High Trails of the Bernese Oberland Hike
High Trails of the Bernese Oberland Hike
7 Days Starting in Lac de Tseuzier, Switzerland and ending in Grindelwald, Switzerland
Visiting: Lenk, Engstligenalp, Kandersteg, Kiental, Mürren, Grindelwald
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UBO
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
8 - 14
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the High Trails of the Bernese Oberland, where you'll trek amidst Switzerland's highest peaks, including the iconic Eiger and Jungfrau. This tour offers a perfect blend of challenging hikes and breathtaking alpine scenery, with stops in picturesque Swiss villages like Grindelwald and Kandersteg. Enjoy regional culinary delights such as Raclette, and experience the thrill of crossing high mountain passes like the Hohturli and Sefinenfurgge. With an experienced mountain guide, full board accommodation in mountain refuges and gîte-hostels, and luggage transfers included, this tour promises an exhilarating and seamless alpine experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Lac De Tzeuzier, Walk To Lenk (5Hrs, +650M, -850M)
Location: Lenk
Accommodation Name: Mountain refuge/gîte-hostel
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
You will meet your guide mid morning to start your walk. We recommend you have a pre tour night in Sion (accommodation suggestions can be found in our pre tour information). From Rawil Dam (1778m) we skirt around the lake and ascend alpine meadows to reach the col de Rawill (2429m) to cross into the Bernese Oberland. There is a long descent amidst the limestone walls of the rocky mountain landscape to reach the small settlement of Iffigenalp (1584m). Transfer to Simmenfälle and Lenk.
(+650m/2133ft, -850m/2788ft)
Day 2 : Walk To Engstligenalp Via The Col D'ammerten (2443M) (5Hrs, +1300M, - 500M)
Location: Engstligenalp
Accommodation Name: Mountain refuge/gîte-hostel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A beautiful ascent today past the Simmen waterfalls to the Col d'Ammerten (2443m). The route takes you through pastures on the slopes of Mt Wildstrubel before the trail descends to Engstligenalp (1964m).
(+1300m/4265ft, - 500m/1640ft)
Day 3 : Walk To Kandersteg (6Hrs, +700M, -1000M)
Location: Kandersteg
Accommodation Name: Mountain refuge/gîte-hostel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The high limestone walls of the Bernese offers breathtaking views with its stark beauty against the backdrop of Mt Engstilgen. The route takes you over the Chindbetti Pass (2623m). Following time to absorb the view, we descend along a balcony trail with a frontal view of the mountains of l’Altels and Balmhorn and then continue to Kandersteg.
(+700m/2297ft, - 1000m/3280ft)
Day 4 : Ascent Of The Hohtürli Pass And Descend To Kiental (6Hrs, +1600M, -1100M)
Location: Kiental
Accommodation Name: Mountain refuge/gîte-hostel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A beautiful hike to the lake of Oschinen and the mountain pastures of Bägli. In front the Glacier Blüemlisalp is in view as we ascend the Hohtürli pass (2778m) at the foot of the massif Blümlisalp (3663m). The extraordinary glacial cirque of Lake Oeschinensee altitude (1578m) is a just reward for our climbing efforts. One last look at Kandertal before a rapid descent into the Kien valley (Kiental).
(+1600m/5250ft, -1100m/3610ft)
Day 5 : Walk To Mürren Lauterbrunnen (4158M) (6Hrs, +1200M, - 900M)
Location: Mürren
Accommodation Name: Mountain refuge/gîte-hostel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Another day of big ascents and descents as you set out this morning from Kiental. Today takes us through some of the most spectacular scenery of the Bernese as we ascend the col de Sefinen (Sefinenfurgge pass). The trail through alpine meadows takes us part small hamlets of chalets decorated with flower boxes in full bloom. From the pass we gain superb views of the Jungfrau (4158m) and the Eiger. Descend to Mürren.
(+1200m/3937ft, - 900m/2952ft)
Day 6 : Walk To Grindelwald (7-8Hrs, +1200M, -1200M)
Location: Grindelwald
Accommodation Name: Mountain refuge/gîte-hostel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking in the alps doesn’t get much better than today’s hike. The focus of the day is an ascent of the Kleine Scheidegg (2061) and skirting the north faces of the Jungfrau, Mönch and the Eiger (the Maiden, the Monk and the Ogre). These three mountains are perhaps the most famous trio in the world and have challenged climbers for over a century. We follow the passage of the "Kleine Scheidegg” inspired by the massive walls above us, before reaching Grindelwald. There is the option of taking an alpine train ride.
