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Swiss Alps - From the Eiger to the Matterhorn

Iconic peaks of the Bernese Oberland & Valais
 
Experience some of the best scenery in the Alps on this self-guided walking holiday, with luggage transported to all but the two most remote guesthouses. This holiday offers a thrilling challenge, and features classic routes, little-used trails and dramatic mountain passes, taking you to altitudes of almost 3,000 metres.
What is included
  • 14 nights
  • 11 dinners
    3 picnics
    14 breakfasts
  • luggage transported on most days (1 bag per person)
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • half-fare card
  • some bus/train/cable car journeys, as specified in the itinerary
  • Swiss Alps - From the Eiger to the Matterhorn
    Iconic peaks of the Bernese Oberland & Valais
  • Walk from beneath the Eiger
  • To the base of the Matterhorn in Zermatt
  • Use the train the shorten some routes
  • High mountain Passes - Hohtürli Pass
  • Wide open vistas
  • High Alpine villages
  • Pass through the wine producing Valais region
  • Visit remote valleys - the Turtmanntal
  • Sample local delicacies
  • Classic Swiss scenery
  • Finish in Zermatt
  • Meet the locals
What is included
  • 14 nights
  • 11 dinners
    3 picnics
    14 breakfasts
  • luggage transported on most days (1 bag per person)
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • half-fare card
  • some bus/train/cable car journeys, as specified in the itinerary
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in the Swiss Alps

Between Switzerland's most famous peaks, the Eiger and the Matterhorn, lies some of the best walking in all of the Alps. The journey from the famous north face to the iconic pyramid of the world's most recognisable mountain is a thrilling challenge, leading over high-mountain passes on true alpine trails and deep into valleys via lakes, forest and classic mountain villages.
This is a holiday promising challenge and fulfilment, covering over 150km and at times reaching altitudes of almost 3,000 metres. At such heights, well above the treeline, boulder-strewn scree slopes have a lunar quality to them but you're never far from alpine meadows teeming with flowers and insects, patrolled by whistling marmots on the ground and birds of prey overhead.

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    The best time for flowers is late June and early July.
     
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 0 1 4 8 12 16 19 18 15 10 4 1
    mm 84 80 80 99 119 142 130 153 108 85 100 86
  • Arrival in Meiringen
    Night 1: at Hotel Victoria (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.

    Although this walk spans 'just' 90 kilometres as the crow flies, it's many more on foot, with substantial ascents and descents, so where possible days start and/or end with a cable car, bus or train ride. Some of these are included; for those which are not, we provide a half-fare card so that you can benefit from discounted tickets on most journeys. The distances given for each day are the walking distances, and do not include sections on public transport.
  • Choice of walks from Meiringen: 11km or 12km

    Circular walk via the Aare Gorge: 11km, 4hrs; ascent/descent 375m
    As a warm-up for the thrilling challenge ahead, walk through the atmospheric, 200-metre-deep Aare Gorge, returning via the Reichenbach Falls of Sherlock Holmes fame.

