High Trail to the Matterhorn

Head to the Swiss Alps for some challenging walking, dramatic landscapes and experience the warmth from the friendly locals. With wonderful high alpine walking, this walking holiday will leave you invigorated and refreshed. Some of the trail is on narrow paths and there is a section over a 0.5 km long suspension bridge, so a head for heights is required! Carefully chosen accommodation with wonderful local dinners make this a walk not to be missed!

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 in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle 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

The walking is graded moderate to strenuous so you will enjoy the holiday more if you already enjoy an active lifestyle. Most of the paths are easy to follow with your route notes and maps but some paths are steep and strenuous. There is also a crossing of the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge involved. This is found on the Europaweg on the final day of walking into Zermatt. The bridge is about 0.5 km in length and the crossing takes about 15 minutes. You will need a head for heights! Days can be long averaging approx 6 - 7 hrs per day. On some days you will be able to shorten the walk by taking a bus or cable car (this is noted in the itinerary where it is possible).

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) in 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.

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 available for solo walkers due to the tough and sometimes remote terrain.

Meals

A delicious breakfast is included each morning and an evening meal is included on 5 nights (dinners in Saas Fee and Zermatt are not included). 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.

The routes on this holiday are way marked some of the time so you will need to follow the route notes with maps that we provide at your first hotel. If you are unsure of a turn then you can always go back to the last note to make sure you are on the right track.

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 per person. Please note on Day 2* and Day 6 your accommodation is quite remote and luggage transfer will not be provided on this day. You will need to carry a day pack 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.