Woman holding a bottle of wine ascending a mountain

View Gallery

Switzerland Hiking & Walking Tour

Swiss Alps Adventure from Interlaken to Zermatt

Follow the trail to mountain worlds high in the sparkling sky. Then soak in the charm of grande dame hotels. You thought hiking was just putting one foot in front of the other? Switzerland elevates it.

6 days, 5 nights

Luxury & Casual Hotels

Activity Levels 2-5

Couples, Friends & Solos

Also Available for: Families with Teens & 20s

From $6,099 - $6,699/person

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Reviews

Compare

Saved

Save

View Dates & prices

Snapshots from the Trip

Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Gondolas, trains and even all-terrain scooters supplement your own two feet on this car-free adventure
Hike through high passes and cliffside forests, pausing to say grüezi to the resident cows
Climb to panoramic vistas of the Gornergletscher, the Alps’ second-largest ice field
Dine on local cheeses, sample regional wines and perhaps savor a trailside drink in a cozy chalet
Experience the charming mountaineering town of Zermatt, nestled in the shadow of the iconic Matterhorn

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start Interlaken Airport & Travel Details

Begin your adventure in the village of Adelboden, where a lush cirque of green pasture is watched over by the towering Engstligen Falls
A gondola ride sweeps you up to the trailhead for your first hike
Pause to read trailside signs that identify the colorful drifts of blooms along the Wildflower Trail
Climb to Hahnenmoos Pass, the escape route by which Catholic priests fled to Geneva during the Swiss Reformation
Hike down the Adelboden Valley through tumbling meadows with panoramic views, or get a two-wheeled assist and coast down on Trotti bikes (uniquely Swiss fat-tire scooters).

The Cambrian

(Luxury Hotel, 1 night)

Activity Options & Terrain

Indoor bar and lounge with leather barstools and light fixtures

Indoor waiting area with blue sofas and a wooden art piece on the wall

Dining area and bar with light green walls and gray chairs

Outdoor patio with green and white furniture, with large mountains in the distance

Night 1

The Cambrian

Adelboden

Luxury Hotel

Spectacular views of the Bernese Oberland surround us at this mountain retreat with modern design sensibilities. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Trek from high mountain passes to wildflower-strewn meadows
A challenging Swiss Alps hiking trail to Leukerbad leads past a shimmering glacier-fed lake and over Gemmi Pass
Cable cars whisk us over the toughest ups and downs
Traverse a thermal gorge on a bridge that looks onto a thundering waterfall
Discover the age-old process behind Swiss cheese at a traditional farm
Indulge in a rejuvenating soak in Leukerbad’s healing waters.

Hotel Quellenhof Leukerbad

(Casual Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior view of white and brown, multi-level hotel building with a grass lawn in front

Restaurant dining area with white brown tables and beige chairs, with a fireplace in the background

Nights 2-3

Hotel Quellenhof Leukerbad

Leukerbad

Casual Hotel

Modern interiors full of Alpine touches and grand mountain views make the Quellenhof a cozy home away from home.

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Catch a scenic train ride to Zermatt, a picturesque village with stunning views of the Matterhorn
Hike through the Zmutt Valley
Pause in a historic mountain hamlet for a lunch of local dishes like rösti, sausage and apple strudel, accompanied by delicious lager
Visit the herb garden for Ricola’s world-renowned candy and teas
Admire jaw-dropping views of Gornergletscher, a glacier with bright blue pools and deep crevasses, reached by foot or cogwheel train
Listen to the ice field groan, creak and rumble
Savor crisp morning air en route to an Alpine lake with magnificent vistas
A festive dinner marks the last night of this grand Alpine hiking adventure.

