SWITZERLAND and the ALPS hiking guide

The Alps of Europe are a paradise for hikers. This article describes how to plan your hiking trip beneath spectacular peaks such as Eiger, Jungfrau, Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, and Piz Palü. Here are the High Alps in a nutshell:

Self-guided tips ■ Map1: 5-week itinerary ■ Map2: 4-week itinerary ■ Weather ■ Climate change ■ Recommended guidebooks

1. Switzerland: Berner Oberland and neighboring Loetschental
2. France–Switzerland: The Walker’s Haute Route and Valais Canton:
   2.a Chamonix-Mont-Blanc ■ 2.b Walker’s Haute Route ■ 2.c Zermatt ■ 2.d Saas-Fee resort ■ 2.e Bettmerhorn and Eggishorn
3. France–Italy–Switzerland: Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)
4. Switzerland: Engadine Valley: trek 5+ days admiring distinctive architecture & icy peaks
5. Switzerland: Appenzell: trek 1-5 days across a splendid microcosm of Swiss mountain traditions
6. Switzerland: Schaffhausen canton: 1-2 days old town, Rhine Falls & historic Stein am Rhein

Separate articles cover: ■  GERMANY’s Bavaria and AUSTRIA’s Tyrol & Salzburg visited in 2023
■  ITALY’s Dolomites (2023, 2013 & 2011 with Venice)  ■  SLOVENIA’s Julian/Slovenian Alps

This article consolidates knowledge gained from Tom’s Alps trips from: 2022 (Tour du Mont Blanc, Saas-Fee, Swiss Via Alpina), 2016, 2013, 2011, 2005, and 1981. View Tom’s Portfolio of favorite images from the High Alps.

In the following video captured at unforgettable Eigeralp farm in Bussalp above Grindelwald, the cheesemaker gave an impromptu accordion concert, inspiring some to dance:

Practical advice for self-guided trips in Switzerland and the Alps

• Buy guidebooks at the bottom of this article for planning and reference during the trip.
• Get a rail pass: In your home country before departure, buy a Swiss Pass [Rick Steves external link] for significant travel savings on most Swiss rail lines, PostBuses, and lifts. Good for a month, the Swiss Half Fare Card was the best value for doing the Swiss Via Alpina (where we had a few long rail trips across the country and frequently sought 50% discounts on pricey lifts). Compare to the price versus savings of the Swiss Travel Pass Flex, which is valid on 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 freely selectable days within one month.
• Post your luggage ahead to train and Post stations, or easily have hotels send your bags ahead, for one-way hikes within Switzerland.
• Renting a car can beat train prices for 3 or more people traveling together (though parking can be a problem in big cities).
• Money: travel costs in Switzerland are on par with resort areas of the USA, except restaurants may be more expensive. In 2022, the Euro and Swiss Franc exchange rates with the US dollar were at parity, good for American visitors. From 2005-2016, exchanging the US dollar for Swiss Francs was better than for the Euro (used in France, Italy, and Austria).
• Food: In Northern Europe, shopping at local grocery stores for delicious gourmet picnic dinners & lunches saves lots of money and time! Most major train stations, airports, and town centers include full grocery outlets. When dining at hotels or restaurants in the Alps, we were frequently frustrated by slow multi-course service and meal times which often started later than desired. Instead of using hotels’ Half or Full Board meal plans, we prefer Breakfast Only (or no meal plan) for greater flexibility. Finding a flat with kitchen worked great in the Dolomites! Spend less on food by assembling a sack lunch and dinner from grocery stores (such as Coop, our Swiss favorite, Migros, or Carrefour) and by carrying a thermos bottle to fill at your hotel in the morning for hot drinks during the day.
• Use hiking poles (as do Europeans) to assist ascents, protect your joints on descents and improve hiking stamina by 20%.
• Time change: to adjust to Central European time (CEST is GMT+1), set your watch +9 hours from Pacific Standard Time (PST=west coast USA). Allow a full day to recover from travel weariness and severe jet lag, plus at least 2 or 3 days to recover your sleep schedule.

Switzerland map 1: five-week hiking itinerary, August 2016

Map 1: This geographic travel map of Switzerland shows a 5-week itinerary starting from Zurich in Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Appenzell, Berner Oberland, Valais canton (Fiesch, Verbier, Zermatt) and Engadine Valley. We did 25 hikes in 35 days (2016 July 27-August 30).

Switzerland map 2: one-month hiking itinerary, September 2005

Map 2: In 2005, Carol and Tom Dempsey hiked 20 days during a month in Switzerland. Starting from Zurich, we visited the Berner Oberland, the High Route from Chamonix (France) to Zermatt, and the Engadine Valley. 

Weather and hiking season in the Alps (Switzerland, France, Austria, Italy)

• July 1 through August 15 is high tourist season, after which local kids go back to school and parents don’t have as much time to visit the tourist areas, which are then less crowded. Our trip July 27-August 30, 2016 had almost perfect weather, vast variety of wildflowers, and little problem with crowds (lots of lodging options).
• July to early August has the best wild flower displays. We were still impressed by flowers in September 2005.
• Late August through September is a great time to go for good weather and also avoiding crowds. Yellow larch and other impressive fall colors begin in middle to late September. Many mountain huts start closing in early September. Stay in valley hotels all year. Hiking season continues through October in the Dolomites, Italy, which are consistently clearer, warmer and drier than the Alps of Switzerland, France & Austria, which are further north.
• Swiss hiking season ends about late September or early October due to snow in the mountains and the closure of many visitor facilities. When winter snowpack builds up a few months later, the Alps throng with skiers, creating bigger winter crowds than summer in ski areas such as Zermatt, where building booms have provided lots of lodging.

Check the weather forecast for specific ranges, peaks, and altitudes at

• www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Eiger  (forecast for hiking near the Eiger at 6600 feet or 2000 meters elevation)
• www.mountain-forecast.com/mountain_ranges/alps/subranges
• A north wind generally means good weather in the Alps. Start hiking early in the morning. Sun heating the ground in the morning can often build up clouds and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Patient photographers can look for attractive cloud breaks in the hours around sunset.

Mountain weather varies markedly by region:

• In Switzerland, the Valais canton, Zermatt, and Matterhorn tend to be sunny and dry and have the highest-altitude hikes in the country. The Bernese Oberland and its Eiger peak are much rainier than the Valais and Engadine. The astounding beauty of ice clad peaks soaring high above verdant green pastures sprinkled with wildflowers must be seen to be believed!
• In France, the climate of Chamonix is somewhere between that of Geneva and Zermatt — one of the drier alps areas in the rain shadow of Mont Blanc. September to early October usually has the best hiking weather.
• In the Dolomites of Italy (click for article), September through October are consistently clearer, warmer, drier than in the Alps of Switzerland, France, and Austria. Southern and southeastern areas are foggier than the rest of the Dolomites.

Global warming is quickly melting most Alps glaciers

• The vast majority of glaciers in European mountains are in retreat, which seriously affects water management downstream.
• Alps glaciers have lost about two-thirds of their volume since the 1850s, and glacial retreat has accelerated since the 1980s.
• See for yourself the affects of global warming in Switzerland, such as by hiking to Morteratsch Glacier.
• Read more about global warming/climate change.

