There can be few greater pleasures in life than walking through Swiss Alpine landscape. Each pass gained brings with it a sense of achievement and is rewarded with a magnificent panorama as the mountains of the Alps unveil their secrets, presenting yet another tantalising, distant horizon to set your sights on. Hiking in Switzerland will include taking in some of the most dramatic mountains and spectacular scenery known to man. The names of the peaks read like a history of mountain achievement and endeavour. The Wetterhorn, Eiger, Jungfrau, Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, and the Blumisalphorn; all feature in these famous alpine passes.

The species and profusion of alpine flowers that you can find here throughout the year is beautiful. In terms of fauna, look out for the mountain choughs, nutcrackers, siskins and falcons. Occasionally you may even spot a grand golden eagle riding the thermals up into the sky. Marmots call out from the alps and there’s the occasional chamois or ibex.

Swiss food tends to be wholesome and hearty. It is big on meat cuts, potatoes and vegetables, and sometimes comes with unusual flavours such as from chard or fennel. Cheeses play a big part of the cuisine in the Swiss Alps and it is worth taking a slab of ‘Alpen Käse’ into the hills for picnics. The cheese can sometimes be found at farms in the mountains. There is also a good selection of Swiss wines to be found along the walking trails. Quite a number of the hotels you'll stay at in the mountains and valleys will have an extensive selection.

With such a backdrop continuously unfolding it is easy to run out of superlatives. It'd be our pleasure to support your discovery of the Swiss Alps by means of the walking trips below.

Find your Swiss Alps trip

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Why travel with us

Local Connections in Switzerland

We place great emphasis on researching, planning and crafting innovative itineraries to ensure you get the very best experience out of your alpine walking trip in Switzerland. We believe relationships are important and have been working with many of our hoteliers and local suppliers for years. This means that they know exactly what our travellers expect.

 

Great Value & Quality Swiss Alps Holidays

Our walking holidays in the Swiss Alps are well priced offering great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. When you book, your trip will be fully organised by a dedicated member of our in-house team, so you will always know who you are dealing with. We take the stress out of organising your winter walking trip.

 

Personal Experience

Our team have been walking in the Swiss Alps for over 4 decades. We are passionate about active holidays and delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of the UK & Europe and bring a multi-disciplined, multicultural and whole-hearted love of all things travel.

Responsible travel

Walkers' Britain is committed to responsible travel and true sustainability. We take travellers to many countries which are home to challenging wilderness, rich biodiversity, and fragile environments. It is the travel choices we make while visiting these environments that reduce the negative impact. This is the essence of responsible and sustainable travel - something we take very seriously. View our award winning Responsible Travel Guidebook here.

Accommodation

Handpicked Hotels

On some Swiss Alps hiking holidays we stay in a range of 2-4* hotels, often family run. The hospitality is generous and their local knowledge is invaluable. Where possible, we choose properties that add to your experience.

 

Refuges or Gîte Hostels

Used mainly on mountain walks, these convivial places add to the atmosphere of your journey through the mountains. Dorms may sleep up to 40 people and the beds are often bunkbeds. Linen and blankets are provided and bathrooms are shared. Private rooms may be available, although private gîte rooms still use shared bathrooms.

Trip reviews

Country information

Currency

Swiss Franc

International Dialing Code

+41

Electricity
Type C plug

Electricity in Switzerland is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Visas

In the first half of 2025 it is expected that the ETIAS travel authorisation will be introduced requiring online application before travel. See https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en for more details.

Until then, visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy_en . Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area – note that a new entry/exit system will be introduced in 2025. See https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en for more information. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements.

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.