Switzerland Walking & Hiking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-5
Premiere Hotels
Switzerland Walking & Hiking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-5
Premiere Hotels
2025: Jun-Sep
Swiss Alps Adventure from Interlaken to Zermatt
Prepare to be awestruck in this place where trails lead to rarified mountain worlds high in the sparkling sky. Where chalets invite you in with a cold beer or a rich hot chocolate. And grand hotels welcome you with white-glove luxury. You thought hiking was just putting one foot in front of the other? Let us show you how Switzerland elevates it.
Highlights
- Hike across passes, between snowcapped peaks and through meadows where dairy cows graze—the ultimate alpine experience
- Climb to panoramic vistas of the winding Gornergletscher, the second-largest ice field in the Alps
- Feast the Swiss way as you dine on traditional fondue and raclette, sample regional wines and savor local chocolates
- Relax in Leukerbad's thermal spring waters, whose natural mineral riches—and resort-town charms—have been sought out by the likes of Mark Twain, James Baldwin and Goethe
StartInterlaken
EndZermatt
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Day 1
Begin your adventure in the village of Adelboden, where a lush cirque of green pasture is watched over by the towering Engstligen Falls • A gondola ride sweeps you up to the trailhead for your first hike • Pause to read trailside signs that identify the colorful drifts of blooms along the Wildflower Trail • Climb to Hahnenmoos Pass, the escape route by which Catholic priests fled to Geneva during the Swiss Reformation • Hike down the Adelboden Valley through tumbling meadows with panoramic views, or get a two-wheeled assist and coast down on Trotti bikes (uniquely Swiss fat-tire scooters).
Night 1
Spectacular views of the Bernese Oberland surround us at this mountain retreat with modern design sensibilities. (pool, spa)
Days 2-3
Trek from high mountain passes to wildflower-strewn meadows • A challenging Swiss Alps hiking trail to Leukerbad leads past a shimmering glacier-fed lake and over Gemmi Pass • Cable cars whisk us over the toughest ups and downs • Traverse a thermal gorge on a bridge that looks onto a thundering waterfall • Discover the age-old process behind Swiss cheese at a traditional farm • Indulge in a rejuvenating soak in Leukerbad's healing waters.
Nights 2-3
This cozy historic property which has hosted the likes of Picasso, Tolstoy and Dumas welcomes us just as warmly with its on-site thermal waters. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
Catch a scenic train ride to Zermatt, a picturesque village with stunning views of the Matterhorn • Hike through the Zmutt Valley • Pause in a historic mountain hamlet for a lunch of local dishes like rösti, sausage and apple strudel, accompanied by delicious lager • Visit the herb garden for Ricola's world-renowned candy and teas • Admire jaw-dropping views of Gornergletscher, a glacier with bright blue pools and deep crevasses, reached by foot or cogwheel train • Listen to the ice field groan, creak and rumble • Savor crisp morning air en route to an alpine lake with magnificent vistas • A festive dinner marks the last night of this grand alpine hiking adventure.
Nights 4-5
Set in the heart of Zermatt, this landmark luxury hotel was built in 1879 under the shadow of the Matterhorn. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Due to Switzerland's rugged terrain, you can look forward to some exhilarating—but steep!—climbs along rocky and sometimes uneven paths. Please note that there's no van support on this trip (you can imagine why!), so you should be comfortable with the alpine elevation and remote routes.
We ordinarily staff our trips with three leaders: two leaders out on the trail offering support—allowing everyone to have the experience they want, whether it's an easygoing interpretative walk or a rigorous hike—while the third leader moves the van from trailhead to trail end. This trip is a little different in that we use a variety of local transportation, including gondolas, trains and local drivers, instead of Backroads vans. This means that you'll still have the same two leaders providing excellent trail support without the need for a third leader to move the van.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Night 1
Premiere Hotel
Spectacular views of the Bernese Oberland surround us at this mountain retreat with modern design sensibilities. (pool, spa)
Nights 2-3
Premiere Hotel
This cozy historic property which has hosted the likes of Picasso, Tolstoy and Dumas welcomes us just as warmly with its on-site thermal waters. (pool, spa)
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
Set in the heart of Zermatt, this landmark luxury hotel was built in 1879 under the shadow of the Matterhorn. (pool, spa)
Gallery
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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