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Trip Overview
Discover a world of wildflowers, waterfalls, and glaciers |
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Hiking in the Swiss Alps: Frequently-Asked Questions about Edelweiss From our base in the bustling alpine village of Zermatt, explore 388 kilometers of spectacular and well-marked trails. One day, hike past fields of wildflowers and tall waterfalls; the next, take a cablecar to the frosty world of a mountain glacier. This FAQ page is intended to accompany other pages about this trip and about our company (see links at left). Some of the answers below may include links to other other sites; please use the BACK key of your browser to return to this page. Contents:
Where is Zermatt? How do I get there?
If you’re flying to Switzerland, Geneva is the closest major city to Zermatt. Milan, Italy is equally close, but is convenient only if you're flying into the Linate airport, which offers fairly easy access to the city and train station; Milan's Malpensa is much further out. Zurich and Basel are only slightly farther, and Swiss rail transportation is excellent, so you can pick an entry point based on what city you’d like to visit, or where you get the best fares. Some people fly into Paris, Munich, or another cities they’ve always wanted to see. You’ll need to change trains in Brig or Visp, at the bottom of the valley and about an hour from Zermatt, no matter where you come from. Should I get a Swiss rail pass?
If you are not doing additional travel within Switzerland, we recommend the Swiss Card (not to be confused with the Swiss Pass), which will (as of this writing -- subject, but not likely, to change), get you from your entry point (the Swiss border, or any airport in Switzerland) to most destinations (including Zermatt and Grindelwald), and back; it also gives you a 50% discount on additional travel (including some of the lifts and railroads from Zermatt.) You can find out more about various passes from RailEurope. But please remember: We never promised that this was simple. When does the trip start and end?
This is called a 7-day trip. Exactly what does that mean?
Our "7-day" trip thus consists of 6 full days and two partial days. Some companies promote a trip of this length as being 8 days since it includes pieces of 8 different days. We feel it's more accurate to refer to this as 7 days. I'm traveling alone. Will everyone else be in couples?
You don't need to pay the single supplement if you're traveling alone. We'll be happy to match you with a roommate. Pay the single supplement only if you want a bedroom to yourself. I'm not in great shape. Will this trip be too strenuous for me?
How do your various Swiss hiking trips differ?
Each is designed so that those wanting shorter or easier hikes can have a good time, while avid hikers will never run out of new trails to explore. However, there are differences that may help you select the best holiday for you. Edelweiss was the first hiking trip we ever offered, and we designed it to accommodate all levels. An inexperienced hiker, or someone with less energy, can use the trams to enjoy a variety of hikes and terrain while hiking just two or three hours a day - or, for that matter, not hiking at all. Typically, most of our group heads out together in the morning, and during the day, our guide suggests options for those who want a shorter, or longer, day. Grindelwald, too, easily accommodates both lower and higher levels of hiking energy and enthusiasm. It's notably well situated for anyone who hopes to take several day trips that don't involve hiking. From Grindelwald, it's simple to catch a train to the medieval town of Thun, to nearby Interlaken, or for a steamship ride on Lake Brienz. Alpenglow, our newest Swiss hiking trip, was planned to take advantage of trails around Zermatt that go further from the cog-rail and tram lines. The hiking routes we plan each day will be most fun for those able to hike five or six hours a day, with plenty of stops. If you want shorter hikes, however, that's not a problem. Some days you can start out with the group and our guide will suggest ways to easier routes. Other days, our guide will help you plan a shorter but scenic hike you can do independently. What's the difference between Zermatt and Grindelwald?
Grindelwald, in a more central part of Switzerland known as the Bernese Oberlands, is our base for third hiking holiday: Grindelwald. Here, it's the mighty Jungfrau and Eiger mountains that rise above us. Both of these alpine locations offer varied and dramatic mountain scenery, while also providing the amenities of a small, attractive alpine villages. Grindelwald is some 2000 feet lower, however, so your lungs will acclimatize faster. That also puts it well below the treeline, and we'll spend more time in forests and walking alongside pasturelands. On the trails above Zermatt, on the other hand, you'll more often get to enjoy sweeping views from mountain peaks and ridges. What's the weather like around Zermatt?
We don't quite get the meteorology, but somehow the Matterhorn and the adjacent Alps serve as a moisture block, making the Zermatt region fairly dry. On our trips in June through September, we've rarely had more than half a day of rain during the course of a week. However, mountain weather anywhere can change quickly, and we recommend that you always carry a light waterproof top. How much extra money should I budget for this trip?
Breakfast and lunch: We stay in apartments, rather than hotels. That means you get the comfort of a living room and the convenience of a kitchen. Most people buy breakfast supplies, and take a picnic lunch some days. Dinners: Three dinners are included: an opening night buffet and reception; a mid-week dinner party; and a dinner toward the end of the week. On our last night, we've traditionally had a pot-luck dinner. So that leaves only three dinners open: You can cook in your apartment inexpensively, enjoy a good meal at a restaurant for as little as $12-$20, or pay up to $50 for a gourmet dinner with wine. Lifts: One appeal of Zermatt is that it's easy to get to higher elevations, and other mountains, by way of trams, lifts, and Europe's highest open-air cog railroad. You don't need to use these; there's a great variety of hikes right from the town. But using the lifts will give you access to a greater range of sights. Our package includes two of the most dramatic of these: A ride to the top of the peak known as Klein Matterhorn, and to the glacial moraine at Blauherd. Most people spend $40-$80 a week on further lift and mountain railway tickets. If I don't want to hike every day, are there other things to do in Zermatt?
Will I need good map-reading skills for this trip?
However, the more popular hiking trails in the Alps are generally well marked, with clear signs that indicate distances in walking hours (Std.=stunde, German for hour.) Yellow signs mark a wanderweg, a relatively easy trail. The more difficult Bergwegs (mountain trails) are marked with white-red-white blazes at the top. These may involve scrambling over rocks occasionally, or narrow trails that occasionally wind near a vertical drop. Swiss trails occasionally cross onto private property. You’re welcome to hike here, but close the gates after you, to keep the sheep or cows in. You’ll see signs that say, Bitte die Tur Schliessen, which means literally Please the gate close. Some fences are electrified. You’ll see the telltale plastic or glass insulators. Gates on such fences have plastic latches for you to use. What language do they speak in this part of Switzerland?
Will Zermatt's high altitude make me tire faster?
You'll certainly feel the thin air when we take a aerial tram up to the top of Klein Matterhorn, but there's no actual hiking to do up there, so it won't be a problem. What is the Glacier Express?
If your schedule allows, we encourage you to travel to or from Zermatt via the the Glacier Express. You can take it all the way to or from St. Moritz, or you can go to Chur and transfer to a direct train to Zurich. If you've got a choice, taking the train at the end of the week gives you a chance to share the journey with new friends. You can use the web to check Glacier Express Schedules. Can I talk to someone who's been on this trip?
Our website includes a full page of comments from past travelers. Most of them have volunteered to talk about their experiences with future potential travelers. Please call for the names and phone numbers of references in your area.
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