BERNER OBERLAND TREK OVERVIEW

The Bernese Overland Swiss Trek takes a swath right through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Swiss Alps, through the Jungfrau region of the Berner Oberland. This is "super model" alpine terrain. This Swiss trekking tour follows much of the Swiss "Via Alpina" long distance trekking route. You will find yourself meandering along alpine trails from inn to inn past alpine lakes, over high alpine passes and up among the glaciers of the Jungfrau and the Monch, finishing under famous Eiger North Face. A great Swiss trek for those looking for spectacular alpine vistas while wanting the comforts of cozy inns at night.

Our Swiss Berner trek stands out from the usual in that we strive to show you an adventurous experience that allows you to immerse in the high mountains while still providing some of the creature comforts. We take you not only to the usual towns and villages but also up into the high alpine glaciers and mountain hotels. Our Berner trek is for those looking for a bit more adventure in their Swiss trekking experience.

We begin this Switzerland trek in the small town and Swiss hiking center of Kandersteg and quickly go deep into the more remote regions of the Berner Oberland mountain range, staying in quaint Swiss hamlets. We climb the high alpine passes, the Hohturli Pass and the Sefinfurggal before arriving in village of Murren, perched high above the lauterbrunnen valley, known as the Yosemite Valley of Switzerland.

After exploring the Lauterbrunnen Valley we move up to the resort and spa town of Wengen (which has no cars), enjoying a cozy hotel and spa. Then we make our way higher to Kleine Scheidegg under the imposing North Face of the famous Eiger where we stay in a rustic mountain hotel or ‘Berghaus”. We also include a ride up the famous Jungfraujoch cog train that goes right through the middle of the famous Eiger North Face and then take a safe stroll along Switzerland's largest glacier to have lunch in an alpine hut. Then it's back down the train and a downhill hike in which we hike directly under the famous North Face of the Eiger to the Swiss resort town of Grindelwald.

We also include a ride up the famous Jungfraujoch cog train that goes right through the middle of the famous Eiger North Face and then take a safe stroll along Switzerland's largest glacier to have lunch in an alpine hut. Then it's back down the train and a downhill hike to the small resort town of Wengen. After visiting a lake with some of the best views of the Jungfrau region, we finish up the trek in the Engelhoerner region and stay a 19th century country hotel in the small hamlet of Rosenlaui.

We stay at 3 and 4-star hotels, quaint inns and small mountain hotels during the trek and we provide luggages transfer on most days enabling us to hike with a lightweight day pack. At night we relax while enjoying fine Swiss cuisine. Dinner, breakfast and picnic lunches are included as well as all lodging during the Berner Overland Swiss trek.

Our Swiss Alps hiking tours are led by American guides with extensive experience in Switzerland. You will be in good hands with someone who not only understands Switzerland, but also understands your own culture. We run our own treks and do not contract out our tours like many larger companies. Our group sizes are small, no more than 8 trekkers total, and we strive to provide you with a personalized experience. Let our professional logistics team handle all the details for you and our exceptional guides lead your through the best of the Swiss Alps.

“Thanks for the Swiss trip. Rich did a great job getting us from place to place; handling the unexpected; keeping the weather in perspective and just generally being an outstanding guide. Lowelle and I had a lot of fun, enjoyed the food and accommodations.”
— Paul M.
 
 
 

SKILL & EXPERIENCE LEVEL

Hikers on the Berner Overland trek should be in good physical condition and have some previous hiking experience. The ability to hike up to 10 miles a day with a day pack is necessary.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION & LODGING

The Berner Oberland trek is an inclusive trip that includes all lodging, all main meals and ground transport required. On the Berner trek we stay in mountain hotels and Inns with private rooms (at double occupancy, single supplement available). Breakfast is traditional Swiss continental breakfast, lunch is a either pack lunch or at a mountain restaurant and dinner is usually traditional Swiss fare.

