Glacier Express: St Moritz & Zermatt by Train

▼ Day 1: Arrive St Moritz

Tucked away in the far southeastern corner of Switzerland, reaching the Engadin does take a little more travel time, but it is still only 3 hours by train from Zurich. Popular with the rich and famous, St Moritz is certainly swish, but it has accommodation, restaurants and shops to suit all budgets and is a pleasant town to wander in the evening.

Accommodation: Guest House or Hotel in St Moritz

▼ Day 2: The Fuorcla Surlej pass
13.3km & 101m ascent (8.3 miles & 331ft)

One of the classic viewpoints in the Alps. From St Moritz it’s either a 30 minute bus or a 1.5 walk to Silvaplana, where a cable car will whisk you up 800m to Murtèl, high above the treeline. From here, begin your walk across a wild, rocky landscape, arriving fairly soon at the Fuorcla Surlej pass. Views at the high point are stunning, across to the huge Piz Bernina massif, the Piz Roseg, and down into the Val Roseg. It's then a gradual descent into the Val Roseg, and a walk along the valley floor to Pontresina, where you can catch a 10 minute train back to St Moritz.

Accommodation: Guest House or Hotel in St Moritz

▼ Day 3: St Moritz to Maloja
23km & 837m ascent (14.3 miles & 2746ft)

A section of the Via Engiadina from St Moritz along the valley is a great way to stretch your legs and see some more of the upper Engadin valley. From Signal above St Moritz (accessible by short walk or gondola) the trail traverses along the side of the valley, with open views across the many lakes and mountains of the area. At the village of Maloja, you will have reached the head of the valley, and the edge of the Engadin region. From here, it’s a 30 minute bus back to St Moritz.

Accommodation: Guest House or Hotel in St Moritz

▼ Day 4: St Moritz to Bever
24.1km & 847m ascent (15 miles & 2778ft)

Starting again from Signal above St Moritz, this time head northwest, up to the remote Pass Suvretta. Then a long and gentle walk down the valley of Suvretta da Samedan gradually takes you through differing terrains - from rocky hillside, through Alpine pasture and then open forest. Here, the busy streets of St Moritz seem a world away, and wildlife sightings are common - look out for ibex or chamois. From Bever, it’s a 15 minute train to St Moritz (or you could cut the walk short by about an hour and take the train from Spinas instead).

Accommodation: Guest House or Hotel in St Moritz

▼ Day 5: St Moritz to Zermatt
On the Glacier Express

Today, take the slowest express train in the world, on a spectacular railway journey. The Glacier Express transports you from St Moritz to Zermatt, cutting straight through the middle of the Alps. The 8 hour route winds its way through the most unlikely of valleys, 91 tunnels, and across 291 bridges. Sit back in comfort and watch some of the most beautiful Swiss mountain scenery go by.

Accommodation: Guest House or Hotel in Zermatt

▼ Day 6: Riffelsee from the Gornergrat Railway
10.7km & 5m ascent (6.6 miles & 16ft)

Now based in the busy mountaineering village of Zermatt, take 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 down to Zermatt, or head down under your own steam, zig-zagging through airy pine forest.

Accommodation: Guest House or Hotel in Zermatt

▼ Day 7: 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 8: Schwarzsee and the Zmutt Valley
15.3km & 971m ascent (9.5 miles & 3185ft)

Zig-Zag up from Zermatt through lofty 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 forest and alpine pasture ringing with the sound of cowbells. Stop off at the village of Zmutt, a small collection of wooden farmhouses, for a coffee break, before walking back to Zermatt.(*Ascent can be reduced considerably with a cable car to Schwarzsee)

Accommodation: Guest House or Hotel in Zermatt

▼ Day 9: Depart Zermatt

It is a mere 3.5 hours from Zermatt to Zurich, or 4 hours to Geneva, where plenty of onward flight and rail connections can be found.