Multi-day hikes in Switzerland: eight of the most beautiful routes

A multi-day hike is a real experience – whether you spend the night in mountain huts or at hotels down in the valley. So, pack your backpack and let’s go! Here are hikes in three different regions of Switzerland. Some take two days, others more than a week. Often, you can shorten the longer routes or tackle certain stages individually.

Thorough planning is key to a safe and enjoyable hike: before you go, please check the route and weather conditions, required safety precautions, fitness and technical specifications and accommodation options with the local information centre. The routes presented here may be closed or blocked depending on the time of year and weather conditions. Find out about conservation areas and adhere to the relevant legal regulations if you are spending the night outdoors. Also worth considering is where you’ll fill up your water. How much weight can I carry over long distances? What equipment do I need?

In the video, Sina tells you how best to prepare for a hut hike.

Three-day hut tour in Valais

You’ll spend your first night in the SAC hut Cabane de Moiry at 2,825 metres above sea level. The last section before you get to the hut is very steep, but well secured with chains. On the second day, you head down before going uphill: you’ll cross the plateau of Lac de Lona and ascend to the Pas de Lona until you reach the Cabane des Becs de Bosson at 2,982 metres above sea level. There are two different options for the last day – depending on how much snow there is, one of them is a safer bet for your descent.

Start: La Vouarda
Finish: Grimentz
Difficulty: T3

Mountain hut hike in Graubünden: three days of adventure

On the first day, you climb 1,350 metres in altitude. After that, you’ll no doubt sleep soundly in the SAC Ringelspitz hut. The next day, you head over the Kunkelspass pass to reach the Calandahütte hut. Even though the two huts are at almost the same elevation – the Calandahütte hut is 73 metres higher – this stage covers 850 metres of altitude. But on the last day, it’s downhill all the way to Haldenstein.

Start: Tamins
Finish: Haldenstein
Difficulty level: T2

Alpnesstrail in the Bernese Oberland

The 13 stages of the Alpnesstrail take you across the Alps of the Saanenland and the Obersimmental in the Bernese Oberland. You can spend the night on alpine farms, in simple huts or at mountain inns. Dinner and breakfast are available at the accommodation, and you can usually also order a packed lunch for the next day. If 13 stages are too much for you or you just want to spend a long weekend in the Bernese Oberland, many of the stages are well-connected to civilisation, where you will find the nearest bus stop. Some parts of the multi-day hike can even be completed as day trips.

Start/finish: Boltigen
Difficulty level: T2

The Prättigau Höhenweg

This multi-day hike takes you along Switzerland’s border with Austria. On the Prättigauer Höhenweg, you trek through the Silvretta group and the imposing limestone peaks of the Rätikon over the course of three or four stages. There are several ways to extend this multi-day hike – but they’d take you outside Switzerland. For example, you can start in Vorarlberg on the Rätikon Höhenweg Nord and then switch to the Prättigauer Höhenweg in Switzerland.

Start: Klosters
Finish: Fanas cable car
Difficulty level: T2

Gotthard Tunnel Trail – five days to cross the tunnel

It takes 20 minutes to get through the Gotthard by train – but walking across it takes a little longer. A multi-day hike guides you from the north of Switzerland to the south, covering almost 100 kilometres and almost 2,500 metres of altitude as you trek through the Urner Mountains, the Grisons and Ticino. The route takes you over rugged rocks, narrow bridges and mountain streams. The Gotthard Tunnel Trail was developed by the association Gotthard-Connects in collaboration with tourism organisations in the Gotthard region.

Start: Erstfeld
Finish: Bodio
Difficulty level: T2

Tour of the Vaudois Alps – trekking around western Switzerland

This multi-day hike is designed for eight days – but you can shorten it, too. You walk through vineyards, past isolated mountain lakes and enjoy sweeping views. En route, you will pass the gypsum pyramids at the Col de la Croix or the Glacier des Diablerets. The hike is signposted with the number 46 ‘Tour des Alpes Vaudoises’.

Start/finish: Aigle
Difficulty: T2

Tour of the Muveran – crossing six passes in Valais

Admittedly, it might take a while to get there, depending on where you live. But it’s worth it: over the course of this four-day hut hike, you’ll discover a lesser-known region of Switzerland. Circumnavigating the Grand Muveran and the Petit Muveran, you’ll enjoy views of Mont Blanc, the Dents du Midi, the white peaks of the Valais Alps and the Vaud foothills. Most of the hike takes place above the tree line – and you’ll cross six passes. There are plenty of huts right next to the route where you can stop for a break or spend the night, so you don’t have to carry a tent or food for several days.

Also important: this route takes you through some tricky passages. Depending on weather conditions, sections may be closed or suspended, so be sure to seek information on this in advance.

Start: Lac de Derborence
Finish: Derborance
Difficulty: T3

Urner Alpenkranz – a demanding round trip

This six-day high-alpine hike takes you through the Urner Mountains. The route takes you beneath an impressive crown of granite – but you’d need climbing equipment to tackle the prongs themselves. You’re given plenty of time for each stage – so, if you hike regularly and are in good shape, you’ll probably be able to manage two stages in one day.

Start/finish: Göscheneralp
Difficulty: T5