From Lake Lucerne across the Bernese Alps to Wine Country
Hiking the Heart of Switzerland
Overview
In the fairytale mountain beauty of Switzerland, we've designed a WT-style journey using the remarkable Swiss system of cable cars and cogwheel trains to whisk you high up into the Alps for spectacular—yet moderate—hikes. At mountain-ringed Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland, we'll hike panoramic trails above the lake. In the famed Bernese Oberland, crowned by the summits of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, a gondola carries us to incredible high paths with views stretching across the top of Europe. We'll hike through fragrant fields of gentian and edelweiss above turquoise Lake Oeschinensee, and for our grand finale, we head to charming Vevey for wine tasting and hikes through the World Heritage-listed vineyards on Lake Geneva.
Arrive: Lucerne, Switzerland
Depart: Vevey, Switzerland
Highlights
- Cable cars and gondolas do the steep climbing—you enjoy hiking and top-of-the-world views!
- Spectacular summits and glaciers of the Bernese Oberland, heart of the Swiss Alps
- Classic Swiss mountain villages of Mürren and Kandersteg
- Wine country of Lavaux above Lake Geneva, Vevey's charming Old Town
Itinerary
We head up the wildflower-covered trails of Mt. Rigi amid classic Swiss farmsteads for views across Switzerland's multitude of lakes and peaks, visit an artisan cheesemaker, and make a scenic return to Lucerne by cogwheel train and boat. In the dramatic Bernese Oberland, the sheer faces of the Eiger, Monch, and the Jungfrau are the reward of our hike to Männlichen (7,687'). Another hike brings us into the immense, U-shaped Lauterbrunnen Valley, with its 3,000-foot-high walls. Overnights are in charming Lucerne and car-free Mürren, where we'll hear the sound of cowbells and waterfalls.
From the gorgeous Swiss village of Kandersteg, we take a cable car up to a high viewpoint for a delightful picnic before we hike the balcony trail above Oeschinensee, a turquoise lake nestled in an amphitheater of jagged peaks. Our hike in the deep Gasterntal Valley brings panoramas of the summits and glaciers of the Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage Site, home to the Aletsch, the largest glacier in the Alps.
A beautiful train ride changes the scene entirely, bringing us to Lake Geneva and lakeside Montreux, with its backdrop of the Savoy Alps and lakeside lined by Belle époque villas. From the sunny village of St-Saphorin, we hike through the ancient vineyards that rise high above Lake Geneva's Lavaux wine country to a lovely chateau above Villette. Depart on Day 8.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 7 miles a day, being on your feet for up to 4 hours a day, and hiking on uneven surfaces including downhill over loose scree. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
Review Trip Level Details
Average Hiking Day
- 5 miles
- 3-4 hours
- 800-1,000 feet gain/loss
- Day 4: 4 miles, 4 hours, and 1,150 feet gain/loss; includes occasional areas with loose scree and a 2 hour and 15 minute train
There are a variety of hikes on this trip, from flat walks through historic towns and vineyards to mountainous hikes with sections of packed dirt and sections of loose scree. Some hikes may become muddy and unstable in bad weather, so the trails we choose are ultimately dependent on the weather.
Mountain weather can be fickle, and we are likely to experience a full range of conditions. Some days may have blue skies with temperatures in the 70s°F and some days may be cloudy, wet, and cold, making rain gear and warm garments necessary items to carry with you on every hike. At night, the temperature will drop quite a bit, depending on the altitude.
Our accommodations are in nice, comfortable hotels that are centrally located in the towns and cities that we pass through. The hotel in Mürren doesn't have an elevator or porter services, so you should be prepared to carry your luggage up and down the stairs. Please note that the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
Lunch will usually be in a cheese farm, a small village, a mountain lodge, or a picnic spot amidst the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Most evening meals will be taken at our hotels and will be hearty, nourishing mountain fare, often featuring cuisine the region is noted for. Some of the items you may see on the menu include hearty soups, a variety of cheeses and dry meats from the region, cheese fondue, raclette (melted cheese served with jacket potatoes, cocktail gherkins, onions, and pickled fruit), älpermagronen (a kind of gratin with potatoes, macaroni, cheese, and onions), rösti (a flat, hot cake of potatoes fried in butter), and bratwurst (considered the nation's favorite sausage for barbecuing or frying) served with onion sauce. Please also note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Our support vehicle will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transfering that day). We will also experience the efficient Swiss network of public transport, including cable cars, chair lifts, cogwheel trains, funiculars, and steamboats.
