There are numerous possibilities for hiking in the Swiss Alps. Two of the best are in the Bernese Oberland and Matterhorn regions.
To hike in the Bernese Oberland start your journey by taking the mountain train from Interlaken to Grindelwald. When you arrive there is an array of hotels, restaurants and trails awaiting you here. This is a popular destination so make reservations in advance. Another popular option is Switzerland’s Mountain Inns: A Walking Vacation in a World Apart
Trail 1 First, Bernese Oberland
I strongly recommend you take a 35 minute ride on the cable car to First. From the café at the top you have a sweeping view of the mountains and there are a numbered of well signed trails. A favourite option is to hike to Bachalpsee which takes about one hour and then you continue down into the valley. Or you can start immediately down the hill which takes about 2 ½ hours to reach Grindelwald.
Trail 2 Mannlichen and the Eiger, Bernese Oberland
For a second hike hike up the mountain which takes about four hours. You can also take the cable car to the restaurant at the top. From the top ridge you are able to see the mountains in all four directions, absolutely awesome.
Continue along the 1 ½ hour hiking trail from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg located on the north face of the Eiger, the most popular trail in the area. Then from Kleine Scheidegg you can hike part way up the Eiger Mountain. To return simply walk down the mountain or as most people do take the train.
Trail 3 Gornergrat, Zermatt
The Matterhorn is perhaps the most famous mountain in the Swiss Alps, To get there take the mountain train from Brig for the 1 ½ hour ride up to Zermatt. The helpful tourist information office is located in the train station. Leaving the train station you must either walk or take one of the electric carts to your accommodation as no cars are permitted in town.
For accommodation options visit Switzerland’s Mountain Inns: A Walking Vacation in a World Apart
You have plenty of hiking options as there are 36 mountains over 4,000 meters. One of the best is to take the Gornergrat mountain railway on the valley opposite the Matterhorn and using one of several trails hike to the Sunnegga Funicular for the rid back to Zermatt.
Trail 4 The Matterhorn, Zermatt
Many hikers chose to take the cable cars to Klein Matterhorn, on top of Europe, with sweeping views of the Swiss Alps. From nearby Schwarzsee is an easy, but long seven hour walk back down the mountain to Zermatt.
If you have a Swiss rail pass you can get discounts from the various mountain railways and cable car operators. Evenings are interesting in Zermatt as everyone is a hiker or mountain biker and they are all walking this scenic village with backpacks before locating a restaurant for dinner after a full day of outdoor hiking.
Hiking in the Swiss Alps is the ultimate experience.
Walking Easy: in the Swiss and Austrian Alps
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Originally posted 2010-01-21 12:17:59.
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Imagine staying in a villa or apartment on a working winery in the hills of Tuscany. You look out the window and see the workers in the vineyards. As a part of your walk go for a wine tasting, the wines of Chianti will definitely be on your dinner table.
There are two areas for your walking holiday in Tuscany. In the Chianti area stay in the town of Greve, located about mid way between Florence and Siena with frequent bus service. Your walks will take you along country roads passing vineyards, olive groves and stone villages such as Montefioralle and Radda. The small quaint village of Radda, in particular has some great cafes for a lunch or dinner stop.
There are walks are available in both directions from Greve. There are a number of trails and country roads, not always with signs so a map or guide is a must. An excellent reference is Walking and Eating in Tuscany and Umbria:
How far you hike each day will be determined by the number of wineries you visit along the way. At dinner head into Greve and the Coop grocery store, and cook in your villa. There are many restaurants surrounding the town square as well to sample the Italian cuisine.
Another fun area for a walking holiday is nearby and just to the west in San Gimignano. A pedestrian friendly (no cars allowed) mountaintop town with 13 towers remaining from the medieval times it is busy with shoppers during the day, however at night you have the town to yourself. As you explore the town visit the old walls, the cathedral and weekly market.
You will start your walks by heading downhill from San Gimignano to the village of Certaldo in one direction or the Roman town of Volterra in the other direction. The walks in this area will take your 3-4 days. Use the local bus service to get to the start.
Avoid the hot summer months a time your walking holiday in Tuscany for May/June or September/October harvest season.
Great walking routes, wonderful food, the Chianti wines, stone villages and the wonderful scenic hills of Tuscany all make for the best walking holiday ever!
Walking and Eating in Tuscany and Umbria: Revised Edition
Price: $13.6
Pages: 416, Edition: Rev Sub, Paperback, Penguin (Non-Classics)
50 Hikes In & Around Tuscany: Hiking the Mountains, Forests, Coast & Historic Sites of Wild Tuscany & Beyond
Price: $11.53
Pages: 288, Paperback, Countryman
Originally posted 2009-10-14 17:22:59.
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When walking the Lake District a must do is Haystacks made famous by Alfred Wainwright. Located at the head of the Buttermere Valley, near Keswick, this 1775 foot ascent is over a rocky, rough trail, even steep in spots. You can even expect some easy scrambling as you near the summit. Although Haystacks is not as high as some of the neighbouring peaks you will find amazing views of of the Buttermere valley and surounding mountains of the northern Lake District.
