Are there food options for vegetarians and vegans?

Vegetarian meals are usually available in most accommodations. Vegan options are harder to be found in huts, but we're happy to let you know about them in advance so you can plan accordingly.

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Via Alpina Switzerland

18 days / 17 nights

Plan your Via Alpina self-guided hike across Switzerland and explore the diversity of the Alps on this epic journey, previously known as the Alpine Pass Route.

Starting point

Sargans

Finish point

Montreux

Season

From June to October

Technical level

3/5

Fitness level

5/5

Tour type

Inn-to-Inn

Plan your Via Alpina self-guided hike across Switzerland and explore the diversity of the Alps on this epic journey, previously known as the Alpine Pass Route.

Starting point

Sargans

Finish point

Montreux

Season

From June to October

Technical level

3/5

Fitness level

5/5

Tour type

Inn-to-Inn

Highlights

Hike the entire Via Alpina Green Trail in Switzerland
Discover the unique landscapes and rich culture of the Swiss Alps
Enjoy extraordinary views while crossing over 14 mountain passes
Sleep in mountain huts, hotels, and lovely inns on your hike across the country
Let us take care of the logistics so you can enjoy your adventure

Itinerary of the trip

One of the rare stages without a pass, this is a great warm-up to the Via Alpina. You’ll explore the Swiss countryside and walk through villages, meadows, and woods up the river towards Weisstannen.

Hiking

14 km and 650 m of elevation gain / 100 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Gemse

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

Continue up the valley on cattle trails towards the first pass of the adventure. Over green pastures, you’ll reach the Foopass (2,223 m) with a great outlook over the Glarner Alps in the distance. Solid paths take you down to the village of Elm, known for preserving its architectural heritage.

Hiking

23 km and 1250 m of elevation gain / 1300 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Segnes

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

One of the most challenging days on the route, it also hikes in some of its most impressive terrain, namely the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona. You’ll climb up steep paths along the mountains and green and rocky terrain to Richetlipass (2,261 m). Descend is more leisurely, on a mule path through pastures and later woods towards Linthal. You can take a gondola lift at the beginning of the stage to lower the elevation gain for the day.

Hiking

24 km and 1450 m of elevation gain / 1800 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Raben

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

After a short steep part towards Braunwald, you’ll circle the mountainside towards the largest alp in Switzerland (around 1,200 cows). You can optionally end the day there, at the village of Urnerboden, or continue up along the hairpin bend road towards Klausenpass, where you stay the night.

Hiking

17 km and 1300 m of elevation gain / 100 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Klausenpass

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

The postbus takes you back to the top of the pass, from where you descend on the panoramic trail to the meadows in Aesch. After admiring the wonderful waterfall, continue down the valley along the river to the lake town of Altdorf.

Hiking

22 km and 1100 m of elevation gain / 1500 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Zum Schwarzen Löwen

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

The sixth day is a long one, with over 1800 meters of elevation gain. Only in the beginning do you have a chance to shorten it by taking a cable car to Brüsti, saving you a kilometer of uphill hiking. Ascend the narrow ridge to reach the rocky Surenenpass (2,291 m). From there, a pleasant but long route leads down the green valley into Engelberg, a small town.

Hiking

30 km and 1900 m of elevation gain / 1300 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Bellevue-Terminus

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

This day starts with a steep ascent, but already halfway, your effort will be rewarded once you reach Engstlenalpsee lake. From there onwards, you’ll have a great view over the Bernese Alps, all the way to Jochpass (2,207 m). After a short downhill, you’ll reach Hotel Engstlenalp, located in surreal alpine surroundings.

Hiking

11 km and 1250 m of elevation gain / 450 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Engstlenalp

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

After passing a few traditional dairy farms at Tannalp, you’ll visit the tranquil lakes on the plateau. From there, the route continues up a narrow ridge to the Plantappen mountain, where you’ll have constant great views over the Jungfrau massif, with Eiger in sight. The descent from the peak to Meiringien is long, so there is an option of hopping on a cable car and saving your knees.

Hiking

20 km and 650 m of elevation gain / 1900 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Dakota

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

An easier day compared to others before it, it takes you over the Grosse Scheidegg. You will also hike past the Reichenbach Falls, made famous by Sherlock Holmes. The route from the pass gently descends through the woods and pastures towards Grindelwald, a popular town amongst tourists.

