The Via Alpina

Zurich is easily accessible by train from Zurich Airport (10 mins), Geneva (3 hours) or Bern (1.5  hours).

Zurich is the biggest city in Switzerland, yet despite this, it is compact and easily navigable on foot. The city has many important museums like the Swiss National Museum and the Kunsthaus. If museums aren’t your thing, wander down to the picturesque Zurichsee with an ice-cream and watch the world go by.

Start the day with a scenic train journey (approx. 1 hour) to the small town of Sargans and the official start of the Via Alpina. Today is a gentle day and a great introduction to the trek. Heading out of Sargans, walk through several small towns and hamlets before breaking free of the road. As you ascend, you will soon find yourself above vineyards with views of Sargans and Mels and the mountains of Liechtenstein. Re-join the country road at the town of Schwendi and follow it to Weisstannen, a peaceful, traditional alpine village.

Ascent/Descent: 641m/144m (2,103ft/472ft)

Warm up with an easy-going 9km walk on a country road before starting the ascent to the first pass of the trail, the Foopass (2223m). This is an exciting day of walking as you enter the Via Alpina's proper mountainous arena. The ascent is steady and surrounded by alpine farmland, fields, waterfalls and marmots. The Foopass also marks the border between St Gallen and Glarus, and you will notice a definite change in the character of the terrain from here on. Descend to the attractive town of Elm, home to a 15th-century church with a backdrop of Piz Sardona and Piz Segnas. 

Ascent/Descent: 1292m/1301m (4,239ft/4,268ft)

Today is a long but rewarding day. There are two passes to cross, although the first is unnamed and relatively insignificant. The second is the Richetlipass at 2261m. The ascent is on steep zig zags, becoming even steeper just before arriving at the pass. Enjoy views over the deep Durnachtal valley from the top before beginning the sharp descent into it! The path down is narrow and tricky in wet weather, so take your time. There is a short section of descent with a fixed chain over a particularly craggy area. Arrive in Linthal, a small village framed by ’Toedi’, a 3614m peak known as the ’King of Little Mountains’. Take the funicular (10 mins) to the traffic-free hamlet of Braunwald, 600m above Linthal.

Ascent/Descent: 1427m/17036m (4,682ft/5587ft)

From Braunwald, take the high balcony path to the resort of Urnerboden. The Urnerboden valley is one of the most dramatic in the Alps. Its large, flat bottom is covered in typical pasture and farmland, and the impressively tall walls on both sides are impressive.

Ascent/Descent: 385m/264m (1,263ft/866ft)

Today’s objective is the Klausenpass at 1948m. Although not exceptionally high for an alpine pass, it is historically significant as it has been the main crossing point between the cantons of Glarus and Uri for centuries. It is also the first pass in Switzerland that is accessible to motorized traffic. The descent is pleasant, through fields and forests, passing the hamlet of Aesch and its breathtaking Staeubifall waterfall. Arrive at Unterschaechen and take the bus to Altdorf (30 mins)., the capital of Uri.

Ascent/Descent: 587m/943m (1,926ft/3,094ft)

Today’s walk is considered one of the finest stages of the Via Alpina. Start by taking the bus to Attinghausen (10 mins), then hop on the cable car to Bruesti at 1525m. Steadily ascend to Surenenpass (2291m), passing tiny houses, huts and farms. In the distance, catch a glimpse of the turquoise waters of Lake Lucerne. Offering a spectacular mountain vista dominated by the diagonal jagged peak of Mount Titlis (3238m), the pass is the perfect place for a break. When ready, begin the descent to Engelberg, a famous mountain resort.

Ascent/Descent: 836m/1368m (2,743ft/4,488ft)

Arrive at the Jochpass at 2207m and gently descend to Engstlensee, a large alpine lake. The snowy peak of the Wetterhorn appears up ahead– a taste of the Bernese Oberland, which is still to come. From Engstlenalp, take a balcony path high above the Central Valley. Wetterhorn views continue to dominate, and waterfalls cascade down the valley's east wall. Arrive at the small village of Reuti, from where you can descend to Meiringen on foot or by cable car. Meiringen is a small but busy town known for being where Sherlock Holmes met his maker in the popular Conan-Doyle stories.

Ascent/Descent: 0m/1610m (0ft/5,282ft)

This area is popular with tourists and locals in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. It can feel like it lacks a particular ‘wilderness’ found in other sections of the trail. However, the extensive infrastructure enables flexibility when it comes to walking distances. Walk through the wooded Reichenbachtal and begin a steady ascent to Grosse Scheidegg (1962m), a large mountain pass offering splendid views. On a clear day, catch a first glimpse of the mighty Eiger standing tall at 3,967m. Descend steeply to the hotel Wetterhorn, and the going gets a bit easier. Arrive in the bustling town of Grindelwald, a famous mountaineering centre. Exactly halfway through the trail, this is the perfect place to have a rest day or even upgrade your hotel to a 4* spa hotel for a bit of relaxation.  