In this video about walking the Lake District Wainwright talks about his beloved Haystacks still popular.
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Want a fairytale walking holiday, then visit Tegelberg located in the Alps of Bavaria, south of Munich, Germany. This trip is suitable for moderate level hikers.
Stay in the town of Schwangau. Start your walking holiday by walking along a local road for about two kilometers to the base of the mountain. The cows spend the night in town and head out into the fields in the early morning and returning about 5 p.m. causing all traffic to stop and wait for the herd to cross. Best vantage point is the outside patio with great beer on the main road.
If you want to see the famous castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein built by King Ludwig purchase your tickets for the English language tours at the base of the mountains and plan to take most of your first day for this. Another great castle build by King Ludwig is the nearby Linderfhof, his summer home, and also worth a visit.
For the hike take the steep walk up the mountain to Neuschwanstein which takes 40-60 minutes. There is a café near the top to relax. Just past the castle follow the hiking trails to the Marienbrucke (bridge) which provides an excellent view of the castles, Schwangau and lake below.
Continue along the trail over to the Tegelberg where there is a panoramic restaurant and plenty of hang gliders to watch. From the top take the three hour hike back down the mountain which offers amazing scenery at every turn. Expect to take about 7-8 hours to complete the entire hike.
On your third day you could take the cable car up Tegelberg to walk along one of the trails departing from the panorama restaurant.
These are other great hikes in the Bavarian Alps can be found in Walking in the Bavarian Alps
With the fairytale castles, fine beer, amazing scenery a walking holiday in Tegelberg, Bavaria makes for a great vacation.
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These are seven of the top European Walking Holidays. All offer the mandatory excellent hiking trails and scenery, great accommodation with plenty of other attractions for an very active vacation.Join a guided tour such as HF Holidays or Ramblers or plan your own walking holiday.
Northern Lake District, England
Looking for hills such as Haystacks made famous by authors such as Wainwright then base yourself in the bustling resort town of Keswick. There is plenty of hiking opportunities right from the town itself or using the ferry across Derwentwater. Climbs of up 2,000 to 3,000 feet are rocky trails are common although gently slopes are also available. Stop at a tea room in the hills during while walking and it seems there is always a pub at the finish. Take a good map as trail signs are limited such as The Lake District (Regional Guide)
Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
Take the mountain railway from Griendelwald where there are plenty of alpine inns for your walking holiday. With cable cars and mountain trains heading in every direction you can make your hike on the wide and well signed hiking trails as easy or difficult as you want. The two most popular trails depart from First and Kleine Scheidegg to the famous Eiger although the trail to Mannlichen is very gentle with incredible views of the Alps. For additional information see Walking Easy in the Italian & French Alps (Walking Guides)
Dordogne, France
This region is southern France is a great holiday destination with walking trails, wonderful cuisine, excellent wines and stone walled villages along the picturesque Dordogne River. Walk along the river and stop at the imposing hilltop Chateau de Castelnaud or Castle Breynac from the 100 years war. Walk on a trail on the valley floor with majestic Rocamadour hanging from the side of the cliffs. The trails are well marked and easy to follow in this region.
Schwangau, Germany
In a list of the top European Walking Holidays Bavaria may not be top of mind, however it should be. Located near Fussen in Bavaria this town is best known as the site of King Ludwig’s legendary castle, Neuschwanstein. Take a walk up to the two castles for a tour and nearby Tegelberg for some excellent hiking trails. Hiking is on good and well signed trail system throughout this section of the Alps. You walking holiday can also include some walking in nearby Austria and pedestrian friendly Munich. There are plenty in Bavarian inns for your accommodation.
Lake District, Austria
Start your walking holiday in Salzburg, a great city to tour on foot for a few days. Then head to nearby Lake Wolfgang which offers excellent bed & breakfast or hotel accommodation and wonderful scenery. There are plenty of hiking opportunities ranging from the picture postcard village of Hallstadt to historic St. Gilgen and the surrounding summits.
Lake Garda, Italy
Stay in one of the many hotels in Riva or any of the towns on the north end of the lake for the best hiking. Use the local ferry to journey to other nearby towns such as Limone for your daily hiking. The extensive trail network in the mountains climbing to 2,500 feet and can be steep at times, and although signed, can get confusing so be sure to carry a good map. Afterwards relax in a local café, lakeside for some excellent wines and Italian food. Walking in Italy
Cinque Terre, Italy
This is a famous walking holidays that everybody wants to do. Picturesque villages such as Vernazza cling to the rocky cliffs. he trails are rocky rising up to 2,700 feet along a dramatic coastline with terraced vineyards.
For a great European Walking Holidays choose one of these seven destinations on your next vacation.
Walking Easy: in the Swiss and Austrian Alps
Price: $17.05
Pages: 223, Edition: 0, Paperback, iUniverse, Inc.
Walking in the Alps: A Comprehensive Guide to Walking and Trekking Throughout the Alps
Price: $32.7
Pages: 495, Edition: 2nd, Paperback, Cicerone Press
Originally posted 2009-10-01 13:27:59.
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