Hiking

22 km and 1400 m of elevation gain / 1000 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel & Restaurant Alpina in Grindelwald

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

On day ten, you will hike below one of the most famous rock walls in the Alps, the Eiger North Face. The route will take up from the tourist hustle and bustle into the pastures below this awe-inspiring mountain. On your highest point at Kleine Scheidegg, you can also join the Jungfraujoch railway for an excursion or continue the sunny descent down to Wengen, another famous resort in the region.

Hiking

19 km and 1200 m of elevation gain / 900 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Falken

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

An easy day takes you in the shade of the woods up onto the sunny terrace on which the car-free town of Murren lies. If you want, you can make this a rest day and just take the cable car.

Hiking

9 km and 850 m of elevation gain / 500 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Alpenruh

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

Today you will tackle the second-highest pass on the Via Alpina, a good warm-up for the next day (with the highest pass). Climb up the lush meadows past Rotstockhütte, where you can rest before continuing to the Sefinenfurgge Pass (2,612 m). The path down will be unusually dark and rocky for Switzerland but will soon turn back into a lush landscape. Past waterfalls and pastures, you’ll reach the village of Griesalp.

Hiking

17 km and 1100 m of elevation gain / 1300 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Griesalp Hotels

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

Get ready for this extraordinary stage. You’ll hike over Bundalp to the top of Hohtürli Pass (2,778 m), the highest on the whole Via Alpina trail. But just above the pass lies the Blüemlisalphütte, arguably the highlight of the day. Enjoy the rest at this hut at the foot of the glacier before descending to Lake Oeschinen, where you can take the cable railway to Kandersteg.

Hiking

16 km and 1400 m of elevation gain / 1650 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Chalet Adler

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

Today’s hike will take you to Bunderchrinde Pass (2,385 m), a rocky window onto the other side of the mountains. You will hike up the river and towards the end of the valley, ascend the meadows to the Lohner Hut, and continue your way to the pass. When there, you’ll have a nice view of the path up ahead, which will zig-zag down into Adelboden.

Hiking

17 km and 1350 m of elevation gain / 1200 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Bristol Adelboden

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

This is an easier day, whichever option you choose. You can follow the streams and go past holiday lodges into the grassy pastures above Adelboden on a direct route, or choose to climb up to the ridge to have a better view of the surrounding region. Both routes cross the grassy Hahnenmoospass, where you can have a rest. Descend directly to Lent or take a detour past the Simme waterfalls.

Hiking

20 km and 950 m of elevation gain / 1200 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Kreuz

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

The hike will begin with the ascent through the Wallbach Gorge, later giving way to green meadows with all-around views. Crossing this wild landscape, you’ll meet an occasional flock of sheep. You will cross the Trüttlisbergpass and gradually descend into Lauenen, from where you will hike into Gstaad.

Hiking

23 km and 1150 m of elevation gain / 1150 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Sporthotel Victoria Gstaad

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

This day will take you over another pass, past the Gummfluh peak, the iconic landmark of the area. Once you reach Col du Jable, you’ll also cross over into another linguistic area of Switzerland. Descend to L’Etivaz, taste some of their famous cheese, and continue to Château-d’Oex.

Hiking

26 km and 1500 m of elevation gain / 1600 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel de Ville

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

This last stage is the cherry on top of the cake, especially the on the last descent. You’ll start the final day hiking up above the Lac de l’Hongrin, admiring its dam. After that, the last pass of Via Alpina Switzerland awaits you – Col de Chaude – and a ridge to Rochers de Naye. The views from there are outstanding – you’ll see Lake Geneva and both Jungfrau and Mont Blanc massifs.

The last descent to the Mediterranean micro-climate of Montreux is well worth it, but if you feel it’s too much, you have multiple opportunities along the way to take the train down.

Some people choose to divide this last stage into two days, taking the railway from Rochers de Naye down to Montreux and returning the next day to hike the last descent.

