High Trail to the Matterhorn

Embark on an exhilarating adventure through the Swiss Alps on this challenging walking holiday, combining dramatic mountain landscapes with authentic Alpine hospitality. This is serious high-altitude trekking featuring significant distances and considerable elevation gains, demanding both physical fitness and mental fortitude. You'll traverse narrow mountain paths with extreme exposure, cross a thrilling 500m/1,640ft suspension bridge high above the valley floor, and navigate sections that require ladders, ropes, and via ferrata equipment. So a good head for heights is essential. The most demanding portions involve prolonged exposed sections without any safety assistance, testing your nerve and surefootedness. Yet the rewards are immense: breath-taking alpine vistas, the warm welcome of friendly mountain communities, and carefully selected accommodation where you'll savour wonderful local dinners each evening. This isn't just a walk—it's an authentic mountain experience that will challenge you, invigorate you, and leave you with unforgettable memories of Switzerland's most spectacular high country.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

Alpine Walking

The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years

This walking holiday is categorized as strenuous and is best suited for experienced walkers with a good level of fitness and an active lifestyle. The terrain is mountainous, exposed, rocky, and rough underfoot throughout, requiring concentration and sure footing at all times. Most paths are well-marked and straightforward to navigate using the provided route notes and maps; however, the route poses significant physical challenges with steep ascents and descents. Several sections include fixed ropes and handrails to assist with climbing and descending over particularly tricky passages. This requires a certain level of scrambling ability and confidence on technical terrain.

Walking days are substantial, typically lasting 6 to 7 hours, and cover demanding mountain ground that requires stamina and determination. The route includes technical sections that demand surefootedness—most notably the approach to Grächen, which features exposed passages near a waterfall area that has experienced recent rockfall and ongoing instability, necessitating careful navigation. Please note that portions of the Europaweg have been closed due to erosion, mudslides, and rockfall over the years. When necessary, you will leave the trail and rejoin it at a later point, following alternative routes or using local transport to bypass these affected areas.

A major highlight of the trip comes on your final day into Zermatt: crossing the Charles Kuonen Bridge on the Europaweg, which is the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. Spanning approximately 494 meters and suspended high above the valley, this 15-minute crossing is an unforgettable experience—but a good head for heights is essential.

We specifically select your accommodation to ensure you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all warmly welcome walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We aim to give you an authentic experience and use local family-run accommodations in a mixture of hotels, guest houses and one mountain hut. The hotels are generally chalet types with wooden interiors, typical of the region. The guest houses (Gspon) will have shared facilities, and the mountain hut (Europahutte) will be in a mixed dorm room.

Please be aware that twin & double rooms in Switzerland are typically 2 single mattresses side by side in one double bed frame with two separate duvet covers and pillows.

Alternate accommodation
During high season, you might be booked into a different accommodation which is not listed in the description, and the start or end of some of your walking routes may be slightly altered. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same standard as those described.

Extra Night(s)
We recommend adding an extra night in Brig, especially if you’re arriving from a long-haul flight. This will allow you to acclimatise. Additionally, we can also recommend adding extra nights in Zermatt at the end of your journey, giving you the chance to delve into this enchanting village and all its charm!

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
If you require single rooms within your party, we would be happy to accommodate you, although there is a single room supplement payable. This holiday is not suitable for solo walkers due to the tough, sometimes remote terrain.

Meals
A delicious breakfast is included each morning, and an evening meal is included on 4 nights (exceptions are in Saas Fee and Zermatt). Most accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch – this should be requested on arrival. Or you can pick up lunch in the village or stop along the trail.

You'll follow a well-signposted walking trail. Navigation is straightforward with the Macs Adventure app, which provides detailed maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with confidence—you won't get lost.

Download instructions for the app can be found in your Macs Adventure Account. Our walks typically begin and end at a central landmark in town, such as a church or bus stop. Note that access routes to and from your accommodation are not included in the daily distance figures. However, the Macs app will guide you directly to your accommodation. Just open the 'Itinerary' for the relevant day, select your accommodation section, and tap 'Get Directions.'

The best months for walking are in the summer months between July and September, when the wildflowers are in bloom, and the weather is generally fair. Please keep in mind that the weather can be changeable at high altitudes, and cold fronts can occur even in the summer (snowfall in the Alps at the height of summer is not unheard of.

Brig is located in southwest Switzerland (The Valais).

Air - You can fly into both Zurich and Geneva Airports in Switzerland. Many low cost airlines fly here from the UK and Europe.

Train - From both Zurich and Geneva you can take the direct train service to Brig. The journey times take (2hrs 20 mins) and (2hrs 45mins) respectively. Please check the Swiss Rail network for up to date timetables.

Zermatt is located on the south west corner of Switzerland only 10k from the Italian border. You can reach Zurich in approx. (3hrs 20 mins) by train with one change. Geneva can be reached by train in approx. (2hrs 45mins).  Please check the Swiss Rail network for up to date timetables.

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person. Please note on Day 6 your accommodation is quite remote and luggage transfer will not be provided on this day. You will need to carry a daypack with overnight essentials.

Luggage transfers are available at a supplement for Day 2, however this is quite expensive. Please see the options section below for an idea of price, or contact our team.