Global Adventure - Trek Across the Swiss Alps on the Via Alpina:  Part 1, East

Trip

Global Adventure - Trek Across the Swiss Alps on the Via Alpina: Part 1, East

The center of the European Alps is Switzerland, and the Swiss Via Alpina is the classic long hike across Switzerland. On this dramatic eastern section of the Swiss Via Alpina, we'll trek for 12 days, 89 miles and nearly 30,000 feet of gain, from the ancient town of Sargans on the border of Lichtenstein to the charming ski town of Grindelwald under the looming peaks of the Bernese Oberland. This section includes six of the highest passes on the whole Swiss Via Alpina, flanked by some of the most dramatic high peaks and glaciers in the country. We'll wander the scenic Four Lakes route above Engelberg, have a free day to explore around lovely Lake Lucerne, walk the Planplatten ridge with panoramic views for miles in every direction, experience the Reichenbach falls from the top of a historic funicular, and spend the night at a mountain lodge perched on a steep balcony looking across to the Eiger. We'll hike 7-12 miles and up to 4700’ gain per day (with some shorter easier days and one free day in town). No technical climbing is involved, but there are very steep scree and cliff or slab sections and airy slope traverses with some exposure, sometimes aided by fixed cables, so demonstration of confidence and recent experience with multi-day trekking on this type of terrain and difficulty will be required for leader permission (references may be requested). We’ll carry daypacks, and stay mostly in dormitory lodgings and simple guest houses along the way, and with most breakfasts and some dinners provided. We’ll skip some road walks and grueling, less inspiring climbs and descents by taking buses, trains, funiculars and cable cars for sections of many of the days (cost included) – but don’t worry, there will be plenty of walking and physical challenge! Return by bus and train from Grindelwald to Zurich at the end. Luggage other than our trekking daypacks can be stored at our hotel in Zurich during the trek, and there may be the option to have it transferred to Grindelwald at an additional expense. NOTE: THE MEMBER PRICE SHOWN IS FOR THE 50% DEPOSIT ONLY. IF YOU REGISTER FOR PARTS 1 AND 2 TOGETHER, THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNT (~$500) FROM THE SUM OF THE TWO INDIVIDUAL TRIP FEES THAT WILL BE REFLECTED IN THE FINAL TRIP PAYMENT.)

  • Very Strenuous
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 89.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 29,900 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 7,515 ft
  • Pace: 2.0

Itinerary Highlights:     Switzerland’s craggy glaciated mountains, grassy meadows with contented cows, lovely azure lakes, and picturesque villages live up to the most charming of caricatures, and this route allows you to sample a full and dramatic range of these delights, while also enjoying the intense physical challenge of multiple quintessential Swiss mountain passes and charming village hotels, rural guest houses and mountain huts.

Our adventure will begin in ancient and modern Zurich in its lovely setting on Lake Zurich on July 13th.  {We encourage everyone to arrive a day early to decompress and allow delayed luggage to catch up (hotel and meals on your own on the extra night)}.   We’ll organize a free walking tour of the highlights of the city for those who arrive early, and all of us will gather for a group welcome dinner at a local restaurant on the night of the 13th.  

Then the next morning we’ll take a train from Zurich to the ancient town of Sargans on the Lichtenstein border, built around its 12th-century castle.  But the trail calls and we have nearly 10 miles to go after our arrival to make our way to the classic Swiss farm of Alp Vorsiez and our dorm-style lodgings with our first views to the high peaks and passes to the west.    From there, for the next 10 days we’ll walk over the Foopass (7291’), the Richetlipass (7416’), the Klausenpass (6389’), the Surenenpass (7514’), the Jochpass (7239’) and Grosse Scheidegg (2641'), before reaching a high hut overlooking Grindelwald and the magnificent peaks of the Bernese Oberland.  Nearly every day on the Via Alpina East we'll have extended rambles in high meadows and ridges, often reached with funiculars and cable cars.  Our rambles will include the stunning Four Lakes route, a stairstep of lakes along high benches with peaks all around (and we'll stay at a guesthouse next to one!);  and a full-day walk on Planplatten Ridge, known by some as one of the best day walks in the Alps!  Another day will take us up a historic funicular to the top of Reichenbach Falls, with a wander down from there to views of a deep glacier gorge, on our way to Bergghotel First on a dramatic perch on the cliffside above Grindelwald, with front-row seats to sunset over the Eiger.  We'll have a free day to explore William Tell's hometown and explore high above lovely Lake Lucerne, plus multiple shorter days to catch your breath!).   On our last two trail days of the East section, we’ll ride a cable car down to the bustling tourist town of Grindelwald, meet any new arrivals, and share a night at a lovely mountain inn near Grindelwald with any new arrivals for part 2.  On the last day of this rich itinerary we'll have the icing on the cake:  a walk on the famed Eiger Trail, and if you choose, a ride on a cog rail to the highest train station in the world, the Jungfraujoch at 13,642 feet, overlooking the largest glacier in the Alps ($75, not included in the trip price).

