8 Days & 7 Nights

4.5

The Glacier Express Rail and Hike

Ride the Glacier Express, one of Europe's most beautiful train journeys
Enjoy classic walks in the shadow of the Matterhorn and Piz Bernina
Experience the glamorous and iconic alpine town of Zermatt
Stay in peaceful Pontresina in the lush Engadine Valley
Feast on Swiss mountain food such as raclette and fondue

Cross the Swiss Alps on the famous Glacier Express, a direct train from St Moritz to Zermatt; considered one of the most stunning rail journeys of the world. Get closer to the typical wooden chalets and sounds of Alpine cow bells on foot with a selection of walks from both Zermatt and Pontresina. Start with 3 nights in Pontresina, a peaceful village nestled in the authentically Swiss Engadine Valley. Choose walks through tranquil forests, alpine meadows and lakes. Take the Glacier Express to stylish Zermatt for four nights and choose from a selection of walks in the shadow of the Matterhorn. By night enjoy the exclusive town and its array of restaurants and bars.

From £1,639.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Pontresina

Fly into Zurich ,or Bern then continue by train with a couple of changes to Pontresina (3.5 or 4.5 hours).Pontresina is a 10 minute train journey from St Moritz with connections every 20 minutes.

Pontresina is located at an altitude of 1,800m and has a luxurious feel, with its Swiss pine restaurants and gourmet cuisine. With all the luxe of St. Moritz without the crowds and a more compact town centre, Pontresina is the perfect base from which to explore the Engadine.

Overnight Pontresina

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Steinbock | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Steinbock offers a warm and friendly welcome to all walkers. They offer 24 rooms that are all a bit different from each other, all decorated in keeping with the style of a historic inn dating from 1651. Local materials and wood make the rooms feel cosy with all the modern comfort that you need.

Hotel Mueller | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Muller offers 19 comfortable rooms which boast a natural décor, designed to offer a relaxing sleep and reflect the property’s stunning surroundings.

Day 2 Bernina Bahn and Circular Walk to Alp Grum 4.5 miles / 7 km

Take a short ride on the UNESCO listed Bernina Bahn, a train line which equals the Glacier Express for stunning views. Disembarking at Bernina Hospiz station, follow the easy circular walking route skirting Lago Bianco to Alp Grum and hike up to the mountain hut at Sassat Mason. The peace and tranquillity of this area is inspiring.Return to Pontresina by train.

Overnight Pontresina

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Steinbock | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Mueller | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Muller offers 19 comfortable rooms which boast a natural décor, designed to offer a relaxing sleep and reflect the property’s stunning surroundings.

Day 3 Walk the Valley Roseg or the Klimaweg 8 miles / 13.5 km

If you are looking for a challenge opt for the Valley Roseg walk with a steep ascent up to Fuorcla Surlej and its mountain restaurant —the perfect spot for a relaxed lunch. Continue to Corvatsch Mittelstation Murtel where you can descend with the cable car to Corvatsch Talstation. Descend to the valley and take the bus onwards to St. Moritz and train to Pontresina.

For a more gentle day, go for the Klimaweg. This walk makes ample use of cable cars and mountain railways so you will be walking at altitude with fabulous views and minimum effort!

Walking: various 6.5—13.5 km

Overnight Pontresina

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Steinbock | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Mueller | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Muller offers 19 comfortable rooms which boast a natural décor, designed to offer a relaxing sleep and reflect the property’s stunning surroundings.

Day 4 Glacier Express to Zermatt

Sit back and relax on the Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt. Regarded as the slowest ‘express’ train in the word, it takes about 8 hours to cover 290km and with views like this there really is no need to rush! Cross the Swiss Alps, 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and the Oberalp Pass at 2,033m. Lunch is included today and is served directly to your seat so you won’t miss a second of the panoramic views.,

The pyramidal peak of the Matterhorn towers over Zermatt, a renowned mountaineering centre and your base for the next 4 nights. Wander around the car-free centre and grab some classic Swiss food like roesti or fondue in one of the many restaurants in the village.