Grand Hotel Zermatterhof

(Luxury Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Hotel with clocktower in front of mountains

horse drawn carriage out front of hotel zermatterhof

Nights 4-5

Grand Hotel Zermatterhof

Zermatt

Luxury Hotel

Set in the heart of Zermatt, this landmark luxury hotel was built in 1879 under the shadow of the Matterhorn. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

End Zermatt Airport & Travel Details

Start
End
Overnight stay
Trip direction

View & Download

This trip has an activity level range of 2-5

Route & Terrain Notes

The hiking routes on this trip include well-maintained paths through forests and alpine meadows, paved and unpaved roads, and rugged mountain trails, with some rocky sections and steep climbs and descents. Most activities on this trip take place at elevations of 4,000 to 7,000 feet (and up to 10,000 feet), which can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest. Thanks to the marvels of Swiss transportation, no support van is needed on this trip! We take advantage of the wonderful Swiss rail system and often use gondolas to access the best high-altitude hikes.

Day 1

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

2 miles

300 ft. gain

Level 1

3 miles

300 ft. gain

Level 2

4 miles

500 ft. gain

Day 2

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

6 miles

1300 ft. gain

Level 3

7 miles

1500 ft. gain

Level 4

7 miles

1900 ft. gain

Day 3

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

4 miles

700 ft. gain

Level 3

6 miles

900 ft. gain

Level 4

4 miles

2100 ft. gain

Level 5

8 miles

2600 ft. gain

Day 4

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

2 miles

900 ft. gain

Level 3

6 miles

1200 ft. gain

Level 4

6 miles

2500 ft. gain

Level 5

5 miles

3200 ft. gain

Day 5

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

1 miles

150 ft. gain

Level 2

2 miles

1000 ft. gain

Level 3

4 miles

2000 ft. gain

Level 4

5 miles

3000 ft. gain

Level 5

6 miles

3500 ft. gain

Day 6

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

3 miles

700 ft. gain

View Dates & Prices From $6,099/person

What to Know

What's Included

See Everything Included

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Trail Support

Many of our hikes through the Alps are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles (or mountain infrastructure like gondolas) will get us to and from the trailheads, but due to the nature of these trails, we won’t see support vans along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.

Two Leaders

We ordinarily staff our trips with two Backroads leaders, plus one or more support leaders who are generally responsible for van support. Due to our lower reliance on driving during this trip, we’re able to offer our usual high level of support without the help of a support leader.

Air-Conditioning

While the hotels on this trip offer outstanding service and amenities, please note that they are not equipped with air-conditioning. Despite the region’s temperate climate and cool nights, guest rooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.

FAQs

This trip is best suited for adults who appreciate flexible options, from moderate walks to more challenging mountain hikes. It’s ideal for those who want to experience the Swiss Alps on foot, hiking through alpine meadows, high mountain passes and glacier-carved landscapes from Adelboden to Zermatt.

This is a Level 2–5 Hiking & Walking trip, with shorter options covering roughly 1–4 miles and the longest options reaching around 8 miles, with up to 3,500 feet of elevation gain. A typical day includes multiple flexible route choices—see this trip’s Activity Options & Terrain in the itinerary for day-by-day details or learn more about Backroads’ activity levels.

Terrain varies from well-maintained paths through forests and alpine meadows to more rugged mountain trails with rocky sections and steeper climbs and descents. Routes are generally well marked and maintained, with footing and terrain varying throughout the trip.

Trains and gondolas are used on several days to travel between destinations and access higher-elevation trails. They help reduce some climbing and descending while allowing guests to spend more time hiking in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

Most activities take place between around 4,000 and 7,000 feet, with some hikes reaching approximately 10,000 feet. The higher elevation may be noticeable on some routes, particularly for guests arriving from lower elevations.

Trusted by Travelers Since 1979

7,000+ 5-star reviews.
Your Day, Your Way

Route and activity options to match your pace and preferences.
24/7 Local Support

Experienced leaders on every trip backed by a dedicated service team.
Never Outsourced

Expert trip design rooted in five decades of local knowledge and relationships.
Small Groups

More access, flexibility and connection, with an average of 14 guests.