Highlights of the Bernese Oberland In Style

Escape to the Bernese Oberland on a 4-night break staying in 4-star historic hotels with spa facilities. You’ve a menu of walks each day to choose from, or you can opt to ride the extensive network of mountain railways; giving you huge flexibility as to where you explore, and the length of your hikes. Please note this tour itinerary changed slightly in July 2023. If you have booked prior to July 2023 you will follow your original itinerary.

In Style | After a day of exciting adventures and soaking up unbeatable scenery, retreat to stylish accommodations and unwind with fine food and wine. This trip type is for those who like sophisticated places to stay and are looking for active routes but still want the holiday to feel special.

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

Solo Travellers

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, but a good level of fitness is recommended so you can relax and enjoy the scenery.  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 is required. Cable cars and trains can be used to avoid the steepest ascents and descents, but some steep sections are unavoidable— the Eiger Trail and the First to Bachalpsee hikes are the most demanding days, with ascents and descents ranging up to 1050m of ascent/descent, in your route notes we have detailed how these days can be made easier.

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 historic Swiss 4-star hotels. The accommodation we normally use is detailed below, however is subject to availability and therefore alternatives of an equal standard may be offered (hotel facilities may change if only alternative properties are available—should you have any specific requirements, please let us know). You can add on extra nights in any of the overnight locations on this tour.

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 smartphone navigation app, so you will have no problem finding your way.

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 Wengen is by train to Lauterbrunnen; just 55 mins from Interlaken.  You can fly into Bern (2 hrs away), Zurich or Basel (3 hrs), or Geneva (3h45). From Lauterbrunnen you take the classic rack rail train up to Wengen (12mins). 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.