Winters in the Himalayas are brutal. Yet, it's a magical time to be on a trek.

In this season, the key to enjoying a trek is to prepare well for it. This is important because tiny slip-ups like not layering up on time, not carrying a thermos, can make you suffer. 

"I've suffered on a winter trek for little things. Like forgetting my liner gloves, or my lip balm, or -- and this is a big one -- my sunglasses!" shares Lakshmi Selvakumaran, Head of Experience at Indiahikes. 

Unfortunately, little things slip our minds easily. With our winter treks around the corner, I’m making a comprehensive guide for you on how to prepare for a Himalayan winter trek. These are the topics I’m going to cover: 

How difficult is trekking in winter going to be

Some hard realities of trekking in winter

Biggest misconceptions about trekking in winter

9 bonus tips about trekking gears in winter

Bookmark this page right away, so that you can use it and share it further any time. 

How Difficult Is Trekking In Winter Going To Be

Let’s address the biggest worry first. 

How difficult is it to trek in winter in the Himalayas? “Is it too difficult for beginners?” is something we get asked almost everyday.  

The simple answer is no, it is not too difficult for beginners. But it is more difficult than non-winter seasons. 

Trekking becomes at least one grade more difficult in winter because of two added difficulties — (1) The negative temperatures (2) The presence of snow. 

The good news is that it is easy to tackle these two problems, even for beginners.

You'll find some of the great winter treks listed in this video.

The mantra is to carry enough layers. With layers, whether you’re from a sweltering Chennai or a humid Mumbai, you’ll be able to tackle a Himalayan winter. 

Here’s the trick. Carry five warm layers — a pair of thermals for the night, two sweaters, one fleece jacket and one padded jacket. Along with these you need warm accessories — a woollen cap, gloves, woollen socks (for the night) and a neck warmer.

With these, you can deal with the coldest night with no worries. (I’m going to address all of these layers in detail further down)

The infographic depicts how to layer up for a Himalayan winter trek.

At this point, it is also important to know 'when' is the right time to layer up. 

"Many trekkers make this rookie mistake of not layering up immediately after completing their day's trek," points Suhas Saya, Head of DIY Treks at Indiahikes. After the trek your body is warmed up. You are not feeling cold. But that's precisely when you need to start putting on your layers. 

"On a trek your body is exerting, it's generating heat so you don't need the layers. But after the trek, your body starts cooling down. It starts losing heat. To prevent this, you need to layer up, get into something dry quickly after you finish your day's trek. This helps in retaining your core body heat," shares Suhas. 

In most other seasons, when you trek, you walk on bare land, footstep after footstep with no worries. 

In winter though, once you reach a certain altitude (usually above 9,000 ft), there’s no more bare land. All your footsteps are in snow. 

This becomes challenging when the snow is above ankle-deep. Your foot sinks in and it takes effort to pick it up and put your next step forward. There are a few ways to tackle this presence of snow.

The layer of snow is thin during December. But as winter progresses -- in January, February and initial March -- the layer of snow thickens. During these months, it helps to keep the following things in mind. 

1. Start your trek before the sun rises. This is an age-old trick that all mountaineers and trekkers follow. Any walking in snow should be done as early in the day as possible, much before the sun rises. This is because during the night, in the negative temperatures, snow becomes hard and packed. It’s easy to walk on hard, packed snow. Your feet don’t sink.

Note: You do need equipment like microspikes attached to your shoes that help you grip the hard snow. On your Indiahikes trek, this equipment will be issued at the camp.

But as the sun comes out, the snow begins to soften and melt. This is when your foot sinks into the snow.

So ideally, start your summit climb (where the snow is highest) by 5 am. Aim at wrapping up your day before noon.

2. Walk on a trail left behind by previous trekkers: One of the biggest dangers of walking on snow is not knowing how deep the snow is. It’s what makes more trekkers unstable and afraid of walking in snow.

But here’s a tip. Almost always, when you’re trekking in winter, there will be a discernible path ahead of you. This is where trekkers have previously walked on the trail and made a path. It’s easiest to walk on this trail.