 

 

 

2023 Dates:

July 7-14 (FULL)

Sept 1-8 (FULL)

2024 Dates:

July 15-22

*Custom Dates Available*

COST: $4595

INCLUDES:

  • 3 and 4-star charming inns and hotels while in the towns and villages at double occupancy (single occupancy upgrade available).

  • Ground transfers that are needed

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided each day of the hiking tour

  • Luggage transfer on all but two nights of the trek day so you will have a chance to get some fresh clothes and other items.

 

Prefer a private trip? No problem at all. We specialize in designing custom trips for you or your group.
Contact us for a quote!

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Berner Oberland Trek Itinerary

Day 1
We meet in Kandersteg, a small Swiss town and major hiking center in the heart of the Berner region. There are easy train connections to Kandersteg from Zurich airport. We spend the night in a 3-star hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner with the group.

Day 2
The day begins with a wonderful scenic char lift ride to the beautiful Oeschinensee with it's turqouise colored water. We then hike over the Hohturli Pass deep into the Berner region. After a well earned lunch and refreshments at a high alpine hut, we make our way down to our destination for the night in Greisalp, a forested & remote Swiss hamlet. Lodging for the evening is in a Swiss-style “berghaus” or mountain hotel. No luggage transfer today.

Day 3
Heading into the more remote part of the Berner region, things get just a little more strenuous. We head up to the Sefinfurggal Pass and soon are rewarded with some of the best views of the trek while looking towards the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.. The afternoon is spent on a pleasant descent down to the idyllic Swiss village of Murren which is perched right on the edge of the rim of the valley and has no cars. We stay at a 4-star hotel with a well earned spa and soak in the spectacular views of the Eiger, Monch and the Silberhorn.

Day 4
The morning is spent descending into the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the "Yosemite" of Switzerland, passing through Gimmelwald, one the best preserved traditional Swiss villages known for it’s ‘honest shops’. The glacier-carved Lauterbrunnen valley has high cliffs and waterfalls much like Yosemite Valley in California. After lunch at a traditional Swiss chalet restaurant, we explore the town of Lauterbrunnen in the afternoon. We then take a short cog-wheel train up the other side of the valley where we spend the night in a traditional 3-star hotel in the quiet and car free resort town of Wengen.

Day 5
Leaving Wengen, we make our way up through the cow pastures and forests to Kleine Scheidegg, a famous pass underneath the North Face of the Eiger. After lunch, we hike to the top of the Lauberhorn with expansive views of the Jungfrau region. We overnight in another “berghaus’ at Kleine Scheidegg. No luggage transfer this day.

Day 6
First thing in the morning, we board the famous Jungfraujoch train that will take us inside the Eiger to the glaciers of the Jungfraujoch. Along the way, the train stops and you can get out and look out of the viewing windows that are in the middle of the North Face, where a few climber rescues have taken place over the years. At the top, we leave the station right out onto the glacier to hike along a safe walking path on the glacier and have lunch in a high alpine hut at over 12,000 feet. We then descend back to Kleine Scheidegg and finish this spectacular day by hiking down the famous Eiger North Face trail directly underneath the North Face. It is easy to spot the famous climbing routes and imagine what it would be like to be on the face. Arriving into the town of Grindelwald, we spend the night in a traditional Swiss hotel.

Day 7
Leaving Grindelwald, we take the cable cars up to First across from the Eiger and Jungfrau. ,We hike to the Balchalpsee (lake) which on a clear day reflects the entire Jungfrau Alps in it’s waters. We take in more spectacular views of the the Jungfrau region and the alpine peaks including the Wetterhorn and the the Eiger. A fitting last day to a spectacular trek. We then hike down the towards the Gross Scheidegg pass and descend to the quaint hamlet of Rosenlaui, just up from the town of Meringen. We stay at the historic 19th century Rosenlaui Hotel and we enjoy a final celebratory dinner together.

Day 8
In the morning, we all take a transfer to the town of Meringen which has easy train transfers to your airport or your next European destination,.