Self-Guided 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. Optional afternoon hike where you can take a gondola to First, and follow the trail leading to the reflective alpine lake of Bachalpsee —with a backdrop of the snowcapped peaks and glaciers of the Jungfrau region. Overnight in Grindelwald (D)

Ascent: 500 feet | Descent: 500 feet | Distance: 3.7 miles (may vary)

Day 2 – Eiger Trail from Grindelwald to Wengen

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

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

Day 3 – Wengen to Lauterbrunnen Valley and Mürren

You will cross the scenic Lauterbrunnen Valley from your perch in Wengen to the car-free resort of Mürren on the other side. While in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, you 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. You can explore Trümmelbach Falls, a 10-tiered underground waterfall which drains the mighty Eiger Glacier. Arriving in Mürren, where from your hotel you have spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. Overnight in Mürren (B)

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 (8,568 ft.), a pass that is the exclusive domain of alpine mountaineers and hikers. This is a great day for wildlife viewing, where we regularly see Chamois or 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 in Griesalp (BD)

Ascent: 3300 feet | Descent: 4000 feet | Distance: 11 miles (may vary)

Day 5 – Griesalp, Wildwasser

You'll have a much-appreciated rest day in the beautiful hamlet of Griesalp—but with plenty to enjoy and keep you busy. There are plenty of day hikes in this area. The chasm below Griesalp is known as Wildwasser, where a dozen waterfalls, chutes, and cascades surround the trail. In the afternoon, plan on enjoying the sauna and steam room. Overnight in Griesalp (BD)

Ascent, descent, and distance is variable and optional today

Day 6 – Griesalp to Kandersteg

From Griesalp, you cross the stunning Hohtürli pass, the most challenging pass on our journey. A sturdy stairway with over 450 steps enables you to stay above the scree, though it's still a challenging ascent. From the glacial setting on the northern flank of the Blüemlisalp massif you'll be captivated by the Blüemlisalp Glacier as you descend to the picturesque Öeschinensee by cable car to Kandersteg. Overnight in Kandersteg (BD)

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

Day 7 – Kandersteg to Leukerbad via the Gemmi Pass

You 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 your right, you 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. You 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 you 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 (BD)

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

Day 8 – Leukerbad to Zermatt - Europaweg Skywalk

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

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

Day 9 – Zermatt - Gornergrat

You will have a full day in Zermatt where our favorite mountain excursion takes you to the summit of the Gornergrat, both by rail and on foot. You experience the Matterhorn reflected in the lakes at Riffelsee and overlook the Gorner Glacier. At the summit, you'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 (B)

Ascent: 1900-3300 feet | Descent: 500 feet | Distance: About 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)