Via Alpina

The Via Alpina, created in 2000 by eight Alpine countries, is an epic long-distance hiking network spanning 5,000 km (3,107 miles) across eight nations, with five color-coded routes and 342 stages.

Our Switzerland itineraries focus on the spectacular Red Trail through the Bernese Oberland - home to some of the most inspiring scenery in the Swiss Alps - and include iconic segments like the renowned Barentrek. This route offers an accessible yet unforgettable journey through the heart of European alpine long-distance hiking, blending dramatic mountain landscapes with rich cultural encounters.

Highlights of the Via Alpina Red Trail (Switzerland):
•    Cross historic Alpine passes and flower-filled valleys 
•    Discover charming Swiss villages in the Bernese Oberland 
•    Stay in cozy chalets, mountain huts, and vibrant alpine towns 
•    Hike legendary routes like the Barentrek in the Swiss Alps 
•    Perfect for a classic inn-to-inn Swiss Alps hiking adventure

The Bärentrek – a highlight of the Bernese Oberland along the Via Alpina – gets its name from the German word “Bär,” meaning “bear.”

While you won’t find bears on the trail today, they once roamed these alpine valleys. The name also honors the bear as the enduring symbol of the Bern region, whose rugged landscapes the trek traverses.

In short: no bears on the path—but plenty of wild, untamed Swiss Alpine spirit.

Bernese Oberland - The Berner Oberland is a stone through from the capital, Bern, an easy train ride takes you into the mountains which are dominated by the spectacular mountain trio, the Eiger, Monch and the Jungfrau. This region is filled with walks for all abilities if this is your first walking holiday or you are a veteran. There are multiple trips which will take you through this region, such as our Best of the Bernese Oberland or the Via Alpina. Each takes you through breath-taking scenery and wanders through lush meadows sprinkled with wildflowers. Along the way, hikers are treated to a diversity of Swiss villages from small hamlets, such as of Lauterbrunnen, the car-free Murren or to the popular ski resort of Grindelwald.

Valais – Deep in the alps you find Valais, in the south-west corner of Switzerland. The region is split between German and French-speaking villages. Walk amongst some of the most dramatic alpine scenery Switzerland has to offer, with fifty peaks, including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and the Dom, soaring over 4,000-meter, more than any other region in the Alps. It is filled with an intricate network of hiking trails, the most famous being the Walkers Haute Route, creating endless opportunities for hikers to explore the high peaks, cross panoramic passes and travel through scenic alpine valleys. With a little luck, hikers may encounter marmots, chamois or mountain goats.Explore a quieter side of the Alps on our Trail of the Val D'Annivers trip, let it wow you with stunning scenery, without the crowds. 

Graubünden – Explore the German-speaking Alps, including the Engadine, Davos and St Moritz. This region offers a multitude of great hiking trails from easy walks along beautiful lakes to moderate jaunts between the rustic villages. Strenuous hikes climb over scenic passes with stunning views of glacier-clad peaks and travel up tranquil valleys amid rugged peaks. Discover the local beauty on our St. Moritz & The Engadine Valley tour.

Macs Adventure has been running self-guided walking holidays in Swizterland since 2008.  Whether you like mountains and hills, lakes, rivers and glaciers, dreamy villages and well preserved medieval cities, Switzerland has something to offer for everyone. This abundance of wonderful places to explore lead us to seek out more and more areas where we could help people to discover Switzerland on foot. 

From humble beginnings, we now send over 2000 walkers to Switzerland every year, each walking the route that excites them the most. We provide the freedom to choose your route, itinerary and travel companions and discover Switzerland at your own pace. 

We know how daunting it can be, setting off on an adventure of this scale and we quickly realised how important it was to have amazing partners on the ground in Switzerland to deal with any issues that you might come across.  We are proud to say that we work incredibly closely with all our accommodation suppliers and luggage transfer teams and should you have the slightest issue, they will fall over themselves to help you out. 

We offer a flexible hiking experience that gets you in comfortable, friendly overnight accommodation in local B&Bs and guesthouses. We carry your bags to lighten your load so you can concentrate on simply putting one foot in front of the other and enjoying the unique culture, food and scenery of Switzerland. No hostels, no leaky tents, no heavy bags on your back just a straightforward active holiday that you can book with confidence that we have it all covered for you. 

We want to showcase our expertise, by giving you all the resources you will ever need.  In the planning stage, we have free guides, comprehensive videos and a host of staff with their own Swiss experiences, waiting to answer your questions. On the route, we use high-quality digital mapping as well as the best maps and guidebooks to make sure you find your way.  

We love the diversity of walking in Switzerland and our main aim is to make sure that you do too.