Camping Simplonblick is a fairly small, traditional-style campsite close to the beautiful Valais mountains. The site makes a great base for cycling or walking in this popular region. Pitches are generally level, on grass and there are a number of mobile homes available to rent. The playground, giant chess, and the modernised pool should keep younger guests entertained.

The Rhône Valley is a popular through route to Italy via the Simplon Pass and a holiday region in its own right. Gemmi is a delightful small, friendly site in a scenic location with 65 level touring pitches, all with 16A electricity, on grass amidst a variety of trees, some of which offer shade. There are 41 pitches with water, 26 with drainage as well. Some pitches have TV connections. Always well maintained, the grounds have been greatly improved by the enthusiastic new owners. Seven seasonal pitches remain, with one unit to rent. This site will be enjoyed by campers of all ages. Enjoying some of the best climatic conditions in Switzerland, this valley, between two mountain regions, has less rainfall and more hours of sunshine than most of the country.

Paradiso Lago sits against a backdrop of beautiful wooded mountains and is an ideal site if you are stopping to explore the towns around Lake Lugano. Its 200 grassy pitches, some open some with shade, have 6A electricity hook-ups and slope gently down to the water’s edge where there is a small pebble beach. The lake provides plenty of opportunities for recreation, with swimming, fishing, diving, windsurfing and water-skiing. A motorway and a railway line run close to the site, so some noise is inevitable.

An agreeable site close to the route from Saint Gotthard to the south, Riarena may appeal both to those who are looking for a convenient night stop and to those seeking a holiday site, as it has a medium sized swimming pool and a children’s pool. Most of the site is covered by tall trees and is in a peaceful setting, although regular trains pass by. The 210 pitches (150 for touring units) are now all individually marked, with 10A electricity connections available. July is the busiest month – there is usually space at other times. There may be some aircraft noise from a small airfield nearby.

This site, run by an English-speaking owner, has a total of 320 pitches, most occupied by static caravans and 80 for tourers. The site is slightly unusual in that much of the terrain has been deliberately left in its natural state. The wooded section gives good shade and tree formations and access roads determine where units go. There is a central open meadow and some quiet spots are a little further from the amenities. Most pitches, although unmarked, have 10A electricity points available. One part of the site may be reserved, but some space is usually available.

An attractive and popular site with good standards, Bella-Tola is on the hillside above Susten (east of Sierre) with good views over the Rhône valley. The site has been extensively terraced with sectors allocated to seasonal units, a tour operator and touring units. All of the 140 individually numbered pitches have 16A electricity connections. The fullest season is mid July - mid August when reservation is advised, but there is usually room somewhere. The site boasts a good sized, heated swimming pool and children’s pool (both free to campers) which, like the restaurant and bar overlooking them, are also open to non-campers and so more crowded at weekends and holidays.

Camping de Molignon, surrounded by mountains, is a peaceful haven 1,450 m. above sea level. The rushing stream at the bottom of the site and the sound of cow bells and birdsong are likely to be the only disturbing factors in summer. The 95 pitches for touring units (all with 10A electricity) are on well tended terraces leading down to the river. Six chalets are available to rent. Excellent English is spoken by the owner’s son who is now running the site. He is always pleased to give information on all that is available from the campsite. The easy uphill drive from Sion in the Rhône Valley is enhanced by ancient villages and the Pyramids of Euseigne.

Camping Mischabel is attractively located close to the ski resort of Saas-Grund, near the head of a remote valley in the mountains of southeast Switzerland. The 150 pitches are grouped in several distinct grassy areas, some open, others with trees providing shade; most have views of the surrounding mountain peaks. Electricity connections (10A) are available. There is a small kiosk selling drinks, ices and hiking maps, and a WiFi zone. Buses run from the site entrance to the villages of Saas-Almagell, Saas-Grund, and Visp. The area provides endless opportunities for lovers of the ‘great outdoors’ - Saas-Grund is known as The Hiking Pearl.

Meride is a small village in the extreme south of Switzerland close to the Italian border and not far from the A2/N2 motorway. The site is on a slight slope 1 km. from the village. There is space for 65 small touring units with 13A electricity connections available for all (long leads required). The pitches are not numbered or marked out but are level on terraces, mostly among tall trees. When the site is busy, units could be crowded, it is therefore requested that towing cars are parked outside. This site would make a good stopover, with a refreshing dip in the pool welcome at the end of a long journey.

Les Iles is a well organised and pretty site, useful for a night stop or for a longer stay to explore the region. However, it is near a small airport and there is some aircraft noise as well as some noise from a nearby motorway. The rectangular site has 440 level pitches for touring units, 400 with 4A electricity. Well laid out, a profusion of flowers, shrubs and trees lead to a lake which supplements the pool for swimming and may be used by inflatable boats. Good English is spoken and the warden is pleased to give advice on places to visit.

