors with restaurants, shops and hotels. Local cuisine includes cheese dishes, such as raclette, and the wines of the Valais, which are among the best in Switzerland. In winter, a ski area on the nearby Torrent offers skiing and snowboarding, so the town can offer a combined holiday of sport and relaxation.

The baths are open all year, though opening hours and prices vary between facilities and with the season, so check before you go and consider booking for popular times, especially weekends and holidays. Bring swimwear, a towel and flip-flops, or hire them on site, and drink plenty of water, since long soaks in hot water can be tiring. People with heart conditions, high blood pressure or other health concerns should consult a doctor. The experience suits couples, groups of friends, walkers and anyone who wants to unwind in the mountains.