Quick overview of this hiking vacation
If you make the tour as suggested, this is what you'll do each day:
- travel from Zurich to Wengen
- hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
- choose from several hikes near Grindelwald
- travel from Wengen to St. Moritz by Glacier Express
- hike from Muottas Muragl to Alp Languard
- hike from Piz Nair to Bever
- travel from St. Moritz to Zurich
This is a sample itinerary for which you'll make your own bookings. So you can follow this exact route, or make adjustments that suit you. Do it in reverse order, skip sections, choose different hikes, or extend your stay in one of the base towns for example.
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:
- If you go back to Zurich via Chur, you’ll repeat a part of the Glacier Express route.
- 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.
- 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.
Price and shopping list
Price estimate per person
The average price per person for this tour would be CHF 1450, based on all items on the below shopping list. Details:
- I assume a 2nd class 8-day Swiss Travel Pass.
- My calculation is based on 2-person rooms in 3-star hotels with breakfast in Wengen, St. Moritz and Zurich, in the summer high season (July-August).
- Children under 16 travel for free if you order the free Swiss Family Card when buying your Swiss Travel Pass.
- My estimate does not include additional costs: side trips that aren't completely covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, meals, drinks, souvenirs, et cetera.
Hotel prices vary strongly by season. So depending on when you visit, and on the other choices you make, you may end up spending considerably more or less than my indication.
Shopping list
If you make the tour as described, this is what you should book:
To book | Details and prices |
---|---|
The 8-day Swiss Travel Pass includes free traveling between all towns, even by Glacier Express. Mountain excursions near Wengen are discounted. | Swiss Travel Pass |
Seat reservations for the Glacier Express | Glacier Express |
50% discounted ticket Wengen-Männlichen | Männlichen |
25% discounted ticket Kleine Scheidegg-Wengen | Kleine Scheidegg-Wengen, part of the route to Jungfraujoch |
50% discounted return ticket Grindelwald - Grindelwald-First | Grindelwald-First |
ticket Punt Muragl-Muottas Muragl | Muottas Muragl |
ticket Alp Languard-Pontresina | Alp Languard |
ticket St. Moritz-Piz Nair | Piz Nair |
Hotel in Wengen, 3 nights | Hotels Wengen |
Hotel in St. Moritz, 3 nights | Hotels St. Moritz |
Optionally: hotel in Zurich | Hotels Zurich |
The best months for this hiking tour
I created this tour primarily for mid June to mid October. That's when most hiking trails in the Swiss Alps are accessible. August and September provide the best shot for the high-alpine trails.
There's no guarantee though. Trails can be blocked due to weather circumstances or rockfall.
You can take a similar tour in winter. Some of the hiking options I've included are groomed as winter trails. But whether they're open, depends on the amount of snow that has fallen. Your chances are usually best in January and February.
Always check weather forecasts before hiking. Find my extended safety and preparation tips for your hikes here.
Complete Swiss hiking packages
If you prefer not booking hotels and a rail pass yourself, you can look into these complete packages. All bookings will be arranged for you. In some cases, transport of your luggage while you're hiking is taken care of too.
Offered by TourRadar: www.tourradar.com
- Best Price Guarantee
- Your payment is kept safe until your tour has started
- 24/7 customer support
- No booking or credit card fee
- Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Offered by TourRadar: www.tourradar.com
- Best Price Guarantee
- Your payment is kept safe until your tour has started
- 24/7 customer support
- No booking or credit card fee
- Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Offered by TourRadar: www.tourradar.com
- Best Price Guarantee
- Your payment is kept safe until your tour has started
- 24/7 customer support
- No booking or credit card fee
- Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Offered by TourRadar: www.tourradar.com
- Best Price Guarantee
- Your payment is kept safe until your tour has started
- 24/7 customer support
- No booking or credit card fee
- Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Offered by TourRadar: www.tourradar.com
- Best Price Guarantee
- Your payment is kept safe until your tour has started
- 24/7 customer support
- No booking or credit card fee
- Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Other websites of interest
- www.jungfraupark.ch: JungfrauPark Interlaken
- www.interlaken.ch: Heimwehfluh: funicular, model trains, panoramic restaurant and more
- www.nationalpark.ch: National Park visitor center in Zernez
All about the Swiss Travel Pass
An 8-day Swiss Travel Pass is ideal for this holiday. It covers all of your town-to-town transfers and provides discounts on mountain trips. Get all Swiss Travel Pass info plus our insider tips.