Arolla, Village in Valais, Switzerland

Arolla is a small mountain village in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, sitting at nearly 2,000 feet (2,000 m) above sea level at the foot of peaks such as Mont-Collon and the Pigne d'Arolla. The buildings are made of wood and stone with sloped roofs, and the streets are narrow enough to walk from one end to the other in just a few minutes.

Arolla was originally a stopping place for herders who brought their animals to the high pastures each summer and sheltered in simple Alpine buildings called mayens. Toward the end of the 19th century, the first hotels appeared as mountaineers and travelers began arriving to climb the surrounding peaks.

The name Arolla comes from the arolla pine, a tree that still grows in the forests around the village. In autumn, the larch trees turn golden yellow, giving the whole valley a warm glow that draws visitors who would not normally come for sports.

Arolla can be reached by car or by postal bus running from Sion through Les Haudères up to the village. In winter, mountain roads can become snowy or icy quickly, so it is worth checking road conditions before setting out.

Arolla sits on the Haute Route, one of the most well-known long alpine trails linking Chamonix to Zermatt, and the village is a regular stage on this crossing. The village is also one of the starting points of the Patrouille des Glaciers, a military ski race held only every two years.

• Location: Valais
• Elevation above the sea: 2,006 m
• Address: Arolla, 1986 Evolène, Switzerland
• GPS coordinates: 46.02383,7.48292
• Latest update: July 22, 2026 14:07