thirteen days . six flights . three towns . countless trains, gondolas, cable cars, and funiculars
2022 Switzerland Itinerary
Thursday, June 30 to Tuesday, July 12, 2022
06.30.22 . Day 1 – Fly to Zurich
07.01.22 . Day 2 – Arrive in Zurich . Take scenic train to Wengen via Lucerne . Stay in Wengen
07.02.22 . Day 3 – Birg Cliffwalk . Murren Via Ferrata . Explore Gimmelwald . Hike The North Face Trail
07.03.22 . Day 4 – Grindelwald-First: Cliff Walk, Mountain Karts, Trottibikes . Mannlichen Royal Walk . Hike Panorama Trail
07.04.22 . Day 5 – Trummelbach Falls . Lauterbrunnen Valley Hike of 72 Waterfalls . Eiger Express to Eigergletscher
07.05.22 . Day 6 – Staubbachbänkli Overlook Hike . Harder Klum Overlook . Take train to Zermatt
07.06.22 . Day 7 – Take train to Gornergrat . Hike to Riffelberg via Riffelsee Lake . Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
07.07.22 . Day 8 – Return to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise . Hike Matterhorn Glacier Trail . Hike from Rothorn to Stellisee Lake
07.08.22 . Day 9 – Return to Rothorn for best view of Matterhorn . Take train to Rhanda . Hike Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge
07.09.22 . Day 10 – Rent Mountain Bikes . Dine on Cheese Fondue and Racelette
07.10.22 . Day 11 – Take train to Zurich via Bern . Explore Old Town
07.11.22 . Day 12 – Bonus day in Zurich . Stroll along the lake
07.12.22 . Day 13 – Fly home
When and with whom
This trip was originally planned to take place in the summer of 2019. That obviously did not happen, but we were able to return exactly two years later after all vaccine and masking requirements were lifted. June through August is peak season for summer tourism in both the Bernese Oberland (Wengen) and Valais (Zermatt) regions but Swiss children would not be on summer break until the last day of our trip. For this reason, and because we always woke up earlier than other tourists, we did not encounter much for crowds or lines.
Upon special request from Scott, I planned this trip to have a bit slower pace, meaning staying in fewer places for longer amounts of time so we could more thoroughly explore each area. It also gave us greater flexibility when planning each day’s activities based on the weather. This was a highly active trip in which we enjoyed hiking, climbing, and biking together.