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Hiking Holidays Via Alpina Buchs - Montreux

Hiking: Via Alpina

Vaduz – Montreux

The Via Alpina crosses 14 of the most beautiful Alpine passes. Across seven Swiss cantons, the hiker experiences a diverse culture, geology and topography. Quiet oases of relaxation alternate with prosperous tourist resorts. There is no better way to get to know Swiss Alpine culture in all its facets.

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Itinerary

Luggage drop-off in Buchs. The hike starts in Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. The River Rhine and the border to Switzerland is crossed at Sevelen. The trail then leads along the foot of the mountain Gonzen through woodlands and meadows, with views over the Rhine Valley.

approx. 4.5 h
approx. 18 km
505 m
480 m

The wide, steep and remote Weisstannental valley awaits with lovely hamlets such as Vermol and the wonderful Champersee lake. You climb high-level trails on the west flank of the valley towards the stage destination Weisstannen.

approx. 4 h
approx. 13 km
790 m
270 m

Milk from neighbouring alps is piped to Alp Siez. On Alpine pastures are followed by a narrow ridge of black slate. The terraced alp huts on the other side of the Foopass are an architectural rarity.

approx. 7.5 h
approx. 22 km
1'385 m
1'400 m

By cable car up to Aempächli. Elm lies in the GeoPark Sardona (UNESCO World-Heritage) where the Glarner main thrust fault clearly reveals the creation of the Alps. Surrounded by rock bastions, the silted-up Wichlensee lake, resembles an amphitheatre. After the steep Richetlipass, the lonely Durnachtal awaits.

approx. 7.5 h
approx. 20 km
1'080 m
1'915 m

From Linthal via a steep forest path up to the sunny terrain hollow of Braunwald and further over wooded rocky bands to the largest Swiss alp with 1'200 cows. Open, flat and wild terrain along the Fätschbach stream to the Urnerboden.

approx. 4.5 h
approx. 13 km
815 m
300 m

Simple alps and mobile bee boxes on the Klausen pass, fascinating high trail with mountain panorama above the Schächen valley, then steeply down to the valley floor below.

approx. 5.5 h
approx. 17 km
850 m
915 m

Bus ride to Attinghausen and by cable car up to the Brüsti. Continue over the panoramic Alp Grat to the historic Surenenpass. The rock bastions on the Brunnistock and the basin of the Blackenalp are impressive. A varied valley path leads to the monastery village of Engelberg.

approx. 6.5 – 7 h
approx. 20 km
910 m
1'415 m

The trail leads over two altitude steps up to the spectacularly situated Trübsee lake at the foot of the Titlis, and further over the Jochpass into the Bernese Oberland. The destination is Engstlenalp, an idyllic place of power with a lake, nostalgic hotel and thousands of alpine roses.

approx. 5 h
approx. 11 km
1'265 m
400 m

Through alpine flora to Tannalp with a cheese dairy, inn and lake. The ridge hike over the Balmeregghorn impresses with magnificent views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Dwarf Muggenstutz and a sculpture garden provide variety on the way to Meiringen.

approx. 6.5 h
approx. 21 km
715 m
1'940 m

By bus you get up to Rosenlaui where the hike starts. You walk up to the “Grosse Scheidegg” from where you have a magnificent view to the mountains “Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau”. From here you continue to Grindelwald.

approx. 4.5 h
approx. 14 km
700 m
980 m

The trail leads up to the „Kleine Scheidegg“ and continues over a sunny high trail. You soon leave the tourist hustle behind you and continue hiking on easy paths until you arrive to Wengen.

approx. 5.5 h
approx. 17 km
1'155 m
915 m

Early in the morning the cable car brings you up to Mürren. In the early months of the summer there is often still snow on the alpine pass “Sefinenfurgge”. You walk past a breathtaking Alpine scenery.