    Linear walk from Engstlensee: 12km, 4.5hrs; ascent 700m/descent 310m
    Alternatively, take the bus up to beautiful Lake Engstlen and follow a ridge back towards Meiringen, enjoying striking views over much of the Bernese Oberland as you go. Your final descent into Meiringen is by gondola and cable car.
    Engstlensee
    Circular walk via the Aare Gorge: 11km
    Linear walk from Engstlensee: 12km
  • Meiringen to Grindelwald: 13.5km, 5.5hrs; ascent 850m/descent 580m
    To reach Grindelwald, you catch a bus (included) and then ascend through meadows, with the option of detouring into a gorge, which is very different to the Aare Gorge and offers a good insight into the scenery you will explore over the coming days. Your path continues upwards to the Grosse Scheidegg pass (1,962 metres), where you are greeted with vistas of the Eiger in all its splendour. These evolve as you descend gradually to the gondola station, where you hop aboard for the ride down to Grindelwald and the Hotel Kreuz & Post.
    Meiringen to Grindelwald: 13.5km
    Cows are everywhere!
  • Grindelwald to Wengen: 16.5km, 6.5hrs; ascent 905m/descent 1235m
    Having already been 'introduced' to the Eiger yesterday, you get properly acquainted on today's walk – after you alight from the nostalgic cog railway at Alpiglen (included), the Eiger Trail takes you right under the sheer North Face, where you may see climbers high above you. If that were not enough, there are views of glaciers to admire, and two other famous peaks – the Mönch and Jungfrau – to pass beneath, before descending through moraine, meadows and forest to beautiful Wengen, where you spend two nights at the Hotel Alpenrose on the edge of the village.
    Grindelwald to Wengen: 16.5km
    The Eiger Trail
  • Wengen to Mürren: 9km, 3.5hrs; ascent 475m/descent 765m
    Today's route winds down from Wengen, initially leading through forest to the valley floor at Lauterbrunnen. Ascend by gondola to Grütschalp (pay locally), from where you pick up the Mountain View Trail, aptly named as it provides a splendid backdrop of the mighty trio of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Your destination is Mürren, where you spend two nights at the Hotel Eiger.
    Wengen to Mürren: 9km
    Cross the Lauterbrunnen valley
  • Circuit from Mürren: 10.5km, 4hrs; ascent/descent 760m
    With its fantastic views, the delightful, traffic-free village of Mürren is the perfect spot for a day of relaxation. You might like to take the cable car (pay locally) to the revolving restaurant at the top of the Schilthorn, where scenes from the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service were shot. But if you would prefer more walking, we suggest a route along the nearby Sefinental, gently climbing into the atmospheric amphitheatre of the Chilchbalm. Huge rock walls, glacial ice and waterfalls give a cathedral-like sense of scale and calm, and the kind of mountain experience you’d normally have to work hard to find.
    Enjoy a circuit from Mürren
  • Choice of walks from Mürren to Griesalp: 13.5km or 15.5km

    Mürren to Griesalp (high-level route): 15.5km, 6hrs; ascent 1040m/descent 1240m
    This is the most challenging walk of the holiday so far, but is rewarded by spectacular views of the north faces of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Your target for the first leg is the Sefinenfurke Pass, which means a long ascent, gentle at first but then steeper as you ascend to an altitude of 2,612 metres. Linger at the pass to drink in the panorama before the long descent through an unspoiled valley to the settlement of Griesalp and the Berggasthaus Golderli. Due to the remote location of the guesthouse.

    Mürren to Griesalp (low-level route): 13.5km, 6hrs; ascent 1150m/descent 400m
    For a lower level option, take trains and a cable car from Mürren to Reichenbach (pay locally) and walk through the Kiental Valley, past a number of waterfalls, to Griesalp. 
    Sefinenfurke Pass
    Mürren to Griesalp (high-level route): 15.5km
    Mürren to Griesalp (low-level route): 13.5km
  • Choice of walks from Griesalp to Kandersteg: 16km or 18km

    Griesalp to Kandersteg via the Hohtürli Pass: 16km, 7hrs; ascent 1435m/descent 1710m
    To reach the Hohtürli Pass – which at 2,778 metres is even higher than the pass you walked over yesterday – you have another long, and at times steep, ascent, although the extensive panoramas which open up before you more than compensate for the effort! The ensuing descent takes you close to the Blüemlisalp Glacier, past remote farmhouses surrounded by huge boulders, and finally above the turquoise blue waters of Oeschinensee, set in an amphitheatre of mountains. Your final destination is Kandersteg, where you spend two nights at the Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria.

    Griesalp to Kandersteg via Reichenbach (low-level route): 18km, 6.5hrs; ascent 710m/descent 1305m
    Alternatively, follow the Höhenweg (high path), keeping a high contour along the Kiental Valley before descending into Reichenbach, from where you catch the train to Kandersteg (pay locally). 
    Hohturli Pass
    Griesalp to Kandersteg via the Hohtürli Pass: 16km
    Griesalp to Kandersteg via Reichenbach (low-level route): 18km
  • Choice of walks from Kandersteg: 10km to 15km