Overnight Zermatt

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Perren | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Perren is centrally located and only a 10 minute walk from the train station and 5 minutes from Sunnegga funicular.

Hotel La Couronne | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel La Couronne is located in a quiet and central location in Zermatt. It has a sunny terrace with views of the Matterhorn.

Day 5 The Five Lakes Walk 6.5 miles / 10 km

Take the funicular from Zermatt to Sunnegga and then on to Blauherd station (approx. 10 mins in total) for the start of today’s walk. Starting at 2.571m, this walk visits 5 alpine lakes, all of which have fabulous views of the Matterhorn. On a clear day, 3 of the lakes hold the reflection of the famous peak. Your walk finishes at Sunnegga from where you can either walk back to Zermatt or hop on the funicular.

Overnight Zermatt

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Perren | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Perren is centrally located and only a 10 minute walk from the train station and 5 minutes from Sunnegga funicular.

Hotel La Couronne | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel La Couronne is located in a quiet and central location in Zermatt. It has a sunny terrace with views of the Matterhorn.

Day 6 The Hoernliweg, Matterhorn Trail or walk to Zmutt 9 miles / 15 km

A choice of walks today; a challenging option is a hike to Matterhorn base camp; the Hoernlihut. Arrive at the Schwarzsee cable car station (12 mins journey from Zermatt) and a short but steep hike takes you to the hut where climbers set off for ascents of the Matterhorn. Soak up the excitement and atmosphere of base camp. You may be able to spot climbers in action while you relax on the terrace with a drink.

For something a bit easier, walk directly from Zermatt to the romantic hamlet of Zmutt with its traditional wooden chalets and impressive views of the Matterhorn’s north face. Continue on to Furi and jump on the cable car back to Zermatt, or walk back .

Walking: various; 5-15 km

Overnight Zermatt

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Perren | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Perren is centrally located and only a 10 minute walk from the train station and 5 minutes from Sunnegga funicular.

Hotel La Couronne | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel La Couronne is located in a quiet and central location in Zermatt. It has a sunny terrace with views of the Matterhorn.

Hotel Butterfly | Hotel

All rooms are equipped with cable TV, personal safe and kettle with tea and coffee included. Butterfly Hotel was partially renovated and updated in 2018.

Day 7 The Naturweg (Nature Trail) 4 miles / 6.5 km

Take the Gornergrat cog railway from central Zermatt to Rifflealp station (15 mins). Starting in the tree line, this trail is perfect for nature lovers with interesting fauna which has sprung up since the retreat of the Findel Glacier 100 years ago. Walk through serene forests and meadows carpeted in alpine flowers. Return to Zermatt via the Sunnegga funicular.

Overnight Zermatt

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel La Couronne | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel La Couronne is located in a quiet and central location in Zermatt. It has a sunny terrace with views of the Matterhorn.

Hotel Perren | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Perren is centrally located and only a 10 minute walk from the train station and 5 minutes from Sunnegga funicular.

Hotel Butterfly | Hotel

All rooms are equipped with cable TV, personal safe and kettle with tea and coffee included. Butterfly Hotel was partially renovated and updated in 2018.

Day 8 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 4kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 4kg is equivalent to 2.5 avocados. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

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 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.

Trip Type:

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!

Activity:

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

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Accessible by Rail

Alpine Walking

Grade & Terrain

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.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

7 Nights in 3* hotels
7 Breakfasts
Train ticket and reservation from St Moritz to Zermatt (second class)
1 Lunch (on the Glacier Express)
Detailed pre-departure information pack
A list of suggested walks with maps, GPX tracks and access to our navigation smartphone app
The Engadine Valley travel pass which gives free access on most local bus services and cable cars/funiculars
24-hour emergency telephone assistance

Excluded

Flights to and from Switzerland
Travel to/from Pontresina/Zermatt
Cable car/funiculars/public transport in the Mattertal
Travel Insurance Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
Any items not specifically mentioned in the program

Extras

Extra nights in Zermatt/Pontresina

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items,for example, proper rain gear (jackets and trousers), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking shoes or boots, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.