Switzerland Hiking & Walking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-5
Premiere & Casual Hotels
Switzerland Hiking & Walking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-5
Premiere & Casual Hotels
2026: Jun-Sep 2027: Jun-Sep
Swiss Alps Adventure from Interlaken to Zermatt
Follow the trail to mountain worlds high in the sparkling sky. Then soak in the charm of grande dame hotels. You thought hiking was just putting one foot in front of the other? Switzerland elevates it.
Highlights
- Gondolas, trains and even all-terrain scooters supplement your own two feet on this car-free adventure
- Hike through high passes and cliffside forests, pausing to say grüezi to the resident cows
- Climb to panoramic vistas of the Gornergletscher, the Alps’ second-largest ice field
- Dine on local cheeses, sample regional wines and perhaps savor a trailside drink in a cozy chalet
- Experience the charming mountaineering town of Zermatt, nestled in the shadow of the iconic Matterhorn
Start Interlaken
End Zermatt
* 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)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
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
Modern interiors full of Alpine touches and grand mountain views make the Quellenhof a cozy home away from home.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
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)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
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.
Many of our hikes through the Alps are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles (or mountain infrastructure like gondolas) will get us to and from the trailheads, but due to the nature of these trails, we won’t see support vans along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.
We ordinarily staff our trips with two Backroads leaders, plus one or more support leaders who are generally responsible for van support. Due to our lower reliance on driving during this trip, we’re able to offer our usual high level of support without the help of a support leader.
While the hotels on this trip offer outstanding service and amenities, please note that they are not equipped with air-conditioning. Despite the region’s temperate climate and cool nights, guest rooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates to see pricing, hotel or itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy, in USD.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.