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Swiss Alpine Hiking Adventure

When:
September 5 - 14, 2026
Tour Leader(s):

Len & Mary Friesen

Activity Level:

Active

Switzerland

Join tour leaders Len and Mary Friesen on a memorable 10-day adventure through the Swiss Alps, where breathtaking landscapes and charming mountain villages await. This tour offers a perfect mix of outdoor exploration and ease of travel, with the iconic Swiss train system providing comfortable and scenic connections between destinations like Zurich, Mürren, Grindelwald, and Lucerne. 

Enjoy hiking through the stunning Bernese Oberland region, with its pristine valleys, towering peaks, and picturesque villages, all while Len and Mary guide you through Switzerland’s natural beauty and cultural highlights. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or looking for a more relaxed experience, this tour offers something for everyone, combining the best of Swiss landscapes, outdoor activities, and hassle-free train travel. Let Len and Mary help you discover the wonders of the Swiss Alps in a way that’s both accessible and unforgettable. 

At a Glance

  • Dates: September 5 - 14, 2026 
  • Duration: 10 days, 9 nights
  • Host: Len & Mary Friesen
  • Starts in Zurich, ends in Lucerne
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Len and Mary Friesen

Len and Mary Friesen

Tour leaders, Len and Mary Friesen, in the Berner Oberland in 2013. They first visited the Berner Oberland in 2000.

Len and Mary Friesen on a previous Swiss Heritage tour with fellow TourMagination travellers

Len and Mary Friesen on a previous Swiss Heritage tour with fellow TourMagination travellers

Len and Mary Friesen on a previous Swiss Heritage tour with fellow TourMagination travellers

Riding the Cogwheel Train in Switzerland

Riding the Cogwheel Train in Switzerland

Riding the Cogwheel Train in Switzerland

Grossmunster

Grossmunster

Grossmünster, Zürich, Switzerland

Zurich

Zurich

Zürich, Switzerland

Murren

Murren

Mürren - a charming mountain village nestled in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

Grindelwald

Grindelwald

Grindelwald, Switzerland

The Schilthorn Gondola

The Schilthorn Gondola

The Schilthorn Gondola in Mürren

Bachalpsee Lake

Bachalpsee Lake

Bachalpsee Lake, Grindelwald, Switzerland

Lucerne

Lucerne

Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne Footbridge

Lucerne Footbridge

Lucerne Footbridge, Switzerland

Lucerne

Lucerne

Kapellbrücke (the Chapel Bridge) - the oldest wooden bridge in Europe, Lucerne, Switzerland


​Itinerary

Day 1 | Zurich
Arrival in Zurich | D
Arrive in Zurich. After settling in, enjoy a walking tour of Zurich’s Alstadt, including the iconic Grossmünster. In the evening, join the group for a welcome and orientation session. 

Day 2 | Grindelwald
Travel to Grindelwald | B, D
Take a morning train to Grindelwald, where you’ll receive an orientation to the valley and the three great peaks which dominate it: the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau. Weather permitting, take the gondola to First with option to hike to the stunning Bachalpsee, a crystal-clear lake nestled in the mountains.  This is your gateway to 6 days of exploration between Mürren and Grindelwald. 

Day 3 | Grindelwald
Hiking in the Grindelwald Area | B, D
Using your 3-day regional pass, explore more of Grindelwald, such as the gondola ride and walk to Kleine Scheidegg and a visit to Wengen before returning by gondola Grindelwald. For those interested, there’s an optional excursion to Jungfraujoch, the “Top of Europe,” available at an additional cost. 

Day 4 | Grindelwald
Exploring the Berner Oberland around Grindelwald | B, D
Enjoy another day of hiking around Grindelwald via your Berner Oberland pass, with options ranging from easy to advanced. One possible trail is the hike to Berghaus Bäregg, offering spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.  It is also possible to spend the entire day riding gondolas and funiculars with your pass to soak in the alpine scenery. 

Day 5 | Mürren
Mürren and the Lauterbrunnen Valley | B, D
Spend the morning strolling through the shops of Grindelwald, or take one of the many gondola rides in the area, or a hike that is still on your radar.  Then, in the afternoon, take a scenic train ride from Grindelwald to Mürren.  After settling in, enjoy an orientation to the stunning Mürren area as we walk through this car-free village. 

Day 6 | Mürren
Hiking and the Schilthorn Gondola | B, D
Choose from a variety of hiking options based on your interest, from easy walks to more challenging hikes. Weather permitting, we’ll take the Schilthorn gondola to Piz Gloria, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views from the Skyline View Platform. 

Day 7 | Mürren
More hikes in the Berner Oberland | B, D
If the weather did not permit on Day 6, this will be the day for the Schilthorn Gondola.  Otherwise, hike one of the many trails above the dramatic Lauterbrunnen valley, from easy to challenging.  One possibility is the trail that ends at the scenic Rotstockhütte. 

Day 8 | Lucerne 
From Mürren to Lucerne | B
After breakfast, and a final stroll around Mürren, take a scenic train ride to Lucerne (about 2.5 hours), considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Switzerland.  We will settle into our centrally situated hotel and receive an orientation to the city and region. 

