7-Nights Alps Eiger to Matterhorn Trek

Valais

The canton of Valais is Switzerland's third-largest, stretching from the southern shore of Lake Geneva south along the border with France and east along the border with Italy for half the length of the country (although Montreux and Vevey are not in Valais, they're close enough that some tours lump them together).

This area is home to some of the most dramatic Alpine scenery in the country, including the mountain towns of Zermatt, Verbier and Crans-Montana. On clear days, the Matterhorn, Eiger and Mount Blanc can all be seen on a trip via bus and cable car along the Pillon Pass.

Other sights in the canton include a fresco that depicts the story of William Tell (it's painted on a house in Ernen/Muhlebach) and Grand St. Bernard (not easy to get to—it's in the mountains where St. Bernards were originally bred—but it has beautiful churches and museums). Sion, the only town of any size, has enough old cathedrals and interesting buildings to justify an overnight.

The canton is also known for its wines: One-third of the Valais is planted with vines.

Geneva

Geneva is located between the Alps and the Jura mountains, at the extreme southwest of Switzerland and Lake Geneva. The Rhône and the Arve are the main rivers crossing Geneva. It is the central crossroads of Western Europe. Geneva holds a privileged geographical position and it is only one hour far from Paris or Milan by plane and less than two hours from London, Rome or Madrid. Geneva is a town of Arts and Culture. Its numerous museums and libraries, the Opera, the Orchestra of the Suisse romande have largely contributed, among others, to its development. For nearly twenty years they have been new cultural centers which have been created from old uninhabited buildings, some of which are now preserved as monuments, like the Halles de l’Ile, l’Usine, la Maison des Arts du Grütli.

Zermatt

Friendly, welcoming Zermatt, with its grandiose panoramas of snow-capped peaks that include the legendary Matterhorn, boasts the longest winter season in Europe and the highest skiiing area. Horse-drawn carriages in summer and snow sleighs in winter add further ambience to Zermatt's quaint Walliser houses and the elegant, often world famous hotels. The absence of cars has helped bestow an elite status on Zermatt. The picture perfect streets and snow-lined pathways are clean, pristine and romantic in atmosphere. In the summertime, walking and climbing enthusiasts can enjoy the unlimited scope of the magnificent mountains and glaciers, while skiing devotees enjoy the seemingly endless pistes in wonderful powder snow. Zermatt attracts tourists, not only for its fresh and clean mountain air, but also for its excellent restaurants, bars and nightclubs; the tempting, exclusive shops and boutiques and the friendly hospitality of the local residents.

Kandersteg

1,200 meters above sea level sitting in the Bernese Highlands is the village of Kandersteg. The heart of the Swiss Alps, the town is surrounded by beautiful alpine landscape, romantic valleys, serene lakes, and picturesque hiking spots. The small farming village relies heavily on its tourism. During the summer Kandersteg turns into a family-fun adventure getaway. In winter, blankets of snow covers the mountains to the valley floor ideal for cross-country skiing and the lake freezes into an ice rink!

Grindelwald

Grindelwald, Switzerland, is a good base for both winter and summer activities in the mountains, about 50 mi/80 km southwest of Lucerne. In winter, this town in the Jungfrau region has good skiing; during other seasons, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking and more adventurous pursuits, such as canyoning. Be sure to visit one of the nearby glaciers; the higher one, Obergletscher, is the best.

Visiting the town via the train from Interlaken is recommended. From Grindelwald, you can also continue on the train to Kleine Scheidegg, at the base of the famous north face of Eiger mountain. In Kleine Scheidegg, you can transfer to another train that takes you to Jungfraujoch. The train travels through the Eiger tunnel to the Eigerwand and Eismeer stations, making a five-minute stop at each one, before finally reaching the Jungfraujoch station, the highest railway station in Europe.

On clear days (there's no point in taking the expensive trip if the skies aren't clear) you can see as far as the Vosges Mountains in France and the Black Forest in Germany from the Sphinx Observatory. The Great Aletsch Glacier begins near the station. But don't expect to have the place all to yourself: It is usually very crowded.

One of the many tourist amenities is the Ice Palace, which has several ice sculptures carved in the glacier. There are also a ski and snowboard park, sled rides and pricey restaurants.