Hiking Switzerland & Italy
Hiking the Great Walser Trail with Smithsonian Journeys
June 30 – July 11, 2012
Study Leaders: David Parry, Joe Carper and Carrie Ogden
Click here to learn more about this amazing journey
Explore the Great Walser Trail across Switzerland and Italy. The Walsers left their homeland in southwest Germany in the sixth century and settled in what is known today as Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland, later moving on to the mountainous region of the Valais. Driven by a growing population and the desire to be free, they accepted the feudal lords’ offers for new land with hereditary rights high up in the Alps. Once again, they crossed mountain passes to settle in new regions near and far. Today the Walser communities are present and active in Alpine Switzerland, Austria and Italy, maintain their customs and traditions and still speak their unique German dialect. Hiking in the footsteps of these hardy and determined people, we will explore the Walser trails and their remote mountain passes. Stay in villages displaying a wealth of Walser architecture, coming to fully appreciate their humble but industrious way of life. Skirt majestic glaciers and alpine lakes, and enjoy colorful waves of wildflowers, and impressive views of some of the highest peaks in the Alps. The trans-alpine trek ends with the crossing of the old path over the Gries Pass into Italy’s Val Formazza. Join us in July!
Highlights
Throughout this tour, travel in the company of an exceptional Smithsonian Study Leader. Experienced Alpine trekkers Joe Carper, David Parry and Carrie Ogden will lead the July departure.
Trace the path of Switzerland’s famous mountain people – the Walsers
Hike with fellow Smithsonian Associates who explore the Alps each year.
Hike into Italy’s remote Val Formazza.
Stay in three different mountain villages, Meiringen, Ulrichen and Ponte.
Each day choose a trail to your liking whether demanding or one with time to smell the alpine flowers.
Itinerary
June 30:
USA To Zurich, Switzerland
Depart on your own from the United States. (D)
July 1 – 3:
Meiringen And The Bernese Alps
Transfer by train from Zurich Airport to Meiringen near Interlaken. After arrival ride a cable car to the top of the famous Reichenbach Fall, where Sherlock Holmes presumably plunged to his death along with his nemesis Moriarty. Meiringen is a beautiful town, relatively unspoiled by tourism, near Lake Brienz, and surrounded by spectacular mountains and infinite hiking possibilities.
Rosenlaui Gorge And Grosse Scheidegg
Explore the Rosenlaui Gorge as far up as the view point of the Rosenlaui Glacier. Along the way you can admire powerful waterfalls, intimate grottos, and unusual cliff formations. You may walk as far as Grosse Scheidegg to enjoy the spectacular views over the Grindelwald valley and the northeastern ridge of the Eiger and its standard climbing route. The adventurous may descend into Grindelwald and return to Meiringen at extra cost or you may return directly to Meiringen with the group.
High Above Meiringen
Take the gondola to Planplatten high above Meiringen to follow a panoramic ridge trail filled with wildflowers and all around you the breathtaking beauty of the Alps, from pastures to glaciers, from lakes to elegant snow covered peaks. Stop for a trail lunch along the way before descending gradually into the pasture of Engstlenalp. Or you may choose to hike down a short distance before returning to Meiringen by gondola.
Through The Aare Valley To The Grimsel Pass
Today follow in the footsteps of the Walser through the dramatic Aare valley, whose vertical granite walls, worn smooth by the passage of glaciers, provide a dramatic setting. Begin on a mule path that gently climbs towards the Grimsel Pass, an area smoothed out by the glaciers and famous for incredible quartz crystals. At the pass many glaciated peaks Itinerary View of the Wetterhorn and Schreckhoerner from Grosse Sheidegg The Rhone Glacier and Grimsel Pass Photo provided by the Swiss National Tourist Office and some of the highest peaks in the Alps, as well as the Rhone Glacier, are visible from this vantage point. After lunch descend into Ulrichen, a Walser village with a wealth of beautiful Walser architecture. (B,D)
July 4 – 6
Walser Villages Of The Goms Valley
No region in Switzerland is as rich in Walser villages and buildings as the Goms in the upper Valais Rhone Valley. Many villages feature the old traditional Walser house sturdily built from stone and timbers and rich in delicate carvings. The fields are dotted with distinctive sheds built of logs set atop huge flat stones to help keep the mice away and used to store the hay for the winter.
A Walk Between Walser Villages In The Goms
Explore the verdant valley of the Goms dotted with traditional Walser villages on an easy hike. From Neiderwald continue along the valley floor to Münster, capital of the Goms and one of its most beautiful villages. For centuries travelers stayed in Münster before beginning their journey over the alpine passes. Here, as well, you can admire the incredible architecture.
The Furka Pass And The Rhone Glacier
Hike to the top of the Furka Pass before hiking down to the edge of the Rhone glacier where one of the great European rivers, the Rhone, starts its journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy a glass of glacier wine before returning by bus and train to Ulrichen.
Across The Alps To Italy
Follow the path of the Walsers into Italy across the Gries Pass with its spectacular landscape of glaciers and vistas of some the highest peaks in the Alps before descending into the Val Formazza. The Gries Glacier and the solemn summits of the Finsteraarhorn and Lauteraarhorn provide an overwhelming welcome. Hike on a level well-maintained alpine trail with carpets of wildflowers, before reaching the Gries Pass, the official border between Switzerland and Italy. Stepping into Italy’s Piedmont region, you begin your descent into the Formazza Valley.
Continue down into the valley to reach Riale, the first Walser settlement south of the Alps, founded in the 13th century, and Ponte, your home for the next four nights. (B,D)
July 7 – 11
Italy’s Val Formazza
Begin walking along the valley floor through an ancient and scented conifer forest to Sagersboden to continue uphill to Lago di Vannino, a beautiful alpine area, surrounded by high peaks and serene pastures. A final short effort takes you to Rifugio Margaroli for lunch on your own. Return by the same route with the option of taking the chairlift down from Sagersboden to Ponte. In the afternoon visit the Walser museum in Ponte.
Altillone – Salecchio
In the Formazza Valley follow a lovely path that leads to Altillone to where you can admire the chapel’s frescoes depicting the Walsers’ crossing over mountain passes. Continue through a beautiful beech and conifer forest to emerge into a pastoral land and the beautiful hamlet of Francoli. The trail skirts the contour of the mountain, allowing for wonderful views of the lower Formazza Valley, before you arrive in Salecchio Superiore.
Here, the Walser architecture is in full display, with bright geraniums adding a touch of color to the sun-stained, wooden buildings. After a trail lunch, continue to Salecchio Inferiore, which is inhabited only in summer, before starting a long descent to the valley floor.
Alpe Devero
A private bus takes us to Alpe Devero nestled amongst the peaks of the Lepontine Alps. Remote Alpe Devero is a rare jewel subject to environmental rules protecting its pristine beauty and timeless character. Framed by the peaks of Cervandone, Rossa and Crampiolo, Alpe Devero is one of the most majestic scenarios in the Western Alps. A beautiful, emerald green lake and exquisitely restored stone houses create a very intimate environment. There are trails suitable for all hikers. Celebrate the end of our Walser Journey with a picnic lunch besides Lago di Devero. Transfer back to Ponte in time for our farewell celebration and dinner. (B,D)
July 12
Departure
After breakfast an early transfer takes us to Milano Malpensa International Airport and your homeward-bound flight. (B)
