Spectacular Hiking in the Swiss Alps
Our Itinerary

Activity Level

Our hikes are designed for people who enjoy being active. Most hiking days will offer at least two options from which you can choose: one Moderate and one Strenuous. Moderate hikes will last from 3 to 5 hours. Strenuous hikes are from 5 to 8 hours.

For you cyclists out there, the effort expended in a Moderate hike would be roughly equivalent to riding a rolling 50 or 60 miles, while a Strenuous hike would approximate the effort of a rolling century ride. While these comparisons are useful, hiking is done at a relatively moderate pace where stamina is more important than the power required in cycling.

Day 1 (July 22, 2012): Arrive in Zurich Airport/Travel to the Village of Evoléne We will meet you at the ticket window at the train station in the Zurich Airport where we will help validate your Swiss pass. Then we’re on our way via two trains and a bus to the quaint mountain village of Evoléne, our home away from home. It will take approximately four hours to reach our destination but what an incredibly beautiful journey it is! After checking into your hotel, the group will meet for a welcome/orientation dinner where will get to know one another, talk about the activities ahead of us and answer any questions you might have.	The View From The Bus Stop in Our Home Base of Evolene Photo by Aldo Tiboni
Day 2: Lac Bleu to Arolla Hike (Moderate with a short and long option) After a fun bus ride to Arolla, which is the end of the line in the valley, we arrive at the trailhead and immediately start climbing. We ascend through forests with views getting more spectacular with each step. After passing a small alp (an alp is actually a high altitude dairy farm), we arrive at Lac Bleu, This is a wonderful small lake that is a remarkable blue color with spectacular views in all directions. After enjoying a snack at the lake we do a delightful traverse to Arolla which includes some up and down hiking along tree line to a picnic table with what can only be described as spectacular 360 degree views. This route totals roughly 1700 feet of vertical over 7 km, while a shorter option will total 1300 vertical feet and 4.5 kilometers of travel.	Lac Bleu is Definitely Blue! Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 3: Hike to Bricola (Moderate or Strenuous with a short and long option) The hike to Bricola is a moderate hike with an option to make it longer. The shorter option has 645 meters (2,116 feet) of elevation gain and is 7km of hiking while the longer option has 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) of elevation gain and 12 km of hiking. We will start out by taking a couple of buses that will eventually take us to Ferpècle. This bus ride is great fun travelling through several villages and ending on a one-lane road which leads deep into a valley. Once on the trail, we will head up the valley where we will be treated to great views of 13,000 foot snowcapped peaks and glaciers. For much of the climb, the spectacular Dent Blanche (4,356 meters - 14,300 feet) towers above us. We climb to Bricola where the short hike has its turnaround. Hikers who opt for the long option will continue for expanded views. Both hikes descend the same way we climbed. Note: One time when Dan did this hike, he missed his bus back to his home base. He commented that his “punishment” was to sit on a restaurant’s terrace having a drink, gazing at the mountains while waiting for the next bus to arrive. At virtually every trailhead is a restaurant with a terrace to enjoy. Maybe we too can be lucky and miss the bus!	A view of the spectaular 14,294 foot Dent Blanche from Bricola Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 4: Trip to Zermatt (Rest day with an Easy hike option) Zermatt is a world famous resort with many options for hikers and non-hikers. When you walk down the main street you are likely to see an elderly lady out for an afternoon stroll walking next to a young mountain climber on his way to tackle a rock face. For a complete rest day (which we strongly suggest for our guests that are staying for 10 days) you can wander through the village, shop in any of the many stores or visit a mountain museum in the center of town. The cog railroad will take you to great views of the Gornergrat, or a tram ride will take you to the ski station on the Klein Matterhorn at 12,700 feet. Those who choose to hike instead will be treated to an easy/moderate excursion to Zmutt, gaining a total of 1000 feet and travelling 7.4 km.	A view of the town of Zermatt with the spectacular Matterhorn in the background. Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 5: Hike to La Remointse, Pas de Chèvres, (Moderate or Strenuous with a short and long option). A great classic hike of the Swiss Alps, you will hike either 4 or 6+ hours dependent upon what option you select. We leave Arolla, hike through forests and are soon in pastures. On the way to the pass, we have wonderful views of glaciers and snowcapped peaks. As we come to La Remointse, the nature of the trail changes and this is where the hikers and guide opting for the shorter route turn to go back. They will gain roughly 1300 feet of elevation over a distance of 5 km. Those that wish to continue to the pass enter a rocky area, finally climbing to the pass. The Pas de Chèvres is a 9400 foot high pass crossing the ridge line west of Arolla with views that are spectacular in all directions, including a peek at the Matterhorn. This group will have lunch there in the saddle of the Pas de Chevres but may find it difficult to eat with their mouths agape. Finally, we’ll snap a group picture before we turn back to town. The long hike totals 2640 feet of elevation gain over 12 kilometers.	Here we are at 9400 feet, wow! Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 6: Hike to Villaz (Moderate) OR A Trip to Sion The hike to Villaz is one of our favorite moderate half day hikes starting right in town. This hike has 379 meters (1,245 feet) of elevation gain with 7.75 km of hiking. We leave Evolène and walk up the main road for approximately one hundred meters before turning left where we begin to climb the hillside. We will follow old shepherds’ paths up through forests and pastures until we arrive in Villaz a small village above Evolène. While we are never far from civilization we will have spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, small farms and sheer cliffs. As we meander through the village you will note the unique Swiss vacation homes and mazots (chalets). After a relaxing picnic lunch, we will drop back down via another trail to our home base. The rest-day option for today is to take a bus trip to the city of Sion for tours of a thousand year old church and castle, the Basilique de Valère and the Château de Tourbillon, that are perched on two very defensible adjacent hilltops. Other activities in town include wine tasting and cheese sampling, and just hanging out at local cafes.	Elaine and Dan and the ubiquitous trail signs. Photo by Aldo Tiboni The Basilique de Valère in Sion. Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 7 (July 28, 2012): Departure Day/Hike from the Lanna Chairlift (Moderate) After a final breakfast together, we'll say good-bye to our friends who are departing from their 7 day vacation for post-trip destinations. Those catching a flight will be accompanied to the Zurich airport by a guide. Those on the 10 day trip will enjoy another hike that starts right out of town. Following a chair lift ride, we will meander around a glacial valley. In the valley is a working modern alpine dairy farm and at the head of the valley are some small mountain peaks and small glaciers. We will then hike on roads and trails through forests and small clusters of buildings on the way back down to Evolène.	One of the Locals on the Trail Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 8: Trip to Montreux and Chillon We will take the bus and train to this beautiful lakeside city and experience a well-deserved rest day. After meandering around the city or sitting quietly on the waterfront, you can shop in Montreux, take a lake steamer ride on Lake Geneva or you can stroll along the Quai des Fleurs (a walk on the shore of the lake surrounded by flowers) from Montreux to the Château de Chillon. The Château is a wonderfully restored 13th century castle on a tiny island on the shore of Lake Geneva. The self- guided tour of the castle is well worth the time. We will meet-up at the end of the day to take the train and bus back to Evolène. Note: For those cyclists who are in need of a fix, there is also the option of staying in Evoléne for the day to take a guided mountain bike ride around town.	The Château de Chillon on Beautiful Lake Geneva Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 9 Hike to Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges (Moderate or Strenuous with a short and long option) Today offers two hiking options, one of 1540 vertical feet and 7 kilometers, and the other totaling 2700 vertical feet over 13 kilometers. Everyone will climb through forests and pastures to the alp of Pra Gra. An alp is actually a working Swiss dairy farm and Pra Gra has cows as well as ancient farm buildings. At this point hikers wanting a moderate hike can turn around to be guided back to Arolla. Those who want a longer hike will leave the pastures behind and will begin climbing on mountain trails above tree line. After crossing some exciting, exposed terrain we reach the mountaineering hut, the Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges. The hut is owned by the Club Alpin Academique de Geneve and sits at 2810 meters (9200 feet). The views are magnificent with a true high-alpine feel.	Hikers relax a bit at the Cabane before turning back to Arolla. Photo by Aldo Tiboni
Day 10 (July 31, 2012): Departure Day: Travel to Zurich Airport or other post trip destinations After a final breakfast together we'll travel with those returning to the airport in Zurich, or say good-bye to those heading-off to other post trip destinations leaving behind wonderful, long-lasting memories.