Swiss Alpine Pass Trail (Via Alpina 1) Part 1

The first of three videos documenting my journey through Switzerland on the Swiss Alpine Pass Trail which is also known as Via Alpina 1. I started in Sargans on the Swiss / Liechtenstein border and finished my trek at Montreux on the shores of Lac Leman.
This video documents my journey from Sargans to Tannensee.

[@joeblack-travelvlog]

Great video, thank you for sharing!

[@morgs4mountains]

You're very welcome. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@angelatanurdzic7508]

Thanks for this great video ❤

[@morgs4mountains]

You're very welcome Angela. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@clareloader7867]

The colours look so vivid and clear - incredible views! I can almost smell that pure air!!!!!

[@morgs4mountains]

I know exactly what you mean Clare. The air appears to be so pure when high up!!

[@iainmc9226]

We completed it yesterday, 14 days, and the hardest thing looking to wild camp. Flat ground 😅😅. Loved it... but did 15 out of the 18 passes etc..

[@morgs4mountains]

Many congratulations and I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the trail. It really is so beautiful!! Well done you!!

[@adamdawson2261]

Great video! I'm always inspired to get my tent out and get hiking every time I watch one of your vlogs. And I'm impressed how you manage to pull together such outstanding videography while you're actually out on the trail. Outstanding. Looking forward to the next episode already!

[@morgs4mountains]

Cheers Adam. For me it's all part of the journey now. It takes very little time out of the day and is often used as a rest opportunity. I do the editing as I go along as its so easy on the App I use. Go on, get out there!! 😊

[@alanwarrington6255]

Superb scenery. Another cracking video, many thanks Dave.

[@morgs4mountains]

Many thanks Al. Enjoyed putting it together.

[@smoggiewalks578]

Wow amazing, love Switzerland. Always found trail well defined and the scenery simply stunning.

[@morgs4mountains]

Yep. It's pretty special. Week 2 was even better!! That video will be out next week. Thanks for dropping by.

[@TheWalkingKev]

Some stunning scenery and some leg busting passes!

[@morgs4mountains]

I nearly broke myself on day 2 😂 I couldn't find a spot to pitch where I had hoped and also had a diversion to deal with that added more height ascent. My Strava said I did 8000ft+ on that day. But, the eastern end of this trail felt so much wilder than the western and central parts. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment again!!

[@rosblackmore5422]

Beautiful scenery! I've not spent much time in Switzerland because of the cost, but it is stunning. Looking forward to your next episode. Thanks for sharing your hike

[@morgs4mountains]

I've been the same regarding cost in the past. I used to visit when we had 2 SF to the pound but those days are sadly gone. I've kept this cost right down by self catering and camping wild as much as possible.

[@wardster10]

I hiked from Meringen to Montreux last month and also found it surprisingly difficult to wild camp somewhere not at risk of cows that was also a nice, flat isolated spot! I’m glad to have this validated by others

[@morgs4mountains]

I loved the trail but it wasn't as wild as I had first imagined it to be. Still a highly recommended trail though!!

[@markhayes4904]

Really enjoying the videos. The ascents are quite something. I have friends in Geneva so watching this with interest...

[@morgs4mountains]

Many thanks Mark. As I type this I have just had my first look at Lac Leman. Appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[@DaveGoodman1959]

Wonderful Dave, thanks for sharing your trip. Kind regards.

[@morgs4mountains]

Thanks so much Dave. Thanks for dropping by.

Spectacular! Love your videos as always

[@morgs4mountains]

Thanks so very much.

[@catherinewalks1207]

So beautiful it's almost unreal. A great watch, thank you.

[@morgs4mountains]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment.

[@OrestKotylo]

Informative video, thanks for 1st overnight spot! We will start in Sargans in 10 days

[@morgs4mountains]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Good luck with your trip. I do hope that you love it!

[@geordiehenderson2248]

Great video I first did the Swiss Alpine Pass Route in 1992 when I was 32 year's of age. I tried it again a few years back aged 55, but I arrived at Sargans in June during a heatwave where it hadn't rained for a while, and water was low. It was a particular hot year, so I had to abandon my journey after a few days as I was suffering with heat exhaustion on my own. Which could have been dangerous if I carried on. I'm now 62 approaching 63, I realize the reality is I should just be grateful for completing it the once. But it never stops me thinking of returning one more time. What time of year did you do this route, as I remember the season is short. All the best. Geordie

[@morgs4mountains]

Hi Geordie. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment on my video and for providing such information. I'm pleased that you did get to walk it at least once. I walked the route on July 2022 and towards the end of my journey, a heat wave hit western Europe and I confess that the last few days were hard. I started early in the day and tried to use a lot of shade in the heat of the afternoon. Thankfully water was not an issue for me.

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

Really enjoyed this video and channel,have a lovely weekend and stay safe debs xx 🤗xx fan ........

[@morgs4mountains]

Thank you very much indeed.

[@robrichardson4710]

Great video, we've not walked in Switzerland, but definitely on our list.

[@morgs4mountains]

You'd love it Rob. Quite pricey but the scenery more than makes up for it. Even better scenery in week 2!!

[@robrichardson4710]

@@morgs4mountains Switzerland always was pricey, but hopefully no packs of dogs.

