Grindelwald Trail Self Guided Walking Holiday

Grindelwald Trail

8 Days & 7 Nights 5 Read 9 reviews

The mighty trio of mountains - the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau
Wild, colourful alpine flowers and lush forest walking
Exhilarating walking along mountain paths
Traditional, local Swiss cuisine at your overnight accommodation
Experience the vibrant town of Grindelwald

Experience the rich, green alpine scenery of the Bernese Oberland on this fantastic walking holiday through the foothills of the Swiss Alps. The mighty peaks of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau surround you as you meander along forest tracks past mountain villages rich in local tradition. The alpine air will refresh and invigorate the senses and the local cuisine will be a welcome sight after a days walking amongst the snow-capped mountains. Your journey begins in Interlaken, a popular tourist town located between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. You start by heading up to the ‘Faulhorn’ where you are rewarded with magnificent views from the fabulous mountain hotel at the top. Heading to Grindelwald takes you down the mountain path or alternatively in a cable car to explore this popular mountain village. The walk continues up to Kleine Scheidegg where you gain spectacular views across to the North Face of the Eiger. The final stage of the walk heads to Murren which is a small and cosy village. Its famous for its revolving restaurant and is where the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’, was set. Being traffic free, the village is a nice relaxed way to end the holiday. The overall walking on this holiday is relaxed and there are always options to take cable cars or trains on certain days if you prefer the easier option. Fabulous walking combined with traditional Hotel, Guest House and one Mountain Hotel accommodation. Breakfast is provided every morning and an evening meal is also included on 1 night. Baggage transfer (except for day 2) and great backup are of course included to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay in the Swiss Alps.

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What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

What more could you ask for than wonderful and scenic alpine walking, combined with tasty local Swiss cuisine. This walking holiday will appeal to those who are looking to escape to the mountains. Refresh your mind and discover the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | A classic point to point walking trip, staying in a different location each night

This trip is suitable for:

Multi-Generational

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Mountains

Inspiration:

Classic

Grade & Terrain

The walking is graded moderate so you will enjoy the holiday more if you already enjoy an active lifestyle. Some days are long, the paths are undulating in parts and you may need a head for heights!

Navigation

The network of paths and trails in the Grindelwald area is comprehensively way-marked as are all the variations we suggest. We provide you with detailed route notes and maps so you will have no problem following the route suggested.

Accommodation Information

We specifically select your accommodation to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We aim to give you an authentic experience and use local family run accommodations in a mixture of hotels and guest houses and if you like, rather then staying in Wengen it is possible to upgrade to a first-class hotel at Kleine Scheidegg. The hotels are generally chalet types with wooden interior which are typical of the region. The guest houses and mountain hotels will have shared facilities. Please be aware that twin & double rooms in Switzerland are typically 2 single mattresses side by side in one double bed frame with two separate duvet covers and pillows.

Alternate accommodation

During high season, you might be booked into a different accommodation which is not listed in the description, and the start or end of some of your walking routes may be slightly altered. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same standard as those described.

Single Rooms and Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. This holiday is available for solo walkers but we would recommend that you are experienced in walking and navigating alone. If you are travelling solo the holiday is slightly more expensive as some costs are not shared.

Meals

A delicious breakfast is included each morning and an evening meal is included on 1 nights. Most accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch - this should be requested on arrival. Or you can pick up lunch in the village or stop along the trail.

Included

Accommodation for 7 Nights in a mix of Hotels, Guest Houses and one Mountain Hotel
7 Breakfