Region Overviews: Europe Travel Guide: Overview
Encapsulating 50 nations and a dizzying amount of cultural and natural diversity, Europe is a traveler’s playground.
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 1-4
Premiere Hotels
From: $5,399 - $5,899 pp dbl occ
($1,150 - $1,300 for sgl occ)
The grass really is greener in Switzerland. Just ask the dairy cows grazing in the lush alpine meadows. Or simply see for yourself while hiking and biking through spectacular Swiss landscapes encircled by snow-covered mountains and punctuated with sparkling lakes. From the idyllic peaks and valleys of the Bernese Oberland to the North Face's iconic skyline, experience the best of Switzerland's mountain playgrounds.
Start Kandersteg / End Engelberg
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Savor breathtaking alpine scenery as you commute the Swiss way: by chairlift! | Hike on a ridge above the deep blue Lake Oeschinen, surrounded by limestone cliffs, snowy peaks and hanging ice | Meander through alpine meadows and pine forests that give way to superb views of the Blüemlisalp and Hohtürli Passes | Say hello to friendly cows who graze freely beside the trail | Hop between pools, cold plunges and scented saunas at our hotel's extravagantly whimsical spa | Dine beneath the ancient beams and ticking cuckoo clocks of a 250-year-old chalet.
A family-run alpine retreat surrounded by verdant forests and soaring snowcapped mountains. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Ride past the turquoise waters of Lake Thun en route to Interlaken | Easy cycling leads past cheery wooden chalets to lakeside Thun | Hop aboard a cogwheel train bound for Grindelwald | An alphorn serenade—music to a cow’s ears and perhaps yours too | Dig into decadent local comfort food paired with regional wines | Admire the iconic Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau towering above the emerald-green landscape | Hike from First Peak to Bachalpsee, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes | Let loose on an exhilarating descent by Trotti bikes into Grindelwald Valley.
Catch stunning views of Eiger's north face from this luxurious chalet-style hotel. (pool, spa)
Hop in the saddle for a world-class descent down the Grindelwald Valley along winding rural roads | Cycle alongside the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz and past countless waterfalls | Journey from the pastoral Bernese Alps to the rugged Uri Alps, where narrow valleys are lined by towering spires of rock | Pamper yourself amongst the pristine amenities of our stunning resort | Relax off the beaten path in the quaint village of Engelberg | Trek on foot to a traditional mountain dairy farm where we get an exclusive cheese tasting at the source.
Built in 1904 but featuring tasteful modern updates, with serene mountain views out the window but a charming village center on the doorstep, this luxe property lets you have your torte and eat it too. (pool, spa)
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
Share your adventure #MyBackroadsTrip
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
The walking and hiking terrain on this trip includes a mix of dirt paths and paved and gravel roads. Most of our hikes take place at elevations of 4,000–7,000 feet, which can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest. The biking routes vary from level to rolling with a few steeper climbs. Many sections of our rides follow car-free bike paths; the Backroads support van will intersect with these routes at strategic points. The rest of our riding is on quaint country roads shared with the occasional car, as well as some busier sections entering and leaving towns. Rest assured that you can always hop in the shuttle to skip these more trafficked sections.
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
For the best riding in Switzerland, we've chosen a combination of small quiet roads and some unpaved bike paths with short stretches of limited van support. Our bikes are equipped with slightly wider tires to accommodate the path and trail surfaces. There are also some sections of urban cycling on busier roads at the end of most rides; you can always hop in the shuttle to skip these.
While the hotels on this trip offer outstanding service and amenities, please note that they are not equipped with air-conditioning and guest rooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
Encapsulating 50 nations and a dizzying amount of cultural and natural diversity, Europe is a traveler’s playground.
Stay up to date on the latest Backroads news. You’re free to opt out at any time.