Via Alpina

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Vaduz | Liechtenstein warm-up walk

Arrive by train in Sargans or Buchs, Switzerland, then take a bus to Vaduz, the capital city of the mountainside Principality of Liechtenstein. The tour will start at 2:00 pm where we’ll take a short warm-up walk up to the Vaduz Castle, the palace and residence of Liechtenstein’s ruling family. There is no border control between Switzerland and Liechtenstein, but you'll want to stop at the tourism office to have your passport ceremonially stamped. Then take a photo of yourself standing on the official starting point of the Via Alpina in the pedestrian center of cosmopolitan Vaduz. In the evening, we will have an orientation and welcome dinner. Overnight in Vaduz. (D)

Ascent 400 feet | Descent 400 feet | Distance: 2 miles (may vary)

Day 2 – Vaduz to Weisstannen

A morning transfer from Vaduz, Liechtenstein to the Sargans castle in Sargans, Switzerland positions us to get our first Via Alpina route stamp. We will then make our way to Mels for a quick ascent to high alpine pastures where our route follows an undulating course through woods and meadows with relaxing views of the Weisstannental and its many waterfalls. We pass a dozen or more of these streams and rivulets cascading down the hillside. The Weisstannental is the canton of St. Gallen’s longest valley, and we arrive at our hotel along a mountain stream in the peaceful village of Weisstannen high in the valley. Overnight in Weisstannen. (BSD)

Ascent 2500 feet | Descent 1000 feet | Distance: 8 miles (may vary)

Day 3 – Weisstannen to Elm

As we continue ascending the Weisstannental it narrows and becomes more rugged before passing above a giant chasm leading to the high meadows at Fooalp. The crossing of our first pass, the Foopass (pronounced FOE-pass) takes us to 7300 feet elevation and will give you a good taste for the more challenging alpine passes ahead. The descent to Elm delivers more stunning scenery, with many large waterfalls streaking the hillsides. Elm is in the heart of the Sardona Techtonic Arena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and geologic showpiece. The villages of the Glarner Alps are also home to some of Switzerland's favorite specialty foods, including fine chocolates and pastries. Overnight in a spa hotel in the heart of Elm. (BSD)

Ascent 3000 feet | Descent 4300 feet | Distance: 10 miles (may vary)

Day 4 – Elm to Braunwald

From Elm you'll have a view of the Martinsloch, a giant hole in Alps, and evidence of the geologic forces that formed and shaped this area. A morning bus speeds our ascent from Elm to a ski hut at Obererbs. It's a steep ascent to the narrow saddle which marks the Richetlipass at 7418 ft. And the descent from the pass remains unusually steep down to Unterstafel, so you'll need to be surefooted and use trekking poles as we take our time going down. Arriving in the valley center of Linthal, you'll be relieved to have the funicular waiting to whisk you to the car-free alpine resort of Braunwald, set on a grassy slope with mesmerizing mountain views including the glaciated Tödi massif, the highest mountain in the Glarner Alps. We spend the evening basking in the mountain views and starlit sky. Overnight in Braunwald. (BSD)

Ascent 2300 feet | Descent 5700 feet | Distance: 10 miles (may vary)

Day 5 – Braunwald to Klausenpass

The route today will take us on a high path above the valley leading to Urnerboden, the village at the head of Switzerland’s largest Alp. The mountain views are still astounding and so different from other peaks in the Alps—reminiscent of the Dolomites. We’ll stock up on cheese from the large dairy in Urnerboden before taking the bus transfer or hiking the rest of the way to the Klausenpass. There has been a hotel at the top of the Klausenpass since 1902, and the new hotel, completed in 2021, offers unmatched views and traditional hospitality. Overnight in Klausenpass. (BSD)

Ascent 1500-3300 feet | Descent 1450-1750 feet | Distance: 8-11.5miles (may vary)

Day 6 – Klausenpass to Altdorf

The Klausenpass is a historic route that has been used for centuries as a trade route and to connect the hamlets and farms that dot both sides of the pass. Several great waterfalls along the route grab our attention, and the Stäuber waterfall above the hamlet of Äsch could certainly qualify as the most scenic undiscovered waterfall in Switzerland. As we descend the valley into Altdorf, we arrive in the old town of Bürglen, home of William Tell. The 16th-century chapel, built on the site of his house, and the Tell Museum draw us into the life and times of this Swiss hero. We travel into Altdorf where there is a monument depicting William Tell with a crossbow and pierced apple in hand. Overnight in Altdorf. (BSD)    

