Via Alpina

Via Alpina

Highlights
  • Complete the classic Via Alpina hike from east to west Switzerland
  • Walk with a backdrop of spectacular peaks; some topped with sun-glistening glaciers
  • Enjoy spectacular mountain views while crossing as many as 14 Alpine passes
  • Smooth, indulgent Swiss chocolate to fuel your hiking adventure
  • Stroll through wildflower-filled meadows alive with the sound of cowbells
  • Montreux’s scenic lakeshore and vineyards, providing a Mediterranean flair

Immerse yourself in the majesty of Switzerland on the Via Alpina, one of its classic long-distance trails. A hiking enthusiast’s dream, embark on a challenging mountain hike through the picture-perfect landscapes of the Swiss Alps. Cross Alpine passes and walk alongside crystal-clear lakes at the foot of imposing rock faces as the trail takes you through the Bernese Oberland and the culturally renowned Montreux.

The Via Alpina is a trip of a lifetime as you hike through some of the most dramatic landscapes in Switzerland. With a combination of 3-star hotels and traditional mountain chalets, enjoy included hearty dinners on select nights while surrounded by the chatter of your fellow walkers who have come from far and wide to embark on this classic long-distance trail. Macs Adventure has been creating trips in Switzerland since 2008, our team will work with you to find the perfect trip for you, making personal recommendations and providing advice along the way so that you can book your trip with confidence.

For those looking for a shorter hike, we offer each half: the East Section, which starts in the valleys of St Gallen, on the border to Liechtenstein and finishes deep in the Alps, or the West Section which starts in the Bernese Oberland and finishes on the shores of Lac Leman, in Montreux. If you are up for the challenge, embark on the Full Via Alpina Route. This adventure through the magnificent Swiss Alps will test, surprise, and capture your imagination.

 

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Discover Via Alpina

  • What is the Via Alpina

    In 2000, eight Alpine countries in Europe grouped together and began a new and innovative project in order to develop their heritage and to exchange experiences via a long-distance hiking route, the Via Alpina.

    We offer a portion of the Via Alpina which takes you across Switzerland. The complete version, however, is much longer and takes walkers over 5 international trails (the red, blue, purple, yellow and green trail), through 8 countries, is broken down into 342 stages and over 5000km. The trail is the best way to explore the Alps and their the natural and cultural heritage. Our trips take you along the red trail, which crosses the main Alpine region of Europe.
     

    The Red Trail travels through different linguistic areas, demonstrating the historical significance of the Alpine passes as trade routes. The scenery alternates between wooden chalets and stone sheep barns, mountain shelters and lively towns and villages. We believe that there is something for everyone along this trail.

    What is the Via Alpina
  • Best Hiking Regions in Switzerland

    Bernese Oberland - The Berner Oberland is a stone through from the capital, Bern, an easy train ride takes you into the mountains which are dominated by the spectacular mountain trio, the Eiger, Monch and the Jungfrau. This region is filled with walks for all abilities if this is your first walking holiday or you are a veteran. There are multiple trips which will take you through this region, such as our Best of the Bernese Oberland or the Via Alpina. Each takes you through breath-taking scenery and wanders through lush meadows sprinkled with wildflowers. Along the way, hikers are treated to a diversity of Swiss villages from small hamlets, such as of Lauterbrunnen, the car-free Murren or to the popular ski resort of Grindelwald.

    Valais – Deep in the alps you find Valais, in the south-west corner of Switzerland. The region is split between German and French-speaking villages. Walk amongst some of the most dramatic alpine scenery Switzerland has to offer, with fifty peaks, including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and the Dom, soaring over 4,000-meter, more than any other region in the Alps. It is filled with an intricate network of hiking trails, the most famous being the Walkers Haute Route, creating endless opportunities for hikers to explore the high peaks, cross panoramic passes and travel through scenic alpine valleys. With a little luck, hikers may encounter marmots, chamois or mountain goats.

    Graubünden – Explore the German-speaking Alps, including the Engadine, Davos and St Moritz. This region offers a multitude of great hiking trails from easy walks along beautiful lakes to moderate jaunts between the rustic villages. Strenuous hikes climb over scenic passes with stunning views of glacier-clad peaks and travel up tranquil valleys amid rugged peaks. Discover the local beauty on our St. Moritz & The Engadine Valley tour.

    Best Hiking Regions in Switzerland
  • Why Choose Macs Adventure to book your Walking Holiday in Switzerland?

    Macs Adventure has been running self-guided walking holidays in Swizterland since 2008.  Whether you like mountains and hills, lakes, rivers and glaciers, dreamy villages and well preserved medieval cities, Switzerland has something to offer for everyone. This abundance of wonderful places to explore lead us to seek out more and more areas where we could help people to discover Switzerland on foot. 

    From humble beginnings, we now send over 2000 walkers to Switzerland every year, each walking the route that excites them the most. We provide the freedom to choose your route, itinerary and travel companions and discover Switzerland at your own pace. 

    We know how daunting it can be, setting off on an adventure of this scale and we quickly realised how important it was to have amazing partners on the ground in Switzerland to deal with any issues that you might come across.  We are proud to say that we work incredibly closely with all our accommodation suppliers and luggage transfer teams and should you have the slightest issue, they will fall over themselves to help you out. 

    We offer a tried and tested hiking experience that gets you in comfortable, friendly overnight accommodation in local B&Bs and guesthouses. We carry your bags to lighten your load so you can concentrate on simply putting one foot in front of the other and enjoying the unique culture, food and scenery of Switzerland. No hostels, no leaky tents, no heavy bags on your back just a straightforward active holiday that you can book with confidence that we have it all covered for you. 

    We want to showcase our expertise, by giving you all the resources you will ever need.  In the planning stage, we have free guides, comprehensive videos and a host of staff with their own Swiss experiences, waiting to answer your questions. On the route, we use high-quality digital mapping as well as the best maps and guidebooks to make sure you find your way.  

    We love the diversity of walking in Switzerland and our main aim is to make sure that you do too. 

    Self-guided Walking in Switzerland Header image featuring Lucerne
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