In its May 2010 issue, the American magazine Backpacker has declared the western part of Via Alpina’s Green Trail (100 miles between Kandersteg and Altdorf) World’s Best Hike, in front of 5 classic routes including the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, the Torres del Paine in Chile and the John Muir Trail in the Californian Sierra Nevada. The criteria which tipped the balance in our favour: the gastronomy!
“The chocolate, historic villages, on-time trains and luxe huts system are pure gravy”. Via Alpina also gets excellent marks for scenery, culture and “! factor” and rates comparably with the other considered routes as regards solitude. The title of “Best 10 miles” goes to the Griesalp-Mürren segment (stage C11) for its views on the Eiger massif.
Some excerpts to read, videos and many photographs on: www.backpacker.com/life_list_via_alpina/destinations/14224 (in English).
