6-Night Trek & Sketch: Explore the Swiss Alps

Join us for a six-day adventure through the Swiss Alps, combining hiking and art in a truly inspiring setting. This trip follows a magnificent section of the Via Alpina, where you'll explore valleys, ridgelines, and high mountain passes. Along the way, illustrator Kate will guide daily sketching sessions, helping you create a personal travel journal filled with your own artistic impressions. Whether you're an experienced artist or picking up a pencil for the first time, this experience is about enjoying the process and finding inspiration in the natural world.

Key Details

Group size: 6-10 people
Duration: 6 days, 6 nights
Meeting point: Grindelwald, Switzerland
Hiking distance per day: 8-15km
Elevation gain: Up to 1000m per day

Itinerary

The adventure begins in Grindelwald, where the group meets in the afternoon for introductions, a briefing on the trip, and a relaxed evening meal together. This is a chance to get to know your fellow travellers, meet your guides, and prepare for the days ahead.

Each morning, the group sets off on foot, following the Via Alpina through alpine meadows, high passes, and dramatic ridgelines. Some days will involve steady climbs, rewarded by incredible panoramic views, while others will take you through lush valleys and alongside mountain lakes. The pace is steady, allowing time to take in the scenery and enjoy the experience.

At various points throughout the day, Kate will lead informal sketching sessions, guiding you through different techniques to capture the landscape. No experience is necessary—these sessions are about experimenting with your style and recording your journey in a personal way. You’ll be encouraged to sketch in quick, loose strokes, focusing on the movement of the mountains, the colours of the wildflowers, and the changing light over the peaks.

Evenings are spent in a mix of traditional mountain huts and small hotels, where you can relax, share stories, and enjoy hearty alpine meals. Some nights will be spent high in the mountains, waking up to sunrise over the peaks, while others will be in cosy villages along the way. Meals are provided each morning and afternoon, with dinners included on four nights.

As the journey comes to an end in Kandersteg, there’s time for one final breakfast together before you make your way home. By the end of the trip, you’ll have not only covered an incredible route through the Alps but also created a unique illustrated travel journal, filled with sketches and memories from the adventure.

Location

This adventure takes place in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, following a section of the Via Alpina. The journey begins in Grindelwald, a classic alpine town with views of the Eiger, and finishes in Kandersteg, a beautiful mountain village known for its hiking trails. The route passes through amazing mountain scenery, lush valleys, and charming Swiss villages, offering a true taste of the Alps.

The most sustainable way to reach the start is by train. Zurich Airport is about 3.5 hours away by rail, while Geneva takes around 4.5 hours. We encourage all participants to use public transport to minimise environmental impact.

Accommodation

You'll stay in a mix of mountain huts and small hotels/hostels. The mountain huts offer a traditional alpine experience, with shared dormitory-style rooms and hearty meals. Hotels provide a comfortable stay with twin or shared rooms.

Breakfasts and lunches are provided each day, along with four evening dinners—two in mountain huts and two in hotels. You’ll need to bring your own snacks and cover two additional evening meals.

Prerequisites

A good level of hiking fitness is required, as you’ll be covering 8-15km per day with up to 1000m of elevation gain. The terrain includes steep alpine trails, so you should be comfortable with varied and sometimes challenging mountain paths.

No prior artistic experience is necessary—your guide will provide guidance for all skill levels.

Why Choose Us

This adventure is run by a women-owned company that specialises in guided outdoor experiences across Europe. With a strong focus on responsible travel, all trips are designed to have a minimal environmental impact while offering unforgettable experiences in the wild. The team is made up of expert guides who bring both skill and passion to every trip, ensuring safety, support, and a deep connection with nature.

The company is committed to giving back more to the environment than it takes, encouraging the use of sustainable transport and donating a percentage of each booking to environmental causes. Whether it’s hiking through remote landscapes or skiing fresh tracks in the Arctic, every trip is designed to take you off the beaten track and into true wilderness.

6 nights accommodation
Breakfast & lunches
4 evening dinners
Personal sketching pack
Daily sketch sessions led by Kate Sutton
Qualified wilderness guide
Lift pass

Flights/transport to the starting point
2 evening meals
Travel insurance (recommended)
Transport to and from the meeting point

No prior experience in sketching or art is necessary. Kate will guide you through the basics and provide tips to help you capture the landscapes in your own style.

Whether you're a seasoned artist or a complete beginner, this trip is about enjoying the creative process in a relaxed and supportive environment.

This trip requires a good level of hiking fitness as you will be walking on steep alpine terrain. Each day involves hiking distances between 8-15km, with up to 1000m of elevation gain.

The terrain can be challenging, so you should feel comfortable with daily hikes on uneven and sometimes steep paths.

You will receive a detailed packing list when you book. This list includes the essentials for alpine hiking, such as sturdy boots, weather-appropriate clothing, and personal items.

We will also provide all the necessary sketching supplies, so there’s no need to bring any art materials.

Absolutely! Many of our guests join the trip as solo travellers. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and share the experience with like-minded adventurers.

Our small group sizes ensure you’ll get to know everyone, and the relaxed pace makes it easy to feel part of the group.

Meals are provided each day, with breakfast and lunch included, as well as four evening dinners. Breakfast is continental style, and lunches consist of sandwiches and packed meals for the day.

Dinners are hearty alpine meals served at the mountain huts and hotels. You will need to bring your own snacks for the hike.

The most sustainable way to reach Grindelwald is by train. Zurich is around 3.5 hours away by rail, and Geneva is about 4.5 hours.

We encourage you to travel by train to align with our eco-tourism standards. If you need help with travel planning, we’re happy to assist.

We typically run trips with a minimum of 6 participants. If we don’t reach the required number, we’ll let you know in advance and discuss possible options, including rescheduling or a refund.

Solo travellers are always welcome, and we will do our best to make sure your adventure runs smoothly.

Yes, travel insurance is required for all participants. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have appropriate coverage for all aspects of the trip, including hiking activities and any unforeseen cancellations.

We recommend obtaining insurance that covers emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation, and lost or damaged equipment.

This women-owned adventure travel company, founded by international wilderness guide Sophie, offers immersive, small-group expeditions in some of the world’s most remote and beautiful environments. With a base in the UK and strong roots in Finnish Lapland, the focus is on meaningful outdoor experiences—whether you're skiing across Arctic plateaus, wild camping in forested valleys, or paddling through quiet waterways. Sophie brings years of expedition experience, creativity, and purpose to every trip. After leaving behind a graphic design career to follow her passion for wild places, she created a guiding company that values community, challenge, and environmental responsibility. Her approach is personal, thoughtful, and rooted in a deep love for nature and the people who explore it. The wider guiding team includes highly trained wilderness and mountain leaders with diverse skills - from Arctic survival and sea kayaking to trauma care and coaching. Together, they create a welcoming, supportive environment for guests of all experience levels, especially those looking to explore wild landscapes with confidence and curiosity. The result is an experience that’s as much about connection and growth as it is about adventure.