Walking Holidays in Switzerland

Aeschi • Davos • Engelberg • Goms Valley • Grindelwald • Gstaad • Kandersteg • Lower Engadine • Meiringen • Meiringen Winter Walking • Murren • Val d'Anniviers • Zermatt • Bernese Highlights East - Hotel to Hotel (7 nights) • Bernese Highlights West - Hotel to Hotel (7nights) • Haute Route - Hotel to Hotel • Lower Engadine - Hotel to Hotel • Two and Multi Centre Holidays • Wildstrubel - Hotel to Hotel Trek

Switzerland is probably the best country in the world for walking holidays with spectacular scenery and a transport infrastructure which helps the walker reach new heights! Walking in Switzerland is a national sport and they have therefore developed a wonderful network of clearly marked paths that open up many remote areas offering breathtaking scenery. The people are always welcoming to visitors who are taking walking holidays in Switerland and happy to help you make the most from your visit to their country. It is also extremely good value for money as the high standard of hotels stunning walking and excellent food make it an attractive destination.

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Mysterious moors rushing waterfalls cascading down the mountains jagged rock formations and lush Alpine meadows covered with flowers never fail to enchant the onlooker. Here you will find total relaxation leisure time to breathe deeply to marvel at the simple things in life which make Switzerland so wonderful.

In some parts of Switzerland people still live their lives in symbiosis with nature - a close interaction that continues to benefit both. For countless generations the farming population has lovingly tended and vitalized the charming Alpine landscape. Some of the farmers know everything about local mushrooms and are experts at their cultivation others seem to speak the language of marmots. It's truly fascinating to see how a mountain farmer leads his daily life.

We offer a choice of 9 walking centres and 6 hotel to hotel trek. Probably more that any other specialist walking holiday tour operator.

Enjoy more than one area - Multi centred

Clients often want to enjoy more than one area and find that travelling even a couple of hours on the train leads to a totally different walking experience. We are extremely happy to put these together for you. We will make all hotel reservations and provide the rail ticket between the centres free of charge if the total stay is over 11 nights. For holidays over 13 nights we upgrade all the rail travel to First Class free of charge. For example why not combine Zermatt with Davos having 7 nights in each resort in 4* hotels and journey between the two on the ‘Glacier Express’?

Getting there

Air

Flights from the U.K serve Zurich Geneva and Basle Switzerland’s three major international airports. The first two have an integrated railway station on the main inter city system and Basle and Bern have a bus service connecting the airport directly with the main line railway station. The journey time is under 2 hours from London and a little longer from other UK airports. Details of current services are shown in the Price and Information Supplement.

Rail

Rail is a good alternative way to travel to Switzerland and it is possible to reach most of our main centres in one day from London. Alternatively and more leisurely why not stop en route and enjoy the many benefits of land travel? We can arrange a stop wherever you wish but particularly recommend Strasbourg as it is such a delightful place to visit with its canals and old town so convenient to the station and a hotel we have selected.

Road

Drive yourself there for maximum flexibility. We can provide driving notes from your home town. Whilst it is possible to get to our main centres in one day we would certainly recommend a stop en route. We can provide a motorway toll sticker (Vignette) price £32.

Fly – Rail Luggage

Take advantage of the unique fly/rail baggage system which allows you to travel light between airport and your centre. When your cases arrive your hotelier will collect them for you. On your return deposit your luggage at the railway station (not available from all stations) and the next time you see it is at your UK airport carousel. £16** per back per direction.

Getting about

The Swiss transport system has a well earned reputation for being the best in the world. The trains are modern clean and run to schedule (late trains make the news in Switzerland!). We provide a personal timetable for all customers showing the relevant train times (including platforms) for transfers between airport/international rail gateway and the hotel for both arrivals and departures. We help to make the journey very much part of your holiday by providing helpful notes offering advice on changing trains and selecting the best seats to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. During your stay you will have the opportunity to experience travelling on the distinctive yellow post buses the lake steamers and many cable cars and funicular railways which will whisk you to high alpine meadows and mountain tops.

