The Glacier Express Rail and Hike

Perfect for those looking to experience two classic, yet distinct, Swiss alpine hiking destinations on a twin center active vacation. 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 hikes 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 (2.5-9mi), and quite varied. Most hikes are on the easy-moderate end of the scale, however there are some hikes, 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 hike. 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; hiking 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 Hikers

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 hikes.

This trip is available to start any day of the week, from the end of June to the mid-Sept. The best months for hiking are in the summer months and into mid-Sept when the wild flowers are in bloom and the weather is generally mild. 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 (ZRH) or Bern (BRN) then continue by train (3.5 or 4.5 hours with a couple of train changes)  to reach Pontresina, the starting point for your tour.

Public Transportation is incredibly reliable (and on time) in Switzerland. Train timetables are available via the excellent travel planner at www.sbb.ch.

Should you arrive in the late afternoon or would prefer to settle into Switzerland before taking the train several hours to Pontresina, we recommend booking a pre-night in Zurich or Bern. Reach out to our Adventure Specialists to learn more.  

Your tour ends in Zermatt.

From the Zermatt train station,  you can get to any major European destination easily. Trains to the Zurich airport take about 3.5 hours (with a train change in Brig).

To Bern it is 2.5 hours, and to Geneva 4 hours. For more information check https://www.sbb.ch/

Travel During the Trip

Please note, most of the hikes on this tour require an easy to navigate mountain train/funicular/cable car/bus journey to the start or from the end of the hike back to your hotel. You’ll be traveling as the locals do and can rely on Switzerland’s seamless and reliable public transportation. See below for more details.

Engadine Valley Travel Pass

At your hotel in Pontresina, you'll receive an area pass for public transport and mountain railways (issued at check-in and collected at check-out). This includes use of all chairlifts/cable cars/funiculars in the Engadine Valley. Please Note: The pass excludes the ‘Bernina Express’ panoramic train, but includes the public train which runs on the same Bernina track. 

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