Bernese Oberland Walking Holiday
Experience the beauty of the Swiss Alps in the Jungfrau region
Explore charming mountain villages like Murren, Wengen, and Grindelwald
Trek along stunning mountain trails like the Eiger Trail
Take in breathtaking views from scenic railways
Visit the highest railway station in Europe
Immerse yourself in Swiss culture and hospitality
Itinerary
On the first day of your Bernese Oberland Walking Holiday, you will arrive at the quaint and picturesque village of Murren, nestled high above the stunning Lauterbrunnen valley. This charming and car-free village is known for its traditional wooden chalets, and you will have the pleasure of staying in one of these cozy homes for the next two days. Surrounded by stunning Swiss peaks, Murren is the perfect place to unwind and start your walking holiday in style.
You have plenty of options for hiking around Murren. We suggest you take a 20-minute train ride back to Grütschalp and hike the Mountain View Trail back to Murren. The trail really gives you a sense of your surroundings, opening up some of the best views of the iconic peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. The trail finishes at Allmendhubel, where you can learn about the alpine flora before hiking down to your chalet.
Alternatively, you can also take the cable car to the top of Schilthorn (2970 m), where you can enjoy the epic views from the 360º restaurant, where the finale of the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was filmed.
6.5 km; 450 m of elevation gain and 300 m of elevation loss
Today you’ll transfer to Wengen, a town on the other side of the Lauterbrunnen valley. After a train ride, and two cable cars down and up, you’ll be at this alpine village (also car-free), where another hike starts. This one takes you on a circular trail towards Leiterhorn, exploring some more of the picturesque Swiss countryside. You’ll have great views of the Lauterbrunnen valley with its quaint villages and dramatic cliffs, peaking at an outstanding view of the surrounding mountain ranges and as far as Interlaken to the north.
5 km; 290 m of elevation gain and 280 m of elevation loss
Day 4 is reserved for one of the best hikes in the Jungfrau region — the Panorama Trail. You will start with a 5-minute cableway ride to Mannlichen, where the hike starts. The trail will take you around the Tschuggen mountain, weaving in and out of the view of Eiger. Even with little elevation gain, this trail has plenty of benches and rest stops to take a break and enjoy the magnificent views.
And they get better with every step, especially so at the mountain pass of Kleine Scheidegg, where you finish your hike. Dine at more than 2000 meters of elevation, before returning to Wengen by train (or on foot).
4.5 km; 50 m of elevation gain and 200 m of elevation loss
On this day, you will come up close to one of the most imposing rock faces in the Alps, the Eiger North Face. The railway will bring you from Wengen high up to Eigergletscher, where you will start your hike, right below the wall of ice and rock. While walking down, try to look up — maybe you’ll notice a brave alpinist or two on their adventure to the peak of this incredible mountain. The trail is mostly descending with incredible views of the Wetterhorn, ending in Alpiglen. From there, you can continue to hike down or take the cable car to Grindelwald.
6 km; 50 m of elevation gain and 750 m of elevation loss
Grindewald has such a nice location that there is a plethora of hikes to choose from today. We recommend taking the gondola to First, and from there hiking on a wide path to the lake of Bachalpsee. Alternatively, you could also hike across the plateau towards Grosse Scheidegg, where you can take a bus down to Grindelwald.
If you’re up for a real challenge and the weather is great (plus the snow is gone), you can also connect Bachalpsee and Grosse Scheidegg by discovering secret lakes behind the ridge of Grossenegg and Schwarzhorn. This is a longer hike of about up to 7 hours, so it’s only suitable for those in good shape.
Depending on the weather, this day is fully interchangeable with DAY 7.
First – Bachalpsee – Grosse Scheidegg: 11 km; 400 m of elevation gain and 600 m of elevation loss
First – Bachalpsee – Secret Lakes: 14.5 km; 900 m of elevation gain and 1100 m of elevation loss
It would be a sin to miss this on your walking holiday in the Bernese Oberland. Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe (3454 m), which can be reached by a cog-wheel railway through the north face of Eiger. When you reach the so-called “Top of Europe”, you’ll be stunned by the incredible views. From there you can marvel at Europe’s biggest glacier, explore the ice palace, enjoy the view from the Sphinx terrace, or even buy some world-famous Swiss chocolate.