Even when you’re trekking in a file, it’s best to step into the footsteps of the previous trekker. Every footstep creates a small niche in the snow, which you can step into knowing the depth and gradient of the slope. This ensures you never lose balance or stability while walking in snow.

Always put your foot in the previous trekker’s footstep. This way, you walk on an already laid-out path, without losing balance or stability. Picture by Vishwas Krishnamurthy

3. Use microspikes and gaiters. If you’re trekking with Indiahikes, we will be providing you with microspikes and gaiters to attach to your shoes. You will get these just before you step into snow. Microspikes give you Spiderman-like grip on snow. Gaiters cover up the opening of your shoes, not allowing snow to enter your shoes. This keeps your feet dry and comfortable.

4. Work extra hard on your fitness. It’s no secret that trekking in snow is going to be more tiring than trekking without snow. Which is why you cannot underestimate your fitness preparation. We’ll address this further down.

On any of Himalayan winter treks, be it Kedarkantha, Brahmatal, Deoriatal – Chandrashila, Dayara Bugyal, the temperatures drop to negative numbers.

They can drop as low as -10 °C after sundown. Just after a rain / snowfall, it’s coldest (although, interestingly, it isn’t as cold during a snowfall). 

But on average, on a winter trek expect daytime temperatures to be roughly between 8 °C and 15 °C. This means during the day, you can usually trek wearing just one, or a maximum of two layers. 

The nighttime temperatures are likely to be between 3°C to -5°C. Any time after sundown, you need all your layers on. That is at least five warm layers.

Here is a list of all the gear you need on a winter trek. As a thumb rule, wear a minimum of 5 layers on winter treks. What we’ve mentioned below are the layers we recommend. You could mix and match; you could also carry another extra layer if you’re more prone to feeling cold.

Apart from these prominent gears, it's wise to carry two kinds of gloves -- One water-proof glove and one thick fleece-liner glove. "Trekkers usually make the big mistake of carrying just either of these. But both serve different purposes and save you from cold at different times of the trek," says Akshay Upreti who leads the Rental Division at Indiahikes. 

"You'll need the water-proof glove during the trek, when you are on the trail, where you may encounter snow but also need your hand to be protected against the biting cold. On the other hand, you'll need the fleece-liner glove in the later half of the day, when you are at the campsite. At the campsite, when the sun is setting, the synthetic water-proof glove won't be able to protect you from the cold. That's when fleece liner gloves come to your rescue," Akshay shares. 

Similarly don't forget your warm, thick woollen socks. "They are not an absolute necessity, but they make you feel really comfortable at night on a cold winter trek," Lakshmi offers. 

In the video above, you'll find strong directions on how to go about shopping for winter layers. 

One thing to keep in mind is that trekking in winter is one grade tougher than trekking in non-winter. 

For example, a Kedarkantha trek, which is “easy-moderate” in all other seasons, becomes “moderate” in winter. 

You must start your preparation at least 1.5 – 2 months before your trek. You must start your preparation at least 1.5 – 2 months before your trek. You must start your preparation at least 1.5 – 2 months before your trek. Target running a distance of 5 km within 40 minutes. 

Having spoken to many trekkers about this, I notice they are worried about achieving this level of fitness. The worry is usually among beginners, or elderly trekkers or even those trekking with children. 

So I’m going to give you a very simple fitness routine that works. 

Start by running just 1 or 2 km everyday. Concentrate purely on the distance, trying to increase it bit by bit every day. Do this until you hit the 5 km mark. 

Once you are able to run 5 km, start paying attention to the timing. Try to reduce it just by a few seconds every day until you can bring it down to 40 minutes. 

This kind of preparation takes time, which is why you must plan your trek at least 2 months in advance. 

A question you must not ask: What will Indiahikes do if I cannot meet this target? 

Frankly speaking, it doesn’t matter what Indiahikes says about your fitness. It matters how YOU fare on the trek. This is the level of fitness the trek demands. If you’re not able to meet this mark, you’ll struggle through your trek. That will suck out all the fun of a winter trek in snow. 

There are a few other reasons why winter treks demand more fitness compared to other seasons. The section below will show you.

Some hard realities of trekking in winter 

There are two hard realities of trekking in winter that take trekkers by surprise. But these are realities you need to be prepared for and take in your stride. 

