Highlights of the Bernese Oberland

The routes and footpaths are not technically difficult, but a good fitness level is recommended so you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Many walks can be shortened with mountain transport (payable locally) or skipped altogether.

Before your tour, we recommend walking regularly and incorporating some hilly terrain into your routine. Check the daily distances and elevation changes outlined in your itinerary.

Our routes follow wide tracks, paths and sometimes narrower mountain paths, occasionally with steep slopes above and below—as with most Alpine walking, a good head for heights and sure-footedness are required. Cable cars and trains can be used to avoid the steepest ascents and descents, but some steep sections are unavoidable.

Please be aware that earlier in the season, some residual snow may lie in patches, but this will not require any special equipment or skills, walking poles are recommended.

This tour is graded easy-to-moderate overall. Within the tour individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation on this tour is in traditional, family-run Swiss hotels - standard options are chalet-style 3-star properties, with upgraded 4-star historic hotels available on our 'In Style' version. Properties are subject to availability, so an alternative of an equal standard may occasionally be offered, and we'll always let you know if hotel facilities differ from what's described.

You're welcome to add extra nights at any of the overnight locations along this tour if you'd like more time to explore.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Breakfast is included every day. Lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the many options in the villages along the route. Most of your accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch on request, which can usually be arranged on arrival.

This tour runs from the end of June to the end of September, with the best walking conditions typically from June to mid-September, when the wildflowers are in bloom and the weather is generally fair.

Grindelwald hosts a popular ultra-trail running race each July, and the area gets extremely busy with most accommodations fully booked at this time, so it's worth avoiding this period if you'd prefer a quieter tour.

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/44lbs per person.

It's vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

All hiking trails in this region are very well marked with yellow route signs, indicating distances and directions to every destination, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding your way.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

If you choose the Highlights of the Bernese Oberland tour, you'll start in Mürren. The best way to get there is by train, just 55 minutes from Interlaken. Fly into Bern (about 2 hours from Mürren) or Geneva (about 3 hours 45 minutes). www.sbb.ch is the best resource for Swiss train timetables and public transport details.

If you choose the Highlights of the Bernese Oberland In Style tour, you'll start in Wengen. Take the train to Lauterbrunnen, just 55 minutes from Interlaken, then the classic rack railway up to Wengen (about 12 minutes). Fly into Bern (about 2 hours from Wengen) or Geneva (about 3 hours 45 minutes). www.sbb.ch is the best resource for Swiss train timetables and public transport details.

Getting from the end

Both tours finish in Grindelwald. From here, most train connections run via Interlaken Ost (about 35 minutes). From Grindelwald to the main city stations, allow around 1 hour 40 minutes to Bern and 2 hours 40 minutes to Zurich. SBB's website is useful for timetable planning.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

This region also has an excellent network of mountain railways, cable cars and postbuses that let you shorten, lengthen or skip a day's walking altogether - local taxis are also available outside the car-free villages.

Switzerland has an excellent public transport network, and the Bernese Oberland is no exception. We suggest downloading the SBB app and considering a Swiss Travel Pass for convenient all-in-one travel, or a Bernese Oberland Regional Pass if you're mostly staying local - this also includes discounts on popular mountain excursions such as the Jungfraujoch.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation