Ausserberg

Access

Ausserberg is easily accessible from both the lowlands and the upper valley thanks to efficient rail and road connections. The most practical means is by train: the village has its own station along the Lötschberg railway line, which is well served by RegioExpress connections and local lines from Visp and Brig. From Visp, one can also arrive by bus (line 522), which takes about 5 minutes. Alternatively, there are local taxi services for access to the highest hamlets or excursion starting points. For those arriving from Italy or abroad, the nearest airports are Milan Malpensa and Zurich, from whose railway stations Ausserberg can be reached in just under four hours. Local road accessibility is via the main valley, with car transport via the Lötschberg tunnel to Kandersteg in the winter months.

Introduction

Ausserberg is a small municipality located on the southern slope of the Rhone valley in the canton of Valais, at an altitude of approximately 1,008 metres, in the district of Western Raron. Nestling on the slope that gently descends towards the valley floor, the village is characterised by a typically Alpine character, with sun-browned wooden houses and barns and a landscape dominated by pastures, forests and the nearby Wiwannihorn, which reaches 3,001 metres. The village area offers views of the northern Valais region, whose aridity - due to low rainfall - has since ancient times prompted the construction of irrigation canals known as Suonen, still today hiking trails renowned for their scenic and historical value. The area is particularly appreciated for its sunny climate and the variety of paths that lead through the villages, offering panoramic views of the valley and surrounding mountains. The presence of the 'Kulturweg' and the 'Lötschberg southern ramp' routes also makes it a favoured location for thematic and railway hiking, thanks to the proximity of the historic Lötschberg line.

Description

Ausserberg has a history dating back at least to the Middle Ages, documented as early as 1300. Over the centuries, the collective management of resources (meadows, forests, water) manifested itself in the structure of the 'patrician communities', which are still responsible for the management of common property today. In 1922, the territory incorporated the suppressed municipality of Gründen, incorporating further scattered hamlets such as Egga, Wasserleita, Zer Mili and the main town Trogdorf. The centrepiece of local life is the Catholic parish church, built between 1853 and 1855, which bears witness to the deep-rooted religious tradition of the area. The village has historically been linked to trade and seasonal emigration, as well as mountain farming, particularly livestock breeding and grazing.
The traditional culture of Ausserberg is reflected in the language, dominated by Valais German, and in the religious and civic festivities that mark the year. Community life remains firmly anchored in the patrician structure and land-related activities. The local cuisine makes extensive use of dairy products, dried meat and fruits typical of the Alpine region, while the memory of legends and tales about traders, shepherds and emigrants enriches the oral heritage. Traditions are also visible in the architecture, in the barns raised by stone pillars - once used to store the harvest - and in the historic paths that connect the scattered hamlets and seasonal alpine pastures.

Information

Area: 15.01 km²
Altitude: 1008m
Maximum elevation: 3.001m - Wiwannihorn
 Inhabitants: 642
Name in dialect: Ausserberg
 Inhabitants' name: Ausserberger
Patron Saint:
Neighbouring communities: Baltschieder, Eggerberg, Raron
Internet site: www.ausserberg.ch