Hiking

Option 1: 21 km and 1860 m of elevation gain / 850 m elevation loss

Option 2: 33 km and 1900 m of elevation gain / 2600 m of elevation loss

Gallery

FREE ITINERARY

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What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

17 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast

Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Tour design and organization

Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Extra nights

Hotel upgrades

Luggage transfer

Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 45-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings
Down jacket
Gloves
Shade hat/cap

Warm headwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Sleeping liner
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Small first aid kit

The Via Alpina is Switzerland’s number one hiking route, taking you over the 14 most beautiful mountain passes in the country, leading through a variety of culture, geology, flora, and fauna. It’s the best way to get to know the Swiss Alpine culture.

Also called the Swiss Alpine Pass Route, it starts in its east at the border with Liechtenstein and continues across the whole country to the west – ending at Lake Geneva. As a well-maintained trail, it is a hiker’s paradise.

It features 18 stages that require about 5-7 hours of walking per day to complete, but some can be shortened by the use of public transportation (cable cars and buses). It is less challenging technically than the Walker’s Haute Route, but fitness-wise it is quite similar.

To allow you to focus more on enjoying the trail and preparing for it on the physical side, we will take care of the logistical planning. We take your wishes and preferences to best advise you on your perfect Via Alpina itinerary.

We book all of your accommodations, organize luggage transfers, and more, so you can focus on the journey. And a few weeks before setting off, we’ll send you the detailed itinerary booklet with the planned GPS route.

If you think this hike is too long for you, or you don’t have the time, we also offer a shorter version of the trail – the Via Alpina: The Bear Trek.

Frequently Asked Questions

The summer season for hiking is usually from mid-June to mid-October. Its start depends on the amount of snow left on the high mountain passes from the winter. The Walker’s Haute Route and Via Alpina have some high passes, which are usually free of snow only in July. Hiking before that could be dangerous without proper skill and equipment. In October, there is usually the first bigger snowfall, and the huts close to prepare for the winter ski season.

Read more about the hiking season in the Swiss Alps here.

We've rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.

The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.

Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

It is best to book your tour early because most accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.

Even though the routes are usually quite close to at least a farm or a small village, they also feature lots of wild and remote sections where you cannot just stop. In case of injury, it’s best to call the local emergency services.

On the other hand, if you just feel that you cannot hike anymore, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to a bigger Swiss city.

Showers in Swiss mountain huts are rare and are only offered for an extra charge. That’s why it’s wise to bring wet wipes with you for the days that you are staying in one of them.

No, because the huts provide their blankets and pillows. Still, you should bring a sleeping liner instead.

Cell connection is very changeable in the mountains. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see a town, you’ll have a reception. Mountain huts are the same — the signal usually doesn’t reach the insides, so try catching it outside. Wifi is available only in some huts, while most don’t have it.

If you dress accordingly, most stages can be done in light rain. However, do not hike if a storm is forecasted. In that case, you can take public transport to the next point when possible to make up for the lost time.

Ratings & Reviews

5.0 average rating

+128

Christopher Turner

Verified customer · 5 days ago

The Tour du Mont Blanc was easily one of the most memorable trips I’ve taken in years. From breathtaking views and warm, welcoming people to delicious food and charming mountain huts, every aspect of the journey was unforgettable. The hikes were significantly more challenging than I had anticipated, but the reward was well worth the effort. I can’t overstate how much smoother and more stress-free the experience was thanks to Hut to Hut’s incredibly detailed guides. Having accommodations pre-booked, access to a well-designed GPS trail map, and a comprehensive guide outlining what to expect, what to pack, and what to watch out for made all the difference. If you’re considering hiking the TMB, I wholeheartedly recommend booking with Hut to Hut. Their support turned a great adventure into an exceptional one.

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Satish Singh

Verified customer · 23 days ago

Samo and Eva did a wonderful job in organizing my six-day Slovenian Mountain Trail hike. From the first contact to the delivery of the package with hike details, hut reservations, GPX etc. was efficient. I had a wonderful challenging hike as a solo self-guided hiker. Samo was supportive to the extent possible for my challenging day #4 from Aljazev Hut to Dolicu Hut in very bad weather. All arrangements worked perfectly. Highly recommend them if you want to take the difficulty out of the organization itself and simply enjoy the hiking expereince.

