Switzerland

Hiking Switzerland: From the Jungfrau to the Matterhorn

Program No. 16543RJ
By cable car and mountain path, explore quiet meadows, sweeping vistas, glacial waterfalls and alpine villages as you learn about Switzerland from local experts.

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At a Glance

On foot and led by local experts, explore the picturesque villages and idyllic valleys of Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland and Valais regions, including areas that are only accessible by cog railway or cable car. Experience places where timeless traditions live on, Alpine peaks reach toward the sky and every turn in the path is rewarded with vistas of breathtaking beauty.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Walking 4-8 miles daily; well-marked trails and dirt roads, some uneven and hilly terrain. Sturdy walking/hiking shoes are required. Elevations up to 8,720 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Visit the cozy mountain town of Zermatt for a spectacular view of the famous Matterhorn.
  • Discover the unique Trummelbach Falls, located inside a mountain and made up of 10 glacier waterfalls.
  • Visit Villa Cassel, a stately home built at the turn of the 20th century and now property of the Swiss League for the Protection of Nature.
  • Access some of the most remote, beautiful areas of Switzerland by cable cars and cog railways for expert-led walking excursions.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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14 days
13 nights
28 meals
12 B 9 L 7 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive Zurich, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Wengen
D
Beausite Park Hotel

Activity note: Hotel check-in at 3:00 p.m. Getting on/off motorcoach; transferring about 3 hours to Lauterbrunnen; riding cogwheel train about 15 minutes to Wengen.

Afternoon: Hotel check in is available at 3:00 p.m. You will be able to store your luggage at the hotel and explore on your own until your room is ready. If time permits, the Group Leader will take us on an introductory stroll through the village. Orientation, 6:00 p.m.: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. On this program, breakfasts will offer a typical European-style breakfast buffet with breads, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea and water. Water is included in the program cost at all meals. Unless otherwise noted dinners on this program are typically a 3-course set menu. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Wengen, The Majestic Bernese Alps
Wengen
B,L,D
Beausite Park Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off cogwheel, funicular, cable car, and bus; riding on cogwheel, funicular, and cable car about 35 minutes total; riding on public bus 20 minutes total. Walking up to 6.5 miles for 4 hours on mountain trails, including natural and gravel paths, and paved roads. Elevation gain of 500 feet, and loss of 20 feet.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will depart the hotel on foot to take the cogwheel down to Lauterbrunnen and the funicular to Gruetschalp (4875 feet), and then walk to Murren (5373 feet). The Bernese Alps will appear right in front of our eyes.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: From the restaurant, we will continue by cable car down to the Lauterbrunnen valley. On the return, we’ll view the impressive Truemmelbach waterfalls, the only waterfalls in Europe inside a mountain. Along the way, our expert will tell us about the valley and the falls.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Wengen, The Grindelwald Valley
Wengen
B,L,D
Beausite Park Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off train, cable car, cogwheel, and bus. Riding on cogwheel and train about 1 hour, 10 miles to Grindelwald; riding local bus under 1 hour to Grosse Scheidegg; riding cable car under 1/2 hour, 3 miles from First back to Grindelwald; riding train or cable car about 1 hour, 10 miles to Wengen. Up to 5.5 miles of walking for 3 hours on mountain trails, including natural and gravel paths. Elevation gain of 530 feet, and loss of 620 feet.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will set out from the hotel on foot to take the cogwheel and train to the famous resort of Grindelwald, located at the foot of the Eiger Mountain. In Grindelwald, the local bus will take us on a spectacular drive to Grosse Scheidegg (6437 feet). We walk along the panoramic trail with great views of the Grindelwald valley and the breathtaking views of the Bernese mountains to Schreckfeld, from where we will take the gondola up to First to enjoy lunch at the mountain restaurant.

Lunch: At a mountain restaurant.

