Via Alpina Switzerland
The No.1 hiking trail from Vaduz to Montreux
Discover the Via Alpina, the most famous long-distance hiking trail across the Alps from Vaduz in the far east to Montreux on Lake Geneva in the far west of Switzerland. The No. 1 hiking route, which is actually signposted as No. 1, leads over 14 Alpine passes in around 15 stages and over almost 400 km right through Switzerland.
The Via Alpina is a hiking tour across Switzerland that offers wonderful views of the mountains and nature as well as a varied insight into the country's rich tradition, culture and history. The trail connects glamorous tourist resorts with pristine mountain valleys and tells exciting stories every day from here and there, to the left and right of the wayside. Typically, each mountain valley has its own unique characteristics: from dialect to special traditions and stories, from local products to original recipes and much more. In the past, the exchange between the different valleys was certainly limited to the bare essentials, as the route over the next mountain range could only be covered on foot or, for the more privileged, by horse or mule. In fact, this is exactly how we travel on the Via Alpina today. Hiking over the passes and, in our case, riding and pedaling on the "steel donkey" with electric drive. The Via Alpina - experience Switzerland up close!
The Via Alpina Switzerland can be divided into three sections:
- The eastern or start section leads from Vaduz to Altdorf
- The central or heart section starts in Altdorf and ends in Kandersteg
- The western or final section leads from Kandersteg to the finish line in Montreux
By the way, the Via Alpina Switzerland is linked to the International Via Alpina Trail. This leads over 5000 km from the Adriatic Sea through the entire Alpine arc and eight countries to Monaco.
Part I - The Via Alpina Start: From Vaduz to Altdorf
You start in Vaduz, preferably comfortably on an e-bike, and only lace up your hiking boots after Sargans. From the long Weisstannental valley, you hike from the canton of St. Gallen into the region of Glarnerland to Elm and the UNESCO World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona. With a view of the Martinsloch the next morning, the route continues over the Richtelipass into the secluded Durnachtal valley and down into the Zigerschlitz. From Linthal on foot or with the support of the mountain railroad or post bus to the Klausen Pass and through the Schächental valley to Bürgeln and Altdorf to the Swiss national legend Willhelm Tell.
Part II - The Via Alpina Heart: From Altdorf to Kandersteg
The heart of the Via Alpina leads from Altdorf to the monastery village of Engelberg. Then past the Engstlenalp "place of energy" over the Balmeregghorn with magnificent views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau to Meiringen. Now you have the choice of riding comfortably by e-bike or on foot, either way you pass the thundering Reichenbach Falls to the imposing Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, over the Grosse Scheidegg to Grindelwald and under the spell of the north face of the Eiger into the Lauterbrunnen Valley. At the end of the Via Alpina heart of the route, from the sun terrace in Mürren to Griesalp and, as a highlight, via Sefinafurgga and Hohtürli to the Belle Epoque resort of Kandersteg.
Part III - The Via Alpina Finale: From Kandersteg to Montreux
Incredible landscapes line the route from Kandersteg to Adelboden in the Saanenland and as far as Montreux. The route starts with the Bunderchrinde to Adelboden to the Vogellisi, then over the Hahnenmoos Pass to the picturesque mountain village of Lenk and on to glamorous Gstaad. The route then crosses the language border to the cheese village of L'Etivaz. In the stage finale, you conquer the Rochers de Naye and cross the finish line in Montreux on the final day. Congratulations on your Via Alpina!
Overview map of Via Alpina Switzerland
Information about the Via Alpina Switzerland
You can hike the Via Alpina Switzerland in one go from Vaduz to Montreux or, of course, divide it into sections and hike the different stages over a season or several years. The individual stages are usually easy to reach. However, the following points are good to know and important for planning.
Long-distance hiking trend - the new lifestyle
Step by step, meter by meter and further and further - long-distance hiking is a trend. Whether following in the footsteps of pilgrims on the Way of St. James, via the E5 through the Eastern Alps to Merano, or right across Switzerland along the Via Alpina to Lake Geneva, more and more people are discovering long-distance hiking for themselves. And as simple as it may seem to hike day after day, this decelerated form of transportation is actually very fulfilling. Because hiking is invigorating and yet relaxing, allows time to experience and enjoy, and is social and unifying at the same time. Yes, hiking makes you happy.
Are you interested in other long-distance hikes in Switzerland?
Discover the Walker's Haute Route, which leads from Chamonix to Zermatt, or the Four Headwaters Trail, which follows the four springs of the rivers Rhine, Reuss, Ticino and Rhone along Europe's triple continental divide.