Be ready for changes in routes / campsites:

Many a time, we have to change routes and campsites on winter treks. There are quite a few reasons for this — sudden snowfall may make a campsite inaccessible, forcing us to move to another campsite; water sources may freeze up at certain campsites; some sections of trails may get buried under chest-deep snow; Under such circumstances, it is normal to change routes and campsites, moving to a more compatible route.

Possibility of bad weather is part of the sport:

Although bad weather occurs just once or twice a month, it is highly unpredictable. In case of heavy snowfall or rainfall, your Trek Leader may take the decision to stay put at a certain camp as a safety protocol. In such cases, you may skip a certain camp, or cover the extra distance the next day. These are tweaks in your itinerary that you must be prepared for.

Given that we have been running winter treks for over ten years, we have heard so many myths that we can fill a book! 

Some of these myths will take you by surprise. Some others, you may empathise with, and some could be dangerous if they are truly believed. If you believe in any of these myths, it’s time to bust them. 

9 Bonus tips about trekking gear in winter

You’ll need a good pair of trekking shoes with ankle support and good grip. Our recommendation is to rent a good pair of trekking shoes from the Indiahikes Rental store. If you wish to buy a trekking shoe, then a regular trekking shoe like the MH100 will do. Note: Sports shoes will not work on a winter trek. They neither offer the ankle support nor the grip.

2. What about sunglasses if you wear Spectacles?

You can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles.

Read more about using sunglasses with spectacles

If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens.

Read more about contact lenses vs spectacles

As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is a blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cold, wear synthetic clothes. They wick sweat rapidly when you’re trekking and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell sometimes, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)

5. Down Jacket or Polyfill Padded Jacket?

We would recommend going for a polyfill padded jacket. It’s more durable, it’s less trouble maintaining it, and it usually comes with a water-resistant layer with a hood. Down jackets rarely come with hoods, and are high-maintenance jackets. Watch this video for more input on these two layers.

Go for pants with zippered pockets. They come in handy to keep your phone, handkerchief or pocket snacks, making sure none of these slip out of your pockets while climbing.

Get the ultimate guide on how to choose the right trekking pants

Stretchable track pants make a good backup and can double up as your thermal bottoms. But track pants are not trek pants — so don’t use them as your main outerwear. Keep them only as a backup.

Here, again, avoid cotton pants in winter. You’re going to be trekking in snow and perhaps sliding in snow. If your pants get wet, they need to dry quickly. So synthetic materials work best.

9. Additional Useful Accessories in Winter

A thermos flask (To keep your water warm) 

Steel and not plastic cutlery (steel is easier to wash)

Petroleum jelly to tackle dry skin and lips

That brings us to the end of this post on how to prepare for a winter trek. At the end of it all, it boils down to two basic things — your fitness and your gear. 

Follow the tips we have shared. Work on your fitness for a minimum of 45 days before your trek. On another note, carry a minimum of 5 warm layers. 

If you can take care of these two areas, you will have a good winter trek without fail.  

If you have any questions, drop in a comment below. 

Preparation plays a crucial role on a winter trek. Even a small slip-up and lead to an extremely uncomfortable experience in the extreme temperatures. This blogs lists all details that are required to help you prepare well for a winter trek

How to Prepare For a Himalayan Winter Trek - All You Need To Know

How to Prepare for a Himalayan Winter Trek - All You Need to Know

It’s been a month since I wrote to you from Switzerland. I still cannot believe that I spent time trekking and hiking in the Swiss alps. 

Ever since I came back, people have asked me just one question — how can we trek in Switzerland on our own?  

That’s what I’m going to answer today. 

In this post, I’m sharing with you a guide on how to trek on your own in Switzerland. These are good treks to do on your own without a guide. 

I’m also sharing some pointers on where to stay and how to travel in order to maintain a respectable budget (as much as Switzerland allows).

Let’s start with some basic understanding of how people trek in Switzerland, this will apply to you too.

Switzerland is not a very big country. So don’t expect to do multi day treks like how we do in India. The entire country can be crisscrossed with a combination of trains and cable cars in a matter of hours.

