Switzerland: Zürich, Wengen & Zermatt

3.3 miles, easy, 150-ft. elevation gain and loss

Make your own way to Zürich, Switzerland’s graceful center of culture and commerce. The city straddles the Limmat River, where it flows into the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. When you’re not mesmerized by a soaring backdrop of alpine vistas, you’ll find plenty to explore in this history-rich city, the nation’s largest and wealthiest. Romans founded it as Turicum in the year 15 BC, and it eventually gained enough status that the Roman Emperor himself saw fit to oversee city affairs directly, stripping away power from local nobility. In the 16th century, Zürich became an important center of the Protestant Reformation when the magistrates of the Grossmünster church, the princess abbess of Fraumünster Church, and the people of Zürich embraced the principles of Martin Luther.

Today, the city retains its free-thinking spirit, most notably in a rich arts scene. Not only do its churches lean into a tradition of creativity (with stained-glass windows by Augusto Giacometti and Marc Chagall in the Grossmünster and the Fraumünster, respectively); the Kunsthaus contemporary art museum and numerous galleries showcase the best of international and local artists. As you orient yourself, be sure to warm up for your walking adventure with an optional stroll through Zürich’s Old Town. Directions for this self-guided walk begin from your centrally located hotel. Perhaps you’ll have dinner at a trendy restaurant in the recently restored district of Zuri-West, where an old train viaduct adds to the atmosphere.

4.6 miles, easy, 250-ft. elevation gain and 600-ft. elevation loss. Optional 40-minute climb to Staubbach Falls

After breakfast, an orientation meeting with our local representative previews the breathtaking walks ahead of you and gives you tips that will help ensure a seamless journey. Then you head into the countryside on a beautiful drive. Gently rolling valleys unfurl amid towering peaks throughout your two-and-a-half-hour journey. You ascend to cross over Burnigg Pass, where you can enjoy views of Lungerer See Lake and then descend into Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland. At the far end of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, you arrive in the village of Stechelberg. If you wish, you may eat lunch on your own here before setting off on the trail. Perhaps try a plate of rösti, a Swiss specialty similar to a potato fritter, at the small restaurant here. Or wait until the end of your walk, where you find a beautiful chalet and farm that sells homemade cheese and sausage along with refreshing, cold drinks.

Lauterbrunnen Valley boasts 72 waterfalls and is said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien when he imagined the elfin paradise of Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings. Your trail traces the valley’s length, the path mostly level and paved, past gorgeous cascades of water flanked by steep slopes and lovely fields where brown and white cows graze. Occasionally, you follow the banks of the Lutschine River; its blue-green hue is from the fine granules of rock the waters have shorn from upstream glaciers. Green pastures unfolding from working farms, ice-capped peaks, wooden chalets in tiny villages, and the soft tinkle of cow and sheep bells evoke an idyllic canvas that is pure Swiss. As you walk, you can pause at benches and picnic tables to take in the view and enjoy the lunch you packed. The Horner Pub at the 4.4-mile mark offers a lovely outdoor terrace where you can relax with a beer or a bite to eat.

A couple of short excursions off the main trail enhance the day’s walk. Begin with a scenic detour to Trümmelbachfälle (Trümmelbach Falls), a series of 10 waterfalls hidden inside a mountain, with underground access by lift, galleries, tunnels, paths, and platforms. A natural UNESCO World Heritage site, the falls start at a height of 459 feet, with nearly 5,300 gallons of meltwater tumbling down it per second. You’ll want to take another scenic detour to view the tallest of the valley’s waterfalls—Staubbach Falls, plunging some 1,000 feet as it blankets its surroundings with a light mist. The trail to the falls starts at the 4.3-mile mark. You ascend a short but steep path, then enter a tunnel before climbing a series of steps through a cave. It’s a little strenuous, but well worth the workout for the spectacular view as you come upon the falls from behind. Though the trail from the falls is well-maintained and has handrails, it can be slippery. Back on the main trail at the 4.8-mile mark, just past the Hotel Schutzen, follow the footpath on the right to the Tal Museum. You descend about 10 minutes to this historic house along the river.

At Lauterbrunnen, board a cog-wheel train to the car-free resort village of Wengen. This train line is the Wengernalp Railway, and though only 12 miles long, it is the longest continuous rack-and-pinion railway in the world. The air up in Wengen is pure and clean, and the streets extraordinarily hushed. In this charming mountainside village, you’ll have splendid panoramic views of the Bernese Alps and the famed Jungfrau, one of its main summits. After a walk to your hotel, settle in and enjoy a four-course dinner, perhaps on the outdoor terrace.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

3 miles, easy to moderate, 550-ft. elevation loss Afternoon option: Via Alpina: Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen 4.4 miles, moderate, 2,550-ft. elevation loss

After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, take an amazing 10-minute aerial cable car ride from Wengen up to the Männlichen summit station. For a few extra francs opt for the “Royal Ride,” where you ride atop the cable car in an open-air rooftop balcony. At the summit, linger over coffee or a snack at the Berghaus Männlichen restaurant. Then, admire sweeping views of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, and the valley down to Grindelwald as you hike one of the most iconic trails in Switzerland.

