For people who enjoy the outdoors, seek adventure, or simply want to get away from the bustle of everyday life, the Swiss Alps offer an amazing sanctuary. The Swiss Alps are a skier’s paradise with breathtaking scenery, glistening lakes, and snow-capped summits. They’re also a treasure of amazing treks, eye-striking train journeys, and one of its kind mountain towns. In this article we’ll be talking about some of the most beautiful paths, remarkable train rides, and lesser-known settlements in the Swiss Alps.
1. The Best Alps Hikes in Switzerland
A. The Grindelwald Trail on the Eiger
A must-visit for everyone looking for an adrenaline rush in their hiking adventure in the Bernese Oberland is the Eiger Trail. With breathtaking mountain views and surroundings, this trail winds at the foot of the famous Eiger North Face. This 6-kilometer, somewhat difficult trek, which starts at the Eigergletscher Station and ends in Grindelwald, features rough terrain and stunning vistas as it travels.
The Eiger Trail is one of the most beautiful paths in the Alps, offering hikers views of glaciers, high cliffs, and alpine meadows. The most significant time to hike the trail is from June to October when clear skies provide the best views of the Eiger’s majesty.
B. Zermatt’s Matterhorn Glacier Trail
Zermatt is well-known for being next to the Matterhorn, one of the most famous mountains in the world. Hiking the 6.5-kilometer Matterhorn Glacier Trail is a straightforward way to see some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking scenery, including glacier landscapes and moraines.
Along the way, you’ll pass glacial caverns, alpine greenery, and stunning vistas of the Matterhorn. This trip is ideal for those who want to take in the Alps’ unadulterated beauty without undertaking a strenuous ascent.
C. The Pizol Five Lakes Walk
Hiking the Five Lakes Walk in Pizol is a serene and pleasant climb that rewards hikers with breathtaking vistas of towering peaks and blue alpine lakes. This 10-kilometer walk passes five beautiful lakes, each with its distinct beauty, as the name would imply. This hike is lovely because of how the surrounding mountains reflect in the crystal-clear rivers.
The family-friendly Five Lakes Walk is suitable for all ability levels. Summertime is ideal for the trek because the lakes are the most colorful, and the trail is more easily accessible.
2. Entertaining Train Journeys Across the Swiss Alps
A. The Glacier Express
Known as the “slowest express train in the world,” this picturesque train excursion is arguably the most well-known in Switzerland. The Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz and travels through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Swiss Alps throughout a 7.5-hour journey.
The train offers passengers expansive views of snow-capped peaks, clear valleys, and deep gorges as it runs through 91 tunnels and traverses 291 bridges. The Glacier Express offers a sumptuous and cozy means of exploring the Swiss Alps, with expansive windows providing unhindered views of the breathtaking surroundings.
B. The Express Bernina
The Bernina Express, which travels between Chur and Tirano, is another well-known beautiful train trip. This path is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for good reason. After traversing the breathtaking Bernina Pass, which reaches elevations of over 2,200 meters, the Bernina Express descends to the palm-lined alleys of Tirano, Italy.
Highlights of this trip include traversing verdant alpine meadows, traveling alongside glaciers, and crossing the renowned Landwasser Viaduct. For those who enjoy trains and the outdoors, the Bernina Express is a must-see because of its amazing engineering and natural combination.
3. Secret Mountain Villages
A. Mürren
Located at the foot of the beautiful Bernese Alps, Mürren is a quaint, car-free village that resembles something from a storybook. With its cliffside location and expansive views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, Mürren provides travelers a tranquil haven away from the busy tourist areas.
Mürren is renowned for its panoramic splendor and for being conveniently close to popular hiking paths, such as Schilthorn Mountain and the Piz Gloria restaurant, which was featured in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
B. Soglio
Few travelers know Soglio, a hidden gem in the isolated Bregaglia Valley. Perched on a sunny terrace, this small community is known for its well-preserved medieval buildings and breathtaking views of the Bergell Alps.
For those who want to experience Swiss culture fully, Soglio is the ideal location because of its stone houses, cobblestone streets, and peaceful ambiance. You can explore the excellent hiking options can be found in the surrounding Val Bregaglia, where routes pass by historic stone settlements and through chestnut-tree-lined woods.
C. Andermatt
Nestled in the Swiss Alps, Andermatt is a modest but quickly expanding resort town. Well-known for its ski resorts, Andermatt is an excellent summertime getaway with gorgeous hiking paths and a fascinating past.
With its surrounding high hills, Andermatt provides an ideal starting point for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, cycling, and golfing. It’s a terrific place to stop on any Swiss Alpine journey because of its attractive ancient town and proximity to the Oberalp Pass.
The Swiss Alps provide an outstanding balance of peace, beauty, and adventure. A memorable adventure awaits you in the Swiss Alps, whether you explore secret mountain villages, take breathtaking train trips, or go on strenuous hikes. So, mark your journey to this beautiful city of adventure and natural beauty.
