The lodging you booked us into was fantastic. Every place was unique and charming. The people were all wonderful and the rooms always seemed to have such gorgeous views. - B.H., Hawaii
Travel by trains to the charming alpine village of Grindelwald, nestled in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jungfrau region, home to the Alps’ densest concentration of glaciers. In the afternoon, take a cable car to Männlichen and traverse the dramatic “Royal Walk” to Kleine Scheidegg, with sweeping views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, before returning to Grindelwald by train.
Distance: 2.8–3.6 miles (4.5–5.8 km) | Ascent: 50–300 feet (15–91 m) | Descent: 575–825 feet (175–251 m)
Lauterbrunnen, the “Valley of 72 Waterfalls,” is a breathtaking alpine paradise of soaring cliffs, lush meadows, and charming chalets. Explore the dramatic 10-tiered Trümmelbach Falls, carved by glacier waters from the Eiger. Then ascend by tram to the Schilthorn summit, where the Bond Museum, panoramic Swiss vistas, and a mountaintop restaurant await. Descend to the car-free village of Mürren before returning to Grindelwald, soaking in the alpine beauty along the way. (B)
Distance: 4–10 miles (6.4–16.1 km) | Ascent: 200–2,900 feet (61–884 m) | Descent: Approximately 500 feet (152 m)
Ride the Eiger Express V-Bahn cable car up to Eigergletscher, then embark on an exhilarating cogwheel train climb through a tunnel inside the Eiger to reach the Jungfraujoch—the highest railway station in Europe—overlooking the Alps’ longest glacier. From Eigergletscher, choose your adventure: a scenic Eiger Walk down to Kleine Scheidegg, or a longer trek along the Eiger Trail, bringing you face-to-face with the legendary Nordwand, the iconic North Face of the Eiger. Return to Grindelwald by train. (B)
Distance: 4–6 miles (6.4–9.7 km) | Ascent: 75–775 feet (23–236 m) | Descent: 2,400–3,000 feet (732–914 m)
From Grindelwald, ride the gondola up to “First” and hike to the sparkling alpine lake of Bachalpsee (7,431 ft), framed by the snowcapped peaks and glaciers of the Jungfrau region. Continue along the trail to Faulhorn, where sweeping vistas stretch into Germany. Return to First and descend to Grindelwald—choose the gondola for a relaxed ride, or add excitement with the zipline, mountain cart, scooter, or a scenic walk. (B)
Distance: 3.7–7.4 miles (6–12 km) | Ascent: 500–2,900 feet (152–884 m) | Descent: 500–1,760 feet (152–536 m)
Take a morning train to the historic alpine village of Zermatt (3.5 hours), famous for its charming streets and views of the Matterhorn. In the afternoon, explore the nearby Gorner Gorge (Gornerschlucht), a dramatic canyon carved by glacial waters, with wooden walkways, stairways, and footbridges offering an up-close look at the rushing water and rugged rock formations. (B)
Distance: 3.2 miles (5.1 km) | Ascent: 450–550 feet (137–168 m) | Descent: 500–1,200 feet (152–366 m)
Take the classic cogwheel railway from Zermatt to the Gornergrat (10,285 ft), where sweeping vistas of the iconic Matterhorn await. Explore the rugged trails around Riffelberg and Riffelsee, or follow a scenic descent back to Zermatt, immersing yourself in the high-alpine beauty of this legendary landscape. (B)
Distance: 2–6 miles (3.2–9.7 km) | Ascent: 50–200 feet (15–61 m) | Descent: 900–3,946 feet (274–1,203 m)
Take the funicular up to Sunnegga, where sweeping views of the Mattertal Valley stretch out before you. From here, embark on the exhilarating Five Lakes circular hike, wandering past sparkling alpine lakes framed by rugged peaks and dramatic high-alpine landscapes. (B)
Distance: 7 miles (11.3 km) | Ascent: 869 feet (265 m) | Descent: 1,778 feet (542 m)
Today, explore Zermatt’s spectacular Glacier Trail, a scenic hiking route offering impressive views of glaciers, towering peaks, and dramatic alpine landscapes. Along the way, discover how glaciers have shaped the region and observe the effects of glacial retreat on this remarkable mountain environment. If you prefer not to hike, take the cable car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise for breathtaking views of the surrounding Alps and year-round snow and ice. After your hike, return to Zermatt and spend the afternoon browsing the shops or visiting the Matterhorn Museum to learn about the region’s mountaineering history.
Distance: 4.1 miles (6.6 km) | Ascent: 571 feet (174 m) | Descent: 1,690 feet (515 m) — hiking distances and elevation changes may vary depending on your chosen route.
Onward Departure: The train journey from Zermatt to Zürich Airport takes just over 3.5 hours, with the first train departing at 5:37 a.m. Please plan your departure flight accordingly. We are happy to recommend a hotel in Zürich if you prefer to stay overnight before your flight.
Daily distance measurements may vary depending on the device you use to track them. If a range is provided for the statistics, it is possible to hike closer to the lower end, and we’ll include options in your detailed daily directions. Use the listed figures as estimates and reference points while preparing and training for this tour.
We rate this trip as moderate but also adaptable to those who want easier or longer hikes on some days. Please note that the stats listed on the itinerary can vary, depending on the guide and desires of our hikers. You should be capable of walking 4 to 6 hours per day on well-groomed and graded trails at an elevation up to 9,000 feet above sea level. On one day a mountain railway takes you to an elevation of 11,400 feet to the Jungfraujoch.