Most treks in Switzerland are day treks. They range anywhere between 3 hours to 6-7 hours (although what the Swiss mention as 4.5 hours took me around 6 hours!)

Each day has a destination where you’ll either be staying at a mountain hut or a hotel. This is the norm when it comes to trekking Switzerland.

Camping is not a very popular practice. They have mountain huts even in the remotest high altitude regions, where stock is sometimes replenished with helicopter services!

There is no concept of a Trek Leader or guide in Switzerland. They have well-marked routes so you never get lost. You also have a mobile network throughout (with some network providers), which give you easy access to Google maps or Swiss topo apps.

This is the first trek I did after landing in Switzerland. And what an introduction it was to the Swiss Alps! 

Blüemlisalp is a high mountain in the Bernese Alps, rising to 12,011 ft. It is a lesser known massif in the region, since it is overshadowed by its famous neighbours, Jungfrau and Finsteraarhorn. 

This particular trek takes you to a mountain hut (hütte in German) at the base of the Blüemlisalp massif. It’s an intimidating view. You take one step out of the hut and you step on the crackling Blüemlisalp glacier.

A view of the Blümlisalp massif from the hut. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

From here, you get a few of the most spectacular views of the Bernese Alps, especially during sunset. In fact, many people climb up here just to experience the sunset! Just below the hut is also a col called Hohtürli Pass, from where several treks begin. This is perhaps the most Himalayan-like trek I did in Switzerland. 

The trek starts from a lovely pine forest. Not too dense, but tall and earthy. Small rivulets meander through the trees, sometimes cascading down small rocks. 

The forest trails just rising out of Griesalp. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

At the end of the forest, the scenery opened up so suddenly that I was caught off guard. Ahead of me were endless meadows set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. A huge glacier rolled down on my left. The trail from here onwards climbed steadily uphill. It was a pleasurable climb, but a challenging one! 

Looking back on the trail to Blümlisalphütte. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

Within four hours, I had crossed the treeline, entered the grasslands, crossed the grasslands, hit the moraines and even touched the snowline. That’s how quickly the trek climbs. The mountain hut is in alpine terrain, usually surrounded by snow after September. 

I would highly recommend this trek to a slightly more experienced trekker. You’ll enjoy the challenge and the rewards at the end of it. If you’re a beginner, I have more treks for you. 

The mountain hut as seen from Hohtürli Pass. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

Inside the mountain hut: This was an experience in itself, meeting hikers, skiers and mountaineers from all around Switzerland at the common dining area. They serve you hot, delicious meals and have quite a vast menu. The huts have shared rooms (bunk beds) and shared toilets. The stay was warm and cosy. All mountain huts across Switzerland have similar facilities and cost around 70-80 CHF per night (inclusive of dinner and breakfast). 

Altitude gain: ↑ 4,675 ft (4,642 ft to 9,317 ft)

Difficulty: Difficult, meant for fit and experienced trekkers. A lot of the walk is on moraine and snow.

How to reach Griesalp: Stay overnight at Spiez. From Spiez, take a train to Reichenbach im Kandertal and a bus further to Griesalp. Start early, as soon as you finish breakfast.

One of the things I was looking forward to the most in Switzerland was seeing alpine lakes. I had seen pictures of turquoise blue waters glimmering in the sunlight, many of them reminiscent of the Gadsar lake in Kashmir, but much larger in size.

That’s exactly what I saw at Lake Oeschinensee. Azure waters fed by several creeks around it, pine trees dotting the landscape, majestic cliffs walling the lake. It was an incredible sight, one meant for wallpapers! 

My first view of Lake Oeschinensee from the Blümlisalphütte route. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

There are two ways to get to the lake. I trekked to the lake from Blümlisalphütte. If you trek to Blümlisalphütte, you must definitely trek down this route too. It starts right below the hut, from the Hohtürli Pass. It’s a steep descent to the lake, speeding down glacial moraines, rocky terrain and grasslands. 

What mesmerised me is that this lake was nowhere in sight throughout my descent. I almost thought this lake was a farce, when suddenly it loomed in front of me! I stood transfixed at the view for several minutes, until a few passersby shook me out of reverie. 

