Vals

The mountain village of Vals is located at an altitude of 1250 metres above sea level, deep down in the Vals Valley, a side valley of the Surselva south of Ilanz. The village square is still surrounded by original Vals houses roofed with stone tiles made of Vals quartzite. The peaceful Grisons holiday resort offers hiking pleasure, wellness at the thermal spa and winter sports opportunities on the Dachberg.

The Vals Valley owes its wilderness and diversity in a tiny area to the forces of water. In millions of years ice and rain shaped the deeply-cut mountain valley. Vals' most important trump card is the 30-degree thermal source, the only one in the Grisons which springs straight from the ground. The thermal spa designed by star architect Peter Zumthor and built out of local quartzite showcases the elements of water and stone and blends them to create the perfect wellness experience. The building oozing timeless quality and subtle elegance has become a bit of a place of pilgrimage for people interested in architecture.

Intact agriculture characterises the valley and delights alert mountain walkers: a few years ago the Vals farmers decided to produce exclusively organic.