Ascent 140-1090 feet | Descent 2860-4000 feet | Distance: 4.5-7.5 miles (may vary)

Day 7 – Altdorf to Engelberg

We cross the Reuss River which descends from the historic Gotthard Pass to start our day’s hike by taking a small cable car from the mountainside village of Attinghausen to Brüsti, just above treeline. The airy route to the Surenenpass ascends below the cliffs with the peaks of the Brunnistock and Blackenstock towering overhead. A large permanent snowfield makes for an efficient and speedy ascent route to the pass. Coming down the views of Mt Titlis dominate the panorama. Overnight in Engelberg. (BSD) 

Ascent 3050-3600 feet | Descent 2600-4470 feet | Distance: 10-12 miles (may vary)

Day 8 – Engelberg | Mt Titlis Excursion

With so much to do in the Engelberg mountain resort, it’s hard to call this a rest day. You’ll enjoy one of the great mountain excursions in the Alps as we ascend Mt Titlis, one of the giants of the Uri Alps, on the world’s first rotating cable car. At the summit, excursions include a glacier cave and cliff walk. In town we may visit the 12th century monastery, which houses the exquisite baroque Abbey. You’ll still have time to explore Engelberg with its pedestrian town center. Overnight in Engelberg. (B) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch and dinner on their own in Engelberg today.

Day 9 – Engelberg to Engstlenalp

Ascending above Engelberg, we enter an expanse of high alpine lakes and grassy meadows. We pass the Trübsee and cross the Jochpass to the Engstlensee. This is the realm of the marmot and hosts an amazing diversity of wildflowers. We have options on the ascent, choosing between a strenuous stretch or taking a more leisurely pace with the help of cable cars. Either way, we arrive at the traditional Alpine hamlet of Engstlenalp on the Engstlensee where we stay at the Hotel Engstlenalp, a traditional mountain hotel dating to the 1860s. Overnight in Engstlenalp. (BSD) 

Note: You will spend this evening in a Berghotel. You will have a private room, but shared bathrooms. Also, there is no elevator and you may need to carry your luggage up a few flights of stairs. 

Ascent 60-4150 feet | Descent 1270-1500 feet | Distance: 2.5-8 miles (may vary)

Day 10 – Engstlenalp to Meiringen

Departing Engstlenalp we soon arrive at the equally charming Alpine hamlet of Tannalp with its tiny church and dozens of friendly goats. We skirt the Tannensee to ascend the Erzegg/Planplatten Ridge, a highlight of the Via Alpina and one of the great ridge walks in the Alps. The highest peaks and glaciers of the Bernese Alps appear in front of you with the bulky massif of the Wetterhorn dominating the mountainscape. We will descend along the ridge into the popular town of Meiringen, where meringues were invented. Overnight in Meiringen. (BSD)  

Ascent 2200 feet | Descent 980-3780 feet | Distance: 7-11 miles (may vary)

Day 11 – Meiringen to Grindelwald

Meiringen sits at the base of four strategic and historic passes and lies on the Aare River before it flows into the Brienzersee. Meiringen has long been a magnet for international travelers like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who came here and wrote of Sherlock Holmes’ death at Reichenbach Falls. We’ll ascend the falls by funicular before continuing up the gorgeous Rosenlaui Valley. We ascend a thundering gorge which drains the Rosenlaui Glacier, then cross the final pass of our trek, the famed Grosse Scheidegg which leads us to our flower-decked hotel with views to the North Face of the Eiger. Overnight Grindelwald. (BSD)

Ascent 2200-4950 feet | Descent 500-3500 feet | Distance: 7.5-14.5 miles (may vary)

Day 12 – Depart

After breakfast plan your departure or onward travel. Concluding the tour in Grindelwald, you're perfectly positioned to extend for a few extra days in this popular mountain resort. Consider taking the classic mountain railway excursion which tunnels through the Eiger to arrive at the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, and overlooking the Great Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps, or enjoy other hikes in the Jungfrau Region. Note: it is a 3.5-hour train ride to Zürich airport and the first train departs Grindelwald at 5:17 am, so plan departure flights accordingly. We can recommend hotels in Zürich if needed. (B)