The route from the other side, Kandersteg, is incredibly pretty too. It climbs through pine forests alongside the Oeschibach river, which is fed by the lake. Not only do you get to walk by the river, you’ll also be spoiled by the view of Kandersteg, a charming town nestled in a glacial valley.

The town of Kandersteg. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

Once you get to the lake, you can spend 4-5 hours by the lake side. Walking around the lake, it can take nearly 2 hours to see it from all sides, although one side has been cordoned off because of possibilities of rockfall. You can take a dip, take a boat, or toboggan beside the lake. Of course, you have to go in the summer for this. In winter, the lake remains frozen for months, making it an ice skaters’ haven.

On your return, I would recommend the gondola ride to Kandersteg, just for the experience of it. There’s also a route to hike back down, which is different from the route up. I found this blog quite useful for the routes.

Altitude gain: ↑ 1,277 ft (3,900 ft to 5,177 ft)

Difficulty: Easy from Kandersteg route, slightly challenging descent from Blümlisalphütte route

How to reach Kandersteg: There’s a train station at Kandersteg, so it’s easy to reach here from anywhere.

Good blog for information: https://tinyurl.com/exys3yxz

Here is a classic trail in Switzerland, steeped in history and rare sights of the Swiss backcountry. What I loved about this trail is that it showed me a side of Switzerland that you never get to see in postcards. And it is a superbly flexible trail. It stretches across 26 km. You can get on and off at several points with easy railway accessibility. The starting points are the stations at Hohtenn, Ausserberg, Eggerberg, Lalden, Dorf and Brig. 

To me, there were four highlights of this trail: 

(1) Walking in and out of innumerable tunnels 

There are countless such tunnels on this trail. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

(2) Crossing the Bietschtal hanging bridge (scary but incredible!) 

The Bietschtal hanging bridge around a 1000 ft above the river. The railway bridge is still functional. So don’t be surprised if a train whizzes by as you’re crossing the bridge. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

(3) The view of the Rhône river and the settlements below 

A view of the towns below from the Lötschberg-Südrampe trail. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

(4) Having a historic water channel as my companion throughout the trail

The water channel along the Lötschberg-Südrampe has a fascinating history of how it was made! Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

What’s unique about this trail is that it is laid out entirely beside the Lötschberg railway track. This track was built way back in the early 1900s, boring through imposing mountains and over newly constructed bridges that hung 1000 ft above a gushing river. You cannot help but marvel at the architectural genius of the Swiss people over 100 years ago! 

On the other hand, this is one of the warmest trekking trails in Switzerland. It faces the south and witnesses the sun right from dawn to dusk. The trail is dry and barren, with lots of lizards and possibly snakes. There were a few completely deserted sections where with every step I took, I saw about 50 skinks scuttling away. It’s a rare experience in Switzerland, popular with keen trekking enthusiasts only.

Which route to take: I did this trek from Ausserberg to Raron, around 8 km long, across the hanging bridge of Bietschtal. I would recommend this route to you too. This way, you’ll get to experience Ausserberg too, a faraway village in Switzerland, housing just around 650 people. You’ll get to see how Swiss people live, untouched by tourism.

A pasture in the village of Ausserberg. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

Duration: 3-4 hours from Ausserberg to Raron

How to go about it: Stay overnight at Ausserberg, which is accessible by train. Start your journey from there.

Recommended hotel: Hotel Bahnof, Ausserberg (Costs approx. 125 CHF per night, includes only breakfast)

This is another terrific trek in Switzerland, because of the flabbergasting views of the Aletsch Glacier and the suspension bridge over it. This is the longest glacier in the Alps, stretching across 23 km. From your starting point at Belalp, you’re already floored by the view of the snout of the glacier. 

Only when you start trekking do you realise that you’re going closer and closer to the glacier, at one point, you’re standing right above it on a suspension bridge, hanging 80 m above the ground and suspended across a gorge for 125 m. It’s not for the fainthearted. 

From the bridge, it’s a complete ascent to Riederalp, through lovely shady forests of Aletschwald. It’s one of the most unique forest experiences, trekking beside 100 year old Swiss stone pines, yet with a view of the glacier near you. 

