Alps Eiger to Matterhorn Trekking Tour
Oberland Trail Across the Iconic Swiss Alps
- Available: July, August, September
- Activity: Level 4
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels, Rustic Lodging
Highlights
- Trek a classic seven-day route through the majestic Swiss Alps, from the great Eiger to the famed Matterhorn
- Pass through storybook Swiss villages, including Murren and Zermatt, and stay in charming chalets
- Follow the lead of expert alpine guides as you challenge yourself on this epic mountain adventure
Itinerary
Arrive in Grindelwald in the Shadow of the Eiger
Day 1
Arrive at Geneva International Airport and transfer by private van to Grindelwald (3,392') in Switzerland's Bernese Alps. This postcard-perfect alpine village is a popular outdoor destination year-round. Dominated by the northern face of the Eiger in the backdrop, Grindelwald is the perfect entry point to the ultimate Alps adventure. Check into the hotel and enjoy some down time or explore the area before the welcome dinner.Accommodation: Hotel Kirchbul
Accommodation: Hotel GletscherblickTransportation: 3-hour private transfer
Meals: Dinner
A First Look at the Eiger Massif
Day 2
Begin your first day with a gondola ride up to Bort (4,700'). Pause to enjoy breathtaking views of the Eiger and Wetterhorn massif. Hike into mountain pastures as you acclimatize on your way to serene Bachalp Lake (7,550') and Hagel Lake (7,800'). There are several options for the descent and your expert guides will select the one that best suits the group.
Accommodation: Hotel Kirchbul
Accommodation: Hotel GletscherblickActivity: 5-8 hours/6.5 miles hiking with an elevation gain/loss of 2,300'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek to Murren via Kleine Scheidegg Pass & Lauterbrunnen
Day 3
Start the day with a train ride to the trailhead in Alpiglen. Then follow the trails through picturesque forests and meadows, guided by the majestic view of the Eiger Nordwand, the infamous north face inaccessible until 1930. Start your descent from the Alpine pass of Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen. From here, a second train transfer will make the long descent into the Lauterbrunnen valley easier. A cable car will take you up to Grutschalp, then you will continue the stage on foot to your hotel in the pretty car-free village of Murren.
Accommodation: Hotel Jungfrau
Activity: 7-8 hours/10 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 2,100' and elevation loss of 2,700'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Soar Among the Bernese Alps on a Hike from Murren to Bundalp
Day 4
From Murren, embark on the North Face Trail of the famous Alpine Pass Route that spans Switzerland. Take in glorious views of the Bernese Alps, lush green meadows and meandering streams, then hike up a steep path to the dazzling Sefienenfurka ridge at 8,568 feet. Descend over a steep and rocky trail to the remote Bundalp village at 6,036 feet, marveling along the way at strange rock formations, sparkling glaciers, and plunging ravines. Stay at a working farm in Bundalp, right in the verdant Kiental Valley.
Accommodation: Mountain Inn Bundalp
Activity: 9-10 hours/10 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 3,300' and an elevation loss of 4,000'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climb Barren Hohturli Pass & Descend to Kandersteg
Day 5
Continue along the Alpine Pass Route over the rocky Hohturli Pass at 8,869 feet, down to the quiet Kandersteg by the Kander River. This is the most challenging hike of the trip, with trails that are barren and steep, yet replete with mesmerizing views of the stark, high, and wild sceneries. Hiking down, admire the turquoise Oeschinen Lake that sparkles among rocky cliffs. Descend by gondola to Kandersteg at 3,560 feet, one of the most idyllic hamlets in Switzerland towered over by the Blumisalp massif.
Accommodation: Hotel Bernerhof
Accommodation: Hotel VictoriaActivity: 7-8 hours/8.5 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 4,700' and loss of 3,900'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey to the Pennine Alps
Day 6
Take a gondola to Sunnbuel and start walking along the serene Daubensee Lake towards the 7,616-foot Gemmi Pass, believed to have been in use as a route since the Bronze Age. Enjoy the first glances of the Valais Alps (Pennines) and the glittering peaks of the Dom, the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn, and the Dent Blanche. Hike down on an impressive path carved into the cliffs, overlooking the town of Leukerbad at the head of the lovely Dala valley. Wave goodbye to the Bernese Alps and stay in the canton of Valais.