    Gasterntal 
    We highly recommend exploring the tranquil and secluded Gastern Valley. Now a nature reserve, it is renowned as the glacial valley in the Bernese Oberland. We have two options into the valley: 
    Kander Gorge and the Gasterntal – grade 2-3 option; 13km, 5hrs; ascent 580m/descent 250m
    A short bus ride from your hotel takes you to the lower end of the spectacular Kander Gorge, through which you climb to emerge into the Gastern Valley, known for the steep rock walls of its southern side, with spectacular waterfalls. Head up the valley to the remote hamlet of Selde before making a circuit of the upper river, enjoying views of the impressive head of the valley. Arriving back in the hamlet, you return to Kandersteg by minibus shuttle.
    Uschene Valley: 10km, 3hrs; ascent 150m/descent 640m
    Another option is to explore the pretty Uschene Valley, by taking the Allmenalp cable car into the imposing mountains to the west of Kandersteg. From here, you continue along a panoramic contour into the Uschene Valley then descend to Kandersteg on foot.
    Far reaching views from Allmenalp
    Gasterntal
  • Kandersteg to Leukerbad: 16km, 5.5hrs; ascent 630m/descent 1155m
    Setting off from Kandersteg, you take the bus and cable car to Sunnbüel and from here ascend towards the Gemmi Pass (2,270 metres) via the Schwarenbach Hotel where Sherlock Holmes 'stayed' on his way to meet Moriarty. The pass has been an important trading route since Roman times, and marks the border between the Bernese Oberland and the Valais. An impressive path zigzags down the mountainside to the spa town of Leukerbad or, to give you time to make the most of the thermal baths, you could take the cable car (opens 29 June - included). Your base in Leukerbad is the Parkhotel Quellenhof.
    Kandersteg to Leukerbad: 16km
    The Gemini Pass
  • Leukerbad to Salgesch: 13.5km, 4hrs; ascent 355m/descent 1175m
    Today you leave the heights of the Bernese Oberland for the vineyards of the Rhône Valley. As you leave Leukerbad, you climb through dramatic cliffs before gradually descending to Salgesch and the Hotel Arkanum.
    Leukerbad to Salgesch: 13.5km
    The descent to Salgesch
  • Salgesch to Gruben: 13km, 6hrs; ascent 1190m/descent 695m
    Today's walk starts with a short train ride (included) eastwards along the Rhône Valley to connect with the cable car from the picturesque village of Turtmann up into the mountains which lie to the south. You rise through forest then traverse the rock-strewn western slopes of the remote Turtmann Valley, one of the least developed valleys of the Pennine Alps, to reach the historic Hotel Schwarzhorn near Gruben. Given its isolated location, you'll need to bring an overnight bag with you.
    Salgesch to Gruben: 13km
    Remote Turtmanntal
  • Gruben to Zermatt: 17km, 7hrs; ascent 1120m/descent 1840m; shorter option using cable car: 13km, 5hrs; ascent 1120m/descent 1100m
    With Italy not far away, this demanding but thoroughly exhilarating route takes you to the highest point yet: the Augstbord Pass at 2,893 metres. As you descend, views open over the Mischabel massif of 4,000-metre peaks and glaciers, including the mighty Dom – the third-highest mountain in the Alps. You pass through a small hamlet perched high above the Matter Valley, from where you can either descend on foot or by cable car to the village of St Niklaus to catch the train (included) for the final leg up the valley to Zermatt. The vistas throughout the day have been superb, but the best is saved until last: as you make your way to the elegant Hotel la Ginabelle, you finally get to see the Matterhorn.
    Gruben to Zermatt: 17km
    The Augstbord Pass
  • Choice of walks from Zermatt: 15km or 15.5km

    Circular walk via lakes: 15.5km, 5hrs; ascent 495m/descent 1070m
    Having spent the last few days anticipating your arrival in the walker's paradise of Zermatt, it's only right that you have a final day of walking here on the slopes surrounding the iconic Matterhorn. This first option starts with a classic cog railway ride to Riffelalp, and explores the lakes to the east of Zermatt below the Findel Glacier. Be sure to bring your camera; on a clear day the pyramidal form of the Matterhorn is perfectly reflected in the glassy waters of Stellisee. The descent back to town takes you through ancient hamlets and forest, and passes some of the region's finest mountain restaurants. There is the option of taking the lift from Sunnegga to reduce the descent.

    Circular walk via Trockener Steg: 15km, 5hrs; ascent 270m/descent 1560m
    The second option takes you within touching distance of the glaciers which sweep down from the border with Italy. After a gondola ride to Trockener Steg at nearly 3,000 metres, you cross a stark landscape dotted with glacial lakes and dominated by the classic Matterhorn east-face view, which looms ever larger as you come within one kilometre of this iconic mountain – a fitting finale to your adventure.
    Lunch with a view
    The Gornergrat from Zermatt
    Circular walk via lakes: 15.5km
    Circular walk via Trockener Steg: 15km
 