Afternoon: We will enjoy the new summit trail consisting of a 120-foot long suspension bridge, climbing stairs, and an observation platform. From here, we’ll enjoy views of alpine pastures, lakes, and the waterfall. From the station at the summit of First, we’ll take the cable car back down to Grindelwald and enjoy a short visit of the village. We’ll then head back to Wengen by train or cable car, taking in spectacular close-up views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks along the way.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Wengen, Interlaken. Ballenberg
Wengen
B,L
Beausite Park Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off cogwheel, train, bus, and boat; riding on cogwheel, train, and bus 1.5 hours, 21 miles each way to/from Ballenberg; riding on boat 1 hour and 15 minutes from Brienz to Interlaken; Up to 2 hours of walking and standing through open-air museum. Minimal elevation change.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will take the cogwheel, train, and local bus to the open-air museum in Ballenberg, covering an area of 660,000 square meters. Here we’ll learn with an expert about centuries-old buildings from all over Switzerland (reconstructed from their natural state) and traditional gardens during a field lecture. The museum presents over 100 buildings from the 14th to the 19th centuries and 250 farmyard animals. At the museum, we’ll help prepare a typical Ballenberg picnic with homemade delicacies according to traditional Ballenberg recipes.

Lunch: At the museum, we’ll enjoy the picnic we helped prepare including fresh bread, cheese, and sausages.

Afternoon: On your own to see and do more of what interests you most at the open-air museum in Ballenberg. From Brienz, cruise on the lake from Brienz to Interlaken and enjoy fabulous views of the mountain scenery. We’ll then continue to Wengen via public transportation.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
6
Wengen, Schynige Platte
Wengen
B,L
Beausite Park Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off cogwheel and train; riding on cogwheel 1 hour 40 minutes total; riding on train 40 minutes total. Walking up to 5 miles for 3 hours on mountain trails, including natural paths. Elevation gain and loss of 1120 feet.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll take the cogwheel to Lauterbrunnen, train to Wilderswil, and then an attractive little cogwheel will take us up to the Schynige Platte, with its unique mountain views of the Eiger, Moench, and Jungfrau. Another attraction is the botanical Alpine Garden, nearly 6560 feet above sea level with over 500 various plants. We will enjoy learning about the garden as we set out on a loop trail here.

Lunch: We’ll enjoy a picnic-style meal on the trail.

Afternoon: We will ride back to the historical village of Wilderswil and return to Wengen via public transportation.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
7
Wengen, The Maennlichen Walk
Wengen
B,L,D
Beausite Park Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off cable car and optional cogwheel; riding on cable car between 10 minutes and 1/2 hour depending on personal preference. Up to 3.5 miles of walking for 2 hours on mountain trails, including natural and gravel paths. No elevation gain, and loss of 540 feet.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will walk from the hotel to the cable car station and ride up to the Maennlichen (7315 feet). Our hike will be over an alpine moor to the bottom of Kleine Scheidegg (6760 feet). From this location, there is an excellent view of the majestic Jungfrau mountain range. We will also learn about these mountains from our local expert along the way.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will continue to walk down to the first station, Wengernalp (6146 feet). We will board the train and return to Wengen. Those that wish to, may continue to walk back to Wengen.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
8
Grimselpass, Transfer to Bettmeralp
Bettmeralp
B,L,D
Ferienhotel Waldhaus

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach, cable car; driving about 4 hours total. 10 minutes by cable car. Up to 1.5 miles of walking for 1.5 hours on wooden footbridges, natural paths, cobblestones and concrete.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we will set out by private motorcoach via the Grimsel Pass to Bettmeralp. Take in the beautiful scenery as we drive along this mountain pass that crosses the Bernese Alps.

Lunch: Picnic en route.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will go on a walk and enjoy a field lecture at the Aare Gorge. This limestone gorge was formed by the Aare River, Switzerland’s longest, over thousands of years. Wooden walkways were constructed in the late 1880’s, and opened to the public in 1889 so the public could explore this beautiful natural wonder. We’ll then take a coach to Betten and from here taking the cable car to Bettmeralp, and a short walk to our next hotel where we’ll check in. We’ll then take a stroll through the village to stretch our legs after a day's journey, followed by a welcome drink and briefing before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
9
Bettmeralp, The Aletsch Forest & Villa Cassel
Bettmeralp
B,L
Ferienhotel Waldhaus

Activity note: Getting on/off gondola; riding about 5 minutes. Up to 6.5 miles of walking for 3.5 hours on mountain roads and paved roads. Elevation gain of 580 feet, and loss of 1440 feet.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will walk to the neighboring village, Riederalp, and take the gondola up to Blue Lake. From there we will walk along the rim and through the aletsch forest “Forest of all Forests” to the Villa Cassel, a stately home built by an English banker at the turn of the 20th century. The villa is now the property of the Swiss League for the Protection of Nature, and the first Swiss ecological center for the study of the environment. As we hike, we will learn about the Villa Cassel.

