The Glacier Express Rail and Hike
About this trip.
The slowest express train in the world
The Glacier Express is not, despite the name, an express. It crosses the Swiss Alps at a deliberate pace between St. Moritz and Zermatt, and the panoramic carriages exist precisely so that you can watch the landscape unroll for hours. This eight-day, seven-night trip uses that train as its spine, with walking at either end — the Engadine before, Zermatt after.
The Engadine on foot
The Engadine is the high Alpine valley that holds St. Moritz, and the walking here has a different character from the better-known paths further west. It is alpine but unshowy, with the particular clarity of light that people go there specifically for. You spend the first part of the holiday on foot in the valley before boarding the train.
The rail day and Zermatt
The Glacier Express leg is the part of the trip most people will ask about afterwards, even if it isn't what stays with you longest. The carriages have the panoramic glass, and the pace makes the Alps feel readable rather than overwhelming — you cover a lot of country in a day without needing to drive any of it.
Zermatt, at the far end, is a different proposition. It is car-free, so you arrive on foot from the station and the village is walkable from the moment you step off the train. The Matterhorn sits in view from most of the streets, and the paths fan out onto high balcony routes that give the mountain from new angles each day. It is touristy — honestly so — but the paths quiet quickly once you're above the lifts.
Bookings and practical notes
This is a Macs Adventure trip and prices start from £1,699. The eight days and seven nights cover the walking in the Engadine, the Glacier Express leg and the walking out of Zermatt, in that order. The source describes the shape of it simply — ride the train, then explore the two regions on foot — and the trip really is that clean.
It suits walkers drawn more to Alpine landscape and point-to-point pacing than to anything resembling peak-bagging. The rail element does a lot of work here: it turns what could be two separate walking weeks into a single arc across Switzerland, and it replaces what would otherwise be a long road transfer with what is arguably the most famous train ride in Europe.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for walking holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every walking day
- ✓Detailed route notes with maps and GPX files
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches — typically a village picnic or café stop
- ×Some evening meals — depends on the specific itinerary
- ×Alcohol beyond any wine included with set dinners
- ×Optional room or transfer upgrades
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
Other walking holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