Accommodation

You mostly stay in 3 and 4-star hotels, meaning that you can relax in comfort at the end of each day's walk. So that you can enjoy the best routes, the holiday also features two splendidly located mountain guesthouses. Due to their remote locations, we do not transport your luggage to them, so you'll need to carry an overnight bag with you. You needn't pack much, however, as they are relaxed, informal places, and there's no need to dress up for the convivial dinners.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 14 nights: 27 June 2025 - 30 September 2025 & 26 June 2026 - 30 September 2026

    Start any day except Thursday | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    27 Jun - 19 Aug 2025 £3620 £560
    20 - 31 Aug 2025 £3530 £560
    1 - 16 Sep 2025 £3400 £550
    26 Jun - 19 Aug 2026 £3825 £590
    20 - 31 Aug 2026 £3730 £590
    1 - 16 Sep 2026 £3590 £580
    3rd & 4th person discount -£52 to -£55
    Single traveller supplement £121 to £128

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Included travel: return rail from Zürich or Geneva Airport. A Half-Fare Card is also included, providing you with half-price tickets for trains, bus and boat journeys and up to 50% reduction on private railways and cable cars.

    If you would prefer to drive from the UK, please contact us for self-drive prices.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    14 nights: 27 June 2025 - 30 September 2025 & 26 June 2026 - 30 September 2026

    Start any day except Thursday | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    27 Jun - 19 Aug 2025 £4040 £560
    20 - 31 Aug 2025 £3980 £560
    1 - 16 Sep 2025 £3835 £550
    26 Jun - 19 Aug 2026 £4265 £590
    20 - 31 Aug 2026 £4205 £590
    1 - 16 Sep 2026 £4050 £580
    3rd & 4th person discount -£52 to -£55
    Single traveller supplement £121 to £128

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to either Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, or Lille, with onward travel as described below.

    Included travel from the UK: Out: UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Meiringen (TGV/regional rail), approx. duration 9h40 plus 0h05 walk to the hotel. Home: Zermatt–Paris (TGV/regional rail), Paris–UK (Eurostar), approx. duration 11h30 plus 0h05 taxi transfer.
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect
    A Half-Fare Card is included, providing you with half-price tickets for trains, bus and boat journeys and up to 50% reduction on private railways and cable cars.

    If you book your holiday less than 6 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel Victoria, Meiringen
    Superior: 27 Jun - 27 Sep 2025 £26
    Superior: 26 Jun - 30 Sep 2026 £27
    Hotel Kreuz & Post, Grindelwald
    Junior suite: 27 Jun - 27 Sep 2025 £50
    Junior suite: 26 Jun - 27 Sep 2026 £53
    Junior suite: 26 Jun - 30 Sep 2026 £53
    Hotel Alpenrose, Wengen
    South-facing with balcony: 27 Jun - 27 Sep 2025 £34
    South-facing with balcony: 26 Jun - 30 Sep 2026 £36
    Hotel Eiger, Mürren
    Eiger view with balcony: 27 Jun - 27 Sep 2025 £30
    Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria, Kandersteg
    Mini-suite: 27 Jun - 27 Sep 2025 £50
    Mini-suite: 26 Jun - 30 Sep 2026 £53
    Hotel La Ginabelle, Zermatt
    'Comfort' with balcony & Matterhorn view: 27 Jun - 27 Sep 2025 £21
    'Comfort' with balcony & Matterhorn view: 26 Jun - 30 Sep 2026 £22
    Superior with balcony & Matterhorn view: 27 Jun - 27 Sep 2025 £36
    Superior with balcony & Matterhorn view: 26 Jun - 30 Sep 2026 £38

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel Victoria, Meiringen (with dinner) Double room Single room
    27 Jun - 27 Sep 2025 £225 £271
    26 Jun - 30 Sep 2026 £240 £289
    Hotel Kreuz & Post, Grindelwald (with dinner) Double room Single room
    27 Jun - 21 Aug 2025 £255 £287
    22 Aug - 27 Sep 2025 £205 £237
    26 Jun - 21 Aug 2026 £270 £304
    22 Aug - 27 Sep 2026 £0 £34
    22 Aug - 30 Sep 2026 £215 £215
    Hotel Alpenrose, Wengen (with dinner) Double room Single room
    27 Jun - 14 Sep 2025 £165 £189
    15 Sep - 27 Sep 2025 £140 £164
    26 Jun - 14 Sep 2026 £175 £200
    15 Sep - 30 Sep 2026 £150 £175
    Parkhotel Quellenhof, Leukerbad (with dinner) Double room Single room
    27 Jun - 27 Sep 2025 £185 £221
    26 Jun - 30 Sep 2026 £195 £233
    Hotel La Ginabelle, Zermatt (with dinner) Double room Single room
    27 Jun - 15 Aug 2025 £210 £248
    16 Aug - 27 Sep 2025 £205 £241
    26 Jun - 15 Aug 2026 £220 £260
    16 Aug - 30 Sep 2026 £215 £253
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Zürich or Geneva
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Zürich or Geneva. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Zurich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Aberdeen - Zurich (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Zurich Swiss 
    Birmingham - Zurich (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Geneva easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Geneva easyJet 
    Bristol - Geneva (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Bristol - Zurich Swiss 
    Bristol - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Geneva easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Zurich Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Geneva easyJet 
    Glasgow - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Geneva easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Geneva British Airways,  Swiss 
    London City - Zurich British Airways,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Geneva British Airways,  easyJet,  Swiss 
    Gatwick - Zurich easyJet,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Geneva British Airways,  Swiss 
    Heathrow - Zurich British Airways,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Geneva easyJet 
    Luton - Zurich easyJet,  Vueling 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Geneva easyJet 
    Manchester - Zurich Lufthansa,  Swiss 
    Manchester - Zurich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Zurich (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Geneva easyJet 
    Newcastle - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Zurich (via Paris CDG) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Zürich or Geneva. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Geneva

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Geneva airport to Meiringen (3h30), walk to hotel (0h02) included 1630
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    transfer hotel to Zermatt station (0h02), rail Zermatt to Geneva airport (3h55) included 1400

    Connecting travel options - flying via Zürich

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Zürich airport to Meiringen (2h30), walk to hotel (0h02) included 1730
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    transfer hotel to station (0h02), rail Zermatt to Zürich airport (3h40) included 1400
 
Reviews

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We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 11 reviews
  • Anon
    29 August 2024

    The hiking on this trip is absolutely stunning and should be a must do by anyone who loves hiking in the mountains.  We've done 8 European self guided hiking holidays since 2022 and this is currently our all time favorite.  Inn Travel does a good job of providing challenging routes, inter-mixed with hiking days that are still delightful hikes but not as challenging.  We would rate this trip as a 2/3 trip (not a 3 overall, as rated by Inn Travel), as not all days are level 3.  We trained quite a bit over the summer hiking in the mountains of California for a trip in September and found the uphill sections to be completely do-able if you are fit.  The downhills were the most challenging part, as our knees took a beating (63 & 65 years old knees).  Appreciated the cable cars/gondolas to reduce the downhills where possible.

     

    Highlights and Tips by day: 

    1. Around Meiringen: We arrived early enough in Meriringen on day 0, that we were able to do the Aare Gorge/Reichenbach falls hike that day.  The Aare gorge was underwhelming, as super crowded and not the most scenic gorge we've ever visited.  Once we escaped the slow, crowded slog through the gorge, the rest of the hike was lovely.  One tip, is to keep on the dirt path to Reichenbach falls vs turning down the road as indicated in the trip notes/GPX. That will bring you in higher up the hill next to the falls and you will get 3 view points to see the falls as you hike down to meet the Inn Travel route. 

    Be aware that the bus for Option B hike to Engstlensee-Planplatten stops running in mid August and does't resume until late September, so hike B isn't an option if you travel during that period.  We spoke to the hotel and Tourist Info and found a great alternate hike for Day 1.  Take the 3 trams from Meiringen up to top of Planplatten (Alpen Tower).  See the views off to the right of the tram building as you disembark, but then commence hiking out the left of the tram building to Haaggen and Hochstrasse (maps available at hotel).  Seeing distant views of the Eiger on Day 1 of our aptly named Eiger to Matterhorn Hiking Trip was a highlight.  We then hiked from Hochstrasse down to Kaserstatt and across to Magisalp, from where we took the 2 lower trams back to town.  Be aware that Hotel Victoria has extremely small rooms, we upgraded to a larger room and it was still quite small.  

    2. Meiringen to Grindelwald: This is a fairly easy pass crossing over Grosse Scheidegg.  Well graded, without any challenging uphills.  Definitely stop at the Rosenlaui Gorge, which is much more scenic than the Aare Gorge and not overwhelmed with people, thus much more enjoyable to visit.  Be aware that Grindelwald is pretty much a tourist town, which we didn't expect.  Hotel rooms at Hotel Kreuz & Post have good views of Eiger.  Be sure to go up on hotel roof deck with a drink for post hike relaxation and even better Eiger views.  

    3. Grindelwald to Wengen:  When we were there the train line was under construction, so either had to walk or take bus to get to the cog wheel train to Alpiglen.  Easier just to walk in reality if you face this situation - hotel can give you walking directions to the cog railway as Inn Travel doesn't mention the train isn't running.  The Eiger trail up to Eigergletscher Station is a great hike, not too hard but the up hill will get your heart pumping.  This day had a very long downhill that seemed to go on forever before we reached Wengen, most of the later part in the woods so not particularly scenic.  However, seeing a Mountain Ibex with hugely long curving horns in the woods made up for the knee pounding downhill. Hotel Alpenrose was lovely - we were in the auxillary building with great valley views and cute Alpine furniture.  A bit old fashioned, but a great room, great staff and excellent dinner.

    4. Wengen to Murren: This was a rain day for us, with higher elevations socked in with fog.  Hotel Alpenrose was super helpful in suggesting that we instead walk in Lauterbrunnen Valley.  We took the train down to Lauterbrunnen, then hiked part way up the Inn Travel route to get to some viewpoints over the valley, then hiked on both left and right sides of river down to the Stechelberg cable car to Mürren.  We also walked over to the waterfall/gorge midway down the valley, but it had so many tourists in line that we feared a repeat of the unpleasant experience at Aare gorge, so we skipped this and continued on to the cable car.  This alternate hike route ended up being a really good choice, as the heavy rain up high was just a light mist with some clearing in the valley and the waterfalls and mist were very scenic on the walk down the Lauterbrunnen Valley.  Ended up being a very nice day of walking with paved walking path or hard packed earth paths. 

    Unfortuntely, Hotel Drei Berge was one of the most disapointing hotels on the trip.  Lacking in customer service with poorly trained staff.  Lost our room reservation and luggage didn't arrive, with hotel unwilling to try to find our luggage.  Eventually got a room for the night, which apparently was an upgrade.  Rooms are very dark and small, even with upgrade.  Dinner was pretty disappointing, but they did have a very nice breakfast buffet with much better staff working at breakfast.  Great chocolate chip cookies offered at breakfast buffet that we ate for lunch.

    5. Murren to Griesalp: This is definitely a grade 3 day!  Stunning hiking, with views of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau behind you as you climb up to Sefinental pass.  One of the highlights of the trip.  The last climb to the pass is on super steep steps (almost a vertical ladder) and then there is a narrow spine with a couple of benches where you can take in the views.  Vertigo sufferers beware.  Hotel Golderli was lovely for a rustic mountain hotel.  Alexandra, the owner, is a lovely person.  The dinner was the best we had so far on the trip, despite being a rustic, mountain hotel.  Rain was forecast later the next day, so Alexandra suggested an early breakfast at 6:30 am so we could get an early start and make it over and down most of the pass before the rain started.  Super kind of her.  The rain pretty much held off until we were along the shores of Oschinensee lake.

    6. Griesalp to Kandersteg: Another grade 3 day, so two hard hikes in a row!  More stunning hiking over Hohturli Pass.   Downhill after the pass is one of most difficult downhills of the hike, with lots of loose rock to negotiate.  Be aware that if you have bad weather and can't do Hohturli Pass, that the Inn Travel notes for Route B are completely out of date according to Alexandra at Griesalp.  Hopefully Inn Travel gets those updated soon. 

    Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria in Kandersteg - this is a large hotel that seems to cater to tour groups over individual guests, with several large tour groups there during our two nights at the hotel.  Makes meals less enjoyable and seemingly resulted in lower quality of food - worst dinners of the trip.  We upgraded to mini suite, which gave us a nice large room with a large walk in closet.  That was nice, as we did lots of laundry and had space to hang it all to dry.

    7. Around Kandersteg: Another rain day for us, so waiter suggested there was no need to do the van trip to the hike option A and that we instead just walk from hotel up the Kander Gorge and turn around whenever the rain got really bad.  We got caught in some heavy rain on the return, but it was still a lovely walk.

