Bernese Alps, Matterhorn and Lake Geneva

This 12-day hiking tour takes us to the heart of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the Swiss Alps.

We start in Grindelwald at the foot of the world-famous Eiger. Then it’s on to Lötschental, a hidden valley off the beaten tracks and astonishing culture. Afterwards, we’ll stay in the world-famous hiking center Zermatt, against the Alps most striking mountain, the Matterhorn and end up at the Lake of Geneva.

This tour has a little of everything, and is a perfect introduction to Switzerland.

The treks take between 4 and 8 hours each day. We walk along country paths and forest roads, swell as narrow mountain paths. There are some steeper climbs to manage, the ascents are usually evenly steep.

I particularly enjoy this hiking program because…
– we have the chance to see beautiful flora and hike in an unique alpine environment with lakes and grassland.
– we will visit authentic places like cheese traditional production farms in which we will sleep. It is an unique opportunity to meet with locals and see how they live.
– we will take some old mountain lifts that where many years ago impressive engineering innovations and which reflect the old time wish of local people to allow tourists to see their mountains.

Day 0 – Meeting in Grindelwald
Meet the guide in Grindelwald, dinner all together and night at the hotel in Grindelwald.

Day 1 – Schynige Platte – Faulhorn – First
Transport by train and cogwheel railway up to Schynige Platte. From here we walk up to Faulhorn for a snack at Europe’s oldest mountain hostel. From there we walk down to First and take the cable car down to Grindelwald. Night in Hotel in Grindelwald
– total ascent 300 m
– total descent 400 m
– total time: 5hrs

Day 2 – Lauterbrunne – Via Alpina – Murren
Spectacular views to Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau on our walk to the car-free mountain village of Murren. Night in Hotel in Murren.
– total ascent 350 m
– total descent 4000 m
– total time 2-3hrs

Day 3 – Murren – Stechelber – Oberhornsee
An easy but steep hike trough the wild, romantic valley up to our mountain Hotel Obersteinberg. From there it’s only an hour up to the small hidden Oberhorn-lake. Night at mountain Hotel Obersteinberg (2065m)
– total ascent 1146 m
– total time: 4hrs

Day 4 – Obersteinberg – Kandersteg – Oeschinensee
We get up early to have a look at the cheese making up in the Alps. After a hearty breakfast we walk down to Stechelberg and take the bus and train to Kandersteg. From here we walk up to lake and Hotel Oeschinen (1578m). A wonderful place to be and spend the night. Night at Hotel Oeschinensee
– total ascent 500m
– total descent 1146m
– total time: 2hrs / 2hrs

Day 5 – Kandersteg – Lötschental – Fafleralp
The train brings us trough the Lötschberg Tunnel to the Valais valley. We walk on a panoramic trail along the Lötscher-Valley to the historic mountain Hotel Fafleralp (1700m). Night at Hotel Fafleralp.
– total ascent 900 m
– total descent 500 m
– total time 2,5hrs

Day 6 – Fafleralp – Anenhutte – Fafleralp
Today we visit a mountain hut next to a glacier surrounded by huge mountains. Night at Fafleralp.
– total ascent 610m
– total descent 610m
– total time: 5.5 hrs

Day 7 – Fafleralp – Moosalp – Zermatt
We walk panoramic trail around Moosalp with great views over the Rhone-valley before we have lunch at a nice mountain restaurant. In the afternoon we stroll down the alpine pastures to Stalden. Transport to Zermatt. Night at the hotel in Zermatt.
– total ascent 230 m
– total descent 600m
– total time 3-4 hrs

Day 8 – Zermatt – 5 Lakes hike to Gornergrat – Zermatt
First walk in Switzerlands’ trekking paradise Zermatt up to Gornergrat (2578m) on the 5 lakes trail. Amazing views to Matterhorn and many 4000m peaks and glaciers. Night at Hotel in Zermatt.
– total ascent 286m
– total descent 575m
– total time: 3hrs

Day 9 – Zermatt – Schwarzsee – Hörnlihutte (3260m) – Zermatt
We walk to the foot of the Matterhorn today. Night in Hotel in Zermatt.
– total ascent 750m
– total descent 7500m
– total time: 6hrs

Day 10 – Zermatt – Montreux – Chateau Chillon
The great swiss railway system brings us to the french speaking lake Geneva area. We visit Chateau Chillon castle today and make some time to taste the local wines. Night at Hotel in Montreux

Day 11 – Montreux – Lavaux – Montreux
Walk through the UNESCO world heritage vineyards of Lavaux with vine tasting. Last Night in Montreux.
– total time: 6hrs

If you are interested by this amazing hiking and cultural experience please get in touch with me. It will be my pleasure to guide you there and explain you about all these awesome places.

Extra details

Get home from Montreux

30min train ride to Geneva airport, 1.5hrs train ride to Zu?rich airport

Get to Grindelwald

By plain to Zu?rich, from there in 2hrs by train to Grindelwald

Group size

Max 8 clients for one guide

Spots of interest

Bernese Alps, Matterhorn & Lake Geneva