With its assembly of spectacular peaks, including the famous 4000 metre trilogy of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, the Bernese Oberland is one of the best regions in Switzerland for a mountain walking holiday. Starting out from Schynige Platte (1980m), our stunning new trek makes a superb east to west traverse through this picture-postcard landscape, visiting pretty villages such as Grindelwald and Griesalp and crossing a number of high and rocky passes that link the valleys to the south of Interlaken. Picnicking in high Alpine meadows, or admiring the close-up views of the Blumlisalp Glacier on the descent from our high point at the Hohturli Pass (2750m), this is Alpine hiking at its finest. By including several cable-car and mountain train transfers, we have been able to keep the average day's walk to around 6 hours. If you are looking for a moderate grade trekking holiday that shows off the Swiss Alps to best advantage, this one is hard to beat!
Notes: Prices and itineraries shown for trips departing in 2013 may be subject to change although we will endeavour to keep any price increases for 2013 trips to a minimum. 2013 prices will be confirmed in October 2012.
Day 1: Arrive in Interlaken
Rendezvous at the group's accommodation in Interlaken. This famous resort town has a fantastic location in the heart of the Swiss Alps midway between the Lakes of Thun and Brienz and overlooked by the Eiger, Monch and Junfrau. KE Land Only package services begin with the overnight at this accommodation. Tonight’s evening meal is not included in the trip price. There are many excellent restaurants in Interlaken.
Day 2: First day’s hike and transfer to Alpiglen
After breakfast we meet our UIMLA guide who will brief us on the week ahead. We then take a rack and pinion train to Schynge Platte (1980m). The first day's walk takes us up to Refuge Weber (2344m) and then down via Bach Lake to Fist. Here we take the cable car to Grindelwald and after looking around the village, continue by rack and pinion train to Alpiglen at the foot of the North Face of the Eiger. Approximete walking time: 6 - 7 hours (Ascent/Descent:: +800m / -1200m). Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner (B,D)
Day 3: Hike to the Kleine Scheideg and down to Lauterbrunnen, transfer to Murren
Today's hike is to the top of the Kleine Scheideg (2061m), one of the 16 passes crossed by the Alpine Pass Route across switzerland. On the top of the pass there is a large hotel with a welcome veranda and also a station since the rack and pinion railways of the Wengernalpbahn and the Jungfraubahn cross here. But the most amazing aspect of this high alpine pass is the incredible view of the north face of Eiger, as well as a panorama which includes the Wetterhorn, Mönch, Jungfrau, and Gspaltenhorn. Having had our fill of the view and perhaps a beer, we now make our way down to Lauterbrunnen where we catch the cable car up to Mürren (1650m). Overnight in Murren, a very pleasant village. Approx. walking time : 5 - 6 hours ( +600m. -1200m) (B, D)
Day 4: Cross the Sefinenfurke to Griesalp
Setting off from Murren we continue up the ridge surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery with the tremendous Eiger face behind us. We pass the small Rotstock Hut with its simple restaurant and the trail steepens eventually zig-zagging across scree slopes as it climbs to the Sefinenfurke pass (2612m). The first part of the descent is quite steep and loose but there are boards and cables to assist and the views are spectacular. Eventually we find ourselves in alpine meadows where clanging-belled cows wander mooching at the grass and then further still we pass through forest to reach the beautiful village of Griesalp (1350m), in the valley of Kiental. Approx. walking time : 6 hours ( +800m. -1300m.) (B, D)
Day 5: Cross the Hortüli Pass to Kandersteg
Today's walk takes us through one of the most beautiful valleys in the Oberland. Leaving Griesalp we ascend through the forest zone to the open pastures above with great views back down the Kiental valley and across to the Sefinenfurke and the craggy Gspaltenhorn. We are heading for the Hortüli Pass (2750m), the highest point on the Alpine Pass Route, and as the climb continues, we leave the greenery behind and enter a bleak world of high mountain stone and snow. The final section up to the top of the pass is over steep scree, again with the assistance of wooden steps and cables. The reward for the hard work is a spectacular 360º panorama. We now follow and old Smugglers' path which runs beside the impressive Blüemlisalp glacier – a long descent to reach Oeschinsee (1578m). Approx. walking time : 7 hours ( +1400m. -700m) (B, D)
Day 6: Over the Chindbetti Pass to Engstligenalp
We start the day with two cable car rides. First we head down to the pretty town of Kandersteg where we catch another cable car up to Gemmi Pass (1834m). From here we climb to the Chindbetti Pass (2691m) and descend to the picturesque Alpine pastures of Engstligenalp (1950m) where we stay in a simple cabin. Approx. walking time : 6 hours (+1400 . -700m.) (B, D)
Day 7: To Adelboden, transfer to Interlaken
We end the trip with an easy downhill hike stopping on the way at the famous waterfalls of Engstligen. We continue to Adelboden where we meet our transport for the transfer to Interlaken where KE Land Only package services end. We will arrive in Interlaken at approximately 1.00pm. Approx. walking time : 3 hours (D : -600 m). (B)