Switzerland Family Hiking & Walking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-5
Luxury & Casual Hotels
Switzerland Family Hiking & Walking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-5
Luxury & Casual Hotels
2027: Jun-Aug
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
Kick off your Alpine adventure with a ridgeline walk above the Adelboden Valley • Ascend by gondola to the Wildflower Trail and Hahnenmoos Pass • By foot or by scooter? Go ultra-Swiss and opt to coast down the mountain to our hotel in town • Settle into your room to the distant sounds of jingling cowbells and the thundering water of Engstligen Falls.
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
A challenging route to Leukerbad leads over the Gemmi Pass, an ancient trade route between valleys once walked by Mark Twain during his European travels • Soaring cable cars whisk your family over the toughest ups and downs • Hike alongside a glacial lake and wander between massive rocks overgrown by lush Alpine grass • Traverse a narrow gorge on a thrilling series of bridges, stairs and gangways • Discover the age-old process behind Swiss cheese at a traditional farm • Hike through a wonderland of plummeting meadows and views from endless new angles at the top of the Leukerbad Valley • 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
All aboard! Forget the shuttle and instead follow your leaders on a group train journey to our next destination • Visit one of the herb gardens that provides ingredients for Ricola’s world-renowned candy and teas • Opt to chase marmot sightings on the high meadows beneath the Matterhorn or hike into town via the narrow walls of the Gorner Gorge • Wander the ritzy, rustic streets of Zermatt, base camp for Matterhorn climbers (and oglers) • Trek to jaw-dropping vistas of the Gornergletscher • Arrive by foot or by cogwheel train to the Gornergrat, where an interactive museum invites you through mountaineering history and the Monte Rosa, Switzerland’s highest summit, gleams overhead • A festive family 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.
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Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.