1. Switzerland: Berner Oberland and neighboring Loetschental

The Berner Oberland (aka Bernese Alps, Bernese Highlands, or Bernese Oberland) is the southern and higher elevation part of Bern canton in Switzerland. How to get there: From Zurich downtown train station, ride 4 hours to Interlaken, where you board a train to the grand Grindelwald Valley or spectacular Lauterbrunnen Valley. By adding 7 to 10 days to your itinerary, the most dramatic way to reach the Berner Oberland is by walking across Switzerland from the eastern border, following the “Swiss Via Alpina trek” which we did in 2022. Cicerone Guides writes the best guidebook,

• Trekking the Swiss Via Alpina: 19 stages East to West across Switzerland, plus parts of the Alpine Pass Route, Paperback (2024)

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UNESCO lists Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn as a World Heritage Area featuring the most glaciated part of the Alps, Europe’s largest glacier, and a range of classic glacial features such as U-shaped valleys, cirques, horn peaks, and moraines. The ongoing uplift and compression that formed the High Alps has left an outstanding geological record. A diversity of flora and wildlife thrives in a range of Alpine and sub-Alpine habitats. In the wake of retreating glaciers, witness the colonization and succession of flowers and plants. The impressive vista of the North Wall of the High Alps, centered on the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks, has played an important role in European art and literature.

Berner Oberland and Loetschental hiking tips, Switzerland

See Myswissalps.com (external site) which thoroughly describes most Berner Oberland hikes, of which I’ve done the following:

1a. Mannlichen Gipfel

• is the wonderful site of my best-selling image: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau 81ALP-04-15.
• Männlichen Royal Walk: Männlichen mountain (2343 meters elevation or 7687 feet) gives a stunning view of the peaks of Eiger (Ogre 13,026 feet), Mönch (Monk), and Jungfrau (Virgin 13,600 feet) with a foreground ridge enhancing the sense of scale. Männlichen can be reached from Wengen by the Luftseilbahn Wengen-Männlichen (LWM) cable car, or from Grindelwald using the Gondelbahn Grindelwald-Männlichen (GM) gondola. Then walk 15 minutes on a paved path to the summit. Go before 1:30PM to avoid frequent afternoon cloud buildup. Return down the hill, then traverse 2 leisurely hours to Kleine Scheidegg train station, facing stunning mountain views at every turn! A special cog train runs from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald and back.

1b. Lauterbrunnen Valley

• Wander around Lauterbrunnen for amazing views, including 1000-foot-high Staubbach Falls, in one of the world’s most spectacular glaciated valleys.
• Schilthorn cable car affords a spectacular vista of the stunning peaks framing the length of Lauterbrunnen Valley. Ride the Schilthornbahn from Stechelberg via Gimmelwald and Mürren villages to Birg station and the Schilthorn (2,970 metres or 9,744 ft). In 2005, Carol and I loved hiking from Mürren via Wasenegg Ridge to Birg (4700 ft ascent, 1400 ft descent, cumulative) then riding down. Riding up then hiking down would also be spectacular, with less work, if you don’t mind pounding your knees. Piz Gloria, the panoramic revolving restaurant at Schilthorn summit, was featured in the 1969 James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” After considering a number of locations, the stalled construction of the sports bar atop the Schilthorn was chosen when the film’s producer financed the completion of the now-famous revolving platform for the right to use it for his film. In 2022, the James Bond exhibits at Piz Gloria were mostly hokey and passé, but the short video about making the 1969 Bond film was fascinating, albeit cringe-worthy for its sexist 1960s sensibilities.
  • Or walk from Mürren to Griesalp one way 10 miles, 3000-4000 feet gain, then take the Kiental bus out. Optionally stay overnight in Griesalp and continue walking from Griesalp to Kandersteg, following the Via Alpina.
• Don’t miss Trümmelbach Falls (German: Trümmelbachfälle), a series of ten glacier-fed waterfalls plunging inside the mountain, ingeniously made accessible by stairs, illumination, and a tunnel-funicular built in 1913. The creek called Trümmelbach drains the northerly glaciers of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. To avoid crowds, arrive in the morning a few minutes before first opening. Walking the stairs both up and down avoids lines of people waiting for the optional lift.
• We loved hiking to the quiet retreat of Berghotel Obersteinberg, which offers tremendous views of waterfalls and peaks in Upper Lauterbrunnen Valley, spotlit at sunset. Lit by candlelight at night, this romantic escape built in the 1880s recalls an earlier era without power. The main luxuries here are flush toilets down the hall, and traditional Swiss hot meals. The private double rooms lack electricity, and bowls of water serve as bath and sink. The spectacular hike from Gimmelwald to Obersteinberg is about 8.5 miles with 2400 feet gain (where adding Tanzbodeli promontory side trip would make 9 miles with 2900 feet gain).  If staying overnight in Obersteinberg, don’t miss the walk 3.5 miles, 950 feet gain, 2-3 hours round trip to the deep-blue tarn of Oberhornsee in the upper glacial basin, beneath snowcapped Grosshorn, Breithorn and Tschingelhorn. Descend from Obersteinberg to Stechelberg PostBus (3.5 miles, 2800 ft down, 2+ hours).

Video from within the slot canyon of Trummelbach Falls, Lauterbrunnen:

