TRAVEL GUIDE
Switzerland
10 days chasing turquoise lakes and impossible ridgelines
10 Days
Moderate
Quick Facts
Trip Length
10 Days
Difficulty
Moderate
Destinations
Switzerland
Key Statistics
10 days total · 4 regions covered · ~62km hiked · 3,200m total elevation gain · 2 rental cars · 1 near-miss with a very territorial goat.
Who This Trip Is For
You’re a good fit if…
You love waking up before sunrise to beat the crowds to a viewpoint. You’re comfortable driving mountain switchbacks and don’t mind packing light for multi-day treks. You’d rather cook pasta in a hostel kitchen than pay Zermatt restaurant prices every night.
Consider modifying or avoiding if…
You’re on a tight budget — Switzerland is genuinely one of the most expensive countries I’ve traveled through. You need constant connectivity; several trail sections had zero signal. You’re not up for a lot of walking — most days involve 8–15km on foot.
Route Overview
This loop starts in Zürich, cuts south through the Bernese Oberland, swings past the Matterhorn in Zermatt, and finishes with a slower few days around Lake Lucerne. It’s built around three basecamps so you’re not packing a bag every single morning.
Route Steps
Fly into Zürich, pick up the rental car
Base in Interlaken for the Bernese Oberland (Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen)
Train to Zermatt for two Matterhorn-facing hikes
Drive to Lucerne for lake days and the city
Return to Zürich for the flight home
Before You Go
Book the Jungfraujoch train weeks ahead if you want it — it sells out. Download offline maps for every trail; cell service disappears fast in the valleys. Bring a reusable water bottle, the tap water (and most trail fountains) are safe and excellent.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Expand all
Collapse all
Day 1
Easy
Moderate
Hard
June 3
Touchdown in Zürich
Landed in Zürich, picked up the rental car, and made the two-hour drive south to Interlaken to drop bags before the trip really begins.
Distance
↑ Gain
elev. loss
First glimpse of the Alps from the highway. Dinner overlooking Lake Thun.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Details
Day 2
Easy
Moderate
Hard
June 4
Grindelwald First Ridge Hike
A full day on the ridgeline above Grindelwald First, with the Eiger’s north face looming the entire way.
14km
Distance
780m
↑ Gain
780m
elev. loss
Grindelwald First, Bernese Oberland
Details
Day 3
Easy
Moderate
Hard
June 5
Lucerne Old Town & Lake
A slower day walking Lucerne’s old town, the Chapel Bridge, and a lazy afternoon boat ride on the lake.
Distance
↑ Gain
elev. loss
Chapel Bridge at sunrise before the crowds. Lion Monument. Boat ride to Weggis.
Lucerne, Switzerland
Details
No itinerary days added yet.
Getting There & Around
The Swiss Travel Pass covers nearly every train, bus, and lake ferry, and honestly paid for itself by day four. I rented a car for the Bernese Oberland leg since some trailheads are miles from the nearest station, but dropped it in Interlaken and went full train for the rest.
Food & Water
Trail fountains throughout the Alps are drinkable unless marked otherwise — I filled my bottle a dozen times a day. Save money by hitting the Migros or Coop supermarkets for lunches; a sandwich there is a third of the price of a café one.
Gear & Packing List
Layers & Clothing
Daily Carry
Documents & Extras
Camera & Creator Notes
From the director
Notes & tips
Shot this whole trip on a single 35mm prime and my drone, which I only flew where it was explicitly allowed (a lot of the Jungfrau region restricts it). Golden hour in the Lauterbrunnen valley is the single best light I’ve found anywhere in Europe — get there the evening before, not the morning of.
Budget Summary
Roughly $2,400 for 10 days, not including flights: ~$780 accommodation, ~$620 Swiss Travel Pass and trains, ~$540 food, ~$310 rental car and gas, ~$150 activities including the Jungfraujoch ticket.
Safety & Difficulty
Most of the hikes on this route are well-marked and busy enough that you’re never truly alone, but a few ridge sections above Zermatt have real exposure — not a trip for a fear of heights. Weather in the Alps changes fast; always check the forecast the morning of, not the night before.
Alternatives & Contingencies
If the Jungfraujoch is fogged in, swap it for the Schilthorn or First — both cheaper and often clearer. If a trail is closed for weather, the Lauterbrunnen valley floor walk is a stunning, flat backup that’s rarely affected.
Personal Review
Ki’s take
This is one of the only trips I’ve taken where the photos genuinely undersell it. Switzerland is expensive and I’d do it again in a heartbeat — just budget for it honestly and you’ll have one of the best 10 days of your life.
AI Personalization Prompt
Using this Switzerland guide as a base, help me adjust the itinerary for [your trip length] with a focus on [hiking / photography / relaxation]. My budget is [budget] and I’m traveling with [who]. Suggest which days to trim or extend.
Ready to start planning?
This guide is Kiely’s personal account. Every route was walked, every hotel was stayed in.
Kiely Mizumoto
Travel Guides