Camping du Grand Paradis is the perfect jumping-off point for countless hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or biking excursions, it is a haven for nature and sports lovers alike with a laid-back, friendly atmosphere and an idyllic setting on the banks of a pristine alpine stream. At the gateway to the Canton of Valais and just 90 minutes from Geneva, the site nestles snugly in a bucolic forest in the shadow of the spectacular Dents du Midi Mountain range. Open all year, the site sits at the foot of the ski slopes and the legendary World Cup downhill biking track. In mere minutes, a high-speed 6-man chairlift next door (open in winter) or the village cable-car whisks visitors into the heart of the vast Portes du Soleil recreational area. On site facilities include a covered picnic area with barbeque pit, a Parcours Vita fitness trail, a cross-country ski area and Wi-Fi. The site has 54 pitches of which 23 are for touring units and have 13/10amp electric hook-up point.

Camping des Glaciers is set amidst magnificent mountain scenery in a peaceful location in the beautiful Ferret Valley, almost 5,000 feet above sea level. The site offers generous pitches in an open, undulating meadow and the rest are level, individual plots of varying sizes in small clearings, between bushes and shrubs or under tall pines. Most of the 220 pitches have 10A electricity (long leads useful). M. Alain Darbellay has meticulously maintained the family’s determination to keep the site unspoilt and in keeping with its mountain environment. He intends to maintain the strong family interest and friendships built up over the years. Additional land has been added to increase the number of pitches available.

Lido Mappo lies on the lakeside at the northeast tip of Lake Maggiore, about 5 km. from Locarno, and has views of the surrounding mountains and hills across the lake. The site is attractively laid out in rows of individual, numbered pitches, mostly demarcated by access roads or hedges. Mature trees provide plenty of shade. The pitches (357 for touring) are occupied by a mixture of tents, caravans and motorhomes; they vary in size, those by the lake cost more and must be booked by the week. Electricity (10-16A Europlug; long leads useful) is available on all pitches. With helpful, English-speaking staff, this is a quiet site with its own narrow, mainly sandy beach.

At the eastern end of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) with mountain and lakeside views, Camping Rive-Bleue is an excellent destination for family holidays whilst affording quiet relaxation. The car-free camping area is a level 300 m. from the related hotel, restaurant and lido complex with free entry to campers. It has an excellent pool and paddling pool, with beautiful lawns leading down to the sandy lakeside beach. There are pedalos and canoes for hire, and a sailing school. The site has 220 marked touring pitches on well tended flat grass, with some shade from maturing trees and 150 of these have 8-12A Europlugs. A pleasant pathway leads to the marina and town.

Locarno in Ticino, the most southern of the Swiss cantons, is a very popular holiday area with activities associated with lakes and mountains. Being in the north west of Locarno, Avegno is also a good base from which to visit Lake Maggiore and this part of northern Italy. There are a number of very good sites around, and we add this one to give as much choice as possible. During our stay we were impressed with the friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Peace and quiet is encouraged, so not a site for those who like to socialise late into the evening.

The Rhône valley in Valais with its terraced vineyards and young orchards provides a beautiful setting for this site. Family owned and run, Camping de la Sarvaz provides outstanding facilities and is an ideal centre for relaxing or, for the more energetic, walking, cycling, climbing or skiing. The focal point of the site is a restaurant/bar with a delightful Chinese-style garden. There are 87 level touring pitches all with 16A electricity, 45 of which have water and drainage. Four new, 140 sq.m. pitches have private cabins containing toilet and kitchen facilities. Lovely mountain views surround the site and there are nine chalets to rent.

Easily accessible from the autoroute (A9) and close to the town centre, this site has a total of 225 pitches. There are 185 for touring units, all with 6/10A electricity (long leads may be necessary) and most on level, grassy ground (some slope slightly). There are 18 pitches with some hardstanding for motorhomes. A number of trees provide some shade, although the site is fairly open allowing views of the surrounding mountains. Being close to the autoroute and located near an industrial area, the site can be quite noisy at times. With its ease of access and close proximity to shops, it makes a convenient night stop when travelling along the Rhône Valley for the Saint Bernard Pass.

This extensive and busy family run site has something for everyone, from super pitches and private toilet cabins to small tent pitches. Two heated swimming pools and two play areas make it a family destination as well as a convenient stopover. The 145 touring pitches all have 16A electricity and are gently defined by saplings and marker posts. There are three grades of pitch, from standard to fully serviced. Being alongside the main road, there can be noise at busy times. With mountain views across the valley, Santa Monica has an air of peace and spaciousness.