1c. Grindelwald Valley

• The Faulhorn Trail from Schynige Platte to First is one of the finest hikes in Switzerland (done by Tom in July 2022).
  • Walk 6.5 hours, 10 miles, ascending 2800 feet, descending 2300 feet. (Optionally reverse direction to save 500 feet uphill, arriving at Schynige Platte by 17:00 or 18:00 to catch the last train.) A sunny uncloudy day is required to see vast mountain views. Directions: Stage the hike from lodging in Grindelwald (or Lauterbrunnen). Take Wilderswil cog rail 1 hour to trailhead at Schynige Platte (2068m). The distance from Schynige Platte to Faulhorn summit is 7 miles, 2660 ft up, 400 feet down. Optionally stay overnight at the top of the route in atmospheric Berghotel Faulhorn for stunning sunset and sunrise views. The walk from Faulhorn to First lift station is 3 miles, descending 1900 feet. In the stroll along the east side of Bachalpsee, crowds rapidly increase. Day-hiking photographers might plan to reach spectacular First at the end the hike in the afternoon, because sun striking early morning haze obscures mountain details. At First (2168 meters elevation), lift down to Grindelwald, or from Mittelläger take the ~hourly Post bus.
  • Better yet, start at Eigeralp farm in Bussalp (above Grindelwald) with a fresh farm breakfast, watch alpine cheese-making, then hike a shorter route to First gondola. Hike a very spectacular trail from Eigeralp farm in upper Bussalp, around Faulhorn to Bachalpsee, finishing at the gondola lift station at First, which descends to Grindelwald BGF. Every day, Eigeralp farm produces a variety of artisan cheeses and Alpine butter from raw milk in a large cauldron over an open fire. For breakfast, enjoy fresh bread from the oven, Alpine butter, various cheeses, yogurt, homemade jams, coffee, tea and fresh milk! While Eigeralp’s huts were built in 1892, its traditional cheese hut dates from the 1600s. While breakfasting, gaze over the peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in astoundingly spectacular high meadows. Getting there: ride the private GrindelwaldBus.ch to the last stop in Bussalp, then ascend 40 minutes on foot.
• Gleckstein Hut (Glecksteinhütte) is an exciting, steep hike high above Grindelwald (6 miles round trip, 3000 feet up and down). Run by the Swiss Alpine Club, the hut is at 7600 feet elevation, with great views of the Upper Grindelwald Glacier. Climbers use it as a base for the ascent of the Wetterhorn and the Schreckhorn. It makes a wonderful goal for hardy hikers or overnight trekkers. Beware of cliff exposure which may frighten those who are afraid of heights — what was thrilling for me was scary for others. Cables are provided to hang onto for security. A fun feature was walking behind a small waterfall, where metal gratings provided secure steps. Directions: From Grindelwald, take the PostBus towards Grosse Scheidegg and stop at Abzweigung Gleckstein at 1557 m elevation, halfway between Hotel Wetterhorn and Grosse Scheidegg pass. (Note: hiking from the Hotel Wetterhorn’s trailhead at 1275 meters elevation will add 900 feet of climb for 3900 ft total gain.)
• Hike comfortably along a steep hillside from Pfingstegg gondola to eat tasty desserts at scenic Berghaus Bäregg (5 miles round trip, 1500 ft) across from the eastern foot of the Eiger, high above the White Lütschine river.
• Walk boardwalks and tunnels through the dramatic Gletscherschlucht of Grindelwald, a deep gorge of the White Lütschine river, flowing from Lower Grindelwald Glacier. From Gletscherschlucht Hotel-Restaurant, a wooden walkway leads over raging water, through galleries and rocky tunnels over 1000 meters into the ravine, under 100-meter high cliffs. To test your fear of heights, totter across a blue net over the foaming torrent. Walk there in 35 minutes from the center of Grindelwald (recommended via the LandArt Festival Grindelwald exhibit along the river), or take the bus.

1d. Rosenlaui valley, Meiringen, and Engstlenalp on Swiss Via Alpina National Route 1

• The Via Alpina enters the Berner Oberland at Engstlenalp and continues to Meiringen and Grindelwald, as described in “2022 July: Swiss Via Alpina trek (National Route 1)“
• Meringue, the dessert made from whipped egg whites, was invented in Meiringen. As part of our Via Alpina in 2022, starting in Meiringen, we rode the Reichenbachfallbahn funicular to see the impressive Reichenbach Falls. From there, we hiked uphill to Schwartzwaldalp (6 miles, 2000 feet gain), where due to rain, we caught the PostBus over the pass of Grosse Scheidegg to reach the stupendous Grindelwald Valley. Hiking and/or bussing like this in a southwest direction over Grosse Scheidegg is scenically more dramatic than the reverse. We’ve done both ways. In 2016, we hiked from First gondola lift station above Grindelwald, headed northeast across Grosse Sheidegg pass, then down the quiet, protected pastures of Rosenlaui valley beneath soaring peaks, to Rosenlaui PostBus station for a ride down to Meiringen. Along the way, we walked the narrow walkway carved through Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge / Gletscherschlucht. In this deep ravine, the Weissenbach River has eroded potholes into a natural cathedral of slate and limestone. However, if your time is limited, instead visit the more impressive Aare Gorge (German: Aareschlucht) in Meiringen (and best of all, experience Trümmelbach Falls raging through the mountain in Lauterbrunnen).
• Nearby, Grimselpass / Grimsel Pass has interesting bare granite geology colored by lichen, but the extensive system of hydro-electric dams built in the 1920s and 1950s dominates the scenery and the aging hotels didn’t look attractive. We considered but didn’t do the Sidelhorn hike: Starting at Postbus stop at Historic Alpine Hotel Grimsel Hospiz, take Sidelhorn aerial cable car to the foot of Sidelhorn mountain, an easy hike 1-3.5 hours with panoramic views of Grimsel area, Goms area, Bernese Alps, Rhone & Oberaar glaciers, rivers and 12+ alpine lakes (Lake Grimsel, deep blue Totensee at top of the pass and alpine tarns on southern flanks). Along the descent, see idyllic Triebtenseewli and Bäregg hut from where the panorama opens out onto the UNESCO World Heritage area. Return via Chessituren and the pass road to Grimsel Hospiz or along Oberaar road back to Grimsel pass. Or lift back down.

1e. Kandersteg

is a scenic base for several hikes, reached by train or road from Brig to the south or Spiez to the north.

• Oeschinensee is a wonderful alpine lake walled with high cliffs, one of my favorite Swiss sights. To avoid crowds, start early and go midweek. From the top of Gondelbahn Kandersteg – Oeschinensee, walk 15 minutes to reach the lake. Follow the lakeside trail then complete a counterclockwise loop via Ober Bergli back to the lift (5.2 miles with 1395 feet gain) via the higher, more-spectacular ledge trail. Overnight options: On a one-way traverse, we took the higher trail for the best lake views then climbed steeply over Hohtürli Pass (where you could sleep in dorms at Blüemlisalp hut), then down to comfy Griesalp Hotels where we rested in the remote valley of Kiental (1120 meters up and 1380 m down in 13.3 km). Although stairs and ladders helped handle the exposure, the route felt much longer than 8 miles due to steep, exposed rocky & gravelly slopes for a grueling 3700 feet up and 4500 feet down. We rode the Postbus (steepest in Europe) out of Kiental instead of hiking over Sefinenfurke pass to Lauterbrunnen Valley (which saved our weary bodies from climbing another 4000 feet in the same scenery that we had just descended). (See Stages 11 & 12 of the Swiss Via Alpina.)
• Walk through the deeply glaciated U-shaped valley of Gasterntal (or Gasteretal / Gasterental) to explore the idyllic headwaters of the Kander River. A family-friendly 7 km walk (390 m gain) wanders up to Selden, starting from the bus stop for Luftseilbahn Kandersteg-Sunnbüel (a lift to the scenic Gemmipass hike, for next time). From Selden, take the PostBus back (reservations required) to Kandersteg Hauptbahnhof (train station). Or stay in quiet Selden at Hotel Gasterntal or Hotel Steinbock. The next day offers an epic traverse of a rapidly-melting glacier (where hiking poles help you to cross the snowfield and to hop rocks):
• The next day from Selden, we enjoyed an adventurous traverse across Lötsch glacier and Lötschen Pass (German: Lötschenpass, Swiss German: Lötschepass) to neighboring Lötschental in Valais canton. The walk starts with a reserved Postbus ride from Kandersteg to Selden, climbs 1350 meters, descends 925 m, and ends 13 km later at Lauchernalp lift station, which descends to Wiler in Lötschental, to reach Goppenstein via Postbus, back to Kandersteg via train. You can also reverse the route or stay overnight in dorms at Lötschepass hut.

