Highlights of the Bernese Oberland
- A short hiking break with flexible walks in the Bernese Oberland.
- Walking beneath the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, staying at chalet-style hotels.
- Chocolate-box Swiss villages of Mürren, Wengen and Grindelwald.
- Fresh alpine air and delicious food— bubbling fondu overlooking the peaks.
- The flexibility to shorten/extend your walks by mountain railways.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive MürrenArrive in the alpine village of Mürren, where you’ll wander through car-free streets of wooden chalets, adorned with colourful flowers. Check into your traditional chalet-style hotel .
The best way to reach Mürren is by train; just 55 mins from Interlaken, 2hrs from Bern, 3hrs from Zurich or Basel, 3h45 from Geneva.
Hotel Blumental is located in the very heart of Mürren. Hosts Heidi and Ralph von Allmen are 4th generation of the family running the hotel; Ralph’s grandfather built the property in 1870 and it was complertely renovated in 1957. The impressive breakfast room dates from 1928. There is a cosy lounge area and a lovely restaurant, as well as an outdoor seating area which is perfect for watching passers by wandering through the peaceful village in the evening. The hotel boasts 20 rooms; 14 in the main building and 6 in the annex which is just to the rear of the property. Guests enjoy free entry to the village sports centre, where you will find a pool and Jacuzzi.
3-star superior Hotel Edelweiss is surrounded by the fantastic mountain world with Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Breithorn, Birg and Schilthorn... All rooms are equiped with TV/Radio, safe and hairdryer. Free WiFi is available in the entire hotel.
Chalet Hotel Alpenruh is located adjacent to the Schilthorn cable car station, just minutes from the heart of Mürren. Dine in the popular restaurant or relax in the cosy small bar. If you would like to dine in the restaurant but have not opted for half board, please ensure you talk to the front desk in advance regarding a table reservation as the restaurant is very popular. There is a sauna which you can hire on a private basis (1 hr duration, free) – please make a reservation with the front desk.
You’ll find Wengen just across the Lauterbrunnen valley from Mürren, perched at the top of vertical cliffs springing with waterfalls. You have a choice of rewarding walks at your fingertips, which you can combine with mountain transport to adjust your walk as you wish.
Trains run from Mürren to Grütschalp, from where you can descend by cable car to Lauterbrunnen. The railway from here winds its way up to the car-free alpine village of Wengen, situated on a sunny plateau with outstanding views to the Jungfrau.
Grutschalp to Muerren via the Mountain View Trail: 6.5km, ascent/descent: 450m/300m
Lauterbrunnen to Wengen: 2.6km, ascent/descent: 450m/10m
Wengen- Leiterhorn Loop: 5km, ascent/descent: 285m/275m
Hotel Schönegg dates from 1903, and was fully renovated in 2012. Although not strictly a chalet-hotel, the interior and furnishings, with their rich wooden patina, are typical of a Swiss chalet. Your hosts are Caroline & Sylvain Stefanazzi Ogi. Restaurant 1903, with its cosy wooden decor, is inspired by Sylvain's Italian roots. Rooms have charming wooden touches and guests can enjoy the sauna and massage bed (fee payable for the latter). If you have chosen to take the half board option, then this is a set 4-course menu (however can be changed due to preferences/dietary requirements). Packed lunches are available for CHF 15 per person.
This lovely 3-star chalet hotel is located just a short walk from the village centre. Rooms are simply furnished and there is a lovely restaurant serving delicious local cuisine. Rooms have balconies and the bathrooms have a shower (no bath).
One of our favourite Swiss walks is the Eiger Trail from Eigergletscher (a short train ride from Wengen) to Alpiglen. This high route brings you right in front of the famous North Face itself; look up and right to see the metal ladders and perhaps even a climber or two setting off on an adventure.
Soak up the views over the Wetterhorn and the Grosse Scheidegg before continuing on a zig zag trail down to Alpiglen. Here you can jump on board the train, or walk further via Gletscherschlucht to Grindelwald, your base for the next 2 nights.
Remember, you can also take cable cars or the train all the way from Wengen to picture-postcard Grindelwald, and there are easier/shorter walks to choose from.
Maennlichen-Kleine Scheidegg - Wengen: 12km, ascent/descent: 950m/50m
Eiger trail via the Gletscherschlucht to Grindelwald: 13.5km, ascent/descent: 250m/1500m
Chalet Hotel Gletschergarten has been family-run since 1899, and is in the 4th generation of the Michel-Breitenstein family. There is a sauna, steam bath and relaxation room. All rooms have a balcony or terrace. Chef François Rollot prepares 4-course dining at the restaurant. Packed lunches are available if required, they are charged at CHF 12.- per person, alternatively there is a bakery shop located across from the hotel.
Hotel Alpenhof is located in a stunning elevated position above Grindelwald village. There are 17 rooms, with balcony/garden access. There is a traditional cosy Swiss restaurant. This is a pet-friendly property. Those opting for half board will have a 5-course menu. The restaurant specialises in catering for special diets (gluten and lactose free for example).
Hotel Hirschen is a centrally-located 3* hotel in Grindelwald, in the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland. Close to the train station, and with local ski and bus stops right outside the door, this hotel is the perfect starting point for excursions and walks.
A must-do optional excursion during your stay in the Bernese Oberland is the ‘Top of Europe’ Jungfraujoch, easily reached by rail from either Wengen or Grindelwald. From Kleine Scheidegg, the cog-wheel railway climbs steeply up to the Jungfraujoch (3454m).
At the very top you’ll find an ice palace with ice sculptures, a viewing plateau, restaurants and panoramic “Sphinx” observation terrace with views over the Aletsch glacier, the longest alpine glacier at 23km.