    8. Kandersteg to Leukerbad: Another fairly easy hiking day over to Gemmi Pass.  Oddly, Inn Travel hike directions don't include route notes/GPX to get to top of Sunnbuel even through cable car tickets are not included, at the end of the hike they have hike directions/GPX down to Leukerbad even though cable car ticket is provided.  A bit odd.  This was a pretty easy, short hike day, so it would have been nice to have the option to hike to the top of Sonbuel vs taking the cable car up. We did the high route above the lake, which seemed to be the more interesting route.  Note that in one spot the GPX doesn't follow the recommended Inn Travel route in an area where Inn Travel warns of hazards if you don't take the alternate path.  Keep track of the hike notes if you take the high route as you get closer to the lake, just in case the GPX doesn't get updated to match the walk notes.

    9.  We added an extra night in Leukerbad as a rest day, but given bad weather forecast for the days we were to hike to Gruben and over Augstbord Pass, we chose to hike in Leukerbad and switched our rest day to an extra night we booked at the last minute in Salgesch.  We highly recommend the hike from Leukerbad, up through the river gorge, up to Majingsee, continuing along the side of Majingalp, and up to Fluealp and Fluekapelle.  We then returned downhill through Clabinalp and Balies to Leurkerbad.  Made for a great loop hike, with great snow capped mountain views and even some glacial ice to hike across.  

    10.  Leukerbad to Salgesch - an easy hiking day down into the wine growing area of the Wallis/Valais.  Completely different scenery (and great wines - try the Heida white wine and Cornalin red wine - our 2 favorites from the area).

    11.  We spent an extra night in Salgesch (arranged and paid for on our own 2 days earlier), as we ddin't want to get stranded in Gruben with 20 inches of snow and high winds in the forecast.  This allowed us to take 1.5 hour train straight from Salgesch to Zermatt instead of a 4 or 5 hour multi step trip from Gruben to Zermatt.

    12.  Zermatt was a bit of a shock to the system at first, as it is a super busy, densely built town with lots of tourists compared to all the small towns we'd been in during the prior hiking days.  The hiking is fabulous, though, and we loved our time in Zermatt and were super glad we added 2 extra nights in Zermatt.  We stayed at Hotel Christiania, as Hotel La Ginabelle flooded in May and closed for the season.  We had upgraded to a Matterhorn view and Hotel Christiania did not disappoint.  Fabulous views from our room and the dining room.  Given that La Ginabelle is at bottom of the hill there doesn't seem to be any way their view can compare to what we had Hotel Christiania.  Hope you can stay at Hotel Christiania too!

    We loved the following hikes in Zermatt:  Day 1: Challenging hike up Wissenhornweg (#32) to Trift Hutte, then continued on Eidelweissweg (#30) and back to Zermatt (made up for missing the challenging hike over Augstbord Pass!);  Day 2: Matterhorn Glacier Trail, hiking up to Furi before getting on cable car, Day 3: Gornergrat Railway to the top and then hike down to the Monte Rosa Glacier Trail and hiked out to the glacier.  Probably saw 4 people on this trail. (skip the hike to Riffelsee and the lower unnamed lake as swarming with tourists), Day 4: Easy day hike up to Furi, to the hanging bridge and Glacier Garden and back to Zermatt, before we caught the train to head on to the rest of our holiday.  Based on feedback from the hotel and other hikers, we avoided the 5 lakes hike as it is reportedly very crowded.  Fabulous Matterhorn views from all our hikes.

    Remaining tips: 

    Load the following apps on your phone: MateoBlue - best weather app for hiking in Switzerland (provides better detail than MateoSwiss), Peak Finder - tells you what peaks you are seeing by using your camera (nominal fee for this app).

    Expect varied weather.  We had everything from 30C (85F) weather to having to change our route due to snow and gale force winds - all within the first 2 weeks of September.  Until we got to Zermatt, we mostly hiked in long sleeve hiking shirts and hiking pants, except for 2 rain days.  Zermatt was the exception where the weather had really cooled down and despite sunny days we wore our down jackets and light weight gloves all but one day. 

    Highly recommend this trip.  it is fabulous to do the full 2 weeks at once and really see a broad swath of the swiss alps.

     

     

  • Mrs C Brockman
    Godstone
    21 August 2024

    This was our most challenging walking holiday to date. You do need to have a very good level of fitness and we did make use of the cable cars, where possible on the desents to save our knees. Having said that, the scenery and the views make the efforts all worth while and this will be one of our most memorable walking holidays.

    All the hotels were great and our best meal was at the Hotel Quellenhof.

    We did the Aare gorge walk but rather than retrace our steps after the first view point we continued up and over the falls to pick up the trail again at the bottom on the other side of the falls using the GPX.

    In Murren, the Eiger guesthouse did a fabulous meal on our second night.