Swiss Card

A Swiss Card is included* in your holiday price if purchasing air or international rail travel through us. This can be bought separately, from us, by those making their own transport arrangements to Switzerland. The Swiss Card provides transfers between airport/international rail gateway and the hotel and enables you to enjoy most of your local travel at a 50% discount. There are a number of other travel cards listed below. If you wish to purchase separately £138** upgrade to first class £66**

* Not included for Hotel to Hotel Treks, Davos and Lower Engadine. For both Davos and Lower Engadine centred holidays we provide a rail ticket to/from Zurich airport as local transport is free.

Swiss Transfer Card

Gives free transfers between airport/international rail gateway and the hotel. Any reasonable route is permitted. Useful for very short stays and on hotel to hotel treks where you plan to walk all the way. Cost £94** upgrade to First Class £60**

Swiss Half Fare Card

Gives 50% discount during your stay for all rail and post bus services plus discounts on most funicular railways, chair lifts, gondolas and cable cars. Useful for those arriving by car. £80**

** subject to change

Family Card

Free travel on most transport for all children under 16 years traveling with their parents; provided free of charge with any of the travel cards listed above.

When to go

We offer Switzerland year round. Winter walking is available during the snowy months from December to April. Spring, from May to June, is when Alpine flowers are at their most prolific and the weather is warm in the valleys but fresh on the high walks where there is usually some snow still lying. Summer, from July to September, has the hottest weather but you can go higher to lower the temperature. Only at the very highest points will snow be still encountered. Autumn, from October, is excellent for end of year, lower level walking, at a time when the higher walks may already have their winter snows arriving.

Further information about Switzerland and our walking holidays there...

