Switzerland Hiking 7 Days

Lauterbrunnen Valley: Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen

You can fly into Zurich or Bern –  we’ll provide travel options for you to reach the Bernese Oberland and Lauterbrunnen, where the cog-wheel train connects to the car-free village of Wengen. You can leave luggage at the secure storage at the station and, after lunch or a snack, transfer (12 mins) to Stechelberg, at the end of the Lauterbrunnen valley. This is an easy-going walk along the effervescent Lutschine River passing working farms with lush pastures and snow-capped peaks high above. Stop at the Horner pub along the way for a refreshing drink. This is known as the valley of waterfalls and two we recommend you visit are Trümmelbach Glacier Falls, accessed by underground paths & further along the 1,000’ Staubach Falls awaits. Arriving to Lauterbrunnen make your way on the cog wheel train to Wengen a charming Swiss Alpine village at 1,264 m, known for its timber chalets and belle époque hotels.

Distance: 10 km; elevation gain: 275 m; descent: 390 m

Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg Panorama Trail

It’s a short stroll to the aerial cable car that will whisk you 10 minutes from Wengen up to the Männlichen summit station. Enjoy a coffee at the Berghaus Männlichen restaurant as you admire views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.  Hike one of the most iconic trails in Switzerland to Kleine Schedidegg, a renowned mountain pass nestled between the towering Eiger and Lauberhorn peaks. Enjoy lunch here or consider taking the Jungfau Railway to what is known as the ‘Top of Europe’. From 11,332’ you’ll enjoy views of the Vosges mountains in France and the expansive Aletsch Glacier, framed by 13,000′ peaks. Afterward or instead — hop on the Wengernalp Railway for a 28-minute ride back down to Wengen. Alternatively, you can take a moderate downhill walk, partially following the slopes of the Lauberhorn, where World Cup skiers race in winter. This route takes you along the Via Alpina, a scenic paved trail that boasts views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks and the Lauterbrunnen Valley, with its lush green meadows, grazing cows, and clusters of evergreen trees. Back in Wengen, enjoy dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in the village.

Distance: up to 11.1 km; elevation gain: 10 m; descent: 945 m

Schynige Platte Panorama Trail

Descend by train to Lauterbrunnen and then on to the village of Wilderswil where you board a historic funicular that has been operating since 1893. Enjoy the hour long ride to Schynige Platte, a stunning plateau atop a mountain ridge. The loop walk is on trail that includes some stairs and some narrow segments, all with views that will astound. There is an option to detour to an alpine botanical garden with more than 700 species of alpine plants to take in. Enjoy a packed lunch at one of the picnic spots along the route, or stop at a panoramic restaurant at the end of the walk. You’ll then retrace your way back to Wengen by rail.

Distance: 7.8 km; elevation gain: 265 m; descent: 250 m

Transfer to Valais. Zermatt – Smutt-Furi-Gorner Gorge-Findelbach

After breakfast, prepare to travel to Zermatt today which is still car-free and still attracts world-class mountaineers. You’ll take the train down to Lauterbrunnen and then transfer to Tasch in the Mattertal Valley. You have a choice to go by train (3h) or by vehicle transfer (2h30); if you go by train, you’ll get an extra dinner included on your trip. From Tasch it takes just 12 minutes to reach Zermatt, the iconic village under the Matterhorn. After stopping at your hotel, walk a trail that gently climbs through forests and rolling meadows to the hamlet of Zmutt and then downhill to Furi mountain station. Enjoy a snack and refreshment from one of the chalet restaurants here and then take a gondola back to Zermatt. Should you wish to walk instead, this is an option via the Gorner Gorge where a well kept path passes through galleries and over wooden walkways through a gorge carves by the Gornea River over thousands of years. Make your way down to Zermatt and your comfortable hotel. Sometime on your trip, stop in at the Matterhorn Museum an exhibition space where you can learn about the history mountaineering here. You can even see the frayed rope from the accident in July, 1865 where four of the seven men who made it to the top, died on the way down.

Distance: 5.7 km; elevation gain: 360 m or 9.2 km; elevation gain: 375 m 

Gonergrat to Riffelberg. Afternoon option: Riffelberg to Riffelalp

Awake in the splendour of Zermatt and board the Gornergrat Railway to Gorngergrat, perched at 10,285’. This train has been operating since the summer of 1898. From this point, you’ll have a view of Monte Rosa massif which includes Switzerland’s tallest mountain, the Dufourspitze at 15,200’ and numerous other peaks over 13,000’. You’ll walk mostly downhill to the midway Riffelsberg station. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant here and admire the Matterhorn in all of its splendour. You can take a gondola down from here, or continue walking downhill along the Mark Twain trail retracing the writer’s own hike in 1878, to Riffelalp. Board the Gornegrat Bahn back to Zermatt where you can enjoy dinner at one of the many fine restaurants. Le Chalet da Giuseppe features Italian and Snowboat is a fun and lively option.  We’ll provide our list of recommended spots.

Distance: 7 km; descent: 840 m 

The Five Lakes Walk: Blauherd to Sunnegga Paradise

Today awaits one of the finest hikes in the region – start the day by taking the funicular to Sunnegga and cable car to Blauherd. Walk past the lakes Stellisee, Grinjisee, Grunsee, Mosjesee and Leisee, each reflecting the surrounding peaks. This trail is especially rich for its biodiversity such as moorland flora and rare flowers and occasionally a typical black-nosed sheep of the Valais. The Ze Seewjinu lodge (2295m) near the end of the hike is a perfect spot to rest, eat delicious local fondue on the outdoor terrace with views of the Matterhorn. Back in Zermatt, explore more of its many charms and celebrate your achievements with drinks at Elsie’s Wine and Champagne Bar and another fantastic dinner.

Distance: 10.4 km; elevation gain: 240 m; descent: 550 m

Depart

After breakfast, depart at your leisure.