approx. 7.5 h
approx. 22 km
1'315 m
1'415 m

The ascent to the Blüemlisalp is the most spectacular stage on your hiking tour. After a long and step walk up to 2’843 meters you may enjoy an excellent meal at the Swiss mountain pasture “Blüemlisalphütte”. From there the trail leads over the “Hohtürli” and glacier moraines down to Lake Öschinen. Now, Kandersteg is only a short walk away. (easy option: ride with the cable car down into the valley).

approx. 7 h
approx. 17 km
1'450 m
1'685 m

By cable car up to “Allmenalp” from where you hike to “Bonderchrinde”. The view on the surrounding peaks is breathtaking. Afterwards, you hike  down into the valley to Adelboden.

approx. 4.5 h
approx. 12 km
835 m
1'220 m

From the widely-known village of Adelboden you walk towards the Hahnenmoospass. Wonderful views and the peak of mount Wildstrubel guide you down to the valley Simmental. You will spend one last night in the Bernese Oberland.

approx. 4 h
approx. 13 km
725 m
975 m

From Lenk over gentle alpine meadows, up into the lynx territory, through a damp limestone area with a wide horizon. Over the Trüttlisberg Pass and through the long Turbach Valley with its varied history down to sophisticated Gstaad.

approx. 7 h
approx. 22 km
1'105 m
1'120 m

A panoramic high-altitude trail, past the Berghaus Eggli and the lime-cart area of Wilde Bode to the language border at Col de Jable. Many traditional Alpine huts with large shingle roofs and Chupferchessi (Copper pot) cheese production high above L'Etivaz.

approx. 6.5 h
approx. 16 km
1'250 m
1'160 m

The gently sloping route follows the torrent "La Torneresse" for several kilometres until it reaches the valley of the Gorges du Pissot. Then the landscape offers a view of the large valley of the Pays-d'Enhaut. After Châteaux-d'Oex the descent leads to Rossinière.

approx. 3.5 h
approx. 14 km
280 m
560 m

From Rossinière over a bridge from 1650 to the Col de Solomon. After the descent into the Hongrin Valley, climb to the Col de Chaude with its fantastic view of Lake Geneva. Continue uphill to the stop of the Rochers de Naye rack railway. Ride by rack railway to Montreux.

approx. 7.5 h
approx. 19 km
1'900 m
800 m

Tour character

Surefootedness, head for heights and good physical condition for alpine hikes are necessary. Shortcuts by bus/cable car are partly possible.

The Via Alpina on SwitzerlandMobility

Prices & Dates

All data for 2024 at a glance
Place of arrival: Buchs SG
  Season 1
31.08.2024 - 15.09.2024

Arrival daily
Season 2
29.06.2024 - 30.08.2024

Arrival daily
Via Alpina, 20 days, CH-OSWBM-20X
Base price
3'295.-
3'429.-
Surcharge single room 985.- 985.-

Category: simple middle class hotels & mountain guesthouses (some may have shared toilets and showers)

Season 1
Aug 31, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024
Arrival daily
Season 2
Jun 29, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024
Arrival daily
Via Alpina, 20 days, CH-OSWBM-20X
Base price
Surcharge single room
3'295.-
985.-
3'429.-
985.-

Category: simple middle class hotels & mountain guesthouses (some may have shared toilets and showers)

Season 1
Aug 31, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024
Season 2
Jun 29, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024
Buchs SG
Double room p. P. Cat. A
Surcharge single room
Montreux
Double room p. P. Cat. A
Surcharge single room
99.-
35.-
79.-
45.-
99.-
35.-
79.-
45.-
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Buchs SG
  Season 1
Aug 31, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024

Arrival daily
Season 2
Jun 29, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024

Arrival daily
Buchs SG
Double room p. P. Cat. A 99.- 99.-
Surcharge single room 35.- 35.-
Montreux
Double room p. P. Cat. A 79.- 79.-
Surcharge single room 45.- 45.-
Prices per person in CHF

Services & Information

Services

Included:

