Swiss Alps

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The Swiss Alps evokes impressions of lush green valleys, white snow capped mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and icy-cool fresh water streams tumbling down the valleys, with wooden chalets and Swiss flags. It is just that and much, much more.

Situated centrally in the Alps, neighbouring France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, and Austria. The Swiss Alps is about 180 miles long (290 km), more or less the length of the country, from west to east, accounting for over 60% of Switzerland's overall territory; the remainder occupied by the Swiss plateau and the Jura. There are 48 of the official four-thousand metre Alpine peaks (13,123 ft) in the Swiss Alps.

Join us on one of our exciting 6 or 9-day hiking tours in the Pennine Alps the Bernese Oberland, taking in the Swiss Peaks of the Matterhorn, the Eiger, the Jungfrau, and many more.

Swiss Alps facts

Facts

Countries / Regions:

Bernese Oberland, Europe, European Alps, Switzerland

Getting there:

Geneva & Zurich

Highest peak:

Dufourspitze 15,203 ft (4,634 m)

Other facts:

180 mi (290km) long, approx. 60% of Switzerland

Where can I find it

The Swiss Alps is located along the continuation of the European Alpine mountain chain, which runs through France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, and into Slovenia. From the Mont Blanc massif it occupies the Southern and central part of Switzerland, running continuously through more or less the west-east length of the country for about 180 miles (290 km). The Swiss Alps account for over 60% of Switzerland's overall territory; the remainder occupied by the Swiss plateau and the Jura.

Switzerland has 17 'Fourteeners', mountain peaks with an elevation of at least 14,000 ft (4267 m) and 48 of the official Alpine 4000 metre peaks (13,123 ft). Some of the most are notable, the Dufourspitze 15,203 ft (4,634 m), the Dom14,911 ft (4,545 m), the Weisshorn 14,783 ft (4,506 m), the Matterhorn 14,691 ft (4,478 m), and the Dent Blanche 14,294 ft (4357 m). From the Sasstal valley for example, 18 of the 4000-metre peaks can be seen from the trails. The glaciers of the Swiss Alps cover an area of 470 square miles (1,220 sq km), representing over 40% of the total glaciated area in the Alps.

What makes it special

Switzerland itself is one of the world's oldest federal republics. It has four national languages, each reflecting their own linguistic and diverse cultural variations: German, French, Italian and Romansh.