I personally didn’t trek this route because I was short on time, but having been to Belalp, seen the glacier and spent the night there, I know how grand this trek is going to be. If and when I go back to Switzerland, I’m definitely going to complete this route. 

Another small trek here: From Blatten to Belalp (ascent through beautiful 800-1000 year old pine forests) or the reverse route. There is the option of a cable way here, but the hike is gorgeous. 

A view of the famous chapel at Belalp. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

Difficulty: Moderate-difficult. Requires high fitness levels.

How to reach Belalp: Take a train to Brig. From Brig, take a bus to Blatten. From Blatten, take a cable way to Belalp (or hike up to Belalp)

Other great treks to do (recommended by Swiss trekkers):

1. Trek to Leutschachhütte from Arnisee via Nidersee (Normal route)

A lovely trail starting beside the Arnisee lake and climbing to another alpine lake at Nidersee. From Nidersee, it’s a stiff climb over switchbacks to Leutschachhütte. The views from the hut, especially in summer when Switzerland is in its peak greenery is astounding. 

Click here to find more info about the trek to Leutschachhütte

This is a 6 km loopy trail over a plateau that allows you to experience the best alpine flowers of Switzerland, especially from May to October. It takes hardly 3 hours to cover the distance. Given that it is in the Interlaken region, the panoramic views of Lake Brienz, Lake Thun and the Bernese Alps (Mt Eiger and My Jungfrau) are out of the world.  

You can reach here only by hiking up or by taking a cogwheel train from Wilderswil (which is accessible by train or bus). You can avail a 50% discount on the cogwheel train if you have a Swiss travel pass. 

Almost everyone who goes to Switzerland visits Grindelwald. But what not many people do is hike around the place. Just look up Grindelwald First and you’ll find umpteen trails around the region, like the hike up to Bachalpsee lake, taking just two hours. 

Find more information here: https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-in/experiences/grindelwald-first-1/

9 Important Tips to trek on your own in Switzerland: 

Switzerland’s train and bus connectivity will be your best friend while you’re in Switzerland. The travel pass allows you unlimited access to trains, buses and boats. You can move from one corner of the country to another within 2-3 hours. This gives you tremendous freedom and flexibility to plan your treks. It even accommodates last-minute change in plan at all times. 

For history buffs: This travel pass allows you free access to over 500 museums in Switzerland too. 

| Costing: The Swiss travel pass costs around 281 CHF for 4 days and 418 CHF for 8 days. This price is going to reduce significantly by around 20%-30% from Jan 2022. It is quite pricey if you convert it into INR. So avoid the mental exercise 🙂 

You’ll find more information on their official website here.

2. Make use of the iconic cable ways in Switzerland

One of the most iconic experiences in Switzerland is riding the cable way. Before visiting Switzerland, I thought these were few and far apart. Once I got familiar with the transport system though, I was astonished to see how many cable ways exist! It is used much like a bus or a train in Switzerland. So if you have planned a trek and you’re not feeling up to it, or you’re injured, you can just get into a cable way and come all the way down. 

What was more astonishing was that the sizes and distances of the cable ways vary. While going to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise restaurant, from where we climbed Mt Breithorn, we changed cable ways thrice, from large sized ones to smaller ones, climbing uphill for almost 45 minutes! 

| Costing: The costing of the cable car varies from the distance to the size of the cable car. Gondolas (smaller cars) are cheaper. It could cost anywhere between 7 CHF to 25 CHF for a ride. If you have a Swiss travel pass, the cost is 50% less.

One of the most convenient aspects of trekking in Switzerland is that you have mobile connectivity on most trails. For trekking purposes, I would recommend a Swisscom SIM card. It had the best connectivity on the remotest trails. You can easily use Google maps or any other apps on its network. 

| Costing: It costs 20 CHF for a pre-paid SIM card, has unlimited data for a month, upto 10 GB. The SIM card has data only in Switzerland though, not other European countries. 

If I had a penny for every time I opened this app in Switzerland, I’d be a millionaire. The most useful app to travel around in Switzerland. It shows you train, bus and cable way timings, updated and accurate to the second. It never fails. 

| Costing: It’s a free app and can be downloaded on Android and iPhones too. 

