Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland Traverse
€1250
per person
Enjoy the most iconic hiking route in Switzerland in the most impressive parts of the Swiss Alps in Bernese Oberland. This independent hiking tour following the spectacular ‘Via Alpina’ (a.k.a Bear Trek) along breathtaking mountain passes and unbelievably beautiful glaciers along the three most famous mountains in Switzerland: Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch. You will witness the whole color palette of the ‘Via Alpina’ markings (purple, yellow, green, blue and red) along the way. If this does not impress you, just imagine that it stretches across seven different countries all the way to Monaco.
Level 4/5
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Destination
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Duration8/6 Days I Level: 4/5 (of 5)
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What is included7 nights incl. breakfast (different category accommodations available; check the Rates&Remarks tab for details); cable car ride Lauterbrunnen - Grütschalp; luggage transfers (1 piece of luggage up to 20kg per person); navigation materials (1 set per room; incl. maps and access to navigation app with pre-loaded GPS tracks); emergency hotline
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What is not includedDrinks and other meals, tickets for public transport, mountain railways and cable cars. Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
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Best periodJuly, August, mid-September
FROM OUR GALLERY
Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland Traverse. Self-guided hiking tour in Switzerland.
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Day 1. Arrival in Meiringen
Individual arrival to Meiringen (easiest arrival by train via Bern Airport (change in Interlaken) or Zurich Airport (change in Lucerne). Meiringen is just a few minutes away from the Aare Gorge, the mountain railway up the Hasliberg and the Reichenbachfall Funicular, which takes you directly to the legendary Reichenbach Waterfall. The waterfall is a must for Sherlock Holmes fans, who will also want to check out the museum and the statue on Casinoplatz.
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Day 2. Meiringen – Grindelwald (15km, 4-5hrs, +620m/-920m + shorter option!)
You start your self-guided walking tour with a bus ride to Rosenlaui which will be your starting point for today’s hike. From there, you continue walking upward towards the “Grossen Scheidegg” offering a great view to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. These three summits form the famous Bernese Oberland trio. Your goal is to reach Grindelwald - a true natural jewel full of magical and fascinating places. *Optional shortcut from "Grossen Scheidegg" to Grindelwald (saves appr. 900m in altitude, ticket not included). You can find the timetable in the SBB app or online at www.sbb.ch.
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Day 3. Grindelwald – Wengen/Lauterbrunnen (16km, 6hrs, +1100m/-850m + shorter option!)
Today’s self-guided hiking trail will lead you to the „Kleine Scheidegg“. If you feel energized, you can even continue walking to Jungfraujoch. There is a diversity of small paths you can opt to follow to the Lauterbrunnen via the magnificent Trümmelbach waterfall or past Wengen if you’re in a more laid-back mood. *There is also an option to hop on a train from Grindelwald to Alpiglen or Kleine Scheidegg (ticket not included) and finish the day’s itinerary faster.
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Day 4. Wengen/Lauterbrunnen – Griesalp/Pochtenalp (20km, 7,30hrs, +1135m/-1840m + shorter option!)
An early morning cable car ride takes you all the way up to Mürren to start following the independent hiking section foreseen for the day. You will enjoy stunning Alpine views, including a snow-covered Sefinenfurgge in the early summer months. *Optional shortcut by train to Lauterbrunnen and cable car up to Grütschalp (ticket is included) and/or train from Grütschalp to Mürren (ticket not included).
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Day 5. Griesalp/Pochtenalp – Kandersteg (17km, 7hrs, +1450m/-1690m + shorter option!)
Brace yourselves for the most impressive day of this independent walking tour. Today you will undertake a long and steep trek to the Blüemlisalp. You will have the opportunity to reward yourself with a nice local meal at the high altitude Swiss mountain pasture. After a nice rest, you can continue down to Lake Öschinen via the impressive glacier moraines. You can shorten the rest of the route by taking the cable car into the valley instead. *Optional shortcut is available for this hiking day too, using cable car from Oeschinensee to Kandersteg (ticket not included). You can save appr. 500m in altitude. Another alternative would involve the suspension railway from Kiental to Ramslauenen (ticket not included), followed by a hike on the Lötschberg Panoramaweges Nr. 56 to Kandersteg (appr. 5hrs walk).
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Day 6. Kandersteg – Adelboden (12km, 4,30hrs, +835m/-1220m + shorter option!)
You take the cable car up to “Allmenalp” from where you hike up to “Bonderchrinde” or “Bunderspitz” (the latter including more significant ascent/descent). The view on the surrounding peaks is breathtaking. The trail leads down into the valley to Adelboden. *Optional shortcut with cable car from Kandersteg to Allmenalp (ticket not included).
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Day 7: Adelboden – Lenk (14km, 4,30hrs, +650m/-930m + shorter option!)
From the widely-known village of Adelboden you walk towards the Hahnenmoospass. Wonderful views to the peak of mount Wildstrubel guide your way down to the valley Simmental. You will spend one last night in the Bernese Oberland. *Optional shortcut by bus from Adelboden, Post to Adelboden, Geils or from Adelboden, Oey (Sillerenbahn) to Adelboden, Silleren (ticket not included). Another alternative would include a shortcut by bus from Lenk, Bühlberg to Lenk (ticket not included). You can save appr. 600m in altitude.
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Day 8. Departure day
Our services end after breakfast.
TOUR LOCATION
Price
Category A (6 x middleclass hotels, 1 x traditional mountain hotel (shared toilets and showers):
1350 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (30/08-14/09)
1395 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (28/06-29/08)
Category B (7 x family-run guest houses, shared toilets and showers):
1250 Euro per person (30/08-14/09) in twin/dbl room
1320 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (28/06-29/08)
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement: Category A: 460 Euro; Category B: 310 Euro
Solo Traveler supplement (incl. sgl. room supplement): Category A: 530 Euro; Category B: 380 Euro
Tips
Daily arrivals between the beginning of July and mid-September. Demanding trek for experienced hikers: sure footedness, a good head for height and good fitness level is required for this alpine hiking tour. Some shortcuts are available if the weather is bad. How to get there: take train to Meiringen (then you have a few walking minutes or short taxi transfer to the starting hotel). Return from Lenk to Meiringen by train, duration approx. 3 hrs.
Accommodation
Category A: 6 x middleclass hotels, 1 x traditional mountain hotel (shared toilets and showers), incl. breakfast.
Category B: 7 x family-run guest houses, shared toilets and showers, incl. breakfast.
Samples of the inns we would normally book (subject to availability), or similar category: Category A: Day1: Meiringen - Hotel Alpbach; Day 2: Grindelwald - Central Hotel Wolter; Day 3: Wengen - Hotel Regina; Day 4: Pochtenalp - Hotel Waldrand; Day 5: Kandersteg - Hotel Restaurant Blümlisalp; Day 6: Adelboden - Hotel Bristol; Day 7: Lenk - Sporthotel Wildstrubel; Category B: Day1: Meiringen - B&B Bett und Zmorge; Day 2: Grindelwald - Hotel Lauberhorn; Day 3: Wengen - Hotel Regina; Day 4: Day 4: Pochtenalp - Hotel Waldrand; Day 5: Kandersteg - Hotel Alpenblick; Day 6: Adelboden - Hotel Bristol; Day 7: Lenk - Hotel Garni Alpenruh;
Send an enquiry about this tour
The reservation confirmation you will get right after placing an order only confirms that your booking is received and an agent has started working on it. It doesn't mean your tour is guaranteed! Wait to hear from us with final confirmation before booking flights or making any other arrangements, related to your holiday. The dates as listed below do not correspond with real-time availability!
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