On your final day of the Bernese Oberland Walking Holiday, you will depart from Grindelwald and bid farewell to the beautiful Swiss Alps. After a memorable and enriching experience, it’s time to pack your bags and start the journey back home with a camera full of stunning memories and a heart full of happiness.
Pricing
Included in price
7 x accommodation with breakfast
Tour design and organization
A booklet with a detailed itinerary
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Luggage transfer on days 3 and 5
24/7 service and support during your holidays
Description
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the breathtaking beauty of Switzerland with our Bernese Oberland Walking Holidays.
The Bernese Oberland is the region in Switzerland with the most highlights packed into one place, and it’s the perfect destination for nature lovers, walkers, and anyone looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. This walking holiday will take you on an unforgettable adventure through the charming and picturesque villages of Murren, Wengen, and Grindelwald, surrounded by the stunning peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Over the course of 8 days, you’ll get to experience some of the best the region has to offer. This includes taking in the breathtaking views from the Mountain View Trail above Lauterbrunnen. You’ll also trek around to Leiterhorn, enjoy the panoramic views from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg, and hike next to the imposing north face on the Eiger Trail. And don’t forget the visit to the highest European railway station, Jungfraujoch, where you can soak in the stunning views from the top of Europe.
At Bernese Oberland Walking Holidays, we take care of everything, ensuring your walking holiday is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
We will book your accommodations in quaint and cozy chalets and hotels. We will provide you with an itinerary booklet describing every day in detail, from the hikes to the surroundings, accompanied by GPS tracks, for easy navigation. We will also assist with transportation and take care of any other logistics, so all you have to do is relax, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and enjoy the stunning scenery.
Inquire and book your Bernese Oberland Walking Holiday today and come and experience the magic of Switzerland with us.
Map
Start planning today!
Things to know
Hiking in light rain can be done comfortably with the right clothing, but it’s important to understand that hiking during a storm can pose serious risks. To avoid the threat of thunderstorms, it’s advisable to plan your hikes for early in the day during the summer. If the weather forecast predicts extreme conditions, it’s recommended to either change the hike date or seek alternative tour options, which we’d be happy to help you with.
Most of the accommodations offer vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast. You also will not have any trouble finding such menus at restaurants. When you eat at mountain huts, though, they might not serve vegan meals. In such cases, it is best to bring your own food. Either way, tell us in advance and we’ll find a solution together.
Yes, children are welcome to participate in our walking tours, provided they are physically fit and have good footing. To guarantee the safety and enjoyment of young participants, we suggest a minimum age of eight years old to join the tours.
Having the right footwear is crucial for hiking in Switzerland. We highly recommend wearing sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support for all of our tours. The terrain in the Swiss Alps can be uneven, rocky, and slippery, so it’s important to avoid wearing sneakers, which could increase the risk of injury, especially if you are not experienced in hiking on such terrain.
Having a car can be a convenient way to get around, but it’s definitely not necessary. The public transportation system in Switzerland and the entire Alps is really well-organized and makes it easy to travel from place to place, even across different countries.
Plus, using public transportation is a great way to support sustainable tourism and help preserve the beautiful environment of Switzerland. So don’t stress too much about having a car – the options for getting around are plenty.
It’s important to keep in mind that the Swiss Alps are a highly sought-after tourist destination year-round, and accommodations can fill up quickly. Booking early is essential to secure the housing of your choice, but we will always do our utmost to find the best possible lodging for you based on your preferences.
Getting to Switzerland is relatively easy, as the country is well-connected to the rest of Europe by air, train, and road. The two main international airports in Switzerland are Zurich and Geneva, which serve as hubs for several major airlines and connect to cities across the world. Trains are another popular mode of transportation, with several international trains arriving daily in major cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Bern. Driving to Switzerland is also an option, with several well-maintained highways connecting the country to neighboring countries. Regardless of your preferred mode of transportation, getting to Switzerland is convenient and hassle-free.
Our tours are well-organized and in an easily navigable country, so a guide may not be necessary. Our detailed handout along with the GPS routes will equip you with all the necessary information to enjoy your stay in Switzerland. However, if you prefer the comfort of having a guide, contact us, and we will arrange it for you.