Walking holidays in Switzerland
Invigorating Alpine air, showstopping scenery and nothing but the sound of tinkling cowbells for company, Switzerland is music to the ears of any serious walker. A neatly packaged bundle of charming chocolate-box villages and snow-capped peaks punctuated by glistening lakes and glaciers, the Bernese Oberland region is streets ahead of other walking destinations. Top it all with the prospect of tasting delicious Swiss food and the chance to trek around Europe’s highest mountain, and it’s no surprise that we’re so taken with this handsome corner of Switzerland.
Trek the Mont Blanc massif
This is the big one. The tallest mountain in the Alps and the highest in Western Europe at 4,807 metres, Mont Blanc is stocked with eye-popping views and natural beauty on a grand scale. Our walking holidays in Switzerland lead you along the photo-worthy trails and Alpine passes bordering France and Italy that make up the Mont Blanc massif. Expect a mix of challenging ascents and pleasantly flat plains with a raft of highlights along the way. A definite high point of the tour is a ride on the Flégère gondola – a cable car that soars above Chamonix to Lac Blanc, reaching an altitude of 2,595 metres. There’s the opportunity to climb the French mountain of Col de Voza, too.
Amble along the Bovine Route
All flower-filled meadows, wide-open country and forested paths rustling with marmots, the Bovine Route is Switzerland to a tee. Working its way from Forclaz to Champex, the route winds through gentle hills, green pastures dotted with cattle and typical Alpine cottages – the kind of scenes you’ll find on the front cover of almost every Swiss postcard and holiday brochure. And when it’s time to take a break there’s a stop at a Swiss dairy farm where you can indulge in a traditional meal of pan-fried potatoes, onions and herbs, smothered in melted local cheese, often served with crispy bacon lardons. It’s ideal hiking fuel.
