Swiss Alps (Summer)

The “great cathedrals of the Earth” cover more than half of Switzerland, and dominate the country in more ways than one. Historically, the steep valleys were isolated from one another, fostering a tradition of regional independence. Today Alpine tourism is a mainstay of the economy. All four mountain regions — the Bernese Alps, Central Switzerland, Graubunden, and Valais — offer endless opportunities for summer fun, from hiking, climbing and mountain biking to quietly enjoying the spectacular vistas. In the Bernese Alps, south of the capital, Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau region and the mountain ...

The “great cathedrals of the Earth” cover more than half of Switzerland, and dominate the country in more ways than one. Historically, the steep valleys were isolated from one another, fostering a tradition of regional independence. Today Alpine tourism is a mainstay of the economy. All four mountain regions — the Bernese Alps, Central Switzerland, Graubunden, and Valais — offer endless opportunities for summer fun, from hiking, climbing and mountain biking to quietly enjoying the spectacular vistas. In the Bernese Alps, south of the capital, Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau region and the mountain resorts of Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren. Historic Central Switzerland is the home of William Tell, where the Swiss Confederation was formed in 1291. Today tourists peruse Lucerne’s medieval old town and cruise the lake. In the southeast lies Graubunden, the source of the Rhine and home to the resorts of St. Moritz, Davos, Klosters, Lenzerheide, the Surselva and family-friendly Arosa. In the south of the country, the river Rhône runs through the canton Valais (Wallis), Switzerland’s largest wine region and the birthplace of cheese fondue. Get close to the country’s highest mountains in Verbier, Crans-Montana and Zermatt, home of the famous Matterhorn.

About the Expert

Charlie Morris is the author of the Open Road guidebooks Best of Honduras, Best of Costa Rica, Best of Belize, and Switzerland Guide.