1f. Lötschental / Loetschental

is a lesser-visited valley in Valais Canton (over Lötschen Pass, just south of Kandersteg):

• Stay in attractive Blatten. Enjoy a 3-mile walk one way up valley to Kuhmad Chapel (built 1758), past historic wood hayloft buildings and restored wooden chalets. Catch bus at Fafleralp and return to Blatten.
• For best views of Loetschental and the sharp ridge of the Bietschorn, from Fafleralp, hike to Krindellücke (5 miles round trip, 2.5 hours, 1542 feet gain). See Hike #30 in “100 Hikes in the Alps.”

2. France–Switzerland: The Walker’s Haute Route and Valais Canton

The Walker’s Haute Route (2b) starts from the Mont Blanc Massif in Chamonix (France), crosses Switzerland’s Valais canton, and ends at the Matterhorn in Zermatt. We’ll cover hiking in the birthplace of alpinism, France’s fabulous Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (2a) plus walking in Switzerland’s Valais Canton including Zermatt (2c), Saas-Fee resort (2d), and the Bettmerhorn and Eggishorn (2e) for viewing the vast Aletsch Glacier. Valais is French for “Valley” or Wallis in German.

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2.a Mountain excursions from Chamonix, France

• Lac Blanc: a superlative circuit visits both Lac Blanc and Lac de Chéserys, starting atop the lift, “Télécabine Flégère–Les Praz” (5.8 miles with 1930 feet ascent and descent). This rewarding lake loop covers the most scenic parts of Stage 10 of the Tour du Mont Blanc, but with much less effort. Behold the stunning Mont Blanc Massif across the valley. Lifts and weather may allow hiking from June 1 to Nov 1. Directions: La Flégère cable car ascends from Les Praz de Chamonix, one train stop from Chamonix or 10 minutes by bus. A shorter version we’ve done goes 4 miles with 2300 feet vertical gain one way from atop La Flégère station to Lac Blanc, finishing with an hour walk up to L’Index lift station (Google maps). Optionally stay in overnight dormitories at Refuge du Lac Blanc for sunset and sunrise reflections of the spectacular rock needles rising above Chamonix Valley. In 2005 during our Haute Route, we walked the “TMB Stage 10” backwards, from La Flégère in the direction of Argentière, along the Col de Montet route. (We avoided the version that connects to Tré-le-Champ via a series of exposed ladders near the imposing Aiguillette d’Argentière.) TMB hikers doing the full Stage 10 including the Lac Blanc extension might start with the earliest bus to Col des Montets, then walk southwest to Lac Blanc and finish at L’Index lift (5 miles one way, 3000 ft gain).
• Lacs Noirs and Cornu: Take the lift from Chamonix to Planpraz to access the trail to these remote lakes (5.5 miles round trip, 2000 feet up and down). Lac Blanc can be added as follows, in a spectacular Aiguilles Rouges Traverse: start from Planpraz lift station, hike to Col Cornu and Col de la Gliere (8,074 ft), walk past L’Index top station to Lac Blanc, then head for La Flégère lift station (7.6 mi/2500 ft up/2900 ft down). If you have extra energy, loop back from La Flégère to where you started at Planpraz (11.2 miles total circuit, with 3500 feet up and down vertically). Doing either hike in effect covers the best views from TMB Stage 11. In 2022, we did the shortest version (without lakes), following the Grand Balcony South: starting from atop Télécabine Flégère–Les Praz lift, we hiked from La Flégère to Planpraz (3.6 miles, 940 feet ascent, 600 ft descent). From Planpraz, we rode Le Brévent cable car round trip for sightseeing on high, then caught the Télécabine Planpraz lift down to Chamonix.
• While you’re at Planpraz (such as before or after hiking), don’t miss the round trip upwards to the stunning Le Brévent viewpoint via télécabine gondola lift.
• Aiguille du Midi: Don’t miss the Téléphérique de l’Aiguille du Midi cable car from Chamonix (France) to a spectacular shoulder of the Mont Blanc Massif.
  • Take the world’s highest vertical ascent cable car, from 1035 meters to 3842 m (12,605 feet elevation) for an unforgettable, must-do experience. Optionally hike from Plan de l’Aiguille (below).
  • If weather is clear atop Aiguille du Midi, don’t miss the breathtaking Télécabine Panoramic Mont-Blanc which connects to Pointe Helbronner in Italy (which is alternatively accessible from Skyway Monte Bianco in Courmayeur).
• In good weather, take the lifts round trip. Or bus from La Palud (near Courmayeur) through the Mont Blanc Tunnel back to Chamonix.
• Grand North Balcony: walk from Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers via Le Signal Forbes Trail option (4.3 miles one way with 2000 feet vertical ascent and 700 feet descent). Admire the Mer de Glace (“Sea of Ice”) glacier emerging from a vast cirque under the Needles of Chamonix. Return via the Montenvers train to Chamonix (or else add 2800 feet of descent by trail). This makes a good first hike for acclimatization to the thin air at 7500 feet above sea level.
• TMB Stage 9 could be done as a day hike from Chamonix or Argentière. From high green pastures, admire a broad vista of Aiguille du Chardonnet, Aiguille Verte, and Mont Blanc. Directions: Take public transportation to reach Col de la Forclaz in Switzerland then hike via Col de Balme and L’ Aiguillettes des Possettes to Argentière, France (10 miles one way, 3000 feet ascent, 3835 ft descent). Or for simpler logistics, hike a counterclockwise loop starting from Argentière, Montroc, or “Parking du Tour – Balme” in France. Check if lifts are operational.
• Les Grands Montets to Chamonix (Google maps): 6 miles back to your hotel, 3125 feet down. Directions: take transit to Chamonix-Lognan les Grands Montets lift (near Argentiere), then lift to Les Grands Montets for views, take the same lift back down to TPH Lognan station, then walk to scenic Le Chapeau Chalet for lunch or snack, then walk to Chamonix.
• Bellevue lift and Tramway du Mont-Blanc (external link; coincidental acronym TMB): starting from Les Houches town, ride to the top station of Bellevue gondola (PDF map external link), where you have at least three scenic options:
  Option A: catch the Tramway (cash only here) to top station Nid d’Aigle (first reached by this cog railway in 1913).
  Option B: after sightseeing the top, get off at Bellevue or Col de Voza to start Stage 1 of the Tour du Mont Blanc, thereby saving 2600 feet gain. Optionally return from Les Contamines to your Chamonix hotel via taxi in 40 minutes (whereas bus would require changing in St Gervais where infrequent connections leave every 2 hours). Between Voza Pass (1,653m) and Bellevue (1,794m), the ridge trail and tramway give a 360° view over Contamines Valley, Aiguille du Goûter, Aiguilles Rouges massif and Aiguille du Midi.
  Option C: Day hike to Col de Tricot and Mont Vorassay (external link) round trip from Bellevue (5 miles round trip, 1900 ft up and down).
• Chalet du Glacier des Bossons and Chalet des Pyramides Trail: views become every more spectacular as you ascend the steep, airy ridge towards the Gîte at Balmat and La Jonction (see external trail guide), very close to the Glacier des Bossons and Taconnaz. See a magnificent panorama of the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges reserve.