Those departing after part 1 will head back down to Grindelwald after the Jungfraujoch to catch your multi-leg transport back to Zurich, included in the trip price. (Additional hotel nights in Grindelwald and Zurich at the end are optional and not included in the trip price).  Additional days can also be added on your own to visit stunning Lauterbrunnen in its deep canyon, and/or the scenic cliff-side towns of Wengen, Murren and Gimmelwald.

On this route, we’ll be staying at a few village hotels with shared twin rooms, but mostly our lodgings will be dorm-style guesthouses, mountain hotels or huts with shared bath down the hall.  Bedding is provided so we only need to carry a daypack with a sleep sack, clothing, water, lunch/snacks and our Ten Essentials for emergencies.  If you have town-luggage that you don’t need for the trek, you’ll have the option to leave it at our hotel in Zurich and come back to it at the end of our trek. 

On many of the days, to avoid a long road walk we’ll catch a local postbus, and sometimes we’ll make use of a funicular or cable car to avoid a steep, grueling and non-scenic trail section (some of these choices are necessary so that we can hit the best parts of the route within a two week adventure).  (The price for this section will include 2 road sections on a postbus, two funiculars, and five cable cars - some with multiple sections.) 

NOTE:  As with any extended travel, but particularly in an area with unpredictable mountain weather and changeable trail conditions, our itinerary can change without notice and sections may be modified or dropped.  The priority will always be on safety for all participants.  Exit options and lower-altitude route options will be identified for every day, with public transport often being available.

Map Via Alpina East.jpg

Time of Year:    We’ll be visiting during the second half of July, when European tourists haven’t yet begun to flock to the mountains and wildflowers will be profuse in the higher meadows.  The weather can be hot in the cities and lower elevations of the mountains, but can get cool at night, and snow can still fall at the highest altitudes.  The Bernese Alps are among the wettest areas in all of Switzerland through the summer, with banks of unsettled weather passing through with periods of low clouds and rain, but these periods are also affected by the warm dry föhn winds that can blow through north-south valleys bringing periods of clear skies for several days.   Suffice it to say that we can expect all kinds of weather!  We’ll bring trekking poles for stability and microspikes based on the specific snow levels as the date gets closer. 

Lodging:     One night in shared twin or double rooms in a comfortable 3-star hotel near the train station in Zurich convenient to the local sights, and 11 nights in simple but charming hotels, hostels or guest houses with limited amenities.  (4 nights in a Hut Dormitory with 6+ bunks;  1 night in a Hut 4-Bed-Room; 2 nights in a Hostel in a shared twin room and 3 nights in a double room - both with a shared bath down the hall;  and 1 night in a private shared-twin room with ensuite bath.  These specific arrangements are not yet finalized.)

Food:    A welcome dinner and a breakfast at our hotel in Zurich will be included.  Hearty breakfasts are included on all eleven of our trail days, and 6 dinners will be included at our guest houses and hotels (the others will be on our own in towns or at the guest house).  Participants will have the option to purchase sack lunches for the trail at our huts/guest houses on most days, or at mountain restaurants or in villages along our daily routes;  we may also decide to purchase lunch food from grocery stores along our route (lunches and drinks are not included in the trip price).  Vegetarian and gluten-free diets can be accommodated with advance notice, though a limited range of choices (sometimes only one option) will be available on many of the days.

Leader’s Experience:   Cheryl Talbert has led many Mountaineers hikes and several Mountaineers and private backpacks, treks and cultural trips around the U.S. west and worldwide, including a private group trekking trip on the Tour de Mont Blanc high route in 2016, a Mountaineers hut trek on the Tour of the Jungfrau in 2018, and a private trek on the Walkers’ Haute Route in 2022.  (cascadehiker12@gmail.com)  She has led over 40 Global Adventures all over Europe, South America, Scandinavia, the Himalaya, Central Asia and New Zealand.  

Strenuousness or Difficulty rating:  This route is rated very strenuous, due to some very rugged terrain, some moderate exposure, and multiple successive long days with significant elevation gain.    On many parts of this trail, the route ascends, descends or traverses steep rock faces and scree with fixed cables or ladders – those with a fear of heights or who are not confident with their balance will not find this trail a good fit.

Participant Requirements:    You must be a current Mountaineers member with an up-to-date waiver on file.  This outing includes strenuous to very strenuous hiking on rugged terrain (up to 11.6 miles and up to 4700 feet of gain) for multiple successive days, so participants need to be in excellent aerobic condition with good balance and confidence traveling on rough, sometimes exposed trail with a pack, and with the experience and willingness to deal with some discomfort, cold and inclement weather for extended periods.  Occasional snowfield crossings may be involved.  Recent experience with multi-day strenuous backpacking or mountain trekking, confidence on very rugged terrain (including steep scree ascents, descents and traverses and cable-aided slab and boulder sections with some exposure), plus a positive attitude and a demonstrated ability to get along well with groups under demanding conditions, will be very important.  References may be requested if the leader hasn’t trekked with you before, and personal experience trekking at this level with the leader or another trusted Mountaineers leader will be an advantage in your approval to join. 