Aeschi Aeschi a small village in the Bernese Oberland is located close to Spiez on the southern shores of Lake Thun one of the two stunning lakes (the other being Brienz) that lie either side of Interlaken. Lake Thun is well sheltered from both north and east winds and has an unusually mild climate. Pleasure steamer services commence as early as April and the gardens of the charming lakeside villages abound with southern plants including laurel and fig trees. Graded - Self Guided - Easy & Moderate VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Davos Located in the Bundner Alps in the east of Switzerland in the canton of Graubunden the area around Davos has over 180 miles of well marked and maintained paths ranging from leisurely trails to more testing terrain high up in the mountains. The wonderful integrated system of mountain railways and post buses serve 5 spectacular walking areas which include all the most scenic vantage points. In these diverse landscapes the flora and fauna are unsurpassed with the most beautiful Alpine flowers and the occasional glimpses of ibex chamois and marmots. Nearby is the alpine resort of Klosters made famous by its annual royal patronage which a number of our routes visit. Grade - Easy Moderate & Challenging VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Engelberg Engelberg is situated at the head of a picturesque valley leading up to the mountains from Lake Luzern. The short railway journey from Luzern provides an excellent prelude to the scenery that awaits you. Paths (most accessible by cable car) radiate in all directions offering walkers a choice of stunning routes along with the distraction of some excellent mountain restaurants where it would be impossible not to linger! The village is at 1050m and is full of fresh invigorating mountain air. The most famous cableway is the rotating ‘Rotair’ taking its passengers up to Mount Titlis an area of year round skiing and snow activities and the highest viewpoint in Central Switzerland at 3239m (over 10000 feet). Aside from the contrasting scenery of meadows snow rocky mountain peaks and deep blue lakes there are also numerous activities for children making it an ideal and encouraging area for parents with young walkers. Grading - Self Guided - Easy & Moderate VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Goms Valley The Goms Valley commences at the source of the Rhone just below the Rhone Glacier and extends all the way to Brig. It is a German speaking area in the predominately French speaking Canton of Valais. Its resident river is the Rhone which cascades down under beautiful wooden bridges on its way to France and the Mediterranean. The valley has small villages strung along its entire length each with their own character many on the valley side some on the valley floor all waiting to be explored by the walker. A section of the Glacier Express rail route runs through the valley giving easy access to the many walking areas; others can be reached by transferring to the network of postal buses. Many waterfalls tumble from the high hanging valleys adding to the spectacular scenery. Grade - Self Guided - Easy Moderate & Challenging VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Grindelwald Grindelwald thanks to its magnificent setting has been attracting British guests from the end of the 18th century. The town is in a valley surrounded by high mountains not least of which is the renowned Eiger with its imposing North Face. There is a maze of walking routes from either Grindelwald itself or from the top of local gondolas mountain railways or post bus routes that will have you quickly looking down on this stunning valley and at the same time up to the imposing surrounding mountains. You can take the railway to the Jungfraujoch Europe’s highest railway station with its permanent snow and ice and we even have a walk in our booklet from this station. Self Guided - Easy Moderate and Challenging VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Gstaad Gstaad located in the Bernese Oberaland is name which rings with wealth and winter skiiers. However, Gstaad is not just a single village but a region collectively called Saanenland with a total of 10 small mountain villages and some excellent summer walking. The region is predominantly German speaking, but being located on one of Switzerland’s linguistic borders, some of the walking extends into the French speaking part of the country. The locality benefits from nearly 200 miles of walking paths offering the walker an immense choice with diverse mountain scenery. A railway line links many of the villages and others are accessible by post bus - many of which extend far into the mountains to reach the start points of our walks. Post-buses and trains also link you to the many cable cars and chairlifts on which you can swiftly rise into the mountains VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Kandersteg Kandersteg (1195m) lies in the beautiful Kander valley in the Central Bernese Oberland. Its lofty mountains with side glens and upper shelves of meadowland have much to offer mountain walkers of all levels of experience. An amazing diversity of Alpine flowers adds to its appeal. More than 190 miles of trails can be followed in the immediate area, many reached by a variety of cableways commencing near the village. Just across from the Kandertal Mountains is the Lotschental valley offering a different weather pattern from Kandersteg, extending the walking opportunities even further by a short train journey via the Lotschberg railway tunnel. Self Guided - Easy Moderate & Challenging VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Lower Engadine The Lower Engadine is one of the most popular destinations for the Swiss to take their holidays, which must say something when they have such a choice. It is surprisingly not so well known to walkers from overseas. This area is the heartland of Switzerland’s fourth official language – Romansch which will often be heard especially in the small villages. However Swiss German is spoken by everyone and English as in other areas of Switzerland is widely spoken. A different language brings different culture, architecture and culinary specials all unique to the Romansch speaking area. The River Inn flows through the valley on its way to the Danube, alternately flowing though deep gorges and wide open meadowland grazed by bell ringing cows. The area is also host to Switzerland’s only National Park. VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Meiringen Meiringen is the most prominent settlement in the Haslital Valley which stretches from the Grimsel Pass to the peaceful waters of Lake Brienz at the eastern end of the Bernese Oberland. The valley is ideal for walking holidays exhibiting a rich variety of landscapes with lush pastures dazzling cascades tight gorges and several tributary valleys equally worthy of exploration. Grade -Self Guided - Easy & Moderate & Challenging VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Meiringen Winter Walking Meiringen is the most prominent settlement in the Haslital Valley which stretches from the Grimsel Pass to the peaceful waters of Lake Brienz at the eastern end of the Bernese Oberland. The valley is ideal for winter walking holidays with an extensive network of winter walking paths most well away from the skiing areas. Grade Self Guided - Easy & Moderate VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Murren Mürren is perhaps the most beautiful village in the Bernese Oberland, perched high up above the Lauterbrunnen Valley at 1645m above sea level. From the Mürren side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley the view of the famous Eiger Mönch and Jungfrau is simply the best. The surrounding area is a pleasure to walk in with some of the most famous walking in the world within easy reach. Above Mürren rises the great peak of the Schilthorn at 3018m feet with its revolving restaurant made famous by James Bond and accessed by a spectacular cable car. Interlaken and its famous lakes are easily reached for a lowland excursion or at the opposite extreme you can use the railway to the highest station in Europe the Jungfraujoch at 3455m. - a ‘must do’ trip.Grading - Self Guided - Easy Moderate & Challenging VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Val d'Anniviers Val d’Anniviers is located in the French speaking part of Switzerland and offers some truly stunning walking. We know that the familiarity of the language the French influenced food and beauty of this hidden valley will appeal to new and regular customers alike. Located high above the Rhône Valley, Val d’Anniviers has an excellent postal bus service linking the small precariously perched villages each with its own charm and history enabling a large number of one way walks to be enjoyed. Cable cars and a funicular railway transport you to over 2290m allowing you to explore even higher or to gently walk down to another wooden roofed village and return back to base by postbus. Val d’Anniviers enjoys wonderful weather with an above average number of sunny days for Switzerland. Grade - Easy Moderate & Challenging VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Zermatt The Zermatt area has a total of 250 miles of well-marked footpaths which will take you through pine-scented mountain forests to the shores of calm Alpine lakes and to ice-blue glaciers. Zermatt has been a prime destination for walkers and mountaineers for over 150 years. As well as gentle valley walking large areas are protected zones which offer plenty of opportunities for challenging and remote walking including access to the slopes of the Matterhorn itself. Mountain railways make it easy to reach the high altitude rambling areas. There are many mountain cabins and restaurants ready to offer a warm welcome and a leisurely rest to enjoy the spectacular views all around. Grading - Easy & Moderate & Challenging VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Bernese Highlights East - Hotel to Hotel (7 nights) This trek takes you through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery that Switzerland has to offer crossing two major passes and combining stays in small Swiss towns and villages with hotels high on the passes. You walk within sight of some of Switzerland’s most stunning peaks: Titlis Jungfrau and Eiger to name but a few. You will view magnificent glaciers as you walk which feed many of the mountain streams you cross. At the end of a day’s walking you are assured of a friendly welcome at each of our hotels with meals prepared from fresh local ingredients. VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Bernese Highlights West - Hotel to Hotel (7nights) An amazing trek crossing Switzerland’s high mountain passes linking alpine valleys. In these lush, green valleys nestle pretty Swiss villages where you have your overnight accommodation. This trek is from Murren to Gstaad. VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Haute Route - Hotel to Hotel Although the trek is entirely in the Valais (Wallis in German) you walk from the French speaking area to one that is Swiss German spoken. Alpine flowers carpet the valleys early in the season extending to high passes throughout Summer. Here the high Alps are at their most majestic. VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Lower Engadine - Hotel to Hotel ERROR: No Image A wild natural landscape featuring the ancient Castle of Tarasp, the Baths of Scuol, the Romanisch culture varying from village to village rich in tradition but nevertheless innovative and modern. This is the Lower Engadine situated on the southern side of the Alps, a valley far away from the busy tourist routes; it is a valley ‘waiting to be discovered’. This journey is especially enjoyable combining the beautiful timeless villages rich in culture and tradition and with their own unique architecture and walking high on the valley sides with far ranging views over the Alps. The local language is Romansch the least spoken of the four official languages of Switzerland - but do not worry as English is widely understood. VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Two and Multi Centre Holidays Clients often want to enjoy more than one area and find that travelling even a couple of hours on the train leads to a totally different walking experience. We are extremely happy to put these together for you. VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY
Wildstrubel - Hotel to Hotel Trek The Wildstrubel is one of Switzerlands‘ highest peaks rising to over 3,250m and circumnavigating this magnificent mountain is an ancient trail which has now become the renowned Wildstrubel Trek. The trek passes through more than one region of Switzerland offering a contrast between the German speaking Bernese Oberland and the predominately French speaking Valais. Scenery, lanscapes and culture also contrast with the Bernese Oberland - very much‚ high mountain‘ with alpine characteristics whilst the Valais is more gentle and warm with vineyards adorning the steep slops as they fall away from the high peaks above. In crossing from one side to the other you traverse the Gemmi Pass - one of the highest, remotest and indeed, oldest mountain passes in all of Switzerland closest to some of largest remaining glaciers in the country. VIEW FULL DETAILS SEND US AN ENQUIRY

Aeschi

Aeschi a small village in the Bernese Oberland is located close to Spiez on the southern shores of Lake Thun one of the two stunning lakes (the other being Brienz) that lie either side of Interlaken. Lake Thun is well sheltered from both north and east winds and has an unusually mild climate. Pleasure steamer services commence as early as April and the gardens of the charming lakeside villages abound with southern plants including laurel and fig trees. Graded - Self Guided - Easy & Moderate


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