Day 9 | Lucerne
Free day in Lucerne | B, D
Enjoy a day in Lucerne, with its beautiful lake and the mountains all at your fingertips. The choice is yours, though your leaders will lay out the options and help you find your way.  You might walk through Lucerne’s medieval old town, including its medieval wall, the restored Chapel Bridge or the Baroque and the Renaissance churches. Or take on the “Golden Round Trip” to Mount Pilatus. Or Mount Rigi. Or explore the shops. Or sit in a café and marvel at all you’ve seen. 

Day 10 | Lucerne
Departure | B
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Lucerne before departing for home or adding an additional tour experience. 


Please note: itinerary subject to change.

For further information, please contact us. We would be happy to be of assistance.

Tour Fare

Swiss Alpine Hiking Adventure 2026

Double Occupancy:

Save $375 USD / $500 CAD when you purchase before March 5, 2026!
Early Bird Pricing (ends March 5, 2026):  $4,315 USD / $5,825 CAD 
Standard Tour Fare (booked before May 5, 2026): $4,690 USD / $6,325 CAD

Single Supplement: 

$950 USD / $1,285 CAD per person

What do “Double Occupancy” and “Single Supplement” mean for my tour fare?
The price for a tour listed under “Double Occupancy” means the amount paid per person if you are sharing a room with another traveller, such as your spouse or a travel partner. If you prefer to have a single hotel room to yourself, the “Single Supplement” is an additional amount to cover the extra cost charged by the hotels for a single room. To determine your amount owing for the tour as a single traveller, you will need to add together the tour fare PLUS the single supplement. 

Important note: Costs could increase if you sign up less than 90 days before a tour begins

Fare Includes:

  • Accommodations in quality 3–4 star properties in excellent locations
  • All breakfasts and 8 dinners with water included
  • Train transportation from Zurich → Grindelwald → Mürren → Lucerne
  • 3-day Berner Oberland Pass, providing access to gondolas and trains + Round trip pass on Day 2
  • Swiss Half-Fare Card
  • Expert tour leaders to guide your journey
  • Gratuities for all included group meals

Fare Excludes:

  • Pre-tour accommodations, meals, and transportation (e.g., 24-hour Zurich transit pass)
  • International airfare and airport transfers
  • Additional transportation including local city transit
  • 9 lunches and 1 dinner, beverages with meals
  • Any services or activities not specifically mentioned above
  • Travel Insurance

Insurance

Travel medical (out-of-country emergency) insurance and cancellation/interruption insurance are not mandatory but are highly recommended. Click here to learn more about insurance services we offer.

Payments

All rates shown are in effect at time of printing (August 2025). Although every effort is made to maintain the prices as established, TourMagination does reserve the right to adjust prices on this tour should it become necessary. For your convenience, we accept online credit card payments.

FAQs

​​Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Answers from your Tour Leaders


How much does this tour repeat what participants saw in the Anabaptism @ 500 tours to Switzerland in 2025, or other previous heritage tours?

There will be no overlap with the previous heritage tours to Switzerland except for the first day when we gather in Zurich.  In the late afternoon of that first day, we’ll offer a slow walking tour of the Old City (Altstadt) for those interested, which may overlap in a pleasant way.  But it will be all new from the morning of Day 2 on.


Is this an active tour?

For the most part, it’s up to you. There are so many walking/hiking options for this tour which will allow you to enjoy the Swiss alps with only minimal activity.  On the other hand, there are other hikes that will challenge the most seasoned hiker.  Your tour leaders, Len and Mary, have been there often and can help you decide what’s best for you.  That said, everyone on the tour is responsible for their own bag(s) as we will travel by train, not tour bus. 


Can you give us some options of hiking destinations for more ambitious hikers? 
A few of the past destinations have included Bachalpsee, the Berghaus Bäregg, and Rotstockhütte.  If you “Google” these, you will get an idea of what to expect, though there are countless other options, from relaxed to demanding, and from long to short. 

What about the weather? 
Expect weather like much of North America in September.  It can rain, but normally not for the whole day.   You’ll want to bring layers for evenings especially, but we’ve also had days where we’ve worn shorts and t-shirts in September.   

What about hiking poles and footwear?
Much of this is personal preference.  Some have come with hiking poles and others not.  Some have hiking boots while others have come with walking/running shoes.  The easier trails are generally well groomed.  Your tour leaders always use hiking poles, but this last time wore more casual footwear. 

How do we communicate with other members on the tour? 
Tour leaders can always be contacted via TourMagination with specific questions.  Closer to the trip we intend to set up a WhatsApp group chat which proved useful last time for travellers to e-meet each other in advance and to answer more general questions. 

What do Len and Mary like about this tour? 
We have been to Grindelwald and Mürren several times.  Just “Google” either place.   You will see why it’s a delight to think about our return to this dramatic setting.  Every time we are taken in by the views of the trio of great Swiss mountains: the Eiger, the Monch, and the Jungfrau.  We love how the Swiss have made those high mountain views so accessible.   We like how this tour allows you to choose the pace and style of walk/hike that’s right for you, or how we can assist you in that process.  One thing is certain:  the Berner Oberland (where most of the tour happens) will not disappoint. 

Any chance that we’ll get to see a movie set for a past James Bond movie? 
Yes, as a matter of fact!  We will be going by cable car to the top of the Schilthorn, used as the headquarters of the diabolical Comte Balthazar de Bleuchamp in the 1969 Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”.   Strange but true.