Eiger to the Matterhorn

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Grindelwald

Take a train from Zürich to Grindelwald (3.5 hrs) in the heart of the Jungfrau Region and set below the towering North Face of the Eiger. The group will meet in the lobby of your Grindelwald hotel and take an afternoon hike nearby. Overnight in Grindelwald (D)

Hiking stats will vary depending on hike chosen by the guide.

Day 2 – Eiger Trail from Grindelwald to Wengen

Starting in Grindelwald, we will take the train to Alpiglen where we can then ascend the Eiger Trail along a panoramic route directly below the North Face of the Eiger. We'll see the routes used by North Face climbers since the initial attempts in the 1930s. On an afternoon excursion by rail we tunnel through the Eiger to arrive at the highest Railway station in Europe (Jungfraujoch) and overlooking the longest glacier in the Alps. From Eigergletscher, we can continue hiking to Kleine Scheidegg and along the Royal Walk to Mannlichen. Take the cable car from Mannlichen to Wengen. Overnight in Wengen. (BSD)

Ascent: 2500-3000 feet | Descent: 200-1075 feet | Distance: 4-8 miles (may vary)

Day 3 – Wengen to Lauterbrunnen Valley and Mürren

We will cross the scenic Lauterbrunnen Valley from our perch in Wengen to the car-free resort of Mürren on the other side. While in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, we can take a gentle riverside walk up the valley and observe many of the 72 waterfalls that cascade from the upper rim into the valley floor. We can explore Trümmelbach Falls, a 10-tiered underground waterfall which drains the mighty Eiger Glacier. Arriving in Mürren, where from our hotel we will have spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. Overnight in Mürren. (BSD)

Ascent: (variable) 400 to 2765 ft | Descent: 75-1200 ft | Distance: 5 to 11 miles (may vary)

Day 4 – Mürren to Griesalp

From Mürren, you will ascend the Sefinental past the Rotstockhütte to cross the high and rocky reaches of the Sefinenfurgge. This is a great day for wildlife viewing, where we regularly see ibex grazing on the slopes below the pass. A steep descent along a stairway with over 300 steps avoids the dreaded scree slopes and leads into the magical setting of the remote Kiental. You will be staying at an elegant hotel resort set quite unexpectedly in the traditional farming hamlet of Griesalp. Overnight Griesalp. (BSD)

Ascent: 3300 feet | Descent: 3900 feet | Distance: 10 miles (may vary)

Day 5 – Griesalp, Alpine cheesemaking, Wildwasser

We'll have a much-appreciated rest day in the beautiful hamlet of Griesalp—but with plenty to enjoy and keep us busy. We may make a morning visit to an alpine farm where the cheesemaker crafts sturdy mountain cheeses over and open fire.There will be opportunities for additional day hikes in this area. The chasm below Griesalp is known as Wildwasser, where a dozen waterfalls, chutes, and cascades surround the trail. You can also plan to make a reservation to enjoy the sauna, steam room, or hot pots located in the private garden area of this resort. Overnight in Griesalp (BSD)

Ascent, descent, and distance is variable and optional today

Day 6 – Griesalp to Kandersteg

From Griesalp we cross the rocky Hohturli Pass with the aid of hundreds of stairs leading up to the pass to avoid the scree slopes. With captivating views of the Blüemlisalp Glacier on our left, we descend to the Oeschinensee, considered by many to be the most beautiful lake in Switzerland—but we'll let you be the judge. Just beyond the Oeschinensee, a gondola speeds our descent into the scenic valley setting of Kandersteg where we stay at a wonderfully historic hotel. Overnight in Kandersteg. (BSD)

Ascent: 3300-4600 ft | Descent: About 4000 ft | Distance: 7.5-9 miles (may vary)

Day 7 – Kandersteg to Leukerbad via the Gemmi Pass

We will ascend by cable car, the seemingly insurmountable mountain faces that surround Kandersteg before following a gentle track used by traders, smugglers, and travelers for centuries. With the shallow waters of the Daubensee on our right, we will take a short and well-graded trail leading to the saddle of the Gemmi Pass. This pass was the primary route connecting Bern with the Rhone Valley, and was a favorite of Mark Twain, Goethe, Jules Verne, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We will descend the impossibly sheer faces of the Daubenwand on a steep, but well-designed 17th-century mule track built by Tyroleans—those who had experience with explosives. The trail leads us into the Spa resort of Leukerbad for the evening. If you want an easier descent, you can choose to descend to Leukerbad by cable car instead. Overnight in Leukerbad. (BSD)

Ascent: 1600 feet | Descent: 175-3200 feet | Distance: 5-8 miles (may vary)

Day 8 – Leukerbad to Zermatt - Europaweg Skywalk

We will cross the Rhône Valley by train and get off the train in the town of Randa. After an ascent through thick larch forest we arrive at the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, the longest of its kind in the world. Crossing the bridge takes a mere 10 minutes or so, but we’ll want to stick around for longer and marvel at this incredible feat of Swiss engineering. We descend through the forest and hop on the train again at Randa to complete our journey by train into Zermatt. We have spellbinding views of the Weisshorn and its glaciers to whet our appetite before entering Zermatt where we have commanding views of the Matterhorn and other 4000 meter peaks of the Pennine Alps. In Zermatt we're surrounded by charming hamlets, weathered chalets, and traditional large-timbered farm buildings. Overnight in Zermatt. (BS) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Zermatt tonight.

Ascent: about 2500 feet | Descent: 2500 feet | Distance: 5.5 miles (may vary)

Day 9 – Zermatt - Gornergrat

We have a full day in Zermatt where our favorite mountain excursion takes us to the summit of the Gornergrat, both by rail and on foot. We experience the Matterhorn reflected in the lakes at Riffelsee and overlook the Gorner Glacier. At the summit, we're surrounded by more 4000-meter peaks than anywhere else in the Alps—a view that certainly inspired Edward Whymper in 1865 as he planned his momentous first ascent of the Matterhorn. Overnight in Zermatt. (BSD)

Ascent: 1900-3300 feet | Descent: 500 feet | Distance: 3.5-6 miles (may vary)

Day 10 – Depart

Morning departure to the airport or onward travel. Note: it is a 3.5-hour train ride to the Zurich airport, so plan departure flights accordingly. We can help with a hotel in Zurich if needed. (B)