Lunch: Picnic at Villa Cassel.

Afternoon: Free time to visit the museum, alpine garden or coffee shop at Villa Cassel. Then we will walk back to the hotel.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
10
Bettmeralp, The Lötschental Valley
Bettmeralp
B,L
Ferienhotel Waldhaus

Activity note: Getting on/off cable car and motorcoach; riding on cable car 20 minutes total; driving in motorcoach 2 hours 30 minutes total. Up to 7 miles of walking for 3 hours on mountain trails. Elevation gain of 240 feet, and loss of 1300 feet.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Today, we will discover the pristine Lötschental (tal means “valley”) with its majestic mountain backdrop of the Valais and Bernese Alps. This largely unspoiled valley with its picturesque villages offers an off-the-beaten-track experience. We will take the cable car down to Betten Station where we will then travel by private motorcoach to Wiler (4655 feet). From here, we’ll ride the cable car to Lauchernalp (6460 feet), situated on a sunny terrace overlooking the Lötschental. We’ll then walk from Lauchernalp to Fafleralp (6120 feet). Just opposite the mighty Bietschhorn, one of the most spectacular mountains in the Valais, the trail leads past the tiny Schwarzsee Lake, timber houses, rushing mountain streams, and alpine meadows carpeted with flowers.

Lunch: Picnic along the trail.

Afternoon: After our hike, we will take a break at Fafleralp, a charming village with a wealth of natural beauty. We’ll return by private motorcoach and cable car to Betten.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
11
Bettmeralp, Zermatt, Free Time
Bettmeralp
B,D
Ferienhotel Waldhaus

Activity note: Getting on/off cable car, train and bus; riding on train approx. 3 hours total; riding on cable car 15 minutes total; riding on public bus 35 minutes. Individual exploration, activity dependent on personal preference; city streets and cobblestone. Minimal elevation change.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will set out on foot to take a cable car and train to Visp, change trains, and continue through the Matter Valley ending in Zermatt (5256 feet). We will gain some insight on Zermatt and the history of mountaineering.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own in Zermatt.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions, such as an optional trip to Gornergrat. We’ll then return by local transportation to Bettmeralp.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
12
Bettmeralp, Aletsch Glacier, Riederfurka
Bettmeralp
B,L,D
Ferienhotel Waldhaus

Activity note: Getting on/off gondola; riding about 8 minutes, with optional 8 minute return. Afternoon hike from Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp up to 5 miles of walking for 3 hours; No elevation gain, and loss of 3000 feet. Bettmerlake loop walk up to 2 miles of walking for 1 hour; Elevation gain and loss of 300 feet. Walks on mountain trails, including natural and gravel paths, and the glacier.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: From the hotel, we will walk to the gondola station, where we will ride up to start our final walking field trip on top of the Bettmerhorn (8720 feet). We will see breathtaking views of the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps, and take in a field lecture on this incredible glacier.

Lunch: Picnic on the trail.

Afternoon: Our walking field trip continues on the famous glacier trail, which winds along the glacier to Riederfurka and then back to Bettmeralp. Or you can take the gondola back down and walk around Bettmerlake. We will then return to the hotel.

Dinner: We’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
13
Transfer to Zurich, Free Time
Zurich
B
Dorint Airport-Hotel Zurich

Activity note: Getting on/off cable car, motorcoach; approximate transfer time around 4 hours.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will transfer by cable car and private motorcoach to our Zurich airport hotel.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: On your own to see and do more of what interests you most in Zurich.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
14
Program Concludes
Zurich
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program's "Getting There" information regarding transfers.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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