2.b The Walker’s Haute Route (High Route)

covers 112-miles from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (France) to Zermatt (Switzerland), offering Old World charm and dramatic scenery from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. The trek’s highlights could be done piecemeal on separate trips, in a more relaxed fashion. Tips below come from our self-guided luxury “Hiker’s Haute Route” trekked in 2005 (edited in 2021) on photographic assignment for Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures. The best guidebook with detailed maps is

• Walker’s Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt guidebook with Real SwissTopo (2019, Knife Edge Outdoor)

History: “The High Level Route” was originally developed as a mountaineering route from Chamonix to Zermatt in the mid 1800s by the English Alpine Club. This technical route became known as the Haute Route when done on skis in 1911. In modern times, an easier non-technical path was developed, called the Walker’s High Route, or Haute Route, which is a portion of what the Swiss call the “Alpine Passes Trail” (labelled Trail #6 in their online maps) which passes through the Graubunden and Valais Alps in 39 stages.

We enjoyed Option A, a shorter version of the Walker’s Haute Route labelled below as Days A0–A7. Option B can be done flexibly, several days longer (Days B0–B10).

• Day A0 / B0: The Haute Route starts in Chamonix, which demands extra days for spectacular exploration, as described earlier. Don’t miss the stunning hike to Lac Blanc (4+ miles using lifts). In 2005, we began our Haute Route by hiking 5.3 miles from La Flégère lift station eastwards to Argentiere, where the descent from Lac Blanc was a knee-pounding 3700 feet (avoidable by exiting via l’Index lift). If you’ve already done or plan to do the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), consider skipping the following days which overlap (from Chamonix to Argentiere to Champex):
• Day A1 / B1 (5-7 hours hiking): A short hop by train takes you from Chamonix to Argentiere to begin trekking. Look for ibex (wild goats) on the way to Col de Balme, the first of up to 11 high passes on the Haute Route. End the day in Trient, where Alpenwild recommends the Grande Ourse hotel.
• Day A2 / B2 (5-7 hours, 11 miles, 4600 feet up, 4200 feet down): After a rocky climb to Fênetre d’Arpette, with views of the Glacier du Trient, descend through meadows to Champex.
• Day A3: In 2005, we shortened the Haute Route by riding public transit directly to Arolla, staying in a private ensuite double room in Hotel du Pigne d’Arolla with nice balcony view — to continue Option A, jump to Day A4 further below. If you have time, add 1 to 3+ days to hike from Verbier resort per Option B below.

Option B (Days B3–B10) can add four days of walking between Champex and Arolla:

• Day B3: If time is limited, skip the 8-mile trail from Champex to Le Châble (Verbier), which ascends 350 feet and descends 2457 feet — a path via quaint Swiss towns having pastoral beauty but lacking in views of glacier-capped peaks. If staying in Verbier, consider Hotel Ermitage. Then for the next 3 days (two nights) along the Walker’s Haute Route, only shared dormitory accommodation is available — the first night in Cabane de Louvie (or alternatively in Cabane de Mont Fort), then the next night in Cabane de Prafleuri. To better recharge for the next day, we prefer private rooms (with hot showers), which are available using easier/alternative routings described below.
• Day B4: The next hiking stage starts atop a lift station of Verbier and treks to a mountain hut with dormitory beds, either Cabane Mont-Fort or Cabane de Louvie. Alternatives include:
  • As a day hike from nearby Martigny in 2016, we enjoyed a dramatic day hike to Lac Louvie (which we had skipped in 2005). The scenic Chamois Path (Sentier des Chamois) starts at Verbier’s La Chaux ski lift and ends at Fionnay PostBus (traversing 8 miles/13km, 2100 ft/640 m up, 4640 ft/1415 m down in 8.5 hours). We crossed Col Termin (2648m/8688 ft) in Haut Val de Bagnes nature reserve, descended southwards via 1800s stone barns to Lake Louvie, stopped for a snack at the hut Cabane de Louvie, then pounded down to Fionnay to catch a bus back to the train station, to return to Martigny.
  • For a more challenging, higher-altitude day hike, consider the Tour du Mont Fort for 10-11 miles, with a punishing descent of 4000+ feet, despite help from lifts. Staying overnight in a hut partway would mitigate the descent per day to protect knees.
  • For an easier day, simply explore Verbier’s extensive lift system, climaxing atop Mont Fort itself. Optionally day hike along the lift system, as the spirit moves you. One could stay 2 nights at Hotel Ermitage in Verbier.
• Day B5:
  • If you don’t mind dormitory accommodation, on Day B4 (yesterday), hike to Cabane de Louvie (or Cabane de Mont Fort) to stay overnight; then today, Day B5, continue hiking the Haute Route over the passes of Col de Louvie and Col de Prafleuri, to reach Cabane Prafleuri (10 mi, 3609 ft up, 2247 ft down starting from Cabane de Louvie) to sleep overnight.
  • This trekking day can be replaced with an easier day hike, based at a comfortable hotel in Sion, or at the trailhead Hôtel – Restaurant du Barrage at the lift station for Grande Dixence dam. Take the dam lift and hike the Alpine Ibex Trail (Sentier des Bouquetins) to Cabane de Prafleuri (2636m elevation hut) and loop back, for a total distance of 6 miles with 2000 ft gain and loss. Adding the side trip to Mont Blava (1-mile roundtrip, 300 ft gain and loss) affords sweeping views across Lac des Dix. Directions: take the PostBus from Sion to Grande Dixence dam (tallest dam in Europe, 285 meters high; see sbb.ch or Google timetables), and lift to the top. Extending this hike above the hut to Col de Prafleuri reaches some of the best views (8.6 miles total round trip with 3100 ft gain and loss).
• Day B6: The standard stage from Cabane de Prafleuri crosses Pas de Chevres to Arolla village, in the municipality of Evolène, in Val d’Hérens. The standard through-hiking stage can be shortened as follows (saving a net 0.8 miles and 1065 feet of downhill, by avoiding the descent from Prafleuri):
  • From atop Grande Dixence dam, hike the Tour du Val d’Hérens “Stage 2” along Switzerland’s largest reservoir to the foot of glacier-strewn summits (11.2 miles/17.9 km, ascent 2923 ft/891 m, descent 3373 ft/1028 m). This stage requires grappling with a series of ladders that are secured on exposed rock faces.

Above: The peaks of Grand Combin (4314 metres / 14,154 feet on left), Combin de Corbassière (center), and Petit Combin (right) rise above Cabane de Louvie hut on Lake Louvie in the Pennine/Valais Alps, Switzerland. Optionally stay overnight in dorms at Cabane de Louvie.

