Here in the largest thermal spa resort in the Alps, over four million litres of warm water bubble up from the earth every day. Nowhere else in Europe is there a greater supply of thermal water than in our historic spa town in the Dala Valley. Once you immerse yourself in the history of thermal baths, you will understand why we know so many metaphors about water. You only have to think about the culture that has developed around water and how it has repeatedly attracted creative artists. Then you realise: Water is anything but ‘simple’.

Or is it? Can't you simply experience water? You can, here in Leukerbad even with all your senses: Because the springs, which carry water at 51 degrees all year round, feed the three public thermal spas in Leukerbad: the Leukerbad Therme, the Valais Alpentherme & Spa and the Therme 51°. Those who take a dip in the pools not only enjoy naturally warm and soothing water, but also an unrivalled mountain backdrop. And maybe even a few snowflakes will fall. From cold to hot, water to water.

Of course, we can also invite you to look at water from a scientific perspective. But oh well: just let the water work its magic on you. Whether on your body or soul, whether in winter after a day on the piste or in summer after a hike - thermal water in Leukerbad is an experience you can't resist.

Up to 10 hours in the water. As Gabriele Knoll notes in her standard work ‘Badebüchlein Leukerbad’, thermal bathing in Leukerbad in the 16th century was characterised by many rules. Spa physicians prescribed up to 200 hours of thermal treatment for those seeking healing. The spa guests therefore bathed for up to 10 hours a day and also carried out other activities such as eating or playing. They were clothed or naked, but always wore a bathing hat, which gave an indication of their social class. The visible success of a bathing cure was when the person seeking healing showed a bathing rash with reddened and inflamed skin that eventually peeled off.

Bathing in the Renaissance. Sources prove that the Romans already appreciated the thermal springs in Leukerbad. However, modern spa tourism in Leukerbad dates back to 1501: the Valais Cardinal at the time, Matthäus Schiner, bought the rights to the hot springs in the village, invested in the baths and had a magnificent inn built. Schiner liked to ride from his castle in Leuk to the soothing springs to recover from the stresses and strains of everyday life together with political and ecclesiastical celebrities from all over Europe.

From infrastructure to the most popular spa town. The tourist development of Leukerbad blossomed in the 18th century, when the first avalanche defences were built. Prior to this, the village had been destroyed by the forces of nature several times. Now, however, important connecting routes to the village were created: the Gemmiweg, carved into the rock, led to the Bernese Oberland, while the ‘Varnerleitern’ and the ‘Albinenleitern’ secured the trade routes between Leukerbad and the neighbouring villages.

In the second half of the 19th century, Leukerbad blossomed into Switzerland's most popular spa resort. The development began in 1850 with the first connecting road from the Rhone Valley. From then on, guests were able to reach Leukerbad faster and more easily in carts. New groups of tourists flocked to Leukerbad, fuelling the construction of further infrastructure.

Pioneering works in Swiss tourism. The baths developed into modern bathing establishments in the fresh air and under cover, such as the Lorenzbad on the village square at the time. Electric lighting was also installed early on. The first electric power station in Valais was built for this purpose in 1889. This in turn made Leukerbad interesting for the modern hotel industry. In 1896, the Hotel and Spa Company, Switzerland's first hotel public limited company, was founded.

From spa visits to modern wellness offerings. Leukerbad's innovative spirit continued into the 20th century: the railway from Leuk to Leukerbad was built in 1915. Winter tourism arrived with the construction of the first ski lift in 1948. The Gemmi railway was built in 1957 and the Torrent railway from 1970 to 1972. Winter tourism became an important economic mainstay.

Spa tourism also developed in Leukerbad with growing offers in the areas of healing springs and wellness: construction of the rheumatism and rehabilitation clinic was completed in 1961. The Burgerbad was built in 1968 and permanently remodelled from 1980. Today it bears the name ‘Leukerbad Therme’. In 1993, the current ‘Walliser Alpentherme’ replaced the traditional Lorenzbad. This step completed the development from a spa resort to a modern Alpine spa destination with wellness facilities.

The thermal water is still an important resource for Leukerbad today. There are a total of 65 thermal springs in the village, of which only the 8 most productive springs are still in use.

Locals founded the Thermal Springs Guild in 2003. The association is committed to preserving the thermal springs and making the thermal water in and around Leukerbad accessible to visitors.

The Dala rises at the southern foot of the Balmhorn massif and flows into the Rhone. The Dala valley above Leukerbad is a special place: Here, cold mountain water and natural thermal water mix directly in the river. In the past, the people of Leukerbad used the sometimes warm river water in shallow places to bathe their cattle. On the right-hand side of the Dala gorge, four springs have their source and together form the spa springs.

