Best of the Swiss Alps: Hiking Adventure from Wengen to Zermatt

Experience the best hikes in Switzerland with this self-guided hiking tour through the Swiss Alps, ideal for summer adventurers. Journey from Wengen to Zermatt along iconic trails, including the breathtaking Europaweg and panoramic routes in the Bernese Oberland. Designed for independent travelers, this tour provides everything you need for a memorable hike, from detailed maps to hotel stays and the Jungfrau Pass for seamless access to top destinations. Explore picturesque villages, enjoy unmatched views of the Matterhorn, and discover why hiking in the Swiss Alps is a must-do summer experience.

Highlights:

Self-Guided Freedom: Hike independently with route maps, guides, and support.

Top Swiss Trails: Explore iconic routes like the Europaweg and Bernese Oberland.

Flexible Hike Options: Choose daily hikes based on your pace and preferences.

Breathtaking Alpine Views: Enjoy stunning vistas of the Matterhorn, Jungfrau, and more.

Charming Villages: Stay in car-free villages like Mürren and Wengen.

Easy Swiss Rail Access: Travel seamlessly with the Swiss train network and Jungfrau Pass.

Summer Adventure: Ideal for hiking in the Swiss Alps during peak summer.

Comfortable Hotels: Relax each night in cozy, convenient accommodations.

Optional Excursions: Add experiences like the Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe.”

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Zurich - Train to Wengen

Begin your adventure by arriving in Zurich, the ideal international gateway to the Interlaken region. From the airport, take a scenic 2.5-hour train ride through Switzerland to reach Wengen. Once there, settle into your hotel, explore the village, and prepare for the days ahead.

Accommodation: 3-star hotel

Meals: None

Day 2: Wengen with a Visit to Lauterbrunnen and Mürren

Today's journey takes you along Mürren's Northface Trail, offering spectacular views of the Mönch, Eiger, and Jungfrau mountains. Walk through scenic hamlets, flower-filled alpine meadows, and lush pastures with the soft chime of cowbells in the background. For those seeking a bit more adventure, an optional detour leads to the beautiful Sprutz waterfall.

Distance: 9.5 km (6 miles)
Ascent: 320 m (1050 ft)
Descent: 320 m (1050 ft)
Hiking Time: 4.5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel‍
Meals: Based on selected meal plan

Day 3: Bachalpsee from Grindelwald

After breakfast, travel from Interlaken to Grindelwald by train. Nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by iconic peaks like the Eiger North Face (3967 m / 13,015 ft) and Wetterhorn (3690 m / 12,100 ft), Grindelwald is the starting point for today’s hike. This scenic trail winds through flowering alpine meadows to Bachalpsee, offering impressive views of the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, and Finsteraarhorn across the valley. Descend to Bort, where you can either take the gondola or opt for a fun mountain cart ride (not included) down to Grindelwald. Return to Wengen via train through Kleine Scheidegg or the aerial cableway via Männlichen.

Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Ascent: 325 m (1,066 ft)
Descent: 920 m (3,020 ft)
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel‍
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Männlichen to Wengen or Eiger Trail

Option 1: Männlichen to Wengen
Begin your day with a train ride from Wengen to Grindelwald. The trail from Männlichen to Wengen is a scenic route with panoramic views over the valleys, leading through vibrant meadows and charming alpine scenery.

Distance: 16 km (10 miles)
Ascent: 350 m (1,150 ft)
Descent: 1,150 m (3,775 ft)
Hiking Time: 5.5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Option 2: The Eiger Trail (with optional Jungfraujoch ascent)
Take the train to Alpiglen via Kleine Scheidegg for the famous Eiger Trail, which runs along the foot of the Eiger North Face, providing some of the week’s most dramatic scenery. Finish at Eigergletscher station, where you have the option to take the train up to Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) at 3454 meters (11,332 ft) for an additional fee (not included).

Distance: 7 km (4.5 miles)
Ascent: 900 m (2,950 ft)
Descent: 250 m (820 ft)
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel‍
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Journey from Wengen to Zermatt

Today, embark on a scenic train journey from Interlaken to Zermatt, lasting around 2.5 to 3 hours. This route is part of Switzerland's famous GoldenPass Line, offering incredible views of towering mountains, lush valleys, and pristine lakes. Upon arrival in Zermatt, settle into your hotel and take some time to explore this charming mountain village.

Travel Time: 2.5–3 hours
Accommodation: Hotel‍
Meals: None

Day 6: Zermatt - Gornergrat

Start your hike at the Gornergrat summit, descending through scenic paths to Zermatt. Along the way, pass by Riffelberg and Riffelalp stations, enjoying sweeping views of the surrounding alpine landscape and a variety of local flora and fauna. Accessible via the historic Gornergrat Bahn cogwheel train, the Gornergrat summit sits at 3,089 meters (10,135 ft) and offers one of the Alps' most iconic panoramas, including 360° views of 29 peaks above 4,000 meters, such as the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and Mont Cervin.

Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles)
Descent: 1,150 m (3,775 ft)
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel‍
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Zermatt - Roundtrip Day Hike to Zmutt

Today’s hike takes you from Zermatt to the charming hamlet of Zmutt, nestled at the base of the Matterhorn. Begin in the city center, passing through the quaint hamlets of Herbrigg and Hubel, and follow a south-facing balcony trail that offers impressive views of the Matterhorn’s north face. Descend into Zmutt, one of the most picturesque spots in the region, where you can pause for lunch. On the return loop to Zermatt, stop at Zum See, another classic Swiss hamlet. Along the trail, you'll notice raccards—traditional raised grain storage houses unique to Swiss architecture.

Distance: 10 km (6 miles)
Ascent/Descent: 500 m (1,640 ft)
Hiking Time: 4.5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel‍
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Zermatt - Hiking Along the Europaweg to Grächen

Today’s hike along the Europaweg offers breathtaking views of the Matterhorn as you traverse one of Switzerland’s most iconic trails. Begin by crossing the world’s longest suspension footbridge, a 494-meter (1,620 ft) span, and continue along a series of ascents and descents as the trail contours the mountainside. At a trail junction above Täsch, you can choose to descend to the village and take the train back to Zermatt or, if feeling adventurous, continue on foot via Täschalp and Tuftra for a gradual descent back to Zermatt.

Distance: 10 km (6 miles)
Ascent/Descent: 800 m (2,625 ft)
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Hotel‍
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Departure from Zermatt

Your unforgettable journey through the Swiss Alps concludes today. Depart from Zermatt, carrying memories of stunning landscapes and Alpine adventures.