Switzerland
Passes, glaciers and 48 four-thousanders
Switzerland is the country of the pass. Here the Alps reach their highest form, with 48 summits above 4,000 metres and glaciers feeding the Rhine, the Rhône, the Aare and the Ticino. Beside them lie the Jura with its long ridges and the Mittelland with its lakes and hills.
The footpaths are better kept than anywhere, with yellow signposts giving times and altitudes.
From June to October the passes are open. High above, snow lies until July.
Trips in Switzerland
Mont Blanc massif · Switzerland, France, ItalyTour du Mont Blanc
The classic walk around Mont Blanc: 164 kilometres, three countries, eleven stages from 6 to 20 kilometres, and every day a balcony view of the highest mountain in the Alps.
Berner Oberland · SwitzerlandBärentrek
Six days over the passes of the Bernese Oberland, from Meiringen past the Eiger north face and over the Sefinenfurgge and Hohtürli to Lenk: the classic Via Alpina week.