The Leukerbad Thermal Springs Guild was founded on the 3rd day of the 3rd month of the 3rd millennium at 3.03 in the afternoon in 2003, the UN Year of Water. The Thermal Springs Guild promotes and imparts knowledge about the historical significance and the associated value of the thermal springs of Leukerbad at various levels: the medical, psychological, educational, scientific, social, economic, cultural, ecological and historical significance and the associated value of the thermal springs of Leukerbad.

Since 2004, the wild Dala Gorge above Leukerbad has been accessible via a footbridge. The footbridge leads through the Dala Gorge, as natural, unutilised thermal water springs directly from the bed of the stream on the left bank. Rust-brown streaks indicate the iron content of the thermal water, which runs out of cracks in the centre of the rock faces of the Dala Gorge.

If you want to experience thermal water, you can also visit the village fountains in Leukerbad. In the past, people used to fetch water for their people and livestock or wash their laundry there. The special thing about the many village fountains is that they not only contain cold mountain water, but also warm, natural thermal water.

The beneficial effects of thermal water arise from various properties. As a result, different groups appreciate the baths, including those with physical and psychological conditions, as well as guests seeking relaxation and a break from everyday life.

Thermal Effect. The warmth of the water relaxes the muscles, makes connective tissue more flexible, and lubricates the joints. These properties are generally used for healing and relaxation and have a particularly valuable effect on arthritic joints.

Mechanical Effect. Exercising in water is unique. Due to buoyancy, we carry less than 10 percent of our actual body weight in water. This makes movements easier and gentler on the joints. Additionally, the supportive and stabilizing muscles are relaxed in the water.

Chemical Effect. While bathing, the skin exchanges substances with the water and absorbs beneficial ions. The mineral springs in Leukerbad primarily contain calcium sulfate minerals, which are particularly suitable for alleviating rheumatological and neurological conditions.

Digital Detox. Today's performance-driven culture constantly demands productivity and attention from people. In thermal water, those in need of relaxation can find a peaceful place where they can mentally switch off and enjoy restful rejuvenation away from screens.

These effects are present in all thermal waters. What makes thermal bathing in Leukerbad so special are the unique chemical composition of the thermal water, the mountain air, and the alpine climate at over 1,400 meters above sea level. 

The origin of the thermal water in Leukerbad lies east of Leukerbad in the area between the Majinghorn and Torrenthorn mountains. There, precipitation water begins its 40-year underground journey at altitudes between 2,300 and 3,000 meters above sea level. At the Wysssee and Schwarzsee lakes, the water seeps into the steep fissure systems of the mountains and flows underground to depths of up to 500 meters below sea level. Then, due to geothermal heating, it rises back to the Earth's surface as thermal water, emerging in Leukerbad from numerous springs. The total discharge of thermal water in Leukerbad is estimated at approximately 3,000 liters per minute of unmixed thermal water. As experiences with the Fussbad spring have shown, thermal water is a sensitive resource. Earthquakes, changes in precipitation, and construction activities, such as the construction of the Lötschberg Tunnel, affect the flow and properties of the thermal springs.

Chemical Composition
All thermal water in Leukerbad originates from a single rock layer. The thermal water is enriched with calcium and sulfate, with a concentration of 1,800 to 2,000 mg/l of dissolved solids. Additionally, it has slightly elevated levels of sodium, strontium, iron, and fluoride. The bright rust-red mud typical of many springs, also known as fango, is caused by the high iron content. All thermal springs have a mixture of cold water, ranging from 9 to 40 percent.

Sustainability with Thermal Water
Today, thermal water in Leukerbad is an important resource for generating climate-neutral energy. At Leukerbad Therme, for example, thermal water is used in three ways:

• As warm bathwater in the spa, promoting health and relaxation.
• The waste heat from the spa's wastewater is used to heat buildings. Through energy recovery, the CO2 emissions of Leukerbad Therme are about 90 percent lower than if the heat were generated using fossil fuels.
• After the heat is extracted, the water is returned to the Dala River, where it is used to generate hydropower.

Leukerbad has long been visited by famous personalities. Goethe, Guy de Maupassant, Mark Twain, Thomas Cook, James Baldwin and many others have stayed here. In their works, writers have also repeatedly reflected on the effects of thermal water. Every year since 1995, the international literature festival has invited greats from the literary scene to Leukerbad.