My High Route photographs continue as follows, with help from lifts and buses letting us hike high in the alps then sleep low in comfortable valley hotels:

• Day A4 / B7: From Arolla in 2005, we day hiked upwards via herding sheds in Alp Pra Gra to see the peaks of Les Dents des Veisivi reflected in a tarn. On this trail, one can optionally stay in dormitories in mountain refuge Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges overlooking Aiguilles de la Tsa and Mont Collon (3637 meters / 11,932 feet) at the head of Val d’Hérens. After the scenic day hike, we bused down the valley to stay overnight in Les Haudères (through a section walked by some Haute Route package tours, such as Pygmy-Elephant.com, whereas others stay in La Sage, closer to tomorrow’s trailhead).
• Day A5 / B8: From Les Haudères in Val d’Hérens, we crossed Col du Torrent, seeing Dent Blanche (“White Tooth” 14,291 feet / 4356 m) in the Pennine Alps, and descended to the beautiful turquoise reservoir of Lake Moiry. Fireweed bloomed pink along the trail. Overnight in ritzy Hotel Bella Tolla in the French village of Saint Luc.
• Day A6 / B9: We walked eastwards from St. Luc, rode up the Tignousa funicular, hiked up 2500 feet to Meidpass, then descended 3400 feet to the German village of Gruben, accumulating 9 miles on foot. Meidpass is the boundary between French and German cultural areas in Valais/Wallis canton.
• Day A7 / B10: In Gruben the next day, snow in Augstborgpass caused us to take public transit to reach Zermatt instead of hiking (8 miles with 3517 ft ascent, and taking St Niklaus cable car reduces the mighty descent to 3079 ft).

Lodging options:

• Huts/refuges provide meals and lodging at reasonable cost. Photographs can capture more spectacular sunrise/sunset light up in huts than from hotels down in valleys. Swiss Alpine Club.
• Valley hotels: Take lifts, hike high, and sleep low in comfortable hotels or hostels nestled in each valley. Alpenwild.com (where I’m an “Artist in Residence”) offers great package trips, both self-guided and guided. We loved a 10-day self-guided Hiker’s Haute Route luxury package from Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures done in 2005 on photographic commission.

2.c Hikes in Zermatt, in the Pennine Alps, Switzerland

• How to get there: The famous mountaineering and ski resort of Zermatt lies at 1620 meters (5310 feet) elevation at the head of Mattertal (Matter Valley) in the Pennine Alps, Valais canton, Switzerland. Most visitors reach Zermatt by cog railway train from the nearby town of Täsch (Zermatt shuttle). Trains also depart for Zermatt from farther down the valley at Visp and Brig on the main Swiss rail network. Small electric taxis serve Zermatt, which bars combustion-engine cars to help preserve small village atmosphere and prevent air pollution.
• Gornergrat is spectacular cog train terminus located at 10,134 feet / 3130m elevation. The Gornergrat is the first point on a ridge that runs out to Hohtälligrat (3286m) and Stockhorn (3407m amidst a sea of ice) all linked by cable car from Gornergrat.
  • The Gornergrat cog wheel train ride takes 47 minutes from Zermatt station. 25% discount for holders of the Swiss Pass. Take the special dawn train for great a sunrise lighting up the Matterhorn. Leaving Zermatt, the earliest departures are 07:10, 08:00, 08:24… and the last departure is 19:12 as of 2005.
  • Sit on right-hand side of Gornergrat cog train for magical Matterhorn vistas. Hike up or down any portion:
    1. Take the cog rail to the Rotenboden stop, then hike east to Gornergrat 1000feet / 300m up in 1 hour, in 2.1 miles / 3.5 kilometers.
    2. A short walk on foot will reveal a sunrise reflection of the Matterhorn in Riffelsee and other tarns (ponds). Hike back via Gagihaupt peak (2568m).
    3. Hiking one way from Gornergrat down to Zermatt is 7.5 miles, down 5060 feet/1535meters, down in about 4 hours.
    4. Overnight option: Riffelberg Hotel (a stop of Gornergrat cog train) sits on spectacular exposed platform above the valley. Dorm beds 75 Swiss Francs per person with half board (dinner & breakfast, 2005); open until mid-October.
  • See hike #33 in “100 Hikes in the Alps.”
• Höhbalmen offers great views of the Matterhorn from high pastures uncluttered by ski lifts. We hiked this 13.4-mile loop (21.6 km) via Bergrestaurant Edelweiss, Trift Hut, Hohenweg trail, and the interesting Zmutt Valley, with a punishing 4000 feet cumulative gain and loss. I was delighted by the route, except Carol’s feet hurt badly on the final stretch.
• Stellisee & Fluhalp: the popular Five Lakes Trail (5-Seenweg) starts from Sunnegga Express funicular (a fast 7-minute underground train on east side of Visp River in Zermatt halfway between cemetery and Gornergrat cog rail).
  • Although especially nice for families, the 5 Seenweg (7 miles with 1800 ft gain circling up to Fluhalp) is blemished with ski slope infrastructure throughout (dusty roads, power lines, lifts, snow-making sprinklers, 5 dammed artificial lakes, etc). In compensation are the venerable wood buildings in upper Findeln, the beautiful reflecting lakes of Grindjisee and Stellisee, and majestic views of the Matterhorn.
  • Directions: Exiting atop Sunnegga, follow 5-Seenweg Trail past Leisee pond and switchback down 60 meters to upper Findeln (Findelen) village to admire authentic Walser houses, barns, and stores built of larch timber blackened by the sun. [The Walser people are named after Wallis (Valais, the uppermost Rhône valley), where they settled from the 900s in the late phase of the migration of the Alamanni (confederation of Germanic tribes) crossing from the Bernese Oberland.] Among the five lakes, the dammed Mosjesee and Grüensee (halfway dried up in August) were least attractive and can be skipped by returning to Sunnegga and taking the lift to Blauherd for quickest access to Stellisee:
  • Scenic Stellisee is a 30-minute walk up from Blauherd lift station. Stellisee best reflects the Matterhorn during the glow of sunrise, which you can see after an overnight stay at Bergrestaurant Fluhalp (half board meals, coin showers, private rooms & dormitory; 40 minutes walk up from Blauherd lift, or 1.5 hours hike up from Sunnegga). Views around the Sunnegga-Blauherd-Rothorn lifts may be prettiest when covered in snow during ski season.
• Gorner Gorge (Gornerschlucht) is a pleasant outing if you have extra time, such as on a rainy day.

2.d Valais/Wallis Canton: Hikes in Saas-Fee, Switzerland

See “2022 July: hiking Saas-Fee resort, Switzerland”

2.e Valais/Wallis Canton: Bettmerhorn & Eggishorn: Grosser Aletsch Glacier

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When passing through Valais Canton in clear weather, don’t miss seeing the magnificent Grosser Aletsch Glacier (Großer Aletschgletscher) which flows from the Jungfrau. For weather flexibility, I recommend for hikers to stay 1 or 2 nights at the car-free village of Bettmeralp, where frequent lifts can reach the walkable ridge for viewing the Aletschgletscher. Easily reached by lift from Betten Talstation (a railway station in the valley below), Bettmeralp offers charming Swiss atmosphere and a handy Coop grocery store.

