Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train to our meeting point in Mürren. The trip itself is incredibly scenic, and takes about 4 hours. Mürren is an idyllic, car-free village, perched atop a sheer 3000 ft. cliff above the waterfall-filled Lauterbrunnen valley (picture Yosemite with a Swiss village on top).

You’ll meet your guide and talk about your tour before settling in for our welcome dinner.

Arrival: Zürich or Geneva. Plan to arrive by the day your tour starts. There is a train station in both the Zürich and Geneva airports, with hourly departures for this region. Travel time, 3:30 hrs (Zürich) or 4:30 hrs (Geneva)

One of our favorite hikes starts in town, and winds through meadows and forest to the dairy farm at Spielboden. Here you cross the Schiltbach stream, and start a steep and invigorating ascent to the local peak of Bryndli.  We’ll take our lunch enjoying birds-eye views of Mürren and the Lauterbrunnen valley, perhaps with a soaring golden eagle for company.

From here the trail levels off, and winding through high alpine meadows to Rotstock hut, a quiet alpine hut at Bogangen with views up to the Schilthorn. Stop for a drink and enjoy this beautiful corner of the Alps. The trail back leads over a small ridge before dropping back down to Mürren.

The Upper Lauterbrunnen valley curls back beneath the white-capped Breithorn – considered by many to be the most perfect mountain in the region. This valley is also a nature preserve, with stunning waterfalls, lots of wildlife and many wonderful hiking trails.

One of our favorite hikes leads to the small farm at Obersteinberg, where the proprietors keep cows and make cheese by the same simple methods that have been used for centuries.  Return on a loop trail.  Dinner will be on your own tonight in Mürren.

After breakfast, we’ll take a morning transfer to Zermatt, the lively village at the base of the Matterhorn.   You’ll have a chance to check out the town, take a short walk around Zermatt, or even take the cable car up to the glacier views of Klein Matterhorn.  Afterwards, enjoy the wonderful pool and spa before settling in for our welcome dinner at the very friendly Hotel Europe.

There’s also time for a great half-day hike today, and the walk from Zermatt up to Zmutt is hard to beat. Zmutt is a cluster of 400 year old barns, formerly used only in summer for a month or so while the cattle grazed nearby. Today there is a wonderful restaurant tucked amid the blackened huts, with the Matterhorn overhead. It’s a great destination for a shorter hike.

We like to get off the beaten path in Zermatt, and the Trift valley is ideal for quiet trails and sweeping views. There are no cable cars into the side valley, and it’s relatively easy to leave the crowds behind on one of the many trails on this side of town.

Take a secret trail to a favorite viewpoint high above town, then enjoy a refreshing stop at the Trift inn, known for their homemade ice tea made from local alpine herbs. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy exquisite food and great Matterhorn views from our hotel on the outskirts of town.

Experience the quiet side of Zermatt.  Start with a short train and taxi shuttle to the Täschalp. Taking a quiet route through scenic meadows, we’ll steer you away from the crowds on a favorite trail to Täsch hut for views of the surrounding mountains.

From here, return to Täschalp and take an absolutely stunning balcony trail to Sunnegga.  Constant views of the Matterhorn accompany this quiet walk. Return to Zermatt by funicular train for a final night.

After breakfast at your hotel, say good-bye to your guide and leave at any time for your post-trip destination.

Departure: Zürich or Geneva. It is 4 hrs from Zermatt to Zürich or Geneva by train.  Trains start at 6 am if you need an early start, and leave frequently throughout the day.