Home to the majestic Alps mountain range, Switzerland is undoubtedly one of the most idyllic destinations in Europe. And, what better way to explore its breathtaking natural beauty than simply walking through it? So, without further ado, here are the top walking holidays in Switzerland!
Exploring the Bernese Oberland
The Bernese Oberland is a quintessential highlight of Switzerland. This region is where you will find the most iconic Alpan peaks, including Finsteraarhorn, Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger, forming its unique skyline. The village of Kandersteg is a great start for this adventure, offering easy connections with the major airports.
From there, hikers will traverse through such attractions as Allmenalp meadow, Gasterntal valley, River Kander, remote Selden village, Waldhaus Nature Reserve, Lake Oeschinen, Blausee (Blue Lake), Felsenburg Castle ruins and many other incredible spots. The trails here are catered to various fitness levels, ranging from gentle valley walks to more strenuous mountain ascents and descents.
Walking from Geneva to Chamonix
In the southwestern part of Switzerland, the walk from Geneva to Chamonix follows along the Swiss-French border for a total of 67 miles (approximately 8 days). It’s a convenient starting point, with Geneva airport being the largest international airport in the country, while the route itself is filled with Alpine landscapes and mesmerising views.
During this walking holiday, you will experience authentic Alpine vineyards, take quiet walks through lush meadows and forests, enjoy the panoramic views of Lake Geneva from your hotel room, ascent the Col de Bise mountain, stay in traditional mountain lodges and chalets, as well as witness the iconic Mont Blanc. The journey is chock-o-block full of sites that will make your head spin with excitement!
Touring the valleys and mountains near Matterhorn
Some of Switzerland’s best-known trails are located north of the Matterhorn mountain, famous for its unique pyramid shape. This region offers a more rugged and remote challenge, with stunning natural beauty and a diverse vegetation of mountains and valleys. Your holiday starts in Brig, which is accessible directly by train from Geneva or Zürich airports, stretching 100 kilometers (62 miles) to Zermatt mountain resort.
From taking the cable car to Rosswald and exploring the artificial Simplon Lake, to walking along the picturesque Europaweg trail and staying in the popular Europahütte mountain retreat – this trip will not fail to amaze you with its offerings. There is an option for two different routes towards the end of your walk (day 7), one being easy and the other of high difficulty.
Booking your walking holiday with Orbis Ways
Boasting excellent reviews on Trustpilot, Orbis Ways is an experienced agency, specialising in organising a vast variety of walking holidays across Europe. Their aim is to make your experience as stress-free as possible, taking care of all logistics for you.
This includes putting together a personalised itinerary for both guided and self-guided holidays, booking comfortable accommodations with breakfast included, organising luggage transfers in between the hotels and providing 24/7 telephone support in case of emergencies. Not just that, Orbis Ways are committed to sustainable travel, aiming to minimise their ecological impact by compensating the CO2 emissions.
Unforgettable alpine experience
A walking holiday in Switzerland is more than just a vacation. It’s an adventure that combines natural beauty, physical challenge, cultural immersion and historic explorations seamlessly – easily becoming one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of your life!