From Grindelwald you’ve a choice of walks; explore the Grosse Scheidegg plateau, the sparkling Bachalpsee or First with its cable car station. Mountain cafés dotted around Grindelwald will tempt you to relax in the sunshine with a large slice of Apfelstrüdel or Mövenpick icecream sundae— you need to keep your energy levels up after all!
First - Bachalpsee - Grosse Scheidegg: 16.0km, ascent/descent: 850m/1050m
Grindelwald - Grosse Scheidegg: 8.5km, ascent/descent: 950m/80m
Chalet Hotel Gletschergarten has been family-run since 1899, and is in the 4th generation of the Michel-Breitenstein family. There is a sauna, steam bath and relaxation room. All rooms have a balcony or terrace. Chef François Rollot prepares 4-course dining at the restaurant. Packed lunches are available if required, they are charged at CHF 12.- per person, alternatively there is a bakery shop located across from the hotel.
Hotel Alpenhof is located in a stunning elevated position above Grindelwald village. There are 17 rooms, with balcony/garden access. There is a traditional cosy Swiss restaurant. This is a pet-friendly property. Those opting for half board will have a 5-course menu. The restaurant specialises in catering for special diets (gluten and lactose free for example).
Hotel Hirschen is a centrally-located 3* hotel in Grindelwald, in the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland. Close to the train station, and with local ski and bus stops right outside the door, this hotel is the perfect starting point for excursions and walks.
After breakfast check-out of your traditional chalet-style hotel and make your onward journey. If you’re planning a longer European tour then the Italian Lakes combines perfectly with the Swiss Alps.
This trip has a carbon score of 3kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 3kg is equivalent to 10 miles in a medium-size gas car. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This tour offers 3 days of classic alpine walking, with a choice of varied hikes, whilst staying at family-run chalet-style hotels in 3 picture-postcard alpine villages. A fantastic network of trains, cable cars funiculars and buses will whisk you up and down the mountains, allowing you to explore and hike as little or far as you like.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This trip is graded ‘easy to moderate’ overall, as the walks are around 4-14km, but many you can shorten with mountain transport (payable locally or you can opt to purchase a Jungfrau Travel Pass in advance) or skip altogether. The routes and footpaths are not technically difficult, although you should have a good head for heights and be sure-footed. Please be aware that earlier in the season there may be some residual snow lying in patches, but this will not require any special equipment or skills; walking poles are recommended.
Stay 4 nights in traditional Swiss chalet-style hotels (of a 3-star standard). The accommodation we normally use is detailed below, however is subject to availability and therefore alternatives of an equal standard may be offered.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
This trip is available to solo walkers and a supplement is payable as some of the costs are not shared. Single rooms are on request and a supplement is payable.
Meals
Breakfasts are included each day. Most of your accommodations will more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival.All the hiking trails in Switzerland are very well marked with yellow route signs, indicating distances and directions to all destinations. The network of paths and trails in the Bernese Oberland is also comprehensively way-marked as are all the variations we suggest. We provide you with detailed route notes, maps, GPX tracks and access to the Macs Adventure smart phone navigation app, so you will have no problem finding your way.
- 4 Nights in 3-star family-run chalet-style hotels.
- 4 Breakfasts.
- Baggage transfers between accommodations (days 2, 3).
- Detailed route notes, info pack, maps, GPX tracks and access to the Macs Adventure navigation app
- 24-7 Emergency telephone support.
- Travel insurance (required).
- Travel to Mürren and from Grindelwald.
- Entrance fees (eg. Jungfraujoch excursion).
- Public transport (eg. railways, cable cars, chairlifts, funiculars, buses).
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks.
- Personal equipment.
- Additional nights before, during or after the walk.
This trip is available to start daily, from the end of June to early October. The best months for walking are in the summer months between June and mid-September when the wild flowers are in bloom and the weather is generally fair.
Grindelwald is hosting the famous Eiger Ultra Trail race (12th to 16th July). We recommend avoiding the Via Alpina at this time as the area is extremely busy, and most accommodations are full.
The best way to reach Mürren is by train; just 55 mins from Interlaken. You can fly into Bern (2 hrs away), Zurich or Basel (3 hrs), or Geneva (3h45). Train timetables and details of public transportation in Switzerland are available via the excellent travel planner at www.sbb.ch.
From Grindelwald most train connections are via Interlaken Ost (35 mins). Travel times are as follows from Grindelwald to city train stations (Hauptbahnhof/HB): to Bern (1h40), Zurich (2h40), Basel (2h40), or Geneva (3h30); Again, please see SBB’s website for timetable planning. Further information regarding travel advice will be in your comprehensive pre-departure information pack.
Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jackets and trousers), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking shoes or boots, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the region is very popular, especially over the summer months. However we will always try our best to accommodate your plans.
The walking is graded easy to moderate so you will enjoy the holiday more if you already enjoy an active lifestyle. Most of the paths are easy to follow and although undulating in parts the paths are generally easy, and where they are tougher, there are alternative walks that day. Walking each day is between 4-14km. If you prefer not to walk each day, then you can take mountain railways or post buses between locations.
Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
You can fly into Zurich, Basel, Geneva or Bern Belp airports in Switzerland, check out the travel details section for more detailed information.
You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a day pack, warm clothing in the early/late part of the year and hats etc during the summer. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.
The best months for walking are in the summer months between June and early October when the wild flowers are in bloom and the weather is generally fair.
The beauty of the Jungfrau region, is that there is an excellent network of mountain railways that you can use (cable cars, train, some postbuses) to shorten or lengthen your walk, or skip it altogether. If outside the car-free villages (eg. Grindelwald) then you can make use of local taxis where possible.
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