GLACIER EXPRESS HIKING TRIP
Explore the Most Beautiful Destinations Along the Iconic Train Route
"Out the window of the Glacier Express": 10 days of hiking along the famous route of the Glacier Express train, from Zermatt (Valais) to St. Moritz (Graubünden), staying in luxury accommodations along the way.
Zermatt: Starting in Zermatt, under the Matterhorn, spend 2 days exploring the postcard surroundings, hiking through summer villages, and dining at some of the best mountain restaurants in the world. Resting by night at The Omnia Mountain Lodge 5*, a contemporary & luxurious interpretation of the Swiss mountain hut.
Aletsch Glacier - Andermatt: From Zermatt, head north across the Swiss Rhône Valley, to the Aletsch Glacier region, the largest glacier in continental Europe. The incredible views are a cause for reflection, witness the changing environment, the receding glacier, and the new species moving in. From the Aletsch, board the Glacier Express to Andermatt, an isolated village in the little-known Swiss canton of Uri. A valley so untouched and beautiful that H.G. Wells referred to it as “The Modern Utopia”, back at the turn of the last century. Relax in luxury at the Chedi Andermatt 5*.
Headwaters of the Rhine - Valsertal: A day hiking above Andermatt on the Oberalp Pass, leads us farther east and on to the long-awaited Vals Thermes, the renowned thermal baths designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. This is Romansch country, where the fourth official language of Switzerland is kept alive - barely - in communities like this one. After 2 days of soaking and soothing, continue your journey towards St. Moritz, boarding the train to the Albula pass, and arriving in the idyllic Engadin Valley by foot, over the Fuorcla Crap Alv 2466 m.
Engadin-St. Moritz: While St. Moritz is known for the glitz and glamour, we think the best parts are the lesser-known villages and hotels which remain unchanged, despite the glamour surrounding them, like the patrician village of Pontresina and the Grand Hotel Kronenhof 5*. From here, explore the Engadin Valley ad its endless hiking trails.
Itinerary in brief:
- Day 1: Arrive Zermatt, relax & recuperate, optional afternoon hike
- Day 2: Hike Zermatt - Gornergrat train and Findeln gourmet lunch
- Day 3: Hike Zermatt - Zmutt and the farming villages, Zum See lunch
- Day 4: Hike Altesch Glacier UNESCO region, Glacier Express to Andermatt
- Day 5: Hike to a small alpine farm in Andermatt, cheesemaking & tasting
- Day 6: Hike Oberalp and the head waters of the Rhine River
- Day 7: Hike Vals and soak in the award winning baths Therme Vals
- Day 8: Glacier Express to Albula Pass, hike to Engadin
- Day 9: Hike St. Moritz region - idylic Fextal and carriage ride
- Day 10: Hike Swiss National Park in the lower Engadin Valley
Highlights
- The Glacier Express train route - a bucket list journey for all seasoned travelers
- Lunches at some of the top mountain restaurants in the world in Zermatt & St. Moritz
- Hiking in the shadow of the majestic Matterhorn
- Traverse the Aletsch Glacier UNESCO region, crossing the Aletsch suspension bridge across the 80m-deep Massa Gorge
- Relax and recuperate in the Chedi Andermatt's extensive 2,400m2 spa and wellness centre
- Visit to a small alpine dairy for an authentic cheesemaking demonstration and tasting
- Enjoy the scenery from the train as you descend
- Soak in the Thermes Vals, the renowned thermal baths designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor
- Ride the Albula Line through switchback tunnels, and over Rheinschlucht Gorge and the famous Landwasser Viaduct
- Explore the Swiss National Park in the lower Engadin Valley
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WHAT WE DO
Epic Europe is a luxury experiential adventure travel operator based in the Swiss Alps.
Epic Europe specializes in private bespoke itineraries for small groups. Experiencing the best of each region, from interacting with the local people and enjoying authentic regional food and wine, as well as time-honored traditions and festivals, to recreating in the alpine landscape, and truly understanding why the Alps are the birthplace of adventure travel. From custom ski, hiking, or cycling trips to building in city tours, cultural itineraries, or gastronomic discovery, these award-winning, multi-dimensional trips are tailored to our clients' wishes every time, and are not packaged tours. From Switzerland, Italy, and France's Alps, to world-class cultural cities and larger towns, Epic Europe can design a tailored adventure that fulfills your every need.
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"I would have to say that Verbier and Zermatt might be the best places I have ever ridden a mountain bike, and I couldn't imagine going without the help of Epic Europe's guides. It was a dream trip for sure." - B.S., PA USA
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“The team at Epic Europe created the most incredible trip for us, where everything came together seamlessly, and we never had to think about what came next - it just magically happened as if it was meant to be. That takes real talent, and they make it look easy." - B.N., WY USA
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"I have done trips in the Alps and surrounding regions with Epic Europe for the past 4 years, and every one has been unique and surpassed the last. The experiences that they deliver due to their personal relationships are a window into the real life in these incredible locations, and they share these friendships with us." - K.B., CT USA
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"Hiking in the Alps has always been on my bucket list, but I wasn't sure that a typical trip was my style. Epic Europe designed a custom route for our group, staying in the best little inns and hotels, and we felt like we had the trails to ourselves. I will come back again and again to explore new trails with their guides every year that I can!" - R.B., NY USA
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"Epic Europe has coordinated several corporate events for us over the past 5 years, and I cannot imagine a more professional operation to handle all of the details. From a team-building event for 50 people in a 17th-century castle atop a mountain pass, to marketing conferences and catalog shoots, their knowledge of the best locations in the Alps is second-to-none, and they are as good as it gets at being creative." - E.P., Lugano CH
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"Epic Europe's custom road biking trip that they put together for my buddy's bachelor party was great - the right combination of killer rides, great hotels, and outstanding restaurants. Great guides, and overall a perfect trip." - A.S., London UK
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"Our family spent last Christmas in Zermatt on a bespoke Epic Europe ski trip. The special thought and care that they put into our holiday made it our best yet." - L.M.; CA USA
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"A day of heliskiing in Italy culminated with a sunset run off the Breuil saddle of the Matterhorn - one of the most thrilling runs of my life - and we left our tracks in a place where they remained for a week afterward, reminding us of the best day of skiing in our life!" - WG, CT USA
PROCESS
Would you like more information, or to have us create a tailored trip for you? We would be glad to begin the design process for your ultimate experience in the Alps.
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