Upon reaching Kleine Scheidegg, a famed mountain pass between the soaring peaks of Eiger and Lauberhorn, you have numerous options. Enjoy lunch at one of several eateries or, if you’d like, you can purchase a ticket for the Jungfrau railway and make the thrilling ascent to Jungfraujoch, “The Top of Europe.” At 11,332 feet above sea level, take in staggering views of France’s Vosges mountains and the Aletsch Glacier surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks. You may, of course, indulge in the tourist-oriented exhibits here, but we’d guess you’d rather follow the walking trails onto a glacier. Trace the snow-packed path for about 25 minutes before arriving at a mountain hut that serves lunch. (Your included Jungfrau Travel Pass can be applied to your Jungfraujoch ticket, saving you almost 50%.)

After—or instead if you decide against The Top of Europe—board the Wengernalp Railway for the 28-minute journey down to Wengen. Alternatively, set off from Kleine Scheidegg on a moderate downhill walk back to Wengen that partly follows the slopes of the Lauberhorn. In this valley, World Cup skiers compete in the legendary Lauberhorn Downhill each January. You follow the Via Alpina, a beautiful, wide, paved trail that parallels the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. As you stroll, the deep Lauterbrunnen Valley unfolds before you—a vast swath of emerald-green pastures with grazing cows and dotted with patches of evergreens. At Wengernalp, cross the rail line and enter a dreamy alpine meadow, where a stunning 19th-century hotel and restaurant awaits.

Back in Wengen, enjoy dinner on your own and a stroll through the charming village. As you roam, keep your ears open for the musical calls of the pfeifende lurch, or the whistling amphibian, a mythical creature central to the mountain village’s folklore!

Included Meals: Breakfast

3.5 miles, easy to moderate, 650-ft. elevation gain and 650-ft. elevation loss (shorter and longer and easier options available)

Scenic rail journeys deliver you to your next spectacular walking trail today. From Wengen, make your way by train down to Lauterbrunnen and then on to Wilderswil. Here, board the historic funicular, operating since 1893, for the hour-long ride to Schynige Platte, a stunning plateau atop a mountain ridge. This vintage funicular, outfitted with original wooden benches, winds up the mountainside, ducking in and out of tunnels as it ascends past dense forests, sweeping pastures, and pristine Thun and Brienz lakes. For the best views of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, we recommend sitting on the right-hand side. A real treat!

Big mountain views, rocky peaks, soaring cliffs, and green meadows teeming with wildflowers dominate the day’s loop walk. You follow a dirt mountain trail along a ridge, skirting some towering rock spires as you go. Pass the Tuba lookout point as you continue toward Loucherhorn. Turn right at the Grätli sign; the path passes the Oberberg huts before ending where it started. Along the way, high-altitude vistas of snow-covered peaks and wide glaciers completely surround you. Enjoy jaw-dropping panoramas of Interlaken, shimmering lakes, and the Lauterbrunnen Valley. You’ll find handrails to help you along a flight of stairs and a few narrow segments that traverse some drop-offs. If you’re uncomfortable with heights, you have the option to turn around, and your walking companion can meet you after completing the loop. If you wish, you can detour during your walk to the Alpine Botanical Garden; admission is included as part of your train fare. This half-mile circuit leads you through a beautiful walking garden of more than 700 species of alpine plants.

Today, we recommend you bring a picnic lunch that you can enjoy along the trail. There are several benches along the route, strategically placed in scenic spots. Or, just bring a snack and look forward to a traditional Swiss lunch at the Berghotel’s Panorama Restaurant, the start and end of your loop walk. Here, choose from table service or help yourself to the cafeteria-style offerings and dine on the outdoor terrace.

Return to Wengen the way you came—on three breathtaking train journeys! After a rewarding day, relax over dinner at your hotel or at one of Wengen’s many dining establishments.

Included Meals: Breakfast

6.4 miles, easy to moderate, 1,600-ft. elevation gain and 1,050-ft. elevation loss (3.7-, 4.7-, and 5.4-mile options also available)

After breakfast, walk to Wengen station to catch the morning train down to Lauterbrunnen. There, you meet your driver for a morning transport to Täsch in the Mattertal Valley. The valley is home to the highest peaks of the Alps, including the majestic Matterhorn, an inspiration to mountaineers for generations. You arrive in Täsch around mid-day, where you board the local rail line—the narrow-gauge Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn—for the 12-minute journey to the mountain village of Zermatt. An enchanting storybook village of chalet-style buildings, Zermatt is watched over by the monolithic Matterhorn. The tiny hamlet has enjoyed its resort status since the 19th century when in 1865, British climber Edward Whymper reached the summit of the famous peak. This accomplishment inspired a parade of adventurers—including Theodore Roosevelt—to follow suit. You may grab lunch at a village restaurant or duck into the local co-op to pick up supplies for a picnic that you can enjoy later on the trail. A Toblerone bar—the beloved chocolate treat created in Bern, Switzerland—will be essential to your journey; the peak of the Matterhorn inspired Toblerone’s prism shape!

