Across the Berner Oberland: Self-Guided Hike

Day 1: Lauenen, Switzerland

Individual transfer to your hotel in Lauenen, Switzerland.

Day 2: Lenk

From the hotel in Lauenen you begin your hike up to Triuttlisberg Pass. From here the route continues climbing until just below the Stubleni. Following a rocky ridge through an area of mini-craters, you then descend to Lenk via the cable car. 

Day 3: Adelboden

Leaving the village of Lenk, the day begins with a climb through wooded hillsides that open onto high mountain pastures on the way to Hahnenmoos pass. Hiking along the crest of Sillere on a clear day, you may get your first glimpse of the distant Jungfrau as you make your way down into the town of Adelboden. 

Day 4: Bunderschride

As you hike east of Adelboden, the landscape takes on a different character as the mountains become steeper, more rugged, and more glaciated. From Adelboden, you transfer to Bunderalp. The trail continues up the valley, passing through a beautiful boulder pasture and then climbing steeply to reach to the Bunderschride. Descending, you have wonderful views down to the Kander valley and across to the mountain lake of Osechinensee and towering peaks of the Blumlisalps.

Day 5: Rest day in Kandersteg

Rest day in Kandersteg. This is an opportunity to rest sore hiking muscles or explore a little of Switzerland beyond Kandersteg.

Day 6: Bundalp

Today begins with a spectacular mountain bus transfer to the isolated hamlet of Griesalp. The bus passes through idyllic Swiss villages and then begins climbing; switch-backing through forests and between waterfalls until it reaches Griesalp perched on a high alpine plateau. Leaving your packs at the hotel, you can hike up to Bundalp for lunch at a classic mountain hut. 

Day 7: Sefinenfurke

The route from Griesalp up to Sefinenfurke is another demanding mountain hike, but well worth the effort. Leaving the pastoral landscape behind, your route climbs across barren glacial cirques before ascending steeply to the pass, Sefinenfurke (8,620′), which reveals our first spectacular view of the Jungfrau. The descent from the pass to Murren is long and pleasant, dropping quickly at first and traversing through broad open grasslands with imposing views of the Monch, Jungfrau and Eiger. Your day ends in the pleasant car-free village of Murren resting dramatically on the western rim of the Lauterbrunnen valley. 

Day 8: Wengen

The hike from Murren to Wengen is comparatively easy and so allows for a more leisurely day. The descent from Murren into Lauterbrunnen is pleasant, passing through the village of Gimmelwald, and concluding with a valley walk beneath sheer rock faces etched with magnificent waterfalls. From Lauterbrunnen another hour and a half climb will bring you to the resort town of Wengen, also car-free.

Day 9: Berner Oberland

You are now in the heart of the Berner Oberland and your route converges with that of other tourists that come to view the famous trio of peaks, the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. As you climb to the Kleine Scheidegg through picturesque forests and alpine meadows, these amazing peaks and glaciers feel a breath away. From the Kleine Scheidegg there are options for afternoon excursions, including continuing down to the well-known village Grindelwald or up to the famous Jungfraujoch.

Day 10: Depart Wengen

Depart Wengen. Please allow for travel time when making plans.