Via Alpina Switzerland | Complete Guide

Everything you need to plan, book and self-guide this extraordinary multi-day hike through Switzerland

Switzerland is known as a world-class hiking destination due to its natural beauty, mountain culture, and well maintained hiking trails. The Via Alpina Switzerland trail (also know as Via Alpina Green Trail, the National Swiss Route number 1 and Swiss Alpine Pass route) crosses the country from Vaduz in Liechtenstein to Montreux on Lake Geneva. Travelling through the Valley of the Rhine, the spectacular Bernese Oberland and down to Lake Geneva, this hut-to-hut trail gives hikers the best of Switzerland. Enjoy the rugged and remote mountain passes, listen to the cowbells and discover the delights of the Swiss cuisine. For those that don’t have the time to complete the full 370km / 230mi, it is easy to choose shorter sections and use the amazing Swiss public transport system to arrive/depart from the trail.

KEY TRAIL STATS FOR “CLASSIC” ROUTE

• Country: Switzerland

• Number of days: 15 - 20

• Distance: 370km / 230mi

• Elevation gain: 24,000m / 80,000ft

• Highest point: 2,777m / 9,110ft (Hohtürli pass)

• Mountain passes: 14

• Season: Early: Mid-Jun to End Jun. Peak: Start Jul to End Aug. Late: Sept

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Start location: Vaduz (Liechtenstein/Switzerland border)

• End location: Montreux (Switzerland)

Classic trail highlights

• Rychenbach Falls is a roaring cascade which tumbles down the mountainside above Meiringen. The falls were made famous as the location of the mysterious disappearance of Sherlock Holmes in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novels.

• Grosse Scheidegg provides wonderful views of The Wellhorn and Wetterhorn with the Eiger visible in the distance. It was originally used by farmers and traders to drive cattle and transport goods between the valleys and indeed, neighbouring cantons.

• Kleine Scheidegg has a long and interesting history with the Belle Vue Hotel opening in 1840 and a cogwheel railway being constructed at the end of the same century. There is a busy little station at the pass and it is from here that visitors cans set off on the train which climbs up through The Eiger and emerges at the Jungfraujoch, 1400m above.

• Swiss alpine villages, including Wengen and Murren are situated on high alpine pastures and inaccessible by automobile. This makes for a wonderfully peaceful ambiance and a feeling of stepping back in time.

• Staubbach Falls is the first large waterfall that greets you as you enter the Lauterbrunnen valley. It plunges vertically over 200m from the cliffs above. It is situated right next to the village of Lauterbrunnen and there are steps and a tunnel which take you up into the cliff, directly behind the falls - it may be worth wearing your rain jacket!

• The Hohtürli pass is the highest point at 2,777m on the route. Take your time and enjoy the unparalleled views, the proximity of the glaciers and bask in the glory of having achieved a tough climb!

• Oeschinensee is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps. The colour of the lake is out-of-this-world and the north flank of The Doldenhorn makes a suitably impressive backdrop.

• Bunderchrinde provides spectacular views across the Bernese Oberland from Oeschinensee to Adelboden.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HIKE THE via alpina switzerland?

It typically takes between 15 and 20 days to complete the Via Alpina Switzerland

It depends on which route you decide to take, where you decide to stay each night, your hiking speed, the desired number of hiking hours per day and whether you will use transport to skip ahead on the trail.

Some hikers are up at the crack of dawn and will arrive at their accommodation in time for dinner, having hiked for 8+ hours. Whereas others prefer a slow start, long lunch at mountain hut and an early arrival at their location, having hiked 4-5 hours.

WHERE DOES THE via ALPINA SWITZERLAND START?

WHERE DOES THE via alpina switzerland END?

WHAT TYpe of accommodation is available on via alpina switzerland?

Hikers have the opportunity to stay in both alpine villages and mountain huts along the trail.

For those that haven’t experienced staying in a mountain hut - also known as refuges (German) or cabane (French) - this is your opportunity. Sleeping amongst the mountains, indulging in local cuisine and meeting other hikers is a unique experience not to be missed.

All accommodation options will be listed in The Hiking Club App.

Some of the most popular huts along the Via Alpina Switzerland include:

Is it possible to camp along the VIA ALPINA SWITZERLAND?

Yes, it is possible to bivouac or "wild camp", or stay in campgrounds in villages and the valleys along the route. There are strict rules put in place by the national and local governments for those who wish to bivouac. Due to the prevalence of private land (high alpine farms/ski resorts), protected wildlife reserves, and inhospitable slopes for sleeping, there are a limited number of locations along the route that are suitable for bivouacking/wild camping.

