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Self-Guided Deluxe Bernese Oberland Traverse

This deluxe tour covers the most scenic sections of the Bernese Oberland in style, with luxurious hotels and 1st class service

Self-Guided Deluxe Bernese Oberland Traverse

This deluxe tour covers the most scenic sections of the Bernese Oberland in style, with luxurious hotels and 1st class service

    Support
  • Self-Guided,
    Style
  • Inn-To-Inn,
    Activity Level
  • Moderate to Challenging,

You had no idea it was this big. You’ve heard of the Eiger, but to see it soaring above you from Grindelwald takes your breath away.

And your hotel… absolute luxury. This is everything you hope the Alps will be, with unbeatable scenery, charming villages, countless trails to explore by day and deluxe 4-star hotels at night. Waterfalls, wildflowers, cows with giant bells, cable cars to fantastic viewpoints. It’s a dream.

The Bernese Oberland is our home territory in the Alps, and the place that inspired it all. The hotels and meals are plush, but make no mistake – this an adventurous trip. You’ll hike to 4 different locations over 8 nights, staying in the finest hotels along the way. We’ve added extra nights in Grindelwald, Mürren and Kandersteg to allow you to explore hidden lakes and valleys where you find the magic in this region. If you’re looking for fairytale Switzerland and deluxe lodgings, stop now, you’ve found it. This is your trip.

 

See our guided version

    Length
  • 9 days, 8 nights
    Departures
  • May 25 – Sep 30, 2024
    Cost
  • $4990 Per Person
  • $1250 Single Room

Itinerary At a Glance

Days 1-3

Grindelwald to Wengen

Hello Switzerland! This is the heart of the Jungfrau region, nestled right at the base of the astounding Eiger North Face. Hikes include panoramic balcony walks and adventurous dives deep into the mountains. The Eiger, scenic Grindelwald, car-free Wengen with 4-star hotels each night.

Days 4-6

Murren

You’ll hike from Wengen to Murren, our home away from home in the Alps, and an absolutely paradise for hikers. Stunning views of the Eiger and Jungfrau are a little hard to believe, but they’re real. Quiet trails into forgotten valleys are blissful and memorable.

Days 7-9

Kandersteg

Now head to the quiet side of the Bernese Oberland. Travel by train from the Jungfrau region to the Kandertal, home to one stunning blue lake, and a  luxurious finish with 2 nights in a 4-star hotel. Depart by train after breakfast.

Included

Your tour includes 7 nights 4-star hotels and 1 night 3-star superior hotel, with all breakfasts and 4 dinners. Luggage transfers from Grindelwald to Wengen and Murren are included as well as a 3-day 1st class Swiss rail pass for arrival and departure. You will also receive topo maps, detailed route descriptions, gps routes and sightseeing suggestions. We are always available by phone if you have questions during your tour.

Full Itinerary

Day 1

arrive in Grindelwald

Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train to the Grindelwald, at the base of the famous Eiger North Face. It’s a scenic trip, passing through farms and along lakes as the mountain giants of the Bernese Oberland get closer and closer.

Although it’s the largest mountain village in the region, Grindelwald is still quite small. After checking into your deluxe 4-star hotel, you might enjoy a stroll through the village or a drink taking in the views from a scenic restaurant terrace.  We’ll include dinner tonight at your hotel or another nearby restaurant.

Arrival: Zürich or Geneva. Plan to arrive by the day your tour starts. There is a train station in both the Zürich and Geneva airports, with hourly departures for this region. Travel time, 3 hrs (Zürich) or 4 hrs (Geneva)

4-star Hotel Belvedere or similar
  • Dinner

Day 2

Grindelwald, Hike to Bachsee lake

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll take a short bus ride up to the Grosse Scheidegg Pass and enjoy sweeping views of the Eiger, Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn mountains and of the Grindelwald Valley. Your trail will be a looping traverse high above the valley with nearly constant views.

With 10,000 vertical feet separating valley from peak, Grindelwald sits at the base of one of the most impressive vertical mountain walls in the world. For a shorter day you can stop at the First gondola and ride back down to town. If you’d like a longer hike, our route notes will send you on an optional detour via the postcard-perfect Bachsee Lake before winding back down toward the valley floor through quiet meadows. Dinner will be on your own again tonight, and there are many great choices in town.

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 8.5 miles; Elevation: 1400 ft. up, 2710 ft. down.

4-star Hotel Belvedere or similar
  • Breakfast

Day 3

hike to Wengen

Today starts with a short train ride out of Grindewald to a mellow mountain inn near the top of tree line. This morning is dominated by great close-up views of the Eiger North Face – perhaps the most notorious mountain wall in the Swiss Alps.

Hike up to the famous Kleine Scheidegg Pass under the Eiger North Face, where the Mönch and Jungfrau mountains also come into view. After a break for lunch, we’ll steer you onto quiet side-trails for the descent. Pass through one of our favorites alps (a mountain meadow), with incredible waterfall and glacier views. Afterwards, a long woodsy traverse brings you to the car-free village of Wengen for a restful night.

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 12 miles; Elevation: 2960 ft. up, 4100 ft. down

Hotel Schönegg, Alpine or similar
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Day 4

hike to Mürren

Your trail from Wengen starts downhill to Lauterbrunnen and then leads past countless waterfalls along the lush Lauterbrunnen Valley floor. After a break for lunch, hike up a steep trail through a quiet, wooded valley into one of the most spectacular corners of the Alps.