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Brendan Collins

Verified customer · 23 days ago

Incredibly route through the Karavank & Julien ranges. Huts were rustic & scenic and all check-ins were smooth. The route guides that Hut-to-Hut provided were extremely helpful, available offline & gave us peace of mind while traveling through new territory. Highly recommend.

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bill johnson

Verified customer · 27 days ago

Great Trip, Great Company! Nina and her team handled every detail flawlessly. We had originally planned to join a guided group tour, but choosing the flexibility of sleeping in and setting our own pace turned out to be the best decision—and the savings let us upgrade our hotels. The bag-transfer service was seamless from start to finish. I highly recommend them!

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Duncan Rimmer

Verified customer · about 1 month ago

We did the five day/four night highlight tour and it was breathtaking! The Tours Du Mont Blanc team was very accommodating of our request for private rooms on the hike (when available) and also with last minute logistics due to the Mount Blanc tunnel closure. Samo and Nina were very responsive and answered all of our many questions :).

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Clive Hunt

Verified customer · about 1 month ago

Our walk was brilliant. The maps provided made everything so simple and the accomodation was very good. Having everything organised and nothing to pay for made it so smooth. We were so lucky with the Weather. Only the last 1/2 day was wet. I’m looking forward to our next walk with hut to hut

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Christopher Turner

Verified customer · 5 days ago

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Brendan Collins

Verified customer · 23 days ago

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Duncan Rimmer

Verified customer · about 1 month ago

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Satish Singh

Verified customer · 23 days ago

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bill johnson

Verified customer · 27 days ago

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Clive Hunt

Verified customer · about 1 month ago

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All available guidance options

Self-guided

Are you looking for a good adventure and limitless flexibility? Then you should try out a self-guided tour, perfect for independent explorers who want to set their own pace. Without the need to stick to a group schedule, you’re free to linger at scenic viewpoints while the logistics are taken care of in advance.

Hassle-Free

We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree hike.

Book with confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

Tried & Tested Adventures

Only the best hut to hut hikes of Switzerland, cherry-picked by our local team with an in-depth knowledge of the region.

Unbeatable support

Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.

from 4.965 € /person

Via Alpina Switzerland

Highlights

Itinerary of the trip

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

What to bring to the tour

Frequently Asked Questions

Ratings & Reviews

Christopher Turner

Satish Singh

Brendan Collins

bill johnson

Duncan Rimmer

Clive Hunt

Christopher Turner

Brendan Collins

Duncan Rimmer

Satish Singh

bill johnson

Clive Hunt

Similar Products

All available guidance options

Self-guided

Hassle-Free

Book with confidence

Tried & Tested Adventures

Unbeatable support

Have questions? Talk to us.

Via Alpina Switzerland

Highlights

Itinerary of the trip

Day 1: Sargans – Weisstannen

Day 2: Weisstannen – Elm

Day 3: Elm – Linthal

Day 4: Linthal – Klausenpass

Day 5: Klausenpass – Altdorf

Day 6: Altdorf – Engelberg

Day 7: Engelberg – Engstlenalp

Day 8: Engstlenalp – Meiringen

Day 9: Meiringen – Grindelwald

Day 10: Grindelwald – Wengen

Day 11: Wengen – Murren

Day 12: Murren – Griesalp

Day 13: Griesalp – Kandersteg

Day 14: Kandersteg – Adelboden

Day 15: Adelboden – Lenk

Day 16: Lenk – Gstaad

Day 17: Gstaad – Château-d’Oex

Day 18: Château-d’Oex – Montreux

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

What to bring to the tour

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the season for hut-to-hut hiking in Switzerland?

What do fitness and technical difficulty mean?

How much in advance should I book the tour?

What if I can’t continue the tour?

Are there showers in the mountain huts?

Do I need a sleeping bag?

How good is the cell reception in the mountains? Is there wi-fi in the huts?

What if the weather is bad?

Ratings & Reviews

Christopher Turner

Satish Singh

Brendan Collins

bill johnson

Duncan Rimmer

Clive Hunt

Christopher Turner

Brendan Collins

Duncan Rimmer

Satish Singh

bill johnson

Clive Hunt

Similar Products

All available guidance options

Self-guided

Hassle-Free

Book with confidence

Tried & Tested Adventures

Unbeatable support

Have questions? Talk to us.