To begin your walk, head south on Zermatt’s main street—Bahnhofstrasse—to reach the west bank of the Matter Vispa, the frothy glacial river flowing through the center of town. From here, continue along a broad walkway as it gently climbs through sylvan forests, lush pastures, and rolling meadows brimming with wildflowers—all the while surrounded by epic, snow-covered peaks. Depending on the season, alpine columbine and various other blooms—including some rare species—blanket fields with vibrant colors. This stretch of the valley is home to a large colony of marmots, large squirrel-like creatures that burrow underground. You might hear them whistling as you approach, a shrill signal to alert each other of intruders. If you take a break and sit quietly, they might reappear from their underground homes.

Step into the past as you arrive in Zmutt, a photogenic, 500-year-old hamlet with a whitewashed chapel. Your route winds through a cluster of old barns, romantic wooden chalets, and two mountain restaurants before crossing the Zmuttbach River. You continue along a country road sloping gently downhill to Furi mountain station. If you like, break for a refreshment here at one of several outdoor terraces before boarding a gondola back down to the village of Zermatt. Alternatively, continue walking to the dramatic Gorner Gorge, where wooden walkways weave between towering cliffs. Afterward, loop back to Furi or continue further on to Findelbach mountain station to board Europe’s highest open-air cog railway—the Gornergrat Bahn—down to the village of Zermatt.

From family-friendly and rustic mountain restaurants to Michelin-starred dining experiences, choose from a wide variety of eateries for dinner on your own this evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast

2.9 miles, easy to moderate, 1,650-ft. elevation loss

Following a leisurely breakfast, board the Gornergrat Bahn on an upward rail journey to the final stop—Gornergrat, perched 10,285 feet above sea level. Linger here a while to marvel at jaw-dropping views, gazing upon 29 peaks higher than 13,000 feet. The Monte Rosa massif features Switzerland’s tallest summit, the Dufourspitze at 15,200 feet; the Gorner Glacier laid out before the massif is the second-largest icefield in the Alps. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a wild ibex or two roaming the range. Before you get underway with your walk into this mountain paradise, you might grab a bite for the trail at the restaurant or stop by the astronomical observatory and learn about its infrared telescope.

Your walk today leads mostly downhill to the mid-way Riffelberg station, home to a mountain-top hotel and the panoramic Riffelberg Restaurant & Bar. Outstanding views of the Matterhorn accompany your every step on the trail of dirt, rock, and low alpine grass. You pass the deep-blue Riffelsee lake partway down. On a clear day, it reflects the mountain’s peak like a mirror. At times, you traverse steep slopes and walk along monolithic walls whose contours seem to magically shift in the sun. Much of your walk is above the tree line, with low growth appearing as you approach Riffelberg. A final trip aboard the Gornergrat Bahn delivers you back down to your hotel from where you may walk to dinner at a restaurant of your choosing.

Included Meals: Breakfast

5.7 miles, easy to moderate, 550-ft. elevation gain and 1,520-ft. elevation loss

Today’s walk unfolds among more stunning alpine vistas, passing five of the region’s most pristine and beautiful lakes along the way. You’ll want to bring your swimsuit in case the spirit moves you to go for a swim! To get to your starting point from your hotel in Zermatt village, simply board the funicular to Sunnegga to begin your hike. From the Sunnegga platform, you may wish to take a short walk to a marmot-viewing station before continuing to Blauherd via cable car. From Blauherd, your path loops back down to Sunnegga.

Today’s route is a classic among avid alpine walkers. You roam among rare high-altitude plants and crystalline lakes as soaring peaks rise all around you, the Matterhorn always a dominant and powerful presence. Though it is one of your longer days of hiking, you might find it to be one of the most relaxed. You’ll have opportunities to pause at a bench to take in your magnificent surroundings, break at a mountain lodge for lunch, and linger a while at one of the tranquil lakes you’ll come upon.

Pass the Stellisee and Grindjisee before pausing for a dip in the Grünsee. This “green lake” is fed by the Findel Glacier in the Monte Rosa massif. Stop by the small mountain lodge Ze Seewjinu for lunch or a snack; your host Kurt has been running the inn and eatery for 24 years and is always eager for a chat. Then continue your scenic stroll via a forest path and, later, past the sparkling waters of Mosjesee. You might take another swim at Liesee before ending your walk at Sunnegga and making your way back to Zermatt, where you have time to explore its many charms before enjoying a final dinner on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Your self-guided walking tour ends after breakfast. From Zermatt, board a train to the city of your choice, where you can make connections for onward travel.

Included Meals: Breakfast