Client Testimonials
"This was my first Wilderness Travel trip and everything exceeded my expectations! Switzerland in general, the accommodations, and the guides were above and beyond anything I had expected. I was amazed at how many different talents the leaders possessed. They seemed to be experts in wine tasting, food, music, hiking, history, and travel, just to name a few. I felt very much ‘taken care of’ and I certainly appreciated that."
Adrienne P.
Sedona, AZ
"This trip struck the right balance between recreation (adventure/exercise/sense of accomplishment - the hiking), education (culture, history, stories), relaxation (nice hotels, fine dining, wine, no decisions except do I want duck or lamb), and relations (meeting and getting to know people on a personal level, sharing experiences, building friendships). First time in decades I didn't worry about work on a vacation."
Alan S.
Oakton, VA
"Fantastic—the best of my six trips with Wilderness Travel!"
Don M.
Atlanta, GA
"This was a fabulous trip featuring spectacular scenery and a variety of hikes on mountain trails, along streams, near lakes and waterfalls, and finally in lovely vineyards. Using the efficient Swiss transportation system, our guides moved us around to perfection."
Dorothy D.
Denver, CO
"The hiking on this trip was incredible each and every day. The views were spectacular and the places we hiked were so unique. It was so neat to hike really hard all day, and then come home to a nice dinner and comfortable hotels in such peaceful and beautiful settings."
Helen C.
Newtown, PA
"The holiday of lifetime! From the choice of hiking routes to the way we were exposed to Switzerland's history and culture, to the hotels and meals that beautifully illustrated the types of cuisine that are part of the Swiss way of life—this trip exceeded my expectations in every way."
Helen O.
Salt Spring Island, Canada
"The hikes exceeded our expectations every day. All seemed to agree that it was the most scenic WT trip experienced."
Jack M.
Woodbridge, VA
"The trip was brilliantly planned and executed from start to finish, with memorable picnics, fantastic trip mates, brilliant guides, and the most fantastic mountains and valleys."
Jane S.
Santa Fe, NM
"Of our many WT trips, this may be our favorite, with great leaders, spectacular scenery, fantastic hikes, wonderful hotels and food, and a view of the heart of Switzerland that will remain with us forever."
Joe M.
San Antonio, TX
"Our trio of guides kept us laughing up hill and down, plied us with delicious Swiss chocolates when the going got rough, and made the most amazing picnic spreads showcasing the local cheeses and fresh seasonal produce. There was even champagne and raspberries on one memorable train ride! Their enactment of Willam Tell and how Switzerland came to be was worthy of a crossbow purchase for next year's trip."
Julie L.
Harbour Island, Bahamas
"I wanted a 'Heidi' experience...hiking, cowbells, high mountains, fantastic landscapes...We got all of that and so much more! This trip wasted no time getting us to hiking in the best areas, and the group leaders were beyond charming and accommodating. Just the best trip ever!"
Marcia Z.
Clio, CA
"We enjoyed the structure of the trip—nice combination of cultural experiences as well as hiking adventures. The quality of the accommodations and the food were outstanding."
Mashenka L.
Golden, CO
"Everything about this trip was exceptional: the hiking, the guides, the area chosen, the accomodations, the food, and learning so much about the country and its customs. Both guides gave us enthusiastic overviews of our itinery each day, which was so helpful. I loved having fresh salads everwhere we went—our Trip Leader Robert even carried lettuce on one outing to ensure we had salad for lunch. Now that is service!"
Nighean A.
Salt Spring Island, Canada
"A great adventure in a beautiful country!"
Sandra and Steven F.
Carmichael, CA
"This trip really exceeded my expectations. The variety of hikes, the awesome scenery, the added benefit of two wonderful guides—it was one of the best trips I have ever taken!"
Sandy S.
New York, NY
"This was my first trip with Wilderness Travel and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The trip far exceeded my expectations. All three guides exhibited a love for travel that was contagious. They showed genuine respect and appreciation for the unique characteristics of the specific areas we visited. I am looking forward to signing up for more trips in the future."
Sarah T.
Mahtomedi, MN
"The trip was well organized and lots of fun. Beautiful scenery and excellent leaders."
Tony C.
Holland, PA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.