Accommodation: Hotel Dala
Activity: 5 hours/10 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 1,640' and an elevation loss of 3,300'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover the Europaweg Trail
Day 7
Cross the Rhone River Valley by bus to arrive at the trailhead in the village of Randa, perched at 4,245 feet. Through the forests, ascend to the well-known Europaweg trail that connects Grachen and Zermatt; it is considered one of the most beautiful hikes in the Alps. Soak up the scenic panoramas and cross the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the Alps, 1,640 feet long and hanging nearly 280 feet above the chasm below. From Tasch, take a 10-minute train ride to Zermatt. Tonight dinner is on your own to explore Zermatt's many gastronomic options.Accommodation: Hotel Butterfly
Activity: 5 hours/7.5 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 3,000' and an elevation loss of 2,800'
Transportation: 40-minute private bus ride
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Admire Sky-High Peaks on Your Way to Zermatt
Day 8
For this last day, Zermatt offers a multitude of hikes to admire the surrounding peaks. Take a beautiful climb through the enchanting forest above the village of Zermatt. Following the beautiful five lakes route, reach the Fluhalp refuge (8,500') in time for lunch. Head back down to Zermatt along the path to the hotel, where a farewell dinner will conclude your journey.
Accommodation: Hotel Butterfly
Activity: 6.5 hours/8 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 3,100' and an elevation loss of 3,100'
Transportation: 3.5-hour private transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Geneva & Depart
Day 9
After breakfast, hop on a private minibus and transfer to Geneva International Airport. Alternatively, take a train from Zermatt to other destinations in Switzerland or Europe on your own. Flights departing from Geneva this day should be scheduled after 2:00 pm.Transportation: 3.5-hour private transfer
Meals: Breakfast
Why Travel With Us?
MT Sobek has been leading epic adventures in the Alps since the 1970s.
Our hand-selected alpine guides are true local experts with decades of guiding experience in the Alps.
We ensure that you experience the Alps like a local on an itinerary designed for active travelers who prefer an authentic experience.
Know Before You Book
On Night-4 you stay at a rustic farmhouse auberge located on a real farm. This is a very basic accommodation, and might be considered one of the challenging aspects of this trip. You will have a small, private guestroom in a converted loft space located in the barn above the cows. Guestrooms are equipped with a bed, clean sheets, a pillow and blankets, and there is electricity. There are two bathrooms on the lower floor of the barn, and a shower room (with 2 showers) located in the detached main building near the dining room. This is the only available option for this part of the trek.
Dates & Prices
Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Laurent L.
Laurent hails from Normandy, France, having grown up in Argentan. In 1991, he obtained his European Mountain Leader certification, and in 1995 he was awarded the coveted patch of the Compagnie des Guides. Laurent has been guiding for MT Sobek since 1995, and is a senior guide on our Alps trips, he has hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc close to 100 times! When he isn't guiding for MT Sobek, he teaches First Aid and Mountain Rescue to mountain and hiking guides. During the winter, he's a ski patrol monitor in the mountains above Chamonix.
Florence S.
A native of Chamonix, Florence is a descendant from two of the area’s oldest families. After growing up in the Chamonix Valley, “Flo” spent several years in the south of France, and then traveled abroad to South America and Asia. She returned to her ancestral home, where the mountains now form an integral part of her life. She has led nearly 50 trips to the Alps, not counting how many times she has done this trip for her own fun! In addition to being an accomplished hiking guide, Flo is a skier and climber. As a member of the Compagnie des Guides, she follows in the footsteps of her forefathers.
Beatrice M.