[@morgs4mountains]

No, just foxes who steal food bags. All will be revealed in video 2!!

[@zurawiny]

Thank you, that was another great video and another great journey. I'm glad that there are still 2 more episodes. I dare to say you had a really good weather? What part of the year was that?

[@morgs4mountains]

I did the walk in July '22. Yes, I had good weather, too good at times as Europe experienced high temperatures and I found it hard at times. I'm pleased you're enjoying the videos!

[@zurawiny]

@@morgs4mountains Thank you for your answer and for making those videos. You are absolutely right, it's getting hotter every year and last summer was no exception.

[@morgs4mountains]

You're very welcome and thanks for watching them. It wss unnaturally hot in the high mountains in 2022.

[@silverhikerin51]

Hello Dave, It´s me: Simone. I am so happy to see you back in the mountains. I was curious what route you would do this year. Maybe actually the Grande Traversata delle Alpi. So I have searched in youtube and really, you are on the road. Not on the GTA but in the Swiss mountains. My evening is saved and I am really looking forward to see and enjoy your videos. They will be fantastically and beautiful; I am sure ... This year I am not in the mountians (only small hikes at home on the Moselsteig and Saar-Hunsrück-Steig) and possibly in September in the Apennine Mountains in Bella Italia ;-) Lovely Greetings Simone

[@morgs4mountains]

Hi Simone., Lovely to hear from you. Yes, I've just completed the Via Alpina 1 and I enjoyed it very much indeed. A much shorter trip than when we met on GR11 but the scenery was as good and better in some places. I've not walked in Italy other than when I did the Tour de Monta Rosa on a circular walk from Saas Fee. I've always looked at the Apennines and thought that there must be be some wonderful walking in that area. I do hope that it is much cooler when you go as the heat when I went was a little too much and Italy will be hotter. I do hope that you enjoyed my 3 x videos. Vielen Dank für Ihre lieben Kommentare. David

[@silverhikerin51]

Hi David, of course I enjoyed your videos. They were beautiful as I expected them to be. Yes, some scenes reminded me a little of the ciruqe du la Pineta and the story with the fox was just great!!! Your videos are always a great pleasure. 👍🏞️ I did not have this part of the via Alpina on my list, I know only the red and blue part. And for the future is on the plan: www.vasentiero.com. And the hiking guide Tour Monte Rosa and Peaks of the Balkans have been on my shelf for 4 years... Oh, there is still so much to hike.

[@morgs4mountains]

Wow, what a trail that is. I've just had a really good look at it. As you say, there are so many trails to walk and at some point we have to accept that we can't do them all!! Is it possible to camp in the wild in Italy? I've heard that it's not allowed. What is your experience? Yes, the fox was certainly an experience! I'm so pleased that you liked these videos and that I've given you a nice problem to think of!

[@liverpoolhikers]

So did you find the 'hollow lane'? 😁 Sorry, couldn't resist. It's a famous line from the play 'Wilhelm Tell' by Friedrich Schiller, uttered by Tell before he assasinates the Vogt: 'through this hollow lane he has to travel/ for there is no other way to Küssnacht'. Beautiful video, gorgeous weather. (Is it actually possible to point the camera at something that ISN'T stunning in the alps🤔?) Thank you for sharing.

[@morgs4mountains]

I've found lots of hollow lanes!! 😂 But, thanks for the literary education!! Thanks also for the lovely comments. Yes, the scenery is usually stunning in the Alps and this is right up there for that. Not as wild as some of the French Alps but equally as good.

[@thevalleywalker]

Fabulous scenery David and as ever well documented & presented with the knowledge of an old sage, well 54 is not old but you know what I mean..lol. It certainly looks a lot of ascent & descent on the route. As ever you eye for great b-roll as you trek along is to be applauded - never feels like it's "filler" for the video etc. Very enjoyable. I'll be honest I was going to wait until you had completed the trip and binge on it but when Ep 2 came up this morning I had to start watching. atb Al PS does the alps have midges etc in Summer ?

[@morgs4mountains]

Hi Alan, You embarrass me with your extremely generous comments. I think I've found a style that I like using that presents the trail in a way that shows the effort required and visual splendour. I have used less moving videos this time in order to try and show the scenery off without the jerky distraction of someone walking. I did save that style for each mountain pass as my favourite part of any Alpine trail is approaching a pass knowing that a new view is about to open up.

[@toul1234]

May I ask, what were the dates of your hike?

[@morgs4mountains]

Just checked my diary and I was away from the 4th to the 21st July 2022. This includes travelling days too.

[@dazbass007]

great first episode i am hoping to do this trail next year look forward to following along one question do you think you need a freestanding tent ? have subscribed so i dont miss your next episode atb daz

[@morgs4mountains]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm pleased you like the first video. I don't use a freestanding tent and have had no issues at all. There's no doubt though that they provide great flexibility.

[@valterperes4585]

Can you put here your stages?

[@adriansuter1697]

Did u just delete my comment? Wow!

[@morgs4mountains]

Err no? Thanks for the wow comment and for taking the time to drop by.

[@adriansuter1697]

​@@morgs4mountains okay sorry it must be "user error" then 😂