As a general rule, you should aim to camp above the treeline and the alpine pastures, keeping clear of working farms and livestock. You should only stay one night in one location, setting up your tent in the evening and taking it down promptly the next morning to move on to your next destination.

It goes without saying to leave no trace and be careful not to pollute any nearby water courses. If you wish to camp near a mountain hut (to enjoy the added security and possible amenities) you should seek permission from the hut warden and possibly pay a small fee.

Details of bivouac locations will be available within The Hiking Clup App.

Which direction to hike the via alpina switzerland?

The majority of people hike Via Alpina Switzerland from east to west. This affords a more gentle warm up with the higher, more challenging passes being crossed in the latter stages of the traverse.

When is the hiking season for the VIA ALPINA SWITZERLAND?

Most people do not start the Via Alpina Switzerland before early July.

In June there is usually still a lot of snow on the high passes, such as Sefinafurgga and Hohtürli, which may prohibit a safe passage. This varies from year to year depending on the quantity of winter snowfall and how quickly it melts in the spring. Some mountain huts will tend to open once the majority of snow has melted from paths that are used to access them (mid-late June). Others, such as Gspaltenhornhütte and Blüemlisalphütte, will open regardless around mid June (especially Swiss Alpine Club huts) as they also service mountaineers who have special equipment and are using the huts to access the surrounding high peaks. If these huts are open, it doesn't necessarily mean they are accessible for hikers with basic equipment. It's best to check for details about conditions on their website or get in touch with them directly for more info.

The mountain huts tend to start closing in late September and there are often good hiking conditions throughout September. However, storms become more frequent, days are shorter and night-time temperatures cooler.

what type of terrain is the VIA ALPINA switzerland?

The Via Alpina is a mix of mountain trail and regular hiking trail. There is no alpine trail on the main trail or popular variants. The percentage of mountain trails increases if you choose more of the higher elevation variants.

ARE THERE TRANSPORT SHORTCUTS ON THE via alpina switzerland?

It is possible to shorten the Via Alpina Switzerland by taking public transport options, including cable car, bus and train. These options can help to minimise the hiking time on a specific day (i.e cable car on ascent/descent) or to skip forward a day (i.e bus/train).

The Hiking Club App and GPS map will include all transport schedules and costs for the upcoming season.

what are popular alternate route options on the via alpina switzerland?

There are many alternative routes to include additional highlights, avoid challenging sections of trail or skip highlights on the main trail by going more direct. Details of these alternate routes will be available within The Hiking Club App.

The most popular alternate routes along the Via Alpina Switzerland, include:

• The First cliff walk takes you on an impressive metal walkway, bolted to the sheer cliff face, with a vertical drop of a hundred metres right beneath your feet.

• The Eiger Trail traverses directly beneath the mighty north face of The Eiger. It is possible to spot many of the features on the route taken by the first ascensionists: the White Spider, the Hinterstroisser Traverse and Death Bivouac, to name a few! You can also spot the “Gallery Windows”, where the train inside the mountain stops to allow passengers a view into the void!

• Trummelbach Falls uses a series of cleverly constructed walkways and stairs, to view many of the waterfalls and plunge pools. Some of the falls are so deep inside the mountain that there is no daylight and they are artificially illuminated.

• Bunderspitz peak is located at 2,546m and offers a great viewpoint of the surrounding peaks, including Dündehore, Ärmighore, Doldenhorn and Gällihore. It also provides great perspective of where you’ve come from yesterday and where you are going today.

• Obersteinberg Mountain Hotel is like a step back in time. The hotel has been operating (during the summer season) since the 1880s and little has changed since then. There is no electricity and you are provided with a candle to illuminate your room after dark. Dinner is a rustic and hearty affair, typical mountain cuisine, and also candle lit.

• Gspaltenhornhutte is a rugged and remote location in the heart of the mountains with a great terrace from which to view the Gamchigletsher far below and if you're lucky, enjoy some alpenglow on the Morgehorn, directly across from the hut.

• Doldenhornhutte gets you off the beaten track and offers a quieter option, away from the hustle and bustle of the valley down below. There are great views westward of the Bunderspitz and Gross Loner. The hut is relatively small and cosy and it is a good place to enjoy a cold beer at sunset and chat with other hikers and climbers over the communal dinner.

• Engstligenalp is a plateau located at 2,000m / 6,600ft, and a home each summer for 500+ cows. Located next to the 600m high Engstligen Falls, this is a great alternative route and overnight location for those after an alpine farm experience.

  Full details of these alternate routes will be available within The Hiking Club App.

WE ARE LAUNCHING the entire VIA ALPINA SWITZERLAND Trail SOON!

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