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Walking Holidays: Heidiland Hiking Tour
The holiday region of Heidiland is a small area in eastern Switzerland stretching from the famous Spa resort of Bad Ragaz to Weesen at the end of Lake Walen and includes – as the name implies- the famous setting of Heidi’s story. Only an hour away from Zürich, the area offers a world of mountains and valleys, alpine lakes and pastures, waterfalls, gorges and beautiful scenery. On this exciting hiking trip you will discover the entire region in seven stages. Not as famous as some areas of Switzerland the area nevertheless oozes beautiful scenery and charming tradition. Combine this with small typical Swiss hotels and the excellent regional food and you will have an unforgettable hiking holiday.
Programme
| Day 1: | Arrival Flight or rail from the UK to Zürich. Train and bus transfer to Weesen on Lake Walen . Make use of the included Heidiland Card with a lovely boat cruise or a trip to the picturesque village of Amden . Overnight in Weesen. |
| Day 2: |
Weesen-Filzbach |
| Day 3: | Filzbach-Murgsee Todays section is a strenuous but rewarding hike along 4 mountain lakes, starting off with a chair lift ride to Habergschwänd at 1,280m (4,199ft). After passing the romantic Talsee lake the ascent begins towards Mürtschenfurggel at 1,980m (6,496ft) and descents again down to the Murgsee mountain hut at 1,800m. Fresh clean mountain air and a clear star strewn sky make the atmosphere of this simple mountain hut an experience in itself. Your personal luggage cant be transferred here, so you will need to carry a daypack with your essentials. Hiking time: 4.5 – 5hours. Overnight in Murgsee. |
| Day 4: | Murgsee-Flumserberg After a hearty breakfast you continue with the ascent towards Erdisgulmen at 2,286m (7,500ft). The majority of todays hike is on high alpine and exposed mountain paths. The views are ever changing and rewarding. At Maschgenkamm you take the gondola down to the resort of Flumserberg Tannenboden.Hiking time: 5 hours. Overnight in Flumserberg. |
| Day 5: | Flumserberg - Schönhalden Starting off in Flumserberg the hike leads through the lesser known Schils valley towards Flumser Kleinberg. Past alpine meadows and small streams, through forests and past the small reservoir at Bruggwiti you continue deeper and deeper into the valley. At Steinbrugg you start the ascent to Halden at 1,817m (5,961ft). From here the path slowly descents until you reach the mountain hotel Schönhalden above Flums-Saxli. Hiking time: 5.5 hours. Overnight in Schönhalden. |
| Day 6: | Schönhalden – Weisstannen Enjoy todays easy and relaxing hike. From Schönhalden follow the Walsa path with its great views. Past the Chapfensee (lake) situated in a nature reserve known for its varied flora, through forests until you will reach Schwendi. Continue to the hamlet of Weisstannen. Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours. Overnight in Weisstannen |
| Day 7: | Weisstannen – Pizolhütte This is the highlight but also the most strenuous and weather depending section of the Heidiland hiking tour. The highest point is at almost 2,600m (8,530ft) and part of the hike is on exposed mountain paths high above the tree line. The views however are impressive and you will pass imposing waterfalls and beautiful alpine lakes before reaching Pizolhütte, taking the gondola down to the plateau of Furt where your mountain hotel is located. Hiking time: 6 hours. Overnight in Furt. |
| Day 8: | Pizolhütte – Bad Ragaz The last section of the Heidiland hiking tour is a slow descent from 2,223m (7,293ft) down to Bad Ragaz at 510m (1,673ft). From Furt take the gondola back up to Pizolhütte and enjoy the easy descent with its continuing great views. Finally you will enter the impressive Tamina canyon with its hot springs and the small baroque thermal bath Bad Pfäfers. Following a small stream you will reach Bad Ragaz.Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours. Overnight in Bad Ragaz. |
| Day 9: | Departure Transfer to Zürich for your return flight or rail to the UK . |
Accommodation
All hotels are small family run, typically Swiss hotels with a warm welcome. They are of good standard and have private faclilties with the exception of the mountain hut on day 3, where you will sleep in shared accommodation with running water only. All hotels offer to fill your thermos flask with tea for the day.
Departures: Daily (except Wednesdays and Thursdays) from 02 July to 15 October 2008
Price: From £ 538 per person sharing standard twin/double room
(subject to availability at time of booking)
Price includes: Flights, airport taxes, carbon offset contribution (see climate care), 8 nights accommodation with breakfast and 4 dinners, 2nd class rail transfer from and to airport, 9 day HEIDILAND CARD, luggage transfers on 6 days, detailed hiking itinerary, maps and suggestions at your first hotel.
Supplements:
Single room supplement: £ 39 for 8 nights
Dinner for additional 4 nights: £ 46 per person
Payment by credit card:
A charge of 1% up to a maximum of £ 15 will apply when paying by credit card (Diners Card cannot be accepted). No charge will be made for debit cards.
