Best of the Valais
Rail & Trail Tour
Holiday Type:
Rail & Trail
When:
June to October
Centres:
Zermatt & Saas-Fee
Length:
8 days (suggested)
Grade:
Flexible
2024 Price:
From £ 1,550.00
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Stay in the car-free mountain towns of Zermatt & Saas-Fee
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Complete the famous 5 Lake Hike beneath the Matterhorn
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Step into Italy at Monte Moro Pass above the Mattmark Reservoir
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Relax on a cafe terrace in a charming Alpine hamlet
Our Rail & Trail itinerary offers you the chance to enjoy the very best walking that the Valais region of Switzerland has to offer, at a flexible pace. This two-centre trip starts off in Zermatt, the quintessential Swiss mountain town, overlooked by the mighty Matterhorn. Making use of the many cable cars and trains, such as the famous Gornergrat Mountain Railway, you can access hikes to high mountain lakes and hamlets in the area. Your comfortable base in Zermatt has plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants to make the most of time between walks.
Whilst Zermatt is a bustling mountaineering resort, you will find Saas-Fee - just a short train ride away - a little quieter, but surrounded by no less spectacular mountains. Amongst the Alpine wildflower meadows, airy pine forests and snowy peaks, you’re likely to spot Marmots, Chamois and Ibex. Here we suggest the Gemsweg (“chamois trail”), a beautiful circuit of the valley. Later, head up to the Mattmark Reservoir and follow an ancient trading route up to the Italian border at the Monte Moro Pass.
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Our Rail & Trail holidays take you to some of the best hiking destinations in Europe, by public transport. Spend a few nights in each location, in comfortable accommodation, rather than checking in and out daily. Our itineraries are designed to make use of the most convenient train and bus routes, often to locations where cars are not allowed. Included in your package, along with all accommodation, is a Travel Pass which will allow you to travel on local trains and buses for free.
Each day we have set out a specific hiking route which makes the most of the area. A detailed guidebook, map, online mapping and GPX route is provided for each route. However, as this is a self-guided trip, you can of course choose an alternative hike, depending on your preference, and perhaps the weather! Your information pack will therefore also include plenty of alternative hiking routes in each area, of varying difficulty.
Photo Gallery
Best of the Valais Itinerary
▼ Day 1: Arrive in Zermatt
Easily Accessible by Bus or Train
Travel to car-free Zermatt, the quintessential Swiss mountain town. Mighty, glaciated peaks surround this bustling centre of mountaineering. The narrow, winding streets of the old town are brimming with restaurants, cafes and shops, to keep you busy whilst not hiking. Train connections to Zermatt are very straightforward - with an approximately 3 hour journey time from large Swiss cities like Zurich and Geneva.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Zermatt
▼ Day 2: Riffelsee from the Gornergrat Railway
10.7km & 5m ascent (6.6 miles & 16ft)
On your first day of walking, take the ascent out of the hike by taking the famous mountain train up to Gornergrat, perched high above the Gorner Glacier at 3090m. From here, views across to the highest peaks of the Valais are just spectacular. It’s then a gentle walk downhill to Riffelalp train station, via the Riffelsee, a lake famous for its reflections of the Matterhorn. From Riffelalp you can either catch the train back to Zermatt, or head down under your own steam, zig-zagging through airy pine forest.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Zermatt
▼ Day 3: The 5 Lakes Walk from Sunnegga
10.4km & 485m ascent (6.5 miles & 1591ft)
The 5 Lakes Walk is a bucket list hike in the Mattertal. Start by heading up to Sunnegga on the underground funicular railway, from which it’s a fairly easy circuit. The 5 lakes each offer wonderful views, framing the surrounding peaks (especially the Matterhorn) in the reflection of their clear waters. We recommend heading up early to catch the best light on the Stellisee - arguably the best of the 5.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Zermatt
▼ Day 4: Schwarzsee and the Zmutt Valley
15.3km & 971m ascent (9.5 miles & 3185ft)
Zig-Zag up from Zermatt through forest and open hillside to the Schwarzsee lake, a brilliant viewpoint, where the Matterhorn looms large directly above. It’s from here that mountaineers would head up to tackle the peak itself. Instead, start your descent down to the Zmutt valley, a beautiful mix of lofty trees and alpine pasture ringing with the sound of cowbells. Stop off at the village of Zmutt, a small collection of wooden farmhouses, for cake and coffee, before walking back to Zermatt.
(Ascent can be reduced considerably with a cable car to Schwarzsee)
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Zermatt
▼ Day 5: Zermatt to Saas-Fee
Travel By Train
It’s an easy 2 hour journey by train and bus from the Mattertal valley to the Saastal valley. Arrive in Saas-Fee, another car-free village, sitting in a large bowl on the side of the valley. It’s a popular place, but compared to Zermatt this will feel much quieter. There should be plenty of time to do a short walk in Saas-Fee in the afternoon - perhaps the Kappellenweg, a short trail passing 15 local shrines.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Saas-Fee
▼ Day 6: The Gemsweg
10km & 840m ascent (6.2 miles & 2755ft)
The Gemsweg provides a perfect tour of the side valley around the village of Saas-Fee. To start with, head uphill by foot or Gondola towards Plattjen, where the views across the Saastal valley and up to the mighty wall of ice and rock that is the Mischabel group really open up. A straightforward path then traverses the side of the valley, passing through the old glacial moraine of the Feegletscher glacier above. Gemsweg means Chamois Trail, so as the name suggests, this trail is a great opportunity to spot wildlife. Refreshment stops are also available en route. Upon arrival at Hannig, you can either zig-zag back down to Saas-Fee on foot, or take the cable car.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Saas-Fee
▼ Day 7: Mattmark Reservoir and Monte Moro Pass
13.7km & 638m ascent (8.5 miles & 2093ft)
From Saas-Fee, it’s a short bus journey to the huge dam at the Mattmark reservoir, surrounded on all sides by high, snowy mountains. Follow an easy meadow track around the reservoir, before hikingup an ancient trade route to Italy, culminating at the Monte Moro pass, on the border, where a convenient Rifugio awaits. There are amazing views down into Italy.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Saas-Fee
▼ Day 8: Depart from Saas-Fee
Easily Accessible by Train
It’s a short bus ride to Brig down in the Rhône valley, where there are direct train connections to large cities such as Zurich and Geneva.
Best of the Valais Route Map
What’s Included?
✔ 7 nights accommodation
✔ Breakfast every morning
✔ Travel Pass for all Public Transport
✔ Detailed Itinerary, Map & Guidebook
✔ GPX Waypoints and online mapping
✔ 24/7 Emergency Phone Number
What’s not Included?
X Travel Insurance
X Flights to and from the holiday
X Lunches
Optional Extras
? Rail Transport to and from the holiday
? Taxi Transfers to and from the holiday
? Luggage Transfers
Accommodation & Prices
On our Rail & Trail itineraries we aim to book all accommodations on a B&B basis. However, we will always ensure that there are options for dinner either at your accommodation or nearby, and provide restaurant recommendations in your information pack.
Luxury
2024 Price: from £ 2,040.00 GBP per person (Request a Quote)
Accommodation will be in en-suite rooms, in a mixture of luxury 4* star hotels, or boutique Guest Houses.
FAQs
What is a self-guided holiday? When is the best time to travel? How do I get to the start of my holiday?
Please head to our FAQs page for all answers. Alternatively, please don’t hesitate to send us an email or give us a call with any questions about our holidays.