Ascent/Descent: 1676m/1217m (5,499ft/3,993ft)

Start with a short descent from the centre of Grindelwald to Grund before tackling the steep climb to Alpiglen, where many climbers start their attempts on the Eiger’s menacing north face. Follow the path as it snakes around the base of the north face. Continue ascending to reach Klein Scheidegg at 2061m. Offering spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Kleine Scheidegg tends to be busy. Easily accessible by cog railway, its popularity does not make the views any less breathtaking. Continue via Wengen and Mettlenalp before arriving at the car-free resort of Wengen, which is well placed high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. 

Ascent/Descent: 1120m/876m (3,675ft/2,874ft)

Take the train(s) and a gondola from Wengen to Muerren via Lauterbrunnen (approx 1 hour). Leaving the busy Bernese Oberland behind, ascend Schiltalp at 1948m, which consists of a handful of traditional cheese-makers huts. The ascent to today’s pass, the Sefinenfurgge, is over rough and rocky ground, with the final section over gritty black shale and scree. At 2612m, this is the highest pass so far. At the pass, say goodbye to the Eiger and Mönch and look forward to views of the glaciated Bluemlisalp massif. The descent from the pass is steep and tricky, and chains and steps have been placed to help you cover the scree and shale.

Ascent/Descent: 1007m/1260m (3,304ft/4,134ft)

A challenging, varied and rewarding day awaits. Ascend to the Hohtuerli pass, the highest point on the Via Alpina at 2778m. Walk through woodland, pastures and across streams before turning onto a steep slope over moraine and grass. The slog is tough going but rewarded with a wonderfully wild panorama at the pass. The Schilthorn, Wetterhorn and Bluemlisalp are all visible. The descent to Kandersteg is long but steady. Pass the Oeschinensee, one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Switzerland. From here, continue to descend steeply on foot or take the chair lift to Kandersteg.

Ascent/Descent: 1530m/1762m (5,020ft/5,781ft)

Today’s objective is the Bunderchrinde pass. At 2385m, it’s the last of the classic mountain passes on the Via Alpina. From here, the landscape becomes increasingly gentle but no less beautiful. On the ascent, come to Alpschele, a small collection of huts belonging to cheese makers, and you may see some locals working. The final push to the pass is on a narrow path on a scree-covered mountainside. Enjoy the views before starting the steep descent on a more scree, which eventually turns into a gentle woodland, pasture, and country road walk. There is one final ascent to reach the town of Adelboden, your overnight for this evening.

Ascent/Descent: 1350m/1172m (4,419ft/3,845ft)

Compared to previous days, today is quite easy-going with no significant ascents or descents and gentle underfoot terrain. Walk alongside riverside paths and through peaceful meadows and woodland. Today's highest point is the Hahnenmoos pass at 1956m, a broad grassy saddle famous with locals and visitors due to its accessibility and idyllic surrounds. Descend to Lenk through scenic green countryside dotted with traditional wooden chalets.

Ascent/Descent: 657m/943m (2,156ft/3,094ft)

Follow the Walbach upstream as you ascend out of Lenk. The going gets steeper, and steel ladders and stone steps have been put in place to help progress over the smooth rocks of the Walbach gorge. About an hour after setting off, you will come to Wallegg, where you can stop for a breather and a refreshing drink. Mountainous views accompany you to the Trüttlisberg pass at 2038m. Start the pleasant descent to Lauenen over pastures and woodland and arrive in the centre of the small village, where you can catch a bus to the bustling and glamorous Gstaad.

Ascent/Descent: 972m/801m (3,189ft/2,628ft)

Follow a panoramic high-level trail from Gstaad past Eggli to the Col de Jable at 1,884m. The hike from Gstaad to Eggli is steep, and although this area is filled with ski lifts and chairs, I don’t count on them operating in summer. However, the panoramic view from Eggli makes the effort worthwhile. The Col de Jable marks the border between the cantons of Bern and Vaud and the linguistic border between German and French-speaking Switzerland. Keep an eye out for traditional wooden chalets with shingle roofs, so close to Gruyère, they are most definitely cheese-makers huts. Descend to L’Etivaz, a cheese-making hamlet of about 150 people.

Ascent/Descent: 1049m/974m (3,442ft/3,196ft)

The last day of hiking is long, but there is the option to take a train for the previous 10km or so. Although not as dramatic as other sections, the scenery is no less lovely, and walking towards Lake Geneva adds to the trail's variety. The objective today is the Col de Chaude at 1621m. Enjoy the views down to the Lake about 1000m below and congratulate yourself on your 14th and final mountain pass of the Via Alpina! A steady descent follows, which inevitably becomes more and more urbanised.

Montreux is considered the capital of the Swiss Riviera due to its favourable microclimate. Surrounded by vineyards adjacent to the Lake and with views of the French Alps, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular with visitors. You may want to take an extra day here to relax and reflect on the epic trek you have just undertaken. We can also organise a well-deserved upgrade to a 4-star hotel and spa so you can celebrate in style.

Ascent/Descent: 1251m/410m  (4,104ft/1,345ft)

Check out of your hotel after breakfast. Montreux is served by railway and frequent trains to Geneva airport, which take about 1 hour 30 mins. If you would like even more hiking, after a few days of relaxing, you may want to consider our GR5: Lake Geneva to Chamonix trip, which starts in Montreux!