All participants will be expected to be up to date on the latest vaccinations and boosters for Covid-19, and to take precautions before and during the trip including:

  • avoiding indoor crowds and gatherings the week prior to the trip that carry a risk of bringing Covid-19 or other respiratory viruses to the group
  • masking during all transport to the starting point of the treks
  • carrying 4 self-tests and testing yourself proactively if you begin to experience any symptoms that could indicate a covid infection, and sharing symptoms openly with the leader as soon as you recognize them

If you become infected during the trip, we will help you make arrangements for a separate room (at your expense) and other measures to protect the rest of the group, making an effort to have the least possible impact on your trip while limiting the exposure of others.   We can’t force you to follow these expectations, but failure to make a good-faith effort to comply could impact whether you’ll be approved for future Global Adventures.

NOTE:  Your leader makes most of the arrangements and provides logistics support during the trip, but is NOT a tour guide!  As a Mountaineers group we will operate as interdependent, capable travelers making our way together and helping one another succeed and be safe.  You are responsible for your own safety and that of your fellow travelers.  You must have the ability to navigate on trails with a map and compass.  See daily trip profile, attached.

NOTE:  The leader’s trip objectives, expectations and style are detailed in this document.   By registering for the trip, the participant understands and accepts these fundamentals and agrees to support them during the trip.

Trip Price Detail:   $4300, including all lodging up through your departure from Grindelwald at the end; all non-optional ground transportation including posbuses, funiculars and cable cars as described above plus a Swiss Half-Price Card; eleven breakfasts and six dinners along the trek.  Your airfare (~$1500), travel insurance ($75-350), extra hotel nights in Zurich or Grindelwald ($250/night single occupancy), lunches, drinks and five dinners along the trek ($300-500) are not included, as well as the optional Jungfraujoch train (~$90).   International medical and emergency evacuation insurance are required, and Cancel for Any Reason Insurance is strongly recommended.

Registration Instructions:   Please complete and submit the application form at the button below, after which the leader may get back to you with additional questions.    After the leader’s approval to join the roster, please pay the 50% deposit in order to hold your space.  Acceptance on the roster will not necessarily be a function of the date of application but will also reflect your experience and fitness.   A place on the roster can only be held with payment of the deposit.  Registration will close as soon as the roster fills. The balance of the trip payment will be due sometime in the spring of 2025. As soon as you have registered you are asked to complete the Trip Agreement and Liability Release forms at the buttons below.    The supplemental information form is to be completed in the weeks before the trip.

APPLICATION

TRIP AGREEMENT

RELEASE

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Cancellation Policy:    If you cancel from this adventure, you may receive a refund less non-recoverable expenses and a $100 administrative fee.  If you cancel within 60 days of the start of the trip, your trip price will be non-refundable.  The only exception is if we are able to get a qualified replacement, in which case you will be refunded your payment up to that date less a $US100 Mountaineers admin fee.

Consider also signing up for Part 2, the western section of the Swiss Via Alpina, and check the box for walking all the way across Switzerland!  Those who sign up for both parts will receive a significant discount over the sum of the two individual trip prices and will have priority in available spots over people signing up for just one of the parts.

Arrive at Zurich airport no later than Sunday July 13, 2025, transfer by train to the Bahnhof, and then walk to our nearby hotel (1 night is included, though early arrival on the 12th is encouraged at your own expense to give you more opportunity to explore this historic city).  We’ll take an early train to Sargans on July 14 (about a 1- hour ride) to be followed by our first trekking segment to the village of Alp Vorsiez.  Ten days  later, on July 24th, we reach Grindelwald where participants will have a chance to meet up with people joining us for part 2 at our guest house in Alpiglen.  On the 25th, everyone will have the opportunity to walk the Eiger Trail, take the cog railway to the Jungfraujoch (the highest train station in the world at the head of the Aletch Glacier!) and enjoy other sights.  Those  heading home after part 1 can end the day of the 25th with a train back to Zurich (2.75 hrs, two transfers) or another hotel night in Grindelwald (the hotel night on the 25th is at your own expense) and take the train back the next day (the train ticket is included).     Group members signed up for part 2 will continue on from the Eiger Trail and the Jungfraujoch to Murren and on along the trail to Montreux.

Route/Place

Trek Switzerland’s Via Alpina


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

After receiving your deposit, the leader will send out a series of letters or emails providing information to help participants succeed on the trip, including recommended and required gear, recommended maps and guidebooks.

 

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