Glacier Express journey between Zermatt, Brig, Chur and St Moritz 

The Glacier Express is undoubtedly Switzerland's best known train. The 181 mile (290km) trip from Zermatt to St Moritz lasts around eight hours winding its way through some of Europe's most dramatic and beautiful scenery.

Beginning in Zermatt, a pretty Alpine resort close to the Matterhorn, the Glacier Express glides northwards from under the shadow of the mighty Matterhorn and follows the Matter Vispa River and the Rhône Valley to Visp. The train then heads east to Brig, before climbing through Betten, Grengiols and Oberwald on its journey to the 9¼ mile (15km) long Furka Base Tunnel.

The train emerges and makes its way to the village of Andermatt, before beginning its ascent towards the Oberalp Pass which at 6,670 feet (2,033m) is the highest point on the line. It then makes the steep descent towards Disentis, where the train is attached to an RHB locomotive. From here we pass the historic town of Ilanz, descending to the stunning Rhine Gorge where we continue on to the attractive cantonal capital of Chur.

The Glacier Express retraces its route to Reichenau-Tamins before heading south along the valley of the Hinterrhein. The train ascends to Thusis, and continues through green forests before crossing the elegant Landwasser Viaduct railway bridge and disappearing into a 705 foot (215m) tunnel carved into a sheer wall of rock. The train passes through the village of Flisur, before climbing 1,364 feet (416m) in just 7.8 miles (12.6km) thanks to a series of loop tunnels, coils, bridges and viaducts.

After passing through Preda, a village which didn't exist until 1898, the train enters the 3.6 mile (5,864m) long Albula Tunnel, the highest railway tunnel in the Alps at 5,971 feet (1,820m). On emerging the Glacier Express begins its descent through pasture and woodland to the broad Engadine valley. Nearing the end of the journey the train passes through Celerina and across the channel of the famous bob-sleigh run, the 'Cresta Run'. After one more short tunnel your train arrives in St Moritz.

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