For such a small country, Switzerland really does pack a punch. From dramatic peaks and glacial valleys to picture-postcard mountain vistas, there's so much to experience here. To explore all this country has to offer, walking in Switzerland is a great way to capture it all.
We're firm believers that Mother Nature intended for Switzerland to be explored on foot, and a Swiss Alps walking holiday allows you to witness some of the region's truly unique treasures.
Take on a tour of the country's highest peaks and clearest waterfalls. Experience the sweet scent of flower-strewn meadows and remarkable rambles among glossy mountain lakes. See some of the most widely recognised and spectacular views in the world, with famous peaks such as the Eiger, Jungfrau and Matterhorn dominating the Swiss skyline.
There's also an abundance of history and culture in Switzerland that you can really sink your teeth into. Its alpine villages overflow with the kind of charisma you only ever read about in fairy tales. Imagine pretty wooden chalets clinging to the mountainsides, and laid-back cafes where you can listen to the church bells chime as you watch the world go by.
The long summer days are ideal for walking holidays in Switzerland and from the end of September, the Indian summers flood the land with vivid hues of red and gold as the autumn spreads its spellbinding beauty across the landscapes. With the Alps accounting for more than 60% of the country, it's no exaggeration to say that the walkable wonderments on offer in Switzerland are almost too numerous to mention.
All of the above and much, much more is on offer with our expertly packaged walking tours of Switzerland. All of our self-guided, single-centre walking holidays in Switzerland include full accommodation and meals - meaning all you need to think about is how best to discover every inch of this one-of-a-kind country.
Here are just a few of the major locations you can visit as part of our handpicked walking trips to Switzerland.
The canton of Bern, and more specifically the Bernese Oberland region, is one of Switzerland's premier walking spots. It's revered for its breathtaking views and outstanding, untouched natural beauty.
Offering a postcard-ready visual at virtually every turn, the peaks of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau sit among the region, as do hundreds of kilometres of some of Europe's best hiking and skiing trails. Such is the extent of the opportunities on offer in the region, we offer walking tours for both the east and west side of Bernese Oberland, taking in the best mountain passes alongside the area's lush meadows and idyllic villages.
Often described as a land of contrasts, Valais couples 4,000-metre-high glacial peaks with deep valleys and expansive vineyards. The many contrasts you see will depend on timing of your visit, with the winter and summer versions of Valais offering two rather separate but equally stunning experiences.
Winter offers the opportunity for crunchy hikes and snowshoe treks through snowy forests and sprawling alpine landscapes. In the summer, more than 300 days of sunshine a year brings a sun kissed aesthetic to the thousands of kilometres of countryside, meadows and vineyards in the region.
The famous alpine town of the Valais region, Zermatt sits at the foot of the Matterhorn. It welcomes millions of visitors every year who are keen to take on the massive number of excursions and adventures that start here. A legendary location among the mountaineering community, high-skill international trails like the multi-day-long Haute Route are complemented by a series of less challenging but equally brilliant historic hiking pathways.
Self-guided walking
8 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+ & 2
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Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 4
Challenging
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Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 3
Stretching
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Self-guided walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 1 to 3
Headwater
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Self-guided walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 2
Moderate
Headwater
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Self-guided walking
5 nights,
single centre
Level: 2
Moderate
Headwater
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Self-guided walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 1 to 3
Headwater
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Self-guided walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 1 to 3
Headwater
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Where appropriate, we grade our holidays based on distance, terrain, elevation gain, remoteness, etc and categorise them into 4 relative groups. This is ultimately subjective and may vary slightly day to day; for more advice, please see the specific trip page or call one of our friendly team.
Yes, is the simple answer, which is what makes it such an incredible place for our walking tours. With over 65,000km (around 40,000 miles) of marked hiking trails across the country, Switzerland is a mecca for hiking, trekking, trail running and walking.
Indeed, the Swiss themselves are passionate walkers. Once you've been on one walking tour and experienced just a small part of the incredible and diverse beauty of the country's natural landscapes, we wouldn't be surprised if you were already thinking about booking your next trip with us.
The best months to hike in Switzerland are June through to October. This is considered to be Switzerland's summer walking season, and also the season that we cover entirely with more or less all of our walking tours.
You'll find some of our trips offer opportunities to head out in May, but many mountainous trails are shut to the public between ski season and summer season (mid-April to mid-June), meaning you'll have to wait until June to get started with your adventure.
To some, a snow-covered Switzerland is the best version of this picture-perfect country. Winter hiking trails across Switzerland offer undoubtedly stunning experiences, although it's worth bearing in mind that winter hikes will generally present more of a challenge than the same trails in summer.
The majority of our packages are based around the summer season. This is because we want to focus our offering around easy walking holidays in Switzerland, where you can see the best the country has to offer without overly worrying about the intensity of the trail ahead.
H3: How many days is sufficient for a walking holiday in Switzerland?
Our packages are mostly seven-day self-guided walking tours in Switzerland, with a few five-day options, too. We think five to seven days is the ideal window to see one particular side or region of Switzerland without the trip and walking involved becoming overly demanding.
A slight disclaimer, however: the country is so beautifully rich and diverse in its tapestry of landscapes that we can’t guarantee just one walking tour of Switzerland will be enough to satisfy you!
With our walking trips in Switzerland starting at under £1,000 per person, we've looked to make our packages as accessible as possible for you as a customer while still doing justice to what are trips of a lifetime.
Once you're there, you won’t find any hidden surprises in terms of additional charges for the adventures ahead. Switzerland doesn't charge to visit mountain areas, nor will you need a permit for hiking while over there (Switzerland recovers its maintenance costs for its mountain areas via railway fees).
You'll see by the extent and diversity of the tours on offer that there are only subjective opinions when it comes to the most beautiful place to visit in Switzerland. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder when there's such an abundance of it in a country like this.
There are undoubtedly more popular and famous mountains to encounter, though. The Matterhorn, for example, is a quintessential representation of Switzerland's stunning landscape aesthetic, and just one of many visitor spots you won’t want to miss.
Our walking holidays in Switzerland are centred around the summer season, but your packing list will need to take into account the multitude of conditions you may find yourself in while on the trip, and you'll need to think about where in the country you're visiting.
If you're wondering what to wear on a walking holiday in Switzerland, you'll need to pack for a range of conditions. Ahead of your visit, you should research the area and time of year you're visiting. While summer temperatures in Switzerland sit in the 18-28°C region in many areas of the country, temperatures will drop when visiting higher altitude locations. With that in mind, you should pack as you would for a typical walking holiday but be sure to include clothing for both warmer and colder conditions, as well as waterproofs.
When packing clothing, you'll also need to consider the grade of difficulty of your chosen trails. Comfortable clothing is a must, as are durable walking boots that are fit to take on the adventure ahead of you.
In terms of equipment, we'd strongly recommend bringing a first aid kit with you. You'll also need suncream to protect you against UV rays that will be present even towards the end of our walking tour calendar when the weather turns cooler.
Our packages are mostly seven-day self-guided walking tours in Switzerland, with a few five-day options, too. We think five to seven days is the ideal window to see one particular side or region of Switzerland without the trip and walking involved becoming overly demanding. A slight disclaimer, however: the country is so beautifully rich and diverse in its tapestry of landscapes that we can't guarantee just one walking tour of Switzerland will be enough to satisfy you!
For nearly 40 years, we've specialised in creating dream adventure holidays for our customers. An expert in self-guided tours, you can trust us to deliver the ultimate experience when it comes to your walking holiday in Switzerland.