Switzerland Mobility is a lot like the Indiahikes website for those who want to trek on their own. It has all the information you need to do a trek on your own. So you can just look for the route you want to trek on and find it on the app, along with the routemap, section by section break-ups and trail information. 

| Costing: It’s a free app and easy to use. 

6. Choose to stay in mountain huts or hostels

Hostels and mountain huts cost less than half the price of regular hotels in Switzerland. 

Hostels are available in most of the touristy areas where hotels are doubly expensive (like Zermatt, Interlaken, Lucerne, Zurich and Grindelwald). These may not be your most convenient places if you’re trekking in remote areas. But they’re very pocket-friendly if you’re travelling around the touristy regions. 

Useful websites to book hostels: Youthhostel.ch, hostelworld.com

In touristy places like Zermatt, it’s best to stay at hostels. Picture shot at Zermatt by Swathi Chatrapathy

Mountain huts, on the other hand, are your most convenient places to stay if you’re trekking. These are maintained by SAC (Swiss Alpine Club), have excellent facilities and give you a feeling of community, where you meet fellow trekkers and hikers. (Funnily, they have almost never seen Indians trekking in Switzerland. They were very surprised to learn I was from India! Let’s hope to change that!)

How and where to book: Much like hotels, you have to book these much in advance, especially in peak trekking season. They have limited slots (around 150) and usually get booked out soon. 

SAC website to book stay: https://www.sac-cas.ch/en/huts-and-tours/sac-route-portal/?type=hut

7. Get in touch with trek experts in Switzerland

Euro Trek is a company that organises treks in Switzerland and other parts of Europe. They made my trek itinerary for me, and helped organise my stay and meals. They don’t have too many guided tours, but can help you with the logistics. They are very flexible with itineraries and plan it according to your needs. 

4 excellent multi-day treks Euro Trek organises in Switzerland: 

Via Alpina: Their best-selling tour in Switzerland. The route crosses the whole country. In the east the mountain regions are more wild and sparsely populated – the key parts are in the Bernese Oberland where you visit places like Grindelwald or Wengen. (Read more)

Via Albula: This tour crosses the alps and ends in Italy. The trail follows the rails of the Rhaetian Railway and shows a very authentic part of Switzerland. St. Moritz is the most popular place along the trail and the glaciers of Bernina are another highlight. (Read more)

Lake Lucerne: This walk takes you around Lake Lucerne. The places where trekkers stay are small and authentic and offer very nice views on the lake and the adjacent alpine peaks. (Read more)

Valais: Two of the trekking routes I mentioned earlier are a part of this trek in the Aletsch region. It’s challenging, but a unique trek in Switzerland. (Read more) 

| Costing: They charge around 850 CHF for an 8 day tour like Via Alpina, inclusive of your food, accommodation, transfer of luggage and planning your itinerary. 

8. Familiarize yourself with trail markings: 

Nobody in Switzerland really treks with guides. All trails are well-marked. Familiarize yourself with the signs, so that you don’t get lost. Also, for your safety, download the EchoSOS app for emergency purposes.  

9. Get fit before you trek in Switzerland

This is the last tip I’m going to leave you with. The Swiss Alps are incredibly beautiful, but you’ll be able to enjoy it only if you’re fit. The Swiss locals have made trekking and hiking a part of their lives. It is second nature to them. Where they mark a trail as 4 hours, you can consider it 6 hours if you’re moderately fit. 

So get fit. Carry two trekking poles. Plan your trip well. 

Trekking in Switzerland requires good fitness levels. Don’t underestimate any trail. Picture from mountaineering ascent to Mt Breithorn shot by Nicole Schafer

That brings me to the end of this post. I hope it gives you enough information to trek on your own in Switzerland. It’s hard to cram more information into one post. So if you are curious about anything in particular — food, stay, budget — just drop in a comment. I’ll get back to you. I’m sure it will help other trekkers as well. 

A guide on how to trek in Switzerland on your own, including few of the best trekking trails and tips of stay, travel and accommodation.

Tips To Trek Like A Pro

Treks by Season

Treks by Difficulty

Treks by Month

Treks by Region

Follow Us

Contact Us

Bengaluru Office

Dehradun Office