The Glacier Express Rail and Hike

Fly into Zurich or Bern and travel by train to Pontresina (3.5 or 4.5 hours).

Just 10 minutes from St. Moritz, this elegant alpine village sits at 1,800m (5,905 ft) and offers all the charm and refinement of its famous neighbor – without the crowds. With its cozy Swiss pine restaurants, gourmet cuisine, and peaceful atmosphere, Pontresina is the perfect base for exploring the stunning Engadine Valley.

Take a scenic ride on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express, a railway celebrated for its incredible alpine views that rival the Glacier Express. Disembark at the Bernina Hospiz station, and set out on an easy loop hike skirting the sparkling Lago Bianco, continuing to Alp Grum and onward to the charming mountain hut at Sassat Mason. Surrounded by glaciers, peaks, and serene alpine landscapes, this peaceful route is perfect for soaking in the tranquility of the region before returning to Pontresina by train.

Ascent: 212m (695ft) / Descent: 375m (1,228ft)

Today is a day of choice, offering options for both adventurous hikers and those seeking a gentler alpine experience.

For a more relaxed day, select the Klimaweg. This hike combines cable cars and mountain railways, allowing you to enjoy high-altitude hiking with fabulous views and less effort! The shorter hike allows for a free afternoon. Perhaps head to St Mortiz and rub shoulders with the rich and famous.

For a challenge, take on the Valley Roseg hike with a steep ascent up to Fuorcla Surlej and its mountain restaurant - the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch with sweeping alpine views. Continue to Corvatsch Mittelstation Murtel and descend by cable car to Corvatsch Talstation. Then catch the bus to St. Moritz and train back to Pontresina.

Hiking Options

Klimaweg: Easy to Moderate, 6.5km (4.25mi); Ascent/Descent: 516m/395m (1,693ft/1,296ft)

Pontresina to the Valley Roseg: Strenuous, 6.5km (4.25mi); Ascent/Descent: 1008m/115m (3,307ft/377ft)

Sit back and savor the Glacier Express as it winds its way from St Moritz to Zermatt. Known as the slowest ‘express’ train in the world, this 8 hour journey covers 290km (180mi) across the Swiss Alps, crossing 291 bridges, passing through 91 tunnels and reaching the Oberalp Pass at 2,033m (6,700ft) – all while offering awe-inspiring panoramic views. Lunch is served at your seat, ensuring you won’t miss a moment of the scenery.

Arrive in picturesque car-free Zermatt, nestled at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn, and a renowned mountaineering center and your homebase for the next 4 nights. With charming streets lined with traditional wooden chalets, cozy cafés, and gourmet restaurants, it’s the perfect base for the remainder of your Swiss Alpine rail and hike vacation.

Take the funicular from Zermatt to Sunnegga and then on to Blauherd station (about 10 mins ) for the start of today’s scenic hike. Starting at a 2,571m (8,435ft) elevation, this trail passes 5 crystal-clear alpine lakes, each offering fabulous views of the Matterhorn.

On a clear day, three of the lakes perfectly reflect the iconic peak, creating picture-perfect moments. Your hike ends back at Sunnegga, from where you can either walk back to Zermatt or take the funicularfor for a relaxing return.

Ascent: 170m (558ft) / Descent: 454m (1,490ft)

After a delicious breakfast, the day is yours to do as you wish. Feel free to sightsee, or if you want to continue taking full advantage of the variety of unforgettable hiking options here, select from several options at varying degrees of difficulty.

For an easy hike, head to Zmutt & Furi. Starting in Zermatt you’ll walk to the ancient, car-free hamlet of Zmutt – virtually untouched by tourism and framed by the Matterhorn's imposing north face – before continuing to Furi for the cable car back. It takes around 2 hours and can be extended with the Matterhorn Trail for those wanting a longer day.

The Matterhorn Trail is a well-marked, gentler trail that leads you through classic Alpine scenery with the Matterhorn as a constant backdrop. It's the perfect option for those wanting a shorter or less strenuous day while still making the most of the incredible landscape around Zermatt.

For a bit more of a challenge, take the Schwarzsee cable car and hike 1.5-2 hours up to the Hörnlihütte at 3,260m (ft), the oldest mountain hut in the Alps and Base Camp for Matterhorn summit attempts. From the terrace, you'll be rewarded with dramatic close-up views of the Matterhorn's east face, and on a clear day, you may spot climbers making their way to the top.

Hiking Options

Zmutt & Furi: Easy, 5km (3mi), Ascent/Descent: 325m/62m (1,066ft/203ft)

Matterhorn Trail: Easy to Moderate, 9.7km (6mi), Ascent/Descent: 60m/1040m (192ft/3,410ft)

Hörnlihütte - Matterhorn Base Camp: Easy to Moderate, 4.2km (2.75mi); Ascent/Descent: 729m/47m (2,391ft/153ft)

Take the Gornergrat Cog Railway from central Zermatt to Rifflealp station (about 15 mins) to begin today’s nature-focused hike. Winding through the tree line, the trail showcases fascinating alpine flora and fauna that have flourished since the Findel Glacier began retreating over a century ago.

Stroll through tranquil forests and meadows blanketed with colorful alpine flowers, then return to Zermatt via the scenic Sunnegga funicular, soaking in panoramic views of the surrounding peaks along the way.

Ascent: 237m (778ft) / Descent: 173m (568ft)

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and make your onward journey.