7-day hiking itinerary in the Swiss Alps, fully customizable 

Day 1: Zurich to Wengen

You will take the train from Zurich to Wengen (about 3 hours). If you plan an early arrival you could visit the village of Mürren and the Schilthorn first, and then continue to Wengen to check into your hotel.

In the next few days, you will explore the Jungfrau Region on foot. Hiking options are weather-dependent, so it’s good to have some alternatives in case of rain:

• the national capital of Bern (1h40 by train)
• the nearby Trümmelbach Falls near Lauterbrunnen
• the Glacier Gorge near Grindelwald
• shopping in Interlaken
• great for kids: Heimwehfluh in Interlaken
• great for kids: JungfrauPark Interlaken

Day 2: Hiking to Kleine Scheidegg

Most tourists will reach Kleine Scheidegg by cogwheel train. But it can be done on foot as well. Take the cableway from Wengen to Männlichen. Then enjoy the panoramic hiking trail to Kleine Scheidegg.

After enjoying the view of the Jungfrau from Kleine Scheidegg, you can visit Jungfraujoch or go straight back to Wengen by train. Alternatively, you can walk to Wengen on a mostly easy wide trail.

Day 3: Hiking near Grindelwald

Today you’ll travel to Grindelwald by train, and take the gondola up to Grindelwald-First from there. From First, there are many hiking options. Some of my favorites are:

• First to Bussalp, then take the bus back down to Grindelwald
• First to Grosse Scheidegg, then take the bus back down to Grindelwald
• First to the Bachsee and return, then take the gondola back to Grindelwald

Day 4: Wengen to St. Moritz by Glacier Express

This is a long day of traveling, but with great views! You will first travel to Brig. For this trip, it’s most realistic to do so via the quick Lötschberg Base Tunnel connection. But if you leave early, you can enjoy the mountain views on the longer Lötschberg Mountain Railway.

In Brig, you will switch to the Glacier Express which arrives in St. Moritz around dinner time. The whole journey takes about 9 hours. Make your reservations in time, as explained here. You can also travel from Wengen to St. Moritz via Zurich, which is the regular route. This is 1 to 2 hours quicker.

Over the next few days, you will explore the Upper Engadine on foot. Here are some alternative activities in case bad weather prevents you from hiking:

• the cantonal capital of Chur (2 hours by train)
• shopping in St. Moritz
• a trip on the Bernina Express to Tirano, Italy
• the National Park visitor’s center in Zernez

Day 5: Panorama trail Muottas Muragl to Alp Languard

A funicular takes you up to Muottas Muragl, from where you can walk to Alp Languard. There are great views of St. Moritz, the lakes of the Upper Engadine and Piz Bernina, the highest mountain in this region.

From Alp Languard, a chair lift takes you down to Pontresina. You can quickly travel back to St. Moritz here.

Day 6: Hiking from Piz Nair to Bever

The final hike of this tour is a long and strenuous one, but it’s stunning and not particularly difficult. From St. Moritz, you’ll take the funicular and cable car up to the mountain Piz Nair.

Then you gradually descend back into the valley until you reach the village of Bever. Take a train back to St. Moritz. Find details about the hiking route here.

Day 7: St. Moritz to Zurich

Today’s transfer will take about 3h20, so if your schedule allows you to arrive late in Zurich, you can still enjoy part of the day around St. Moritz. Do some shopping, or visit a local mountain top such as Piz Nair (if you did not get the chance on day 6) or the Corvatsch. Check our St. Moritz guide for more tips.

Alternatively, leave early and spend time in Zurich. Here are my tips for activities in the city.

There are various routes to reach Zurich:

1. If you go back to Zurich via Chur, you’ll repeat a part of the Glacier Express route.
2. Another option for today is to travel to Zurich via Klosters. You’ll travel into the Lower Engadine region, and then continue via Klosters and Landquart to Zurich.
3. A third option is to travel via Filisur, Davos, Klosters, and Landquart. This also duplicates part of the Glacier Express route, but not as much as via Chur.

Map of the train and hiking routes

This map renders a simplified version of the train transfers (in red) and hikes (in gray). Zoom in for details. If you want more detailed maps, visit the pages of the train routes and hikes to which we link in this itinerary.