Optimally start from Betten Talstation, lift to Bettmeralp, then lift to Bettmerhorn for great views. From the Bettmerhorn (Bettmergrat gondola station) you can walk 5 miles almost entirely downhill along the spectacular ridge to Hohbalm, Moosfluh, Hohfluh, fancy Berghotel Riederfurka, and Riederalp, where a cable car goes down to Mörel train station. From Mörel, you can ride up valley towards Fiesch or down valley towards Brig. Fiesch is only 1.5 hours by train from Kandersteg or Bern. From Fiesch, the Eggishorn lift also offers fabulous views, highly recommended. (However, we learned that starting our ridge walk from the Eggishorn cable car’s mid station Fiesheralp unnecessarily added 1100 feet of elevation gain when hiking across ski slopes to reach Bettmerhorn.)

3. France–Italy–Switzerland: Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)

Delayed for 2 years by the pandemic, we finally hiked the TMB, described here: “2022 July: trek Tour du Mont Blanc.” Trekkers most commonly walk this circuit around Europe’s highest peak in 8 to 11 stages in a counterclockwise direction, from France to Italy to Switzerland to France, staying each night in mountain hotels and/or refuges.

Because the popular Tour du Mont Blanc requires booking about 9 months in advance, consider instead hiking it more spontaneously as day hikes. Avoiding a package tour allows aligning hikes with good 1- or 2-day weather forecasts. Using a base hotel for multiple day hikes requires fewer luggage transfers, but adds commuting time. Chamonix, France and Courmayeur, Italy serve as convenient bases for day hiking Stages 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, & 11 as described under 2.a Chamonix and 3.a Courmayeur. (If you’ve already done or plan to do the Walker’s Haute Route, then skip the days which overlap with TMB, between Champex and Chamonix).

• The Tour of Mont Blanc: Complete two-way trekking guide (Cicerone Trekking Guides 2020)
• Walking Mont Blanc Walks: 50 Day Walks And 4 Multi-Day Treks (Cicerone Guides 2016)

3.a Hikes and lifts in Courmayeur, Italy

• Mont Blanc in French is called Monte Bianco in Italian.
• Courmayeur is a short bus or car ride from Chamonix through the convenient Mont Blanc Tunnel. I felt more relaxed in quiet Courmayeur than in teeming Chamonix.
• In clear weather, don’t miss the breathtaking vistas from Skyway Monte Bianco cable car system. Pointe Helbronner station unveils stunning perspectives on the Mont Blanc massif. One of the peak experiences of my life is the 5-kilometer ride on “Télécabine Panoramic Mont-Blanc” – an incredible system of triplet cabins strung between Pointe Helbronner (Italy) across France to the stunning Aiguille du Midi station (which is alternatively reachable by lift from Chamonix).
• Monte Bianco View (TMB Stage 4): See stunning views of mountain savagery including Aiguile Noir from a spur of Mount Favre (5 miles with 1600 feet ascent and 2000 ft descent one way). Along the way Lac Chécrouit reflects the mountain splendor. Directions: From Courmayeur take the Val Veni bus westwards to Cabane du Combal, then hike to Rifugio Maison Vieille (which offers a festive lunch) at Col Chécrouit, where a chairlift and gondola descend to Dolonne, where a bus connects further into Courmayeur.
• Hike northeast of Courmayeur:
  • Montagne de la Saxe ridge (TMB Stage 5): 11 miles, 5200 feet gain one way Courmayeur to Lavachey, sleep there or bus back. Hike high above Val Ferret through larch forest to some of the widest and grandest panoramas of the Mont Blanc Circuit. Look up Val Veni to Col de la Seigne and the Mont Blanc Massif. Close rocky peaks form an impressive wall: Géant, Grandes Jorasses, Leschaux, Triolet, and Mont Dolent.
  • Grand Col du Ferret (TMB Stage 6): Drive a car or take the bus to Chalet Val Ferret, then hike round trip steeply up 3000 feet. Or hike into Swiss Val Ferret, and bus/train back to Courmayeur via Martigny, or continue hiking around the popular Mont Blanc Circuit.

4. Switzerland: Engadine trekking advice: Itinerary for 5+ days

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The Swiss valley of Engadine translates as the “garden of the En (or Inn) River” (Engadin in German, Engiadina in Romansh, Engadina in Italian), and is part of the Danube basin. Don’t miss hikes near the glacier-clad Bernina Range in this suggested itinerary:

Ratings Key:  **** four stars = fantastic | *** three stars = must do | ** two stars = worthwhile | * one star = do only if time allows

1. ** Day 1: Stay at in Scuol**, which has very attractive historic buildings and a covered bridge over the Inn/En River, with high mountains for an impressive backdrop. Hotel Guardaval** in Scuol has a great view and very friendly staff.
2. ** Day 2: Walk from Scuol** to Guarda***, via Tarasp** historic castle and Ardez** (great sgraffito).
   • Alternative Route: Hike a longer, remote, higher route which starts from atop Motta Naluns ski lift, hiking via the pleasant & remote Tasna valley* along high pastures and forest to Guarda***.
   • Stay at Hotel Meisser** in beautifully preserved historic Guarda*** (call ahead).
   • * Optional Extra Day: Hike from Cinuos Chel Brail train station to Val Susauna* (a small village with a pretty church in an isolated valley) to Zuoz*, which is bigger but has a pleasant town square. A nice view of Upper Engadine opens out as you approach within a mile of Zuoz and on into the town.
3. ** Day 3: From Muottas Muragl funicular** hike to Segantini Hut down to Pontresina via Alp Languard’s Sessellift (chair lift)**.
   • Optional extension: From Alp Languard, you can also add (or do on its own) a great loop trip along a ridge to Chamanna Paradis** Restaurant, which has a spectacular view of Piz Bernina massif and Morterasch Glacier. Nice moderate grades and great views, but very popular, so don’t expect solitude.
   • Pontresina lodging: Hotel Steinbock** had a tasty buffet included with excellent dinner.
4. **** Day 4: Walk from Morteratsch (second train stop from Pontresina towards Bernina Pass) to Boval Hut. Boval Hut offers close views of Morteratsch Glacier amid an impressive cirque of the icy Bernina Massif. Optionally stay overnight in Boval Hut for a good sunrise light on the spectacular massif. The trail is well graded, not steep, only 5 or 6 miles round trip and 2700 feet gain/loss. Return via lower trail for partial loop. A world favorite day hike!
   • *** Alternative or extra day: continue from Pontresina on the Bernina Express*** train line (the most spectacular train in Switzerland) to the top of the pass, and get off at an interesting area such as Alp Grüm. Optional day hike to Sassal Mason hut. Optionally take the Diavolezza*** lift to stunning views, similar to Boval Hut but 1500-feet higher.
   • *** Alternative or extra day: Spectacular hike from Pontresina up the Roseg Valley to Coaz Hut and over Surlej Pass down to St Moritz. Or hike round trip to Tschierva Hut (a long day, 15.5 miles roundtrip, 2800 ft), also in Roseg Valley.
   • Sils Maria* is a quiet, pretty village on attractive Lake Segl*, reached via Post Bus, more relaxed and cheaper than staying in St Moritz. In Sils Maria, Hotel Edelweiss** is very luxurious, with dinner and good breakfast in a huge ornate ballroom with live piano. Alternative: Explore scraffito in the village of **Samedan, overnight.
   • * Extra Day: Walk from Sils Maria to “pasturesque” Grevasalvas* (setting for the movie Heidi, with some nice old stone buildings), to Lake Lunghin, and optionally up to alpine Piz Lunghin** then descend to Maloja Pass to catch the Post Bus back to Sils Maria.
5. **** Day 5: Ride the Bernina-Diavolezza cable car for spectacular views of the Bernina Range. If not afraid of heights at Diavolezza, don’t miss the short, scenic, rocky hike to Munt Pers*** which gains 265 meters over 2 km one way.
6. *** Day 6: Hike from comfy 1881 SportHotel Pontresina*** up idyllic Roseg Valley** to Fuorcla Surlej**** for stunning views of Piz Bernina and Piz Roseg, finishing at Corvatsch Mittelstation Murtel cable car. Walking 14 km, we went up 1100 meters and down 150 m. Then take the cable car upwards to Corvatsch top station to see the impressive view, before lifting downwards to Murtel and Lake Silvaplana to catch the PostBus. Optionally shorten the day to an easy out-and-back hike of just 4 kilometers via round trip lift from Murtel.
7. *** Day 7: Walk from Cassacia (or Vicosoprano) to Soglio*** village (11 miles, 2000 feet up, 2900 feet down) on the Sentiero Panaramico***, a scenic trail marked with little yellow hiking signs. All three villages are on the Post Bus line. If starting at Cassacia (via Post Bus), the first hiking hour is through pleasant pastures and woods, but within earshot of a busy highway, and follows powerlines, past a dam retaining pretty turquoise water, and within view of another dam (forming lake Lagh da L’Albigna) looming amazingly high on the other side of the valley. After a few hours the Sentiero Panaramico leaves the power lines and progressively gets more aesthetically pleasing, with more and more spectacular views of the Sciora Range*** the closer you get to Soglio***, an attractive town with medieval narrow streets.
   • Lodging in Soglio***: Hotel La Soglina*** has a great view and large, modern, comfortable rooms.

