The Glacier Express Rail and Hike

Perfect for those looking to experience two classic, yet distinct, Swiss walking destinations on a twin centre walking holiday. Travel from the foot of Piz Bernina to the lower slopes of the Matterhorn with an epic 8 hour panoramic train journey on the Glacier Express through the Alps . Rated easy-moderate, there are a selection of walks to choose from, ranging in difficulty and length. Stay in comfortable 3* hotels in both Pontresina and Zermatt.

Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

Rail and Hike | Perfectly planned itineraries discovering the best of a destination both by train and on foot.

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

This trip is graded ‘easy—moderate’ overall, as the walks are around 4-15km, and quite varied. Most walks are on the easy-moderate end of the scale however there are some walks like the Hoernliweg which are difficult. The beauty of this trip is that you can make it as easy or as difficult as you wish and a grade is assigned to each walk. Please be aware that earlier/later in the season there may be some residual snow lying in patches, but this will not require any special equipment or skills; walking poles are recommended. 

Stay 7 nights in 3* standard hotels. The accommodation we normally use is detailed below; however, it is subject to availability, and therefore alternatives of an equal standard may be offered.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

Solo walkers are welcome on this trip. Or if you require single rooms within your party, we would be happy to accommodate you. Please note that a single/solo room supplement applies, as you'll have your own room throughout.

Meals

Breakfasts are included daily and typically take the form of a buffet, featuring a tempting spread of pastries, homemade jams, fresh fruit, and cereals, alongside savoury options such as bread, cheese, ham, and eggs.

Packed lunches are not included but can be easily sourced from local supermarkets or bakeries. If you are staying somewhere without these facilities, we recommend ordering a packed lunch directly from your accommodation on arrival.

Swiss cuisine is rooted in simple, satisfying ingredients — particularly cheese and potatoes — with iconic dishes such as raclette and rösti taking centre stage in the German-speaking regions. As you cross into French-speaking Switzerland, you'll notice a distinct shift in flavour and style. This invisible boundary is affectionately known as the Röstigraben (literally, the "rösti ditch") — a term that captures the cultural, linguistic, and gastronomic divide between the two regions. Here, the food takes on a more French character, and one dish worth seeking out is Papet Vaudois, a comforting Vaudois speciality of slow-cooked potato and leek served with a succulent local sausage.

All trails are very well way-marked, and together with access to our award-winning App with GPS map, you will have no problem finding your way on our suggested walks.

This trip is available to start any day of the week, from the end of June to the middle of September. The best months for walking are in the summer months between June and mid-September when the wild flowers are in bloom and the weather is generally fair. Please be aware that earlier in the season there may be some residual snow lying in patches, but this will not require any special equipment or skills.

Fly into Zurich or Bern then continue by train, with a couple of changes, to Pontresina (3.5 or 4.5 hours) Train timetables and details of public transportation in Switzerland are available via the excellent travel planner at www.sbb.ch.

From Zermatt train station you can get to any major European destination easily. Trains to Zurich airport take about 3.5 hours, to Bern it is 2.5 hours and to Geneva 4 hours. For more information check https://www.sbb.ch/

Travel During the Trip

Public transport in Switzerland is seamless and runs like Swiss clockwork. Most of the walks on this tour in the Mattertal and the Engadine require a mountain train/funicular/cable car/bus  journey to the start or from the end of the walk back to your hotel for the night

Engadine Valley Travel Pass

At your hotel in Pontresina you will be given an area pass for public transport and mountain railways (issued at check-in and collected at check-out) including use of all chairlifts/cable cars/funiculars in the Engadine Valley. NB: Area pass excludes the ‘Bernina Express’ panoramic train, but includes the public train which runs on the same Bernina

Zermatt Travel

Unfortunately no similar scheme exists in Zermatt and all use of cable cars/funiculars etc. is payable locally.  Here is an approximate guide to costs if you complete the walks as outlined in this brochure.

Day 5: Zermatt– Sunnegga 24CHF return

Day 6: Zermatt—Schwarzsee 50CHF return, Furi—Zermatt 17CHF single

Day 7: Zermatt– Gornergrat 47CHF single,  Sunnegga—Zermatt, 16CHFsingle