  •  Accommodation in your selected category incl. breakfast
  •  Halfboard on Engstlenalp
  •  Daily luggage transfer
  •  Costs for luggage pick-up at the station (for direct arrival)
  •  Subsidy for arrival by train
  •  Cable car Elm – Aempächli
  •  Cable car Attinghausen - Brüsti
  •  Carefully elaborated route description
  •  Travel documents (1 x per room)
  •  Navigation app and GPS data available
  •  SwitzerlandMobility-Plus subscription for one year
  •  Service hotline

Note:

  • Rides on post bus, mountain railways and cable cars (approx. CHF 140.-, depending on the rides used)
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Reservation fee of CHF 20.- per adult (incl. legally  required customer money protection)
Information

Arrival/Departure:

  • Arrival by public transport to Buchs. Drop off your luggage at the luggage counter by 10:00 a.m. at the latest.
  • Departure by public transport from Montreux.
Arrival by train:
Leave the car at home! For every bike, biking or hiking tour in Switzerland, you will receive an SBB coupon per participant, which you can use to deduct CHF 10 from the ticket price for traveling by train. The reduction can be obtained in the SBB online store or in the SBB app. On many trips, we use the luggage counters at the stations at the beginning and at the end to hand over the suitcases. You can conveniently combine this right away when you arrive by train. If you are a GA owner, you can provide this information when booking. We will credit you the amount on the invoice. If you don't need the coupon for the trip itself, you can use it during the year. Unfortunately, a retroactive refund is not possible for administrative reasons. 
Travel documents

Travel documents "digital" 

We reduce the amount of printed documents. You will receive instructions to help you find your way around using the Eurotrek Travel Guide App. We provide you with further information online.

In advance you will receive al package of documents with the following contents:

  • Your travel program
  • Luggage tags
  • Description of how to use the app
  • Any vouchers
  • Detailed program with map sections

The Eurotrek Travel Guide App will help you additionally to find your way around. In addition to your digital map, you will find further information about your booked trip. The app is also available offline, simply download the trip in advance.

 

Ratings

4 of 5 Stars (2 Ratings)
4 stars
Gail Messenger CH | 24.09.2023
A beautiful trek, but a few improvements could be made on the itinerary
This trek covers a beautiful part of the Swiss Alps. Walking from accomodation to accomodation is ideal. With the effort needed to complete each day, two things are necessary……a quiet hotel room and a timely luggage transfer. Anyone can make their own reservations, but the key perk of Eurotrek is the luggage delivery. The first two nights my luggage arrived late (the second night after the hotel restaurant had stopped dinner service). Honestly, this is not acceptable. Perhaps Eurotrek needs to employ another driver when they are inundated with deliveries. I also used Eurotrek in August and the luggage delivery was perfect…..the luggage always arrived before my daughter and I did! In my opinion, luggage delivery is the only reason I use Eurotrek, and having the luggage arrive so that trekkers can shower and have a meal is so important!
Reto Zingg
Reto Zingg answered:
Our biggest goal is to deliver the luggage to the hotel preferably before the guests but at the latest by 4 p.m. Since something can always happen on the way, we guarantee the delivery until 6 p.m. This is sometimes not possible due to the traffic situation and the long distances between the stage locations (especially in the Alps). In your case, the luggage unfortunately arrived 1 time after 6 p.m. This is due to the fact that the luggage was delivered to the mountain railroad in Linthal and the staff inadvertently omitted the onward transport to the hotel Tödiblick. As mentioned before, we would like to formally apologize for this mistake. Unfortunately, mistakes happen. Fortunately, however, with over 50,000 luggage transports per season, this does not happen often.
4 stars
Gail M. CH | 16.08.2023
The Via Alpina Trail is one absolutely beautiful
Although we had rain seven of the nine days, the trails were in great shape and we did not miss a hike. We saw several animals including a herd of ibex! We have hiked this route many times and would highly recommend it to all avid hikers!

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Do you still have questions about the tour? We are happy to help and look forward to your inquiry.