    We went to the Alpentherme baths in Leukerbad which we thoroughly enjoyed (if you get the ticket from the hotel its a bit cheaper)

    The Uschene valley walk in Kandersteg was delightful and relatively easy as well, it is worth either having lunch or at least a drink in the mountain restaurant Lohner.

    We used the GPX and set off quite early on most days so we were not under any time pressures, I also had walking poles to take the pressure off of my knees when descending. All our picnics, except the included ones, were purchased at the supermarket, mostly the Coop. We only had one day of mist/rain so we were very lucky. I recommend downloading the Swiss travel app as this was very useful.

    In summary there are 4 or 5 very demanding walks, with long sustained ascents & descents but the scenery is spectacular and we absolutely loved this walking holiday.

     

     

  • Mr P, London
    26 July 2024

    For experienced and fit mountain hikers, this is a great trek and is very well organised. Weather always influences the safety of high routes so it's useful to have the alternatives already mapped out. The accommodation, food and baggage transfer is just what you need after a long day in the mountains. The views at times are stunning.

  • Dartmoor walkers
    08 September 2023

    Great holiday, as always Inntravel produced great notes, guidance and travel assistance. We felt safe and well looked after. The level 3 walks were challenging and quite hard in places but as we got fitter they became more easier, 100% recommend investing in a GPS device that you can download GPX maps on, fellow travelers got lost a few times but we followed notes and GPS and did absolutely fine. The hotel were amazing and a great rewarding experience after a hard day walking. 

  • Mr M Sharman
    Totnes
    08 September 2023

    We particularly enjoyed the first hotel, the food was amazing as was the hotel in Zermatt. The biggest disappointment was the hotel at Kandersteg, the meals were very poor particularly the Saturday buffet which was more like motorway service food, also the room was quite shabby with very stained soft furnishings and dirty shower screen. All the other hotels were pleasant although the one in Salgesch was pretty basic but the staff were lovely.

  • J&A Ganter
    24 August 2023

    The quality of the holiday was exceptional; from the walking descriptions/instructions, transportation, luggage transfer, and quality of hotels/meals.  We really enjoyed the routes and scenery of the selected walks from town to town.  Inntravel made things very easy and we will be using them again for future trips!

  • Anon
    30 July 2023

    We are both in our early 60s. We enhanced our trip adding in additional night stays to break up the longer walks, see more and use the facilities (e.g. the spa at Leukerbad) in the areas we walked through. This made the holiday all the more enjoyable and special for us.

  • Anon
    01 July 2023

    Excellent walks and hotel variety. Would recommend the glacier walk in Zermatt which was a fantastic experience (and worth paying to go up to the Matterhorn Galcier paradice first). The walk to Chilchbalm was stunning. 

  • Mr P Ewing
    Sunderland
    30 June 2023

    This was a superb holiday with highlights throughout.

    Having an extra night in Kandersteg and in Zermatt helped to have a relatively relaxed middle and end to the holiday.

  • Mr J McLellan
    Bristol
    14 August 2022

    This is a spectacular trip that takes you right into the high Alps, with stunning views. Switzerland is a lovely country to visit, where everything works and people seem very content to help visitors have a good holiday. There is a mix of walking that makes every day feel different - woods, forest, passes, alpine meadows, river valleys etc. We have previously been on Inntravel trips to Cerdanya, Picos and Dolomites but found the walking on this much more demanding than any of these. Due to fab signposting, it is possible to devise other options and we found we had to do this on some days as the day-to-day effort was a bit too much for us. Allow more time in Zermatt!

  • Mrs S Buck
    Newton Abbot
    01 August 2022

    The arrangements by Inntravel were excellent and the accompanying notes made everything straightforward. The scenery was absolutely stunning and although the walking was strenuous the views made the effort worthwhile. The share table at Golderli allowed us to meet fellow travellers and we had a super evening in the company of like minded travellers who lived in Switzerland when we learnt things about the country that you do not tend to see in guide books. The best highlight was whilst we were descending on a mountain path. We spoke to two people in their mountain home garden and they asked us in for a coffee and then schnapps.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
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  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Switzerland, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official languages are German, spoken in the majority of the country; French, spoken in the south-west; Italian, spoken in the south-east; and Romansch, mostly limited to the Engadine valley. The currency is the Franc. Swiss time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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£3400pp | 14 nights
Swiss Alps - From the Eiger to the Matterhorn. 14 nights
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£3400pp
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