Switzerland – Rails & Trails

ITINERARY

Day 1 – London to Aachen

We depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels and connect to a high speed train for Aachen where we have a short walk to our hotel for an overnight stay with dinner included.

Day 2 – Onwards to Chur

Departing Aachen after breakfast we travel by ICE to Chur via Frankfurt and Zürich where we check in to the Hotel Freieck for a 5-night stay.

Day 3 – Landwasser Viaduct

We catch a morning train to Filisur and walk downhill to see the famous Landwasser Viaduct from several angles. There will be enough time to watch a few trains crossing it before returning to Filisur. From here we catch a regional train to Bergün where we make a visit to the Albula Railway Museum before returning to Chur.

Day 4 – High Above Chur

Today we take a cable car up to Brambruesch. The suggested walk is up to Eidelweiss Bar and back via a different route. There are options for longer walks for those who wish, including a path back down to Chur. Alternatively stay in Brambruesch and perhaps try a slice of apple strudel in one of the many cafes in the area.

Day 5 – Beside the Rhine

A quick train journey this morning takes us to Reichenau, where the two branches of the Rhine converge. Today’s walk follows the Vorderrhein to Trin station. The path keeps between the railway and the river for most of the route, so as well as stunning views of the Rhine Gorge there will be lots of lineside views of trains, including the Glacier Express.

Day 6 – Alp Grüm

Taking an early journey on the famous Bernina Express we travel as far as Alp Grüm 6867ft up in the Bernina Alps. We change onto the first train back for one stop to the highest station on the Rhaetian network, Ospizo Bernina. From here we walk back to Alp Grüm and enjoy time in the panoramic cafe before catching a train back to Chur.

Day 7 – At Leisure

A free day for you to make the most of your Swiss Pass or do some more walking. You could take a stroll downstream along the Plessur River through Chur to the panoramic paths that run alongside the Rhine on the edge of town. Your tour leader will arrange an optional excursion today.

Day 8 – To the Lakeside

Leaving Chur behind we travel by regional train via Zürich to Interlaken where we check in to our hotel for a 3-night stay.

Day 9 – Bernese Oberland

We travel by train to Lauterbrunnen which is dominated by a waterfall cascading above the town. We take the rack railway up to Kleine Scheidegg and today’s walk is from here to Männlichen where, on a clear day, the views are stunning. Taking the gondola cable car down to the valley below we arrive in Grindelwald where there is time for refreshment before returning to Chur.

Day 10 – Beside the Thunersee

Departing on foot from Interlaken Ost station we walk beside the lake as far as we want to go. There are several villages served by lake steamers where we can break the journey and travel back to Interlaken, Spiez or Thun. If you do not wish to walk today, you can of course use your Swiss Pass to travel farther afield.

Day 11 – To Cologne

We depart the hotel after breakfast and travel to Cologne where we check in for an overnight stay. Our hotel is conveniently located in the station building.

Day 12 – Home

From Cologne we will make a connection in Brussels with our Eurostar and arrive back into London St Pancras mid-afternoon.

Please note that this holiday is not suitable for customers with limited or reduced mobility. You will need sturdy walking shoes/boots for some of the walks.