The Glacier Express Rail and Hike

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active holiday.

Activity:

Rail & Hike | Mix the joys of travel by train with the best walks accessible from the trainline. Travel inn-to-inn by train and enjoy hikes from the each stopping point. Allows you to see more of the destination as you are travelling overland but also on foot. Very sustainable way of travelling. Train fare included - no baggage transfers as take bags on the train.

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. 

Navigation

All trails are very well way-marked, and together with access to our GPS-following app and maps, you will have no problem finding your way on our suggested walks.

• 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

• 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

• Extra nights in Zermatt/Pontresina

When To Go

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.

Getting to the Start

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.

Getting from the End

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

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

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.