Swiss Alps to Italy's Lake Como Hiking & Walking Tour
High Peaks, Lakes & Luxuries from St. Moritz to Varenna
Switzerland’s wild east will surprise you with its flair for romance. And why not, when glittering Italian lakes are the next-door neighbors? This is the border-hopping Alpine adventure you never knew you needed.
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Embark on bucket-list hikes across the towering Engadine Alps, whose gauzy light inspired Chagall, Segantini and others
- Switzerland’s signature network of ski lifts and gondolas connect you to trailheads and mountaintop belvederes
- Locals might greet you with a warm “Allegra!” in the heartland of Romansch, the endangered native Swiss language still spoken by about 60,000 people
- Wander the hidden country paths of glitzy Lake Como
- Take in views of the lake’s misty cliffs from the crumbling towers of a medieval castle
Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.
Start Chur, Switzerland Airport & Travel Details
- Welcome to Switzerland’s canton of Graubünden, where vineyards, glaciers and three languages coexist within forty square miles
- A high-altitude gondola takes you to the start of your first hike
- Enter the isolated realm of Romansh, the closest living language to Latin
- Trek up the grand shoulders of Piz Scalottas (Scalottas Peak) on a heart-pumping climb or hop on the chairlift and soar to the top
- Learn to make hearty local specialties with old-school cooking appliances and a cauldron over an open fire—this interactive dinner at our cozy village hotel is not your average cooking class.
Nights 1-2
Luxury Hotel
A homey but elegant hotel built into several buildings of an isolated hamlet. The cozy traditional rooms are converted chambers of 300-year-old houses, resulting in a uniquely warm and cultural Swiss experience. (spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Make for the Engadine region via the World Heritage route of the historic Bernina Express as we follow in its path, weaving through tunnels and across soaring viaducts
- As you travel, take in the land that inspired painters such as Segantini and Marc Chagall
- From the heath-strewn mountaintop of Muottas Muragl, catch your first glimpse of the twin jewels of Lake St. Moritz and Lake Silvaplana
- Stroll the lanes of elegant St. Moritz
- Hike high above the Engadine Valley on a soaring panorama trail
- Our elegant St. Moritz hotel serves up exquisite Italian specialties like fresh burrata and pasta made in-house—after all, Italy is less than ten miles away!
Nights 3-4
Luxury Hotel
With shutter-framed windows and fairy-tale spires set against the looming backdrop of Piz Rosatsch, this gleaming getaway delivers just the blend of cozy and sleek you would expect from a St. Moritz grand hotel, let alone a Kempinski family member. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Benvenuti in Italia! On the shores of Lake Como, hike past magnificent villas, colorful gardens and castle ruins to Varenna
- Climb the towers of a medieval castle and learn about this area’s history fraught with battles and vying kingdoms
- Hop a ferry to the western shore of Lake Como and our stunning lakeside retreat for the night
- Relax in a unique hotel pool which floats in a dock atop the lake
- Toast to our mountain adventure as golden hour lights up the lake
- On your final morning, choose to relax in a chaise lounge or wander the streets of Bellagio before jumping in the shuttle that will drop you off in elegant Milan.
Night 5
Luxury Hotel
This property in the historic heart of lakeside Cadennabia was once the 19th-century Hotel Britannia, but former guests will scarcely recognize it after its multimillion-dollar remodel to become the newest member of Marriott's luxury EDITION hotel family. Chic interiors, a massive spa and a unique floating pool all invite you to relax into the Riviera lifestyle. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
End Milan, Italy Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 2-4
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Lightweight carbon hiking poles
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
