Every inch of the landlocked Switzerland is a sight to behold. World-famous for its untouched nature and Alpine wonders, it’s the perfect location for your week-long hiking holidays in an all-women group! By going hut-to-hut (or hotel-to-hotel), you’ll have plenty of time to follow sky-reaching trails, quaint Swiss villages, high alpine passes, sparkling lakes, and so much more. This hiking journey is ideal for women who have strong legs and good stamina, as you’ll be gaining significant elevation gains every day—but the views, the authentic Swiss experience, and the all-women company will make you forget about your sore legs and keep you pushing!
Make your way to Sarnen in Switzerland, a small picturesque town nestled on the shores of a lake with the same name. Aim to arrive by 5:30 so you have enough time to settle into your hotel before having a welcome dinner with your guide and your team. Maybe there will even be time for a quick dip in the lake! Get a good night’s sleep—tomorrow the hiking begins.
Accommodation: Bed & breakfast in Sarnen
Hop on a bus that will take you to the end of the high Melchtal valley. From there, climb along the Innenbachtal up to Frutt. You will reach Älggialp over a small pass, the geographical center of Switzerland! This is where you’ll spend the night.
Hiking: 4 hours, 6.5 km / 4 miles
Elevation: +870 m / +2,855 ft | -300 m / -984 ft
Accommodation: Mountain hotel or hut in Älggialp
After a hearty breakfast, watch the dairymen of the Alps make cheese at Älggialp. Start hiking to Seefeldsee and to Abgschütz. From the Hochstollen at 2,480 m, let your gaze wander to the Rosenlaui and Wetterhorn. Descend to Hochsträss and then on to Kaserstatt. Take a gondola and a bus to Goldern, where you’ll stay overnight.
Hiking: 5 hours, 10 km / 6 miles
Elevation: +900 m / +2,953 ft | -300 m / -984 ft
Accommodation: Mountain hotel or hut in Goldern
Start the day by descending to the Aare Gorge. Hike through this natural wonder and go to Meiringen. The Aare Gorge has been eating its way into the limestone cliffs for over 10,000 years. The gorge is up to 200 m (656 ft) deep and sometimes only 2 m (6 ft) wide! Continue your way to Meiringen, where you’ll encounter stories of Sherlock Holmes. Get on a bus to Schwarzwaldalp, settle into your accommodation, and get some rest for tomorrow.
Hiking: 3 hours, 10.5 km / 6.5 miles
Elevation: +1,050 m / 3,445+ ft | -350 m / -1,150 ft
Accommodation: Mountain hotel or hut in Schwarzwaldalp
Another long day ahead of you, but full of spectacular views of the Swiss Alps! Climb up to a small lake, Hornseeli and continue on a panoramic trail that leads you to First. Take a cable car down to the magical Grindelwald, where you’ll spend the night.
Hiking: 5 hours, 10.5 km / 6.5 miles
Elevation: +1,050 m / 3,445+ ft | -350 m / -1,150 ft
Accommodation: Mountain hotel or hut
Spend your last day hiking directly below the 1,600-meter high (5,250 ft) Eiger North Face! With a little luck, you’ll see the climbers in the middle of the wall. The Eiger Trail that you’ll be taking offers wonderful views. Return from Grindelwald with the cable car and journey back home. There are good train connections to Interlaken and onto Zurich (or other major airports). But if you’d like to stay a bit longer and explore the Alps, just ask your guide for some recommendations!
Hiking: 5.5 hours, 9 km / 5.6 miles
Elevation: +1,450 m / +4,760 ft | -160 m / -525 ft
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
Although demanding, remember that this adventure is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences! So while this tour isn’t all about super easy walks, you’ll be going at a very steady pace, hiking between 3 and 5.5 hours per day through the spectacular Swiss Alps. If you’re familiar with Swiss grading, this would be a T2 or T3. You do need to have strong legs and stamina.
Daily mileage will vary between 3.5 and 6.5 miles (5.6-10.5 km), while daily elevation gains are between 2,855 and 4,758 ft (870-1,450 m). So this tour is ideal for 50+ women who are looking to stretch themselves and have a real challenge in a very supportive environment. Keep in mind that you will use gondola and local buses and trains to help you over some of the higher ascents.
Keep in mind that you’ll be carrying a backpack filled with all things you need for this 6-day journey! If you’re certain you can conquer these heights while carrying a loaded backpack, sign up for an experience of a lifetime!
Looking to upgrade your hiking journey? Check out this all-women hiking tour of Via Alpina in the Swiss Alps, where you’ll conclude every day in upscale hotels and invigorating spas.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Swiss Alps women’s hiking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Sarnen in Switzerland, your starting point of the tour, most people fly into Zurich Airport (ZRH). It’s approximately 1 hour away by car or 1.5 hours by train.
Day 1 of the tour is all about getting settled in and meeting your team. Make sure to arrive by approximately 5:30 pm.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.
Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Switzerland, please refer to Switzerland’s foreign travel advice.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!