Switzerland's Wildstrubel Tour: Valais & Bernese Oberland – 7 Days

Zurich Airport is your easiest entry point, with train connections to Crans-Montana taking around four hours. Geneva Airport is the closer alternative, roughly three hours away by train, with all timetables at www.sbb.ch. The walk finishes back in Crans-Montana, so your onward journey retraces the same route, with frequent public transport on hand whenever you're ready to move on.

This walk runs daily from 27 June to 13 September, and that window isn't arbitrary. It's the stretch when the high alpine passes, Gemmi, Rawilpass and the rest, are clear of snow and safely walkable, and when mountain huts and cable cars along the route are open for the season. Book towards the middle of the window (July to August) for the most settled weather and the longest days on the trail, though the shoulder weeks in late June and September bring quieter paths and the same big views.

Expect a proper alpine workout. Days regularly climb and descend over 1,000 metres, on trails that shift from soft alpine meadows and larch forest to steep, chiselled cliff paths like the historic route over the Gemmi Pass. Some days push above the treeline into rocky, high-altitude terrain, so good weather and sure footing matter. Cable cars and buses are available on several of the tougher climbs if you'd rather shorten the day, all at your own cost. Underfoot you'll find everything from smooth gravel valley paths to narrow ledges and a dramatic boardwalk bridge over a deep gorge on the final day.

Each morning it will be up to you to place your luggage at the designated luggage pick-up point within the hotel by 9.00 am. This generally will be at reception or where you pick up your luggage the night before. There is a strict limit of one suitcase with a maximum weight of 20 kg.

The bus journey to Iffigenalp on day 6 cannot be pre-booked and is therefore at own cost. The bus fares costs approximately EUR 9 pp (using the half fare card provided).

A small tourist tax, payable at each accommodation, is not included in the price.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

For over 30 years, we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know you’ll have many more questions even with that in mind. You will receive a detailed information pack and itinerary approximately six weeks before departure outlining all the fine details and much more.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants, or if you have specific track-related questions if we can't answer them, we can also ask our staff who have walked the track. You can contact us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on this self-guided trip. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.