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Via Alpina - the best of

From Engelberg to Grindelwald, Gstaad and Montreux | 6 days

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The Via Alpina is the best-known long-distance hiking trail in Switzerland. From east to west, the number 1 hiking route connects the most beautiful hiking highlights across the country over 400 km from Vaduz in Liechtenstein to Lake Geneva in Montreux. The Via Alpina, that is experiencing Switzerland, up close!

Best of Via Alpina, this selection are the most beautiful and best-known sections of the Via Alpina from Central Switzerland to the Bernese Oberland, into the wide Simmental and Saanenland, across the language border to Montreux on the Mediterranean-like Riviera at Lake Geneva. Thanks to the support of railroads, post buses and cable cars, the stages are somewhat shorter and offer plenty of enjoyment.

On this comfort trekking you hike with a light daypack. Your luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel.

Via Alpina, discover Switzerland up close:

  • Start the pleasure trekking in the monastery village of Engelberg, under the spell of the Titlis and hike to one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Swiss Alps, the Engstlensee, surrounded by thousands of Alpine roses.
  • Discover the thundering Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen and the scene of Sherlock Homes' final battle.
  • Under angels and horns and the imposing Eiger North Face via Grosse and Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen
  • From Adelboden and the Vogellisi to the picturesque mountain village of Lenk and on to the gentle Saanenland and glamorous Gstaad
  • Across the language border into French-speaking Switzerland on the rocky cliff of the Rochers de Naye with a magnificent view of Lake Geneva
  • Finally, cross the finish line of the Via Alpina in Montreux.
Technique
moderate

Hiking and mountain trails, continuous path, little to moderately steep (T1-T2). Some surefootedness required.

Condition
moderate

Enjoying sporty activity in nature! Tour with some effort and a sweat on the brow from time to time. Do regular sport in preparation.

Walking time without rests up to 4 hrs, up to approx. 700 m altitude difference.

Group

6-12 guests per hiking guide

Meeting place

9.00 AM Engelberg train station (train arrival 8.53 AM Engelberg train station)

Departure

approx. 3.30 PM Montreux train station

Accommodation

(depending on the date, an alternative choice of hotel with comparable services may occur)

Note

Private tours on your desired date we gladly will organize for you. Get in contact with us.

Learn more about the technical and physical requirements.

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Day 1 After the welcome, the first meters in altitude are covered in no time by gondola and chairlift to the spectacularly situated Trübsee at the foot of the Titlis and over the Jochpass to Engstlenalp. From here the path leads to Engstlenalp. An idyllic place of energy with lake, nostalgic hotel and thousands of alpine roses. The trail continues through colorful alpine flora to Tannalp with cheese dairy, inn and lake. Then it follows the panoramic trail over the ridge to the Balmeregghorn with magnificent views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. From Planplatten you gently sink down into the valley to Meiringen (walking time without rests: 4.3 h, distance: 14 km, ascent/descent: 725/700 meters).

Day 2 Overcome the first steep step with the 120-year-old rack railroad up to the thundering Reichenbach Falls. Under the spell of the mighty Wetterhorn, you pass the Belle Epoque Hotel Rosenlaui and the glacier gorge. Through beautiful moorland you reach Grosse Scheidegg. The post bus takes you to Grindelwald in the middle of the Jungfrau region. (Walking time without rests: 3 h, distance: approx. 7 km, ascent/descent: approx. 700/75 meters).

Day 3 Gentle is the ascent over undulating meadows to Kleine Scheidegg, close and mighty the rock and ice scenery of the Eiger north face. Now follows a sunny high trail to Wengen with views of the royal Jungfrau, before you descend on board the Jungfrau Railway into the Lauterbrunnen Valley with its vertical walls and spectacular waterfalls. Overnight stay in Interlaken. (Walking time without rests: 4 h, distance: 11 km, ascent/descent: 475/820 meters).

Day 4 From Lake Thun by train and bus to Adelboden. Then a gentle ascent along the Gilsbach stream, through fairytale forests and impressive moorland to the Hahnenmoospass. The destination of the stage is Lenk in the Hinteren Simmental. The picturesque mountain village is surrounded by the perfect backdrop of the Wildstubel massif and spectacular waterfalls. (Walking time without rests: 4 h, distance: 11.5 km, ascent/descent: 595/930 meters).

Day 5 Slowly you glide in the gondola from Lenk up to Betelberg. The panoramic hike to the bizarre crater landscape "Gryde" and further to the Trütlisberg pass is hard to beat in beauty. Then follows the descent to Lauenen and glamorous Gstaad. At the end of today you will enjoy one of the most beautiful train rides in Switzerland. On board of the Montreux-Oberland Bahn you will reach Montreux in the evening. (Walking time without rests: 3.3 h, distance: 10.5 km, ascent/descent: 255/960 meters)

Day 6 The ride up to Rochers de Naye is imposing and even more impressive is the view of Lake Geneva and all the way to Mont Blanc and the 4000m peaks of Valais from this summit. The last mile of the Via Alpina leads you on a spectacular path back to Lake Geneva, where you will cross the finish line of the route. Congratulations on the Via Alpina! (Walking time without rests: approx. 3 h, distance: approx. 10 km, ascent/descent: approx. 100/1000 meters)

Included
  • Guiding and support by hiking guide
  • Overnight stay with half board: 5x hotel (basis double room)
  • Welcome aperitif on day 1
  • Daily luggage transfer from hotel to hotel at a value of CHF 185.-
  • Via Alpina hiking passbook
  • Offsetting of CO2 emissions on the tour CHF 18.- per person (according to myclimate CO2 calculator)
  • Service fee legal travel guarantee (0.25% on offer price)
Exclusive
  • Arrival
  • Transportation (taxi/bus/cable) car. CHF 165.- (SBB half fare basis)
  • Snacks and drinks

Additional services:

  • Single room supplement CHF 235.-
Technical equipment
  • Backpack approx. 20-30 l with rain cover
  • Telescopic poles (optional)
Clothing
  • 1x hardshell jacket (wind- and waterproof)
  • 1x soft shell and/or fleece jacket
  • 1x hiking pants
  • Light waterproof rain pants (e.g. Gore-Tex)
  • T-shirt or shirt
  • Underwear
  • Cap/headband and hat
  • Gloves (wind and water resistant)
  • Functional socks and spare socks
  • Hiking/mountain boots (at least ankle-high, sturdy sole)
Overnight
  • Clothing and shoes for the evening (accommodation & village life)
  • Personal toiletries, earplugs if necessary
Food
  • Breakfast and dinner at the hotel
  • Tea and lunch must be brought by yourself or can be bought in the hotel/village
  • Snacks (e.g. bars, dried fruits, dried meat)
Various
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun and lip cream (SPF 30 or more)
  • Camera and binoculars (optional)
  • Half fare Travelcard (if available)
  • Water bottle
  • Small pharmacy for personal needs
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