Switzerland Multisport
Activities
Hiking, Biking, River Rafting, Inline Skating (optional)
Trip Length
7 days, 6 nights
Departure Date
TBD
From the mountains to the Rhone Valley to the alpine resort town of Gstaad, this 7-day trip has everything you'd expect from the Swiss Alps.
We begin our adventure in the upper reaches of the Rhone River, mountain biking on flat gravel roads and dirt paths along the river. We then take a cable car up to the quaint town of Bettmeralp, the only way to reach this car-free village high in the mountains. After a fantastic meal and a restful nights sleep, we spend the next day hiking in the mountains. Our goal? Europe's longest glacier — the Aletsch.
The following day we travel by cable car and railroad, down the river to the wide open lower stretches of the Valais Valley, where we bike through vineyards and orchards, mountains looming on either side. Our destination is the town of Martigny. Martigny was founded by the Romans as a military camp at the base of the Great Saint Bernard Pass. There is also a fantastic Roman amphitheatre to see here which was built somewhere between the 2nd to 4th centuries AD. and restored in 1978.
The next day we hike up to the top of a thirteenth century castle, the Château de la Bâdtiaz. Our return hike takes us through local vineyards and we stop for lunch along the shore of Lake Geneva. After lunch we make our way up to the ski resort of Gstaad. With its pedestrian-only main street and abundance of shops, Gstaad is the perfect place to hang out between our hiking and river rafting adventures.
This trip is a perfect balance of activity, scenery, and culture. Since we spend much of our time in the center of Switzerland's best wine making region, sample some of the local varieties, like the outstanding Fendant. The cuisine is a mixture of Switzerland's cultural heritage...from German Roestis and French Raclettes, to their world class Swiss chocolate.
Price
Double Occupancy $2695 / Single Occupancy $3295 (Includes Bicycle Rental)
Difficulty
For All Abilities — Hiking days have multiple options and the biking is on mostly flat terrain. No rafting experience is necessary.
What's Included
Six nights lodging, all dinners and breakfasts, local transportation, bike rental, river rafting, guides, and van support.
Not Included
Transportation to and from the trip location, lunches, drinks, personal expenditures, and guide gratuities.
Accommodations
We start our adventure with two nights at the Hotel Waldhaus in the tiny hillside town of Bettmeralp. Our traditional Swiss hotel overlooks the Rhone River Valley and the mountain ranges that surround it. Our next night is spent at the Hotel le Forum in French-speaking Martigny. Le Forum is not only a hotel but a cooking school as well, resulting in excellent service and excellent meals. Our final hotel is in the ski resort town of Gstaad, at the Post Hotel Rössli.
Suggested Readings & Films
The book Why Switzerland? by Jonathan Steinberg, is a wonderful introduction to the country and an interesting examination of Switzerland's distinctive pockets of culture. Ticking Along with the Swiss is a collection of short stories by writers living or working in Switzerland, edited by Dianne Dicks.
Weather
The average high temperature in August is 77 degrees Fahrenheit while the average nighttime low is 56 degrees. The Valais Valley is one of Switzerland's driest areas and you can expect warm (if not hot) weather for the first several days of the tour. Gstaad, at a higher altitude and in a different environment, can be slightly cooler and wetter.
Arrival & Departure
We meet in the town of Brig, a main train connection at the top of the Rhone River Valley. You can easily reach Brig after flying into either Geneva or Zurich. Our trip finishes in Gstaad, also an easy train ride from either airport.
More Information
Dates and itineraries are subject to change. Availability and itineraries will be verified upon request.