(+1200m/3937ft, -1200m/3937ft)
Day 7 : Loop Walk (5Hrs, +650M, -650M), Trip Concludes Grindelwald
Location: Grindelwald
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
The final day is a loop hike to the Refuge de Bäregg, along the Mättenberg, high above the gorge of the Lower Grindelwald Glacier. The views from the trail down to Grindelwald are spectacular. Return to Grindelwald where the trip ends at around 2pm.
(+650m/2132ft, -650m/2132ft)
What's Included
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Meals
6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners are included. Continental breakfasts usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea, and juices. Lunch is picnic style, and dinner will consist of 2 or 3 courses which include regional specialties.
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Accommodation
6 nights in mountain refuges and gîte hostels on a dormitory share basis.
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Luggage Transfer
Luggage transfer for one piece up to 12kg is included, along with some walking transfers.
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Experienced Mountain Guide
An experienced mountain guide will accompany the group.
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Transport
Travel to and from the trail head is included.
What's Not Included
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Drinks
Drinks are not included.
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Items of a Personal Nature
Items of a personal nature are not included.
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Storage of Excess Luggage
Storage of excess luggage is not included.
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Transfers
Transfers are not included.
Grading
This trip is graded moderate to challenging (4) and includes daily walks of 5 to 8 hours. There are some challenging stages during the walk with steep uphill, descents, and many sections of the trail which require care. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for experienced walkers only with a good walking pace. At any time during summer, weather conditions may be variable and you should be prepared for all conditions including snow, ice, strong sun and extreme winds. Adverse conditions can make the walk more challenging. As with all our moderate to challenging programs, we expect participants to be regular outdoors people, enjoying aerobic sport around four or five times a week over some period of time. Preferably this has been a long term interest but if not, you have set a program of fitness preparation with at least three months lead in time to your trip. The fitter you are for your trip, the more of a holiday it will be. Activities as close to the actual activity on your trip are the best training; in this instance walking with and without a pack. This builds leg strength, aerobic capacity and confidence in your ability to travel comfortably with a pack for extended periods. At the same time, you are also comfortable with the layers you like to wear and footwear. Important note: good quality walking boots with ankle support are a pre-requisite for your participation. Runners or shoes without ankle support are not suitable for the conditions encountered on this walk.
Accommodation
6 nights in mountain refuges/gîte-hostels dormitory style. Accommodation is on a full board basis starting from lunch on day 1 and finishing at lunch on day 7. The mountain huts that you stay in are dormitory style mixed sex rooms with shared bathrooms but no showers. The gîtes are simple rural retreats, similar to a hostel with mixed sex rooms, shared bathrooms with showers.
What You Carry
As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, phone etc
Mode of Transport
Travel to and from the trail head is included, along with luggage transfer for one piece up to 12kg. Some walking transfers are also part of the tour.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 6 nights in mountain refuges and gîte hostels on a dormitory share basis. The mountain huts have mixed sex rooms with shared bathrooms but no showers, while the gîtes are simple rural retreats with shared bathrooms that include showers.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners. Continental breakfasts usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea, and juices. Lunch is picnic style, and dinner will consist of 2 or 3 courses featuring regional specialties.
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What should I carry during the walks?
As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements, including wet weather gear, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, and phone.
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Is luggage transfer included in the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer for one piece up to 12kg is included, along with some walking transfers.
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What level of fitness is required for this tour?
This trip is graded moderate to challenging and includes daily walks of 5 to 8 hours with steep uphill and descents. It is suitable for experienced walkers with a good walking pace and a good level of fitness. Participants should be regular outdoors people, enjoying aerobic sports around four or five times a week.
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Are there any specific equipment requirements for the tour?
Good quality walking boots with ankle support are a pre-requisite for participation. Runners or shoes without ankle support are not suitable for the conditions encountered on this walk.
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What is the role of the mountain guide during the tour?
An experienced mountain guide will accompany the group throughout the tour, ensuring safety and providing guidance.
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What is the starting and ending point of the tour?
The tour starts at Lac de Tseuzier, Switzerland, and ends in Grindelwald, Switzerland.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour?
Highlights include trekking through stunning alpine scenery amongst the highest peaks in Switzerland, experiencing picturesque Swiss alpine villages such as Grindelwald and Kandersteg, enjoying culinary specialties like Raclette, and walking to Engstligenalp via the Col d'Ammerten.
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What is the grading of this tour?
This tour is graded as moderate to challenging, requiring a good level of fitness and experience in walking.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.