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Walking & Hiking
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Switzerland Walking & Hiking Tour
Swiss Alps Adventure from Interlaken to Zermatt
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 2-5
Premiere Hotels
From: $5,599 - $5,999 pp dbl occ
($1,550 - $1,600 for sgl occ)
Prepare to be awestruck. Exhilarated. In this place where trails lead to remote hamlets, glacial lakes and green pastures, over hidden mountain passes and beside sparkling glaciers. Where chalets welcome you with a cold beer or a rich hot chocolate. Prepare for the height of Switzerland. Prepare for an incredible Swiss Alps hiking tour.
Switzerland Walking & Hiking Tour map
Switzerland
Start Interlaken / End Zermatt
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Hike across passes amid snowcapped peaks into meadows where dairy cows graze—the ultimate alpine experience
- Delight in 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 and sample delicious regional wines and chocolates
- Relax in Leukerbad's thermal spring waters, whose natural mineral riches are believed to have therapeutic benefits
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Description
Experience a quintessential Switzerland hiking tour | Begin with a ridgeline walking tour above the Adelboden Valley | Ascend by gondola to the Wildflower Trail and Hahnenmoos Pass | Alpine pastures, tumbling waterfalls and glistening glaciers stretch out before you.
Accommodations
The Cambrian
Adelboden
| Premiere Hotel Spectacular views of the Bernese Oberland surround us at this mountain retreat with modern design sensibilities. (pool, spa)
Days 2-3
Description
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.
Accommodations
Les Sources des Alpes
Leukerbad
| 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)
Days 4-6
Description
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 which offers magnificent vistas | A festive dinner featuring local cheeses and chocolate fondue marks the last night of this grand alpine hiking adventure.
Accommodations
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Zermatt
| Premiere Hotel Set in the heart of Zermatt, this landmark luxury hotel was built in 1879 under the shadow of the Matterhorn. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
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.
June 2024
July 2024
August 2024
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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
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From our Guests
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#MyBackroadsTrip
Share your adventure #MyBackroadsTrip
Activity Level:
2-5
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.
Route notes
The terrain on this trip includes well-maintained paths and rugged mountain trails, with some steps, rocky sections and steep descents. Most activities on this trip take place at elevations of 4,000–7,000 feet (and up to 10,000 feet), which can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest. Thanks to the marvels of Swiss transportation, no support van is needed on this trip; we often use cable cars to access the best high-altitude hikes.
Daily Route Options
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.
Route notes
The terrain on this trip includes well-maintained paths and rugged mountain trails, with some steps, rocky sections and steep descents. Most activities on this trip take place at elevations of 4,000–7,000 feet (and up to 10,000 feet), which can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest. Thanks to the marvels of Swiss transportation, no support van is needed on this trip; we often use cable cars to access the best high-altitude hikes.
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
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.
Terrain & Shuttles
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.
Two Leaders
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.
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.
Terrain & Shuttles
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.
Two Leaders
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.
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