The Via Alpina

Zurich is easily accessible by train from Zurich airport (10 mins), Geneva (3 hours) or Bern (1.5  hours).

Zurich is the biggest city in Switzerland yet despite this, it is compact and easily navigable on foot. The city is home to many important museums like the Swiss National Museum and the Kunsthaus. If museums aren’t your thing, take a wander down to the picturesque Zurichsee with an ice-cream and watch the world go by.

Start the day with a scenic train journey (approx. 1 hour) to the small town of Sargans and the official start of the Via Alpina. Today is a gentle day and a great introduction to the trek. Heading out of Sargans, walk through a couple of small towns and hamlets before breaking free of the road. As you start to ascend, you will soon find yourself above vineyards with views to Sargans and Mels and to the mountains of Liechtenstein. Re-join the country road at the town of Schwendi and follow it to Weisstannen; a peaceful, traditional alpine village.

Ascent/Descent: 641m/144m

Warm up with an easy going 9km walk on country road, before starting the ascent to the first pass of the trail, the Foopass (2223m). This is an exciting day of walking as you get into the true mountainous arena of the Via Alpina. The ascent is steady and surrounded by alpine farmland, fields, waterfalls and  marmots. The Foopass also marks the border between St Gallen and Glarus, and you will notice a definite change in the character of the terrain from here on. Descend to the attractive town of Elm, home to a 15th century church with a backdrop of Piz Sardona and Piz Segnas. 

Ascent/Descent: 1292m/1301m

Today is a long but rewarding day. There are two passes to cross, although the first is unnamed and fairly insignificant. The second is the Richetlipass at 2261m. The ascent is on steep zig zags, becoming even steeper just before arriving at the pass. From the top, enjoy views over the deep Durnachtal valley before beginning the sharp descent into it! The path down is narrow and can be tricky in wet weather, so take your time. There is a short section of descent with a fixed chain over a particularly craggy area. Arrive in Linthal, a small village framed by ’Toedi’, a 3614m peak also known as the ’King of Little Mountains’. Take the funicular (10 mins) to the traffic free hamlet of Braunwald, 600m above Linthal.

Ascent/Descent: 1394m/1676m

From Braunwald, take the high balcony path to the resort of Urnerboden. The Urnerboden valley is one of the most dramatic in the alps, with a large flat bottom covered in typical pasture and farm land, with impressively tall walls on both sides.

Ascent/Descent: 425m/305m

Today’s objective is the Klausenpass at 1948m. Although not particularly high for an alpine pass, it is historically significant as it has acted as the main crossing point between the cantons of Glarus and Uri for centuries. It is also the first pass in Switzerland which was made accessible to motorized traffic. The descent is a pleasant one, through fields and forests, passing the hamlet of Aesch and its breath-taking Staeubifall waterfall. Arrive at Unterschaechen, and take the bus to Altdorf (30 mins)., the capital of Uri.

Ascent/Descent: 587m/943m

Today’s walk is considered one of the finest stages of the Via Alpina. Start by taking the bus to Attinghausen (10 mins), and then hop on the cable car to Bruesti at 1525m. Steadily ascend to Surenenpass (2291m), passing small houses, huts and farms. In the distance, catch a glimpse of the turquoise waters of Lake Lucerne. Offering  a spectacular mountain vista; dominated by the slanted jagged peak of Mount Titlis (3238m), the pass is the perfect place for a break. When you are ready, begin the descent to the town of Engelberg, a popular mountain resort.

Ascent/Descent: 784m/1317m

Arrive at the Jochpass at 2207m and start a gentle descent to Engstlensee, a large alpine lake. The snowy peak of the Wetterhorn appears up ahead– a taste of the Bernese Oberland which is still to come. From Engstlenalp, take a balcony path high above the Gental valley. Wetterhorn views continue to dominate, and waterfalls cascade down the east wall of the valley. Arrive at the small village of Reuti, from where you can descend to Meiringen on foot or by cable car. Meiringen is a small but busy town, most well known for being where Sherlock Holmes met his maker in the popular Conan-Doyle stories.

Ascent/Descent: 0m/1610m

 In the heart of the Bernese Oberland, this area is popular with tourists and locals alike. It can feel like it’s lacking a certain ‘wilderness’ that is found with other sections of the trail. However the extensive infrastructure enables flexibility when it comes to walking distances. Walk through the wooded Reichenbachtal and begin a steady ascent to Grosse Scheidegg (1962m); a large mountain pass offering splendid views. On a clear day, catch a first glimpse of the mighty Eiger standing tall at 3,967m. Descend steeply to the hotel Wetterhorn, and from here the going gets a bit easier. Arrive in the bustling town of Grindelwald, a famous mountaineering centre. Exactly half way through the trail, this is the perfect place to have a rest day, or even upgrade your hotel to a 4* spa hotel for a bit of rest and relaxation.  