The trail winds up through sleepy Gimmelwald to Mürren, a postcard-perfect car-free village perched on the edge of a cliff with unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains. Stay in the impeccable 4-star Hotel Eiger. Dinner included at your hotel.

HIKE: 5-7 hours, 9 miles; Elevation: 2770 ft. up, 1510 ft. down

4-star Hotel Eiger
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Day 5

Mürren, Hike to Lobhorn hut

There are numerous dayhike possibilities around Mürren. One beautiful trail leads up to the Lobhorn hut and nearby Sulsee mountain lake, for superb all-around views. The hike passes through a quiet farming valley and leads to some of the more classic Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau views (from a more northerly aspect). Lobhorn is a great place to buy lunch and relax at one of their outdoor tables. If it’s a hot day, wander back to the lakes for a refreshing swim before hiking back to Mürren.

For an easier day, shorter hikes traverse the meadows above town, with numerous mountain restaurants along the way inviting you to stop and linger. Or feel free to just unwind in one of the most scenic and relaxing villages in the Alps. Your hotel has a delightful pool and spa, and the Schilthorn cable car is a memorable daytrip to a scenic peak. Dinner will be on your own tonight.

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 8.5 miles; Elevation: 2040 ft. up, 2040 ft. down

4-star Hotel Eiger
  • Breakfast

Day 6

Mürren, Hike to Rotstock hut

Today’s trail leads up and back into the deep recesses of the Sefinen Valley. A steep climb is followed by a long, flatter stretch along a sunny, south-facing trail to the Rotstock hut, where you can stop for drinks and perhaps an early lunch. Crane your neck to see the revolving restaurant atop the Schilthorn high above you.

If you’d like a big day today, the trail continues, leading you up to the quiet recesses of the rocky Sefinenfurke pass.  Return to Rotstock and then veer off across a minor ridge to vary the descent back to Murren.  Dinner will be on your own in town tonight.

HIKE: 6-8 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 3200 ft. up, 3200 ft. down

4-star Hotel Eiger
  • Breakfast

Day 7

Kandersteg

You’ll hop on the train to Kandersteg today, a beautiful journey that takes just over 2 hrs.  Drop your bags at your hotel and then head off on a hike!  The best hiking destination in Kandersteg is the jewel-like Oeschinen Lake – an emerald-green lake surrounded by cliffs which has to be seen to be believed.

You can either relax at the lake, or take a bigger hike high above the lake for perfect birds-eye views.  Return to Kandersteg, where you stay in a deluxe 4-star hotel on the edge of town. Dinner included at your hotel.

HIKE: 4-6 hours, 8.5 miles; Elevation: 2670 ft. up, 2670 ft. down

4-star Hotel Doldenhorn
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Day 8

Kandersteg, Hike the Gasterntal valley

For the grand finale, our route notes will lead you up on a quiet path through Klus Gorge and into the hidden Gasterntal Valley, one of our favorite Bernese Oberland secrets. The power of the Kander River is impressive as you climb through this narrow gorge and emerge into the valley.

This is a picture-perfect hideaway – a small, U-shaped valley, carpeted with wildflowers and guarded by savage cliffs. Waterfalls bursting from the sides of cliffs add to the scenery. You can stop at a mountain inn for lunch and explore the back of the valley – this can be a very big finale hike if you like (and we’ll tell you how to do that. Return by van to Kandersteg for your final celebratory night. Dinner will be on your own and you can eat at your hotel, at their rustic Ruedihus lodge, or another restaurant in town.

HIKE: 5-7 hours, 10 miles; Elevation: 1970 ft. up, 740 ft. down

4-star Hotel Doldenhorn
  • Breakfast

Day 9

depart

Today say good-bye to the Bernese Oberland, and depart for your post-tour destinations.

Departure: Zürich or Geneva. It is 2:30 hrs from Kandersteg to Zürich, 3:30 hrs to Geneva by train.  Trains start at 6 am if you need an early start, and leave hourly throughout the day.

  • Breakfast

Tour Options

Self-guided Deluxe Bernese Oberland Traverse

Inn-To-Inn

  • Great options for easier and harder days
  • A moderate inn-to-inn with 4 stops in 8 nights
  • Waterfalls, flowers, epic mountains, fairytale Alps
  • 4-star hotels, 1st class rail, luggage every night
  • The most luxurious tour to our favorite region
  • $4990Per Person
  • $1250Single Room

Self-guided Classic Bernese Oberland Traverse

Inn-To-Inn

  • Great options for both harder and easier days
  • A moderate inn-to-inn with 8 stops in 10 nights
  • Private rooms all nights and luggage 8 of the 10 nights
  • Enchanting remote finds like Obersteinberg and Gasterntal
  • Wildflowers, mountains, waterfalls, cows, cheese, chocolate!
  • Our top choice for a first trip to the Alps
  • $3690Per Person
  • $850Single Room

Self-guided Best of the Bernese Oberland

Inn-To-Inn

  • Great options for easier days – our most flexible tour
  • A moderate inn-to-inn with 5 stops in 6 nights
  • Private rooms all nights and luggage 5 of the 6 nights
  • Enchanting stops like Obersteinberg, and epic mountains daily
  • Everything… this is fairytale Alps
  • Also the best choice for early season (late May – June)
  • $2790Per Person
  • $650Single Room

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