Best of the Bernese Oberland

Immerse yourself in a traditional Swiss alpine village; Mürren’s car-free streets are lined with chocolate-box wooden chalets, adorned with colourful flowers. Listen out for the tinkling of cowbells as you settle into your chalet-style hotel for a 2 night stay.

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.

Mürren is nestled amidst a backdrop of iconic peaks: the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The Jungfrau region is a hiker’s paradise, with around 500km/310mi of superb way-marked trails. You can make good use of the cable cars, railways and funicular services to shorten or lengthen your hike as you wish! Each day we offer a variety of suggested hikes to get you exploring the alpine meadows and mountain slopes.

Another option for today is to ride the cable car to the top of the Schilthorn, where you can admire 200 other peaks from the Skyline viewing platform at 2970m/9,744ft. There’s also a 360° restaurant and interactive Bond World 007 exhibition; paying homage to the thriller ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’.

Grutschalp to Muerren via the Mountain View Trail: ascent/descent: 1475ft/985ft

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 hikes 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. Spend your next 2 nights here.

Lauterbrunnen to Wengen: 2.6km/1.5mi, ascent/descent: 1475ft/32ft

Wengen- Leiterhorn Loop: 5km/3mi, ascent/descent: 935ft/935ft

A must-do hike is the aptly named Panorama Trail, reached by the Männlichen cable car (2342m/10,636ft). The trail traces the foot of the Männlichen chain, through woods and alpine pastures with views of the mighty rock walls of the Lauterbrunnen Valley and untouched Trümmelbach Valley to Kleine Scheidegg (2061m/6,762ft).

Reward yourself wth a cold beer, steaming plate of rösti and melting raclette at this celebrated mountain pass, with breath-taking views to the Eiger, Lauberhorn and their glaciers. From Kleine Scheidegg you can also ride the railway up to the Jungfraujoch, the highest point reachable by rail in Europe (also see Days 6 & 7).

You can board the Wengernalp railway back to the village or continue your hike further.

Maennlichen-Kleine Scheidegg - Wengen: ascent/descent: 3115ft/165ft

One of our favorite Swiss hikes 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 climb one 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 3 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 hikes to choose from.

Eiger trail via the Gletscherschlucht to Grindelwald: ascent/descent: 820ft/4920ft

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/11,332ft).

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/14mi.

From Grindelwald you’ve a choice of hikes: 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!

Optional Hikes:

First - Bachalpsee - Grosse Scheidegg: 16km/10mi, ascent/descent: 2785ft/3444ft

Grindelwald - Grosse Scheidegg: 8.5km/5mi, ascent/descent: 3120ft/265ft

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/11,332ft).

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/14mi.

From Grindelwald you’ve a choice of hikes: 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!

Optional Hikes:

First - Bachalpsee - Grosse Scheidegg: 16km/10mi, ascent/descent: 2785ft/3444ft

Grindelwald - Grosse Scheidegg: 8.5km/5mi, ascent/descent: 3120ft/265ft

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.