Ascent/Descent: 1525m/1070m

Start with a short descent from the centre of Grindelwald to Grund, before tackling the steep climb to Alpiglen; where many climbers start their attempts on the Eiger’s menacing north face. Follow the path as it snakes around the base of the north face. Continue ascending to reach Klein Scheidegg at 2061m. Offering spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Kleine Scheidegg tends to be busy. Easily accessible by cog railway, its popularity does not make the views any less breath-taking. Continue via Wengern and Mettlenalp before arriving at the car-free resort of Wengen, well placed high above the Lauterbrunnen valley. 

Ascent/Descent: 1127m/884m

Take the train from Wengen to Muerren via Lauterbrunnen (aprrox 1 hour). Leaving the busy Bernese Oberland behind, ascend Schiltalp at 1948m, which consists of a handful of traditional cheese-makers huts. The ascent to today’s pass, the Seifenfurke, is over rough and rocky ground, with the very final section over gritty black shale and scree. At 2612m, this is the highest pass so far. At the pass, say goodbye to the Eiger and Mönch and look forward for views of the glaciated Bluemlisalp massif. The descent from the pass is steep and tricky, and chains and steps have been put in place to help you cover the scree and shale.

Ascent/Descent: 1300m/1300m

A tough, varied and rewarding day awaits. Ascend to the Hohtuerli pass, the highest point on the Via Alpina at 2778m. Walk through woodland, pastures and across streams before turning onto a steep slope over moraine and grass. The slog is tough going but rewarded with a wonderfully wild  panorama at the pass. The Schilthorn, Wetterhorn and Bluemlisalp are all visible. The descent to Kandersteg is long but steady. Pass the Oeschinensee; one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Switzerland. From here continue to descend steeply on foot or take the chair lift into Kandersteg.

Ascent/Descent: 1538m/1792m

Today’s objective is the Bunderchrinde pass. At 2385m, it’s the last of the classic mountain passes on the Via Alpina. From here the landscape becomes increasingly gentle but no less beautiful. On the ascent, come to Alpschele, a small collection of huts belonging to cheese makers and you may well see some locals going about their work. The final push to the pass is on a narrow path on a scree covered mountain side. As always, enjoy the views before starting the steep descent on more scree, which eventually  turns into a gentle woodland, pasture and country road walking. There is one final ascent to reach the town of Adelboden, your overnight for this evening.

Ascent/Descent: 1321m/1135m

Compared to previous days, today is quite easy-going with no major ascents or descents, and gentle underfoot terrain. Walk alongside riverside paths and through peaceful meadows and woodland. The highest point today is the Hahnenmoos pass at 1956m; a broad grassy saddle which is popular with locals and visitors due to its accessibility and idyllic surrounds. Descend to Lenk through scenic green countryside, dotted with traditional wooden chalets.

Ascent/Descent: 707m/984m

Follow the Walbach upstream as you ascend out of Lenk. The going gets steeper and steel ladders and stone steps have been put in place to help progress over the smooth rocks of the Walbach gorge. About an hour after setting off, you will come to Wallegg, where you can stop for a breather and a refreshing drink. Mountainous views accompany you all the way to the Trüttlisberg pass at 2038m. Start the pleasant descent to Lauenen over pastures and woodland and arrive in the centre of the small village, where you can catch a bus to bustling and glamorous Gstaad.

Ascent/Descent: 1054m/885m

Follow a panoramic high-level trail out of Gstaad past Eggli, to the Col de Jable at 1,884m. The hike from Gstaad to Eggli is steep, and although this area is filled with ski lifts and chairs, don’t count on them operating in Summer. However, the panoramic view from Eggli makes the effort worthwhile. The Col de Jable marks the border between the cantons of Bern and Vaud, and also the linguistic border between German and French speaking Switzerland. Keep an eye out for traditional wooden chalets with shingle roofs, so close to Gruyère, they are most definitely cheese-makers huts. Descend to L’Etivaz; a cheese-making hamlet of about 150 people.

Ascent/Descent: 983m/893m

The last day of hiking is a long one but there is the option to take a train for the last 10km or so. Although not as dramatic as other sections, the scenery is no less lovely, and walking towards Lake Geneva just adds to the variety of the trail. The objective today is the Col de Chaude at 1621m. Enjoy the views down to the Lake about 1000m below and congratulate yourself on your 14th and final mountain pass of the Via Alpina! A steady descent follows which inevitably becomes more and more urbanised.

Montreux is considered the capital of the Swiss Riviera due to its favourable micro-climate. Surrounded by vineyards, adjacent to the Lake and with views to the French Alps, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular with visitors. You may want to take an extra day here to relax and reflect on the epic trek you have just undertaken. We can also organise a well-deserved  upgrade to a 4* hotel & spa so you can celebrate in style.

 Ascent/Descent: 1312m/451m

Check out of your hotel after breakfast. Montreux is served by railway and frequent trains to Geneva airport which take about 1 hour 30 mins. If you would like even more hiking, after a few days relaxing, you may want to consider our GR5: Lake Geneva to Chamonix trip which starts in Montreux!