The Via Alpina East

Zurich is easily accessible by train from Zurich Airport (10 mins), Geneva (3 hours) or Bern (1.5  hours).

Zurich is the biggest city in Switzerland, yet despite this, it is compact and easily navigable on foot. The city has many important museums like the Swiss National Museum and the Kunsthaus. If museums aren’t your thing, wander down to the picturesque Zurichsee with an ice-cream and watch the world go by.

Start the day with a scenic train journey (approx. 1 hour) to the small town of Sargans and the official start of the Via Alpina. Today is a gentle day and a great introduction to the trek. Heading out of Sargans, walk through several small towns and hamlets before breaking free of the road. As you ascend, you will soon find yourself above vineyards with views of Sargans and Mels and the mountains of Liechtenstein. Re-join the country road at the town of Schwendi and follow it to Weisstannen, a peaceful, traditional alpine village.

Ascent/Descent: 641m/144m

Warm up with an easy-going 9km walk on a country road before starting the ascent to the first pass of the trail, the Foopass (2223m). This is an exciting day of walking as you enter the Via Alpina's proper mountainous arena. The ascent is steady and surrounded by alpine farmland, fields, waterfalls and marmots. The Foopass also marks the border between St Gallen and Glarus, and you will notice a definite change in the character of the terrain from here on. Descend to the attractive town of Elm, home to a 15th-century church with a backdrop of Piz Sardona and Piz Segnas. 

Ascent/Descent: 1292m/1301m

Today is a long but rewarding day. There are two passes to cross, although the first is unnamed and relatively insignificant. The second is the Richetlipass at 2261m. The ascent is on steep zig zags, becoming even steeper just before arriving at the pass. Enjoy views over the deep Durnachtal valley from the top before beginning the sharp descent into it! The path down is narrow and tricky in wet weather, so take your time. There is a short section of descent with a fixed chain over a particularly craggy area. Arrive in Linthal, a small village framed by ’Toedi’, a 3614m peak known as the ’King of Little Mountains’. Take the funicular (10 mins) to the traffic-free hamlet of Braunwald, 600m above Linthal.

Ascent/Descent: 1394m/1676m

From Braunwald, take the high balcony path to the resort of Urnerboden. The Urnerboden valley is one of the most dramatic in the Alps. Its large, flat bottom is covered in typical pasture and farmland, and the impressively tall walls on both sides are impressive.

Ascent/Descent: 425m/305m

Today’s objective is the Klausenpass at 1948m. Although not exceptionally high for an alpine pass, it is historically significant as it has been the main crossing point between the cantons of Glarus and Uri for centuries. It is also the first pass in Switzerland that is accessible to motorized traffic. The descent is pleasant, through fields and forests, passing the hamlet of Aesch and its breathtaking Staeubifall waterfall. Arrive at Unterschaechen and take the bus to Altdorf (30 mins)., the capital of Uri.

Ascent/Descent: 587m/943m

Today’s walk is considered one of the finest stages of the Via Alpina. Start by taking the bus to Attinghausen (10 mins), then hop on the cable car to Bruesti at 1525m. Steadily ascend to Surenenpass (2291m), passing tiny houses, huts and farms. In the distance, catch a glimpse of the turquoise waters of Lake Lucerne. Offering a spectacular mountain vista dominated by the diagonal jagged peak of Mount Titlis (3238m), the pass is the perfect place for a break. When ready, begin the descent to Engelberg, a famous mountain resort.

Ascent/Descent: 784m/1317m

Arrive at the Jochpass at 2207m and gently descend to Engstlensee, a large alpine lake. The snowy peak of the Wetterhorn appears up ahead– a taste of the Bernese Oberland, which is still to come. From Engstlenalp, take a balcony path high above the Central Valley. Wetterhorn views continue to dominate, and waterfalls cascade down the valley's east wall. Arrive at the small village of Reuti, from where you can descend to Meiringen on foot or by cable car. Meiringen is a small but busy town known for being where Sherlock Holmes met his maker in the popular Conan-Doyle stories.

Ascent/Descent: 0m/1610m

This area is popular with tourists and locals in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. It can feel like it lacks a particular ‘wilderness’ found in other sections of the trail. However, the extensive infrastructure enables flexibility when it comes to walking distances. Walk through the wooded Reichenbachtal and begin a steady ascent to Grosse Scheidegg (1962m), a large mountain pass offering splendid views. On a clear day, catch a first glimpse of the mighty Eiger standing tall at 3,967m. Descend steeply to the hotel Wetterhorn, and the going gets a bit easier. Arrive in the bustling town of Grindelwald, a famous mountaineering centre. Exactly halfway through the trail, this is the perfect place to have a rest day or even upgrade your hotel to a 4* spa hotel for a bit of relaxation.  

Ascent/Descent: 1525m/1070m

Check out of your hotel after breakfast. Grindelwald is served by railway and you can reach many Swiss and European destinations from here.  If you would like even more hiking, and would like more time to explore the Bernese Oberland, you may be interested in our Best of the Bernese Oberland tours. Just ask our Destination Specialists for more information.