30^th Leukerbad International Literary Festival

Literary Tours

In this anniversary year, our now traditional literary walk on Thursday before the festival is complemented by two further opportunities to combine mountaineering with literature and to explore the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park under your own steam.

25. June: Literary cycle tour No. 1
25. June: Literary walk
27. June: Night walk

25. June
Literary cycle tour No. 1

By bike and with literary accompaniment to the Leukerbad International Literature Festival

Where is Leukerbad? You can easily see that on any map and forget it straight away. Or you can take your time and discover it for yourself: by cycling there, you can become part of the landscape. You can relate the supple physics of your body to the stony cold of the Gemmi, to the power of the surrounding. Can pluck views from the wayside, hear your heart beating in your old ribs, find a way into an extraordinary perception and leave the valley with its musings far below you.

If these lines seem rather cryptic to you, you are already right at the heart of the matter: in the September 2025 issue, Reportagen magazine explored the question of what happens to the human psyche when you take it on an intense cycling trip. Lukas Bärfuss and Urs Mannhart have put their feet to the pedals to find out. To mark the festival’s anniversary year, Urs Mannhart – who is involved in both ultra-cycling and nature writing – will now be offering a cycle tour from Sierre to Leukerbad, featuring literary interludes during the breaks.

Warning: strenuous
The tour is aimed at anyone who feels confident tackling a 1,250-metre climb by bike (no e-bikes, please).

Route: Sierre/Siders – Leuk – Albinen – Leukerbad
Meeting point: 9.30 am, Sierre railway station
Requirements: 27 km, 1,250 metres of elevation gain, mostly on narrow, partly steeply ascending, tarmac side roads. A GPX file of the route will be provided.
Pure cycling time approx. 3½ to 4½ hours
Arrival in Leukerbad approx. 4 pm
A lunch package (including a 500ml drink) and luggage transport from Sierre to Leukerbad are included. The lunch will be handed out at the starting point. Literary stops along the way. Coffee break in Albinen.
Cost: CHF 70
Finisher’s bonus: Anyone who completes the tour provides impressive proof of eternal youth and receives a 3-day pass at the U30 rate of 90 francs (redeemable at the festival office).
The number of participants is limited. Tickets available online in advance only.
The cycle tour takes place in (almost) all weather conditions

Equipment required

• a lightweight, sporty bike with a mountain-friendly gear ratio, ideally a road bike or a lightweight MTB (no e-bike)
• two brakes in perfect working order
• Cycling helmet
• Rain jacket
• Long-sleeved shirt
• possibly a windbreaker
• Water bottles; ideally 2 ✕ 500ml or more
• Snacks for those sudden pangs of hunger that can’t wait
• Puncture repair kit: tyre lever, small pump, Spare inner tube/tubeless kit
• Sunscreen, lip balm
• Small rucksack to carry a packed lunch, spare clothes and repair kit, etc.

Joint return journey: Joint return journey on Sunday, 28 June, after the final reading, approx. 3.30 pm to Leuk. Binding registration for the return journey is required when purchasing tickets to ensure luggage transport can be arranged.
Individual return journey: If bicycle transport is required for the return journey by bus/train from Leukerbad, cyclists are responsible for this themselves. Bicycle transport must be booked at your own expense via SBB.

25. June
Literary walk

Meeting point: 10.15 am Leukerbad bus station
Duration: Walking time only, a good 2 hours
Distance: 6.2 km, 165 m ascent, 406 m descent
Ends at approx. 4.00 pm in Inden
Return journey to Leukerbad by bus
Price: CHF 70 (sold out, no tickets available on site)
Lunch at the Bodmenstübli restaurant and the bus journey from Inden to Leukerbad are included
Luggage can be left in Leukerbad during the hike

From station to station
This leisurely walk from Leukerbad to Inden follows the old Roman road. The varied route passes through the hamlets of Birchen and Bodmen, offering insights into the rich cultural landscape and a glimpse into the history of the Valais railways. Fancy joining us? The final stop is the old station in Inden.

The walk will be led by a guide from the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park. Participants will be treated to literary delights by Odilo Abgottspon and Franziska Füchsl.

27. June
Night walk

Part of Swiss Hiking Night

As dusk falls over Leukerbad and the mountains slowly settle into the night, we lace up our walking boots and set off into the night. Naturally, we have a book with us – and the author too. Passing the roaring Pischür waterfall, we climb steeply up to Alp Fiess. Step by step, we leave the village behind us and immerse in the tranquil mountain world. The trail takes us past Kluscheten and Bodmen, continuing through the mystical evening landscape.

A delightful stop awaits us at the “Bodmenstübli” restaurant: delicious Valaisan Cholera (vegetarian) – hearty, regional and just the thing after an atmospheric hike.

Meeting point: 6 pm Leukerbad Tourist Information (at the bus terminal)
Duration: 5 hours including dinner and readings
Price: CHF 49 (limited places, tickets available via online advance booking) Dinner at the “Bodmenstübli” restaurant (excl. drinks) included

Rolf Hermann will provide the literary accompaniment with stories and poems from Valais and elsewhere.