Swiss Alps

Few countries take walking as seriously as Switzerland. The trails are meticulously maintained, the waymarking is faultless and a world-class network of trains, cable cars and yellow post buses means you can spend your days on the high passes and your evenings in cosy mountain chalets with fondue and rösti on the table.

The Bernese Oberland is the classic starting point, where the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau dominate the skyline above flower-filled meadows and the car-free villages of Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren. For something more demanding, the Walker's Haute Route traverses high alpine passes from Chamonix to Zermatt, with the Matterhorn appearing on the horizon as the walk draws to its close. The quieter Engadine valley in the east offers an altogether different character, with Romansch-speaking villages, glacial lakes and trails that rarely feel crowded.

Whatever your pace or ambition, Switzerland delivers. The infrastructure is seamless, the scenery is consistently extraordinary and the mountains have a way of making every day feel well earned.