Walking holiday in the Swiss Alps
My parents holidayed here in the 1960’s and always talked about how stunning it was so when a chance came for me to go, courtesy of Inghams Walking Holidays, I snatched it with both hands. Switzerland is a year-round destination; it’s a paradise for skiers and hikers of all abilities. Walking holidays are usually around 7 days in total, with flights, train pass, hotels, and 2 guided walks a week, other suggestions about what to do are included in the pack you receive. You can choose the level of walking you want to do so no pressure to be able to hike miles to see some stunning vistas.
We flew into Zurich and make an easy train transfer to Grindelwald, located in the Jungfraujoch region, surrounded by peaks, the most infamous being the Eiger.
The high-speed trains meant we made the journey in just 3 hours very comfortably; we travelled First Class which is worth the uplift for space and comfort. The Swiss Travel Pass allows you the flexibility to board trains, buses and boats and is free of charge for kids 15 and under (entry to over 500 museums is also included in the cost).
Our hotel; The Derby was located right near the train station in the centre of Grindelwald. It is family owned and operated; all the staff were super-friendly. The rooms were comfortable and spacious, mine came with a view of the Eiger! The cheese fondue was the best in town!
There are hundreds of things to do here in the summer, as we only had two clear days, we packed it in and took the Eiger Express; the cable car swiftly up to the base of the mountains. From here you board the cog wheel railway which takes you to ‘The Top of Europe’ the highest train station at 3454m above sea level. The track winds through a seven-kilometre tunnel burrowed deep within the Eiger and Monch mountains, an engineering feat! You emerge at the top in a wonderland of ice, snow and rock! You get views of the Aletsch Glacier which is largest expanse of ice in the Alps. There is even an ice palace you can walk through, a chocolate shop and a restaurant with stunning views! We then hiked the Eiger Trail (7kms, easy-moderate) past the infamous North Face. You wonder at why climbers are drawn to it, one false move and you’re a goner!
The second day was spent in the clouds, literally, we took a bus up to Grindelwald First Mountain where the bus had to pull over to let a herd of cows’ pass! Swiss cows are prized possessions as they produce the world-famous milk that they make Swiss cheese and chocolate from. The bus dropped us off so we could walk the 5kms through the clouds to the cable car, which we rode the First Flyer, a glider which you are strapped to and fly headfirst at 80 km an hour down the mountain! We then took mountain carts the rest of the way down the mountain which was loads of fun!
There are endless walks and cycle routes you can do. Or if you want excitement; Paragliding, Abseiling, Tobogganing and Canyoning are all on offer. If you want to relax there is an amazing spa at the beautiful Romantik hotel which you get a day pass for. They also have an amazing restaurant there!
We took a walk through a Glacier Gorge on a suspended walkway, seeing the power of the water that has cut through the rock is awe-inspiring. Switzerland is a very pretty country, and has left me wanting to explore more, added to my list are Zermatt, Lucerne and the famous Bernina Express train ride!
