Gettingthere
SwissInternationalAirLines,along
withairlinepartners,offersdaily
connectionsfromSydneyand
MelbourneviaHongKong,Bangkok
andSingapore.Gettingaround
SwissTravelPassgivesunlimited
accesstoallpublictransportin
Switzerlandincludingbuses,trains
andboats,plus 50 percentoff
mountainrailandcablecartickets.Whentogo
Summerseasongenerallyruns
fromMaytoSeptemberbutvaries
betweenregions.Lesslinesand
crowdsonweekdays.Maps
Comprehensivehardcopymapscan
befoundatlocaltouristinformation
centres,withincreasinglymore
onlinemapsandregion-specific
appsavailable.Guidesandgear
TheSwissdon’tcompromiseon
qualitysoexpecttop-of-the-range
rentalequipmentandhighlycapable
guides.Wheretostay
Therearemountainhutsand
guesthousesthroughout
Switzerland’salpineregions.Book
ahead,arrivein timefordinnerand
expecta rowdysociablecrowdon
FridayandSaturdayevenings.For more accomodation
information see: myswitzerland.comTRAVEL TIPS
CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE TOP:
As well as hiking, there's also umpteen
MTB options; similar to hiking, the
views from a bike's saddle are equally
impressive; hikers on a via ferrata
section; even while traversing uphill,
the Swiss scenery is guaranteed to
delight.T
he Swiss Alps, for a variety of
reasons, are among the most
fabled of our planet’s epic
natural phenomena. Why is
this so? It could be down to that movie,
often repeated on TV networks around
the world at a tempo unknown to most
other films. But it could also be — and
this is clearly the most likely reason —
because the beauty of the region is
literally breath-taking. Blue as blue skies,
green grass that’d make a bovine drool
like a well-proportioned gourmand would
contemplating a three-hatted degustation
extravaganza, and bright as the sun
buttercups, swaying happily in crisp,
fresh, mountain air. You just know that
time spent in this type of environment
will enrich and enliven anyone’s soul and
spirit. And it’s the crisp, buttercup-
scented air you’ll be inhaling, deep into
your lungs with every stride, when hiking
up over the myriad of hiking routes
through the Swiss Alps.
THREE EPIC,
DISTINCTIVELY SWISS,
MULTI-DAY SUMMER HIKES
Via Alpina
The Via Alpina is a classic Swiss long-
distance hike. Crossing 14 of the
country's most beautiful alpine passes, it
leads through the northern Alps of
Switzerland (Vaduz – Montreux, via six
cantons). Its best attribute is the variety it
offers. Hikers can expect to be delighted
by the culture, geology, topography and
panorama readily on offer during the
route. As well, the Via Alpina skirts
through and around many famed
mountains, villages and lakes. There's a
range of services on offer for every style,
from 4-star hotel to mountain hut,
tranquil sanctuaries of relaxation to
sophisticated tourist destinations. It's a
perfect way to discover the real
Switzerland. On the Via Alpina, long-
distance hikers will experience the
picture-postcard mountain world of
Switzerland first-hand. Yo-de-laii-hee-
hee.
Alpine Passes Trail
The Alpine Passes Trail is a challenging
and wild experience — certain to deliver
a memorable life highlight. It’s set
smack-bam in the heart of stunningly
unique Swiss Alpine wilderness. The
Alpine Passes Trail connects Chur with
Lake Geneva, via some of the most
beautiful passes in the Graubünden and
Valais Alps. Ideal for experienced
long-distance hikers, the Trail passes
through immaculate Swiss locations and
takes-in many scenic peaks and includes
overnight stays in classic mountain huts.
It's an experience certain to linger in
memory.Jura Crest Trail
A gentle and relatively unknown
proposition for non-Swiss hikers, this is
the oldest long-distance trail in
Switzerland. Connecting Zurich and
Geneva over the Jura mountains, the Jura
landscape, tranquil appeal of the
remoteness, alpine cuisine and glorious
views make this easily-graded hike a local
favourite. Walk like a Swiss-iption, as the
Bangles sang, back in the day.For more information on all these
mult-day hikes, go to: MySwitzerland.
comOutdoor \ 25