5. Switzerland: Appenzell

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Appenzell offers wonderful trekking for 1-5 days in picture-perfect Swiss scenery, supported by lifts and cozy private double mountain hotels! Appenzell Innerrhoden is Switzerland’s most traditional and smallest-population canton (second smallest by area). The Appenzell Alps rise in northeast Switzerland between Lake Walen and Lake Constance.

Appenzell: a perfect trek of 2-4 days

1. Our great walking trek (with Alpenwild.com tours) started with a 10-minute bus ride from quaint Appenzell village to Brülisau, where a cable car whisks up to Hoher Kasten (1795 m/5876 ft) mountain in the Alpstein limestone range of the Appenzell Alps. A spectacular ridge walk above the Rhine Valley reaches Berggasthaus Bollenwees, founded in 1903 at scenic Fälensee lake, a wonderful place to stay overnight in private double ensuite (or dormitory rooms). If you choose to ascend Hoher Kasten summit (1794 m) on foot instead of taking the lift, optionally stay overnight midway at Berggasthaus Staubern. Via cable car, Hoher Kasten ridge can also be done as a long day hike.
2. The next day, admire sunrise on Fälensee lake. Cross Bötzel pass (in sight of Santis peak, our goal for day 3). Descend to Berggasthaus Meglisalp, which can only be reached on foot in the spectacular heart of the Alpstein range. This authentic mountain hostelry, owned by the same family for five generations, dates from 1897. Meglisalp is a working dairy farm, restaurant and guest house surrounded by majestic peaks (Altmann peak 2435m) rising above green pastures.
3. From Meglisalp, a long ascent reaches Berggasthaus Rotsteinpass (2120 m) for lunch at a remote restaurant. Everyone was excited to see a large family of ibex crossing rocky & snowy slopes above. Weaving through limestone outcroppings, we ascended the stunning Lisengrat, a sinuous chain-protected trail to the summit of Säntis, one of the most exciting trails in the Alps. The rocky route is safely assisted by chains, but can be scary for those with fear of heights. Shared by three cantons, Säntis can be reached easily via cable car or with effort via trails, to see vast mountain views across six countries: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France and Italy. Säntis makes a great day trip, dining experience, or overnighter including fun walking the Lisengrat. When starting at Säntis (2502 m / 8218 feet elevation), the full Lisengrat ridge route goes down to Rotsteinpass then up to Altmann (2435 m / 7989 ft), connecting the two highest peaks in the Alpstein.
4. In good morning weather atop Säntis, continue walking to scenic Ebenalp, Berggasthaus Aescher, and Wildkirchli cave, then descend to Wasserauen via cable car to catch the bus. (On Day 4 we escaped rain with a quick cable car descent from Säntis back to Appenzell via bus.)

6. Switzerland: Schaffhausen canton

is worth an excursion from Zurich or staying overnight a few days exploring the impressive Munot castle reflecting in the Rhine River at night, Schaffhausen’s Old Town, and nearby Rhine Falls:

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If you have extra days near Zurich or Schaffhausen, don’t miss the photogenic fresco-covered village of Stein am Rhein and historic St. George’s Abbey:

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Recommended Alps travel guidebooks

Search for latest “Alps travel books” on Amazon.com (look for updates every 1 to 3 years). Bring a good country guide plus a detailed hiking guidebook:

Alps hiking books by Cicerone Guides are essential for planning a hiking trip and carrying along.

• Lonely Planet Switzerland is a great country guide for planning a tour and carrying along.
• Rick Steves’ Switzerland defines concise and efficient tour itineraries for those with limited time. Rick Steves updates the books every year for each country in Europe, saving time and money on heartfelt experiences.
• Switzerland (Eyewitness Travel Guides) is a glossy dream guide which excites your pre-trip planning and makes a handsome souvenir.
• Best Hiking in Switzerland in the Valais, Bernese Alps, the Engadine and Davos: Over 100 Hikes in the Spectacular Swiss Alps Paperback – 2021
• The Tour of Mont Blanc: Complete two-way trekking guide by Kev Reynolds (2020, Cicerone Trekking Guides)
• Trekking the Swiss Via Alpina: 19 stages East to West across Switzerland, plus parts of the Alpine Pass Route, Paperback – January 31, 2024
• Walker’s Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt guidebook with Real SwissTopo/IGN Maps 1:25,000/1:50,000 – no need to carry separate maps (The Great Treks of the Alps) Paperback – 2019: The only guidebook for the Walker’s Haute Route with Real Maps: 1:25,000/1:50,000 included for each stage for easy navigation and money savings (no need to buy additional maps).
• 100 Hut Walks in the Alps: Routes for day and multi-day walks (Cicerone Guides) Paperback – 2014
• Explore Europe on Foot: Your Complete Guide to Planning a Cultural Hiking Adventure by Cassandra Overby – Paperback – 2018: highly recommended by Tom for both inspiration and practical details for planning your next walking adventure.