Mountain biking is to Valais what parkour is to Paris, with 1,600km of official bike routes making this one vast, jaw-droppingly beautiful playground for adventure-seekers on two wheels. Not loving the thought of cycling up a mountain? No problem. Bikes are welcome on mountain railway services. Unsure where to start? We recommend the spectacular Stoneman Trail, which promises unforgettable views of the Unesco-listed Aletsch Glacier and mighty Matterhorn, which, no matter how many times you've seen it on screen, never fails to inspire IRL.

Photo credit: Aletsch Arena © Pascal Gertschen

Unique to Switzerland, the mountain huts operated by the Swiss Alpine Club provide refuge to hikers and mountaineers seeking shelter. There are plenty to choose from in Valais, ranging from simple and pared-back to sleek and design-led. For an authentic glimpse into a tradition that began in the mid-19th century, check out some during your high-altitude escapades. But the famed mountain hospitality doesn't stop there: it's evident in the accommodation throughout Valais - from chalet-aparthotels to spas. Looking for a plush all-rounder? Try Saas-Fee's 74-room Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa - a five-star retreat that promises to take care of mind, body and soul. From its first-in-town CrossFit facilities to the hyperlocal menu at its restaurant Cäsar Ritz, it's a top-notch spot at which to rejuvenate and refuel.

Photo credit: ©Valais/Wallis Promotion - Claudio Zenger

While many associate the spectacular holiday region Saas-Fee/Saastal with its snow-assured ski season, this destination is equally dazzling in summer, when the melodious sound of cowbells accompanies hikers on twisting trails and the water of the Mattmark dam glows an ethereal, milky blue. Of the area's four villages, Saas-Fee, Saas-Grund, Saas-Almagell and Saas-Balen, it's the last, aka "the Pearl of the Alps", that you should make a beeline for. Budding summiters have their pick of 18 4,000m+ peaks: we recommend hiring a local guide with whom to take on the 4,027m Allalinhorn. Afterwards, toast your success at the world's highest revolving restaurant.

Photo credit: ©Saastal Tourismus AG-Puzzle Media

Not only is Valais the country's largest wine-making region, but it also boasts the world's greatest diversity of grape varieties. The pioneering Les Celliers de Sion offers visitors an immersive education into this 2,000-year-old grape-growing history. Wear sensible shoes for the tour, which takes you through some of the area's stone-walled vineyards. Along the way, you'll stop at small guérites (converted winemakers' huts) for guided tastings of crisp whites accompanied by plates of local delicacies. There's also an on-site cycle route, plus a well-stocked shop from which to select the perfect bottles to enjoy later.

Photo credit: © Les Celliers de Sion

Sunny summer days are well spent exploring some of this region's wild, romantic terrain. We suggest hiking along the glacier trail found on the Lämmerenboden plateau, from the Gemmi Pass to the Lämmeren hut. Sitting pretty at the foot of the Wildstrubel massif, the refuge offers incredible views of the Valais Alps. Seasoned mountaineers and those with a head for heights might want to sidestep the daisy-dappled fields and head straight for the hills. Tackle the eight historic wooden ladders that once linked Albinen and Leukerbad.

Photo credit: ©Valais/Wallis Promotion - Christian Pfammatter

Blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year, and with summer temperatures hovering around the 30 degrees Celsius mark, Valais is a place where you'll want to spend as much time as possible outside. An idyllic way to maximise your time in the heart of the mountains is on a walking tour from Veysonnaz to Nendaz - a distance of around 40km. Aimed at the average, physically fit hiker, and accessible to families with children aged eight years old and above, the two-night tour will see you meandering along marked paths by day and bunking up at cosy cabins when the sun goes down. Walking at your own pace, stopping for snacks along the way… well, it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "on top of the world".

Photo credit: © Valais Wallis Promotion - Patrick Güller

All we'll say is that it's lucky there are so many action-packed activities in Valais to balance out the sheer quantity of fine mountain fare you'll consume while here. With eight appellation d'origine protégée-designated gastronomic products to its name - including Raclette du Valais AOP, Valais cured ham and bacon and Valais rye bread - and a handful of Michelin-starred restaurants, finding a good place to eat here is not going to be difficult. Take a break from your afternoon's activities to enjoy apéro riche (abundant canapés with drinks) at 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat, the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps, or make a meal of it with a three-course feast in the iconic Hotel Riffelhaus.

Photo credit: ©Valais/Wallis Promotion - Sedrik Nemeth

You've seen the stuffed-toy versions in the village boutiques: now it's time to see some of the region's 4,000 animal species in their natural habitat. With its different climate zones, varied terrain and the Arven (Swiss-pine) forest, the Gornergrat mountain is the place to make tracks for, preferably on the Gornergrat open-air cog railway - the highest in Europe - whose uppermost station stands at 3,089m. Our favourite four-footed residents? The emblematic blacknose sheep, which, with their spiralled horns, inky faces and ears and woolly white coats, are the epitome of cute. And, spotting them this summer is easier than ever, thanks to the special collars they've been given, which can be tracked with GPS. Simply download the free app, find the signal and follow the map to meet them up close. You herd it here first.

While simply taking a few deep breaths of the pine-scented Swiss mountain air is enough to send us into a state of zen, it's the five thermal spa destinations of Valais - Breiten, Brigerbad, Leukerbad, Ovronnaz and Saillon - that draw tranquillity-seekers from around the world. Start at Leukerbad, whose thermal pools pump out 3.9 million litres of mineral-rich waters daily, ranging from 28 to 51 degrees Celsius. The largest of its kind in the Alps, the spa's decor is retro (conical glass roof, bold splashes of primary colours and sturdy white columns), while its facilities include waterslides, restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, hot springs and a menu of massage options and treatments using products bolstered by an apothecary's worth of alpine plants and herbs.

Photo credit: ©MyLeukerbadAG