Switzerland Walking & Hiking Tour
Switzerland Walking & Hiking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-5
Premiere Hotels
2025: Jul-Sep2026: 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
- Hike across passes, between snowcapped peaks and through meadows where dairy cows graze
- Climb to panoramic vistas of the winding Gornergletscher, the second-largest ice field in the Alps
- Feast the Swiss way as you dine on local cheeses, sample regional wines and perhaps savor a trailside drink in a cozy chalet
- 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
- Experience the charming mountaineering town of Zermatt, nestled in the shadow of the iconic Matterhorn
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
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 38 customers
Amazing views and food!
Our trip was so much fun! The hikes had beautiful views and the food was amazing! Great people and a great time!
What a Country
Switzerland was absolutely breathtaking. Hiking is a great way to see the country and this trip exceeded our expectations. Hikes were well planned and in great locations. This was our first Backroads trip and we will definitely use them again.
The trip of a lifetime!
The hiking trip in Switzerland was amazing! I loved the day of hiking to the cheese farm, epic! The weather was the best and the scenery was breathtaking! I loved hiking to the farm, having lunch and a tour and then hiking back to Leukerbad after. And the food prepared by our guides and the lady at the farm was delicious, fresh cheese cake!
The Trip of a Lifetime
Absolutely delightful, skilled leaders set a positive, inclusive tone for our group that resulted in everyone thoroughly enjoying each other as well as the breathtaking views, amazing Swiss culture and whatever activity level and cultural experience we desired! There were happy surprises daily. Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, another fantastic experience would occur. It was an exhilarating, beautiful week. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Backroads is always exceeding expectations
I go on Backroads trips knowing they'll be fantastic, but it's the thoughtfulness and kindness of the guides that makes these trips top tier. We loved Yolanda and Rebecca who did amazing guiding us all through beautiful Switzerland. From visiting sleepy villages to bustling towns, you see it all. There were times we could not believe the stunning views on our hikes, and even right from our hotel windows, were real. And all the fellow travelers who comprised our group were wonderful individuals who also had a great time. Switzerland is a must visit country and you have to do it with Backroads!
Amazing
I can't say enough good things about this trip. It was our honeymoon. Our leaders, David and Yolanda, went out of their way to make us feel special. The hikes are stunning. We can't wait for another Backroads trip.
Trip of a lifetime!
This was the best trip I have ever taken. The leaders, their attention to detail, and passion they exuded were outstanding. They were knowledgeable, personable, and made such an effort to connect with each of the guests and ensure their satisfaction. Backroads took all of the stress out of planning and provided us with guided structure as well as necessary "down-time" daily. The hotels were lovely and the meals tasty. There was a good balance between group activities and "on your own" time. Marko and David were exceptional leaders who ensured that our first Backroads trip will not be our last. I can't say enough positive comments about our experience, it was truly wonderful.
Trip of a lifetime
We had a spectacular time! We had a range of abilities in our group and there was something for everyone. You definitely want to do some hiking to get ready, I'm not an experienced hiker and I was really glad I had done some training. Entire experience was amazing! I'm so glad we ended up on this trip! We will be back!
Wonderful Trip and Amazing Adventure Travel Company
This was an amazing trip. The leaders were incredible, knowledgeable and expertly trained to deal with almost any situation. If you want a vacation that's more than just sitting around in a hotel or cruise ship and want to see the location first-hand, this is for you. Highly recommended!
Not to be missed!
This trip exceeded our expectations. Our leaders were welcoming, knowledgeable, fun, and fantastic in every way. It was our first Backroads trip and we were a little wary of traveling with other families, but we all absolutely loved it! We all made friends we will keep in touch with for many years, and we had a blast. The hikes are breathtaking, the hotels were perfect, and the little extra activities like visiting a cheese hut on the mountain and learning how to play the alp horn only added to the magic. It was a wonderful experience we will never forget! I highly recommend this trip!!
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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