Beatrice is a native of Chamonix, France, and has been guiding professionally in the Alps since 1989. She comes from a family of mountain climbers and her grandfather was also a professional mountain guide. Aside from being an expert hiking guide, Beatrice is also an avid climber and accomplished skier, and is a ski instructor during the winter months. She loves the mountains and will share her enthusiasm and in-depth experience with you during your trip.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 4. On this trek you will be hiking up to 10 hours a day, at elevations of up to 8,890 feet. The trails are often rocky, making this a challenging experience. To enjoy, you need to be in an excellent physical condition and have a similar previous experience of hiking in the mountains.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
5-8 hours/6.5 miles hiking with an elevation gain/loss of 2,300'
Day 3
7-8 hours/10 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 2,100' and elevation loss of 2,700'
Day 4
9-10 hours/10 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 3,300' and an elevation loss of 4,000'
Day 5
7-8 hours/8.5 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 4,700' and loss of 3,900'
Day 6
5 hours/10 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 1,640' and an elevation loss of 3,300'
Day 7
5 hours/7.5 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 3,000' and an elevation loss of 2,800'
Day 8
6.5 hours/8 miles hiking with an elevation gain of 3,100' and an elevation loss of 3,100'
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Charming family-run inns and alpine hotels with well-appointed rooms and regional cuisine, plus a night's stay in a rustic farmhouse.
Hotel Butterfly
A part of the Best Western Signature Collection, Hotel Butterfly occupies a quiet location in the center of Zermatt. Alpine-style rooms have en-suite bathrooms, and all come equipped with flat-screen TVs. Guests can unwind at the wellness area with a Finnish sauna, an infra-red cabin and a steam room, and enjoy the on-site restaurant and cocktail bar.
Hotel Kirchbul
Situated in a calm setting amidst the towering Swiss Alps, this hotel offers very cozy chalet-style accommodations. Travelers can look out onto the UNESCO Heritage Jungfrau Aletsch, and enjoy delicious Bernese cuisine with high quality ingredients from the region. The hotel was awarded a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice award in 2024. The spa is impeccable with a Finnish sauna, steam bath, and bubble bath along with an indoor pool and fitness center. Hotel Kirchbuhl is a wonderful place to refresh the body and spirit!
Mountain Inn Bundalp
Part of a working farm, the cozy and rustic Mountain Inn Bundalp offers deep insights into alpine living in remote mountains. Electricity is provided by hydropower, the food served is locally grown, and the family that runs the farm also operates a small cheesemaking business. The accommodations are simple and authentic, as is the experience.
Hotel Bernerhof
The historic Hotel Bernerhof occupies a prime spot beneath the Blumlisalp, Kandersteg's local mountain. All 45 rooms come with balconies as well as amenities like bath/shower, TV, and Wi-Fi. The cozy restaurant serves both international and Swiss dishes, and the spa is well-equipped, featuring an experience shower, sauna, soft steam bath, ice grotto, and wellness Kneipp pools.
Hotel Dala
Located near the Gemmi Pass, the family run Hotel Dala is a comfortable stay for travelers. The individually decorated guest rooms feature a range of amenities like Wi-Fi, a balcony with great mountain views, and flat screen TVs. The on-site restaurant serves a hearty buffet breakfast, and there is a wellness oasis with a sauna, gym, massage, and steam bath.
Hotel Jungfrau
Hotel Gletscherblick
Hotel Victoria
Weather
Mountain weather can quickly change from warm to cold and wet or windy. Snow is possible at the higher passes. Come prepared for everything.
FAQs
A MT Sobek representative will meet you in the arrivals hall of the Geneva International Airport (GVA) between 1:30pm and 2:00pm on Day 1.
Pretty basic. Guestrooms are very small and lacking in amenities. There is little privacy. This is an authentic mountain adventure!
Proper ankle-high, waterproof hiking boot, a daypack large enough to carry your all weather layers, and trekking poles!
While Switzerland is known for delicious breads and pastas, with advance notice, we can accommodate most diets, including gluten-free.
People who love to hike! This is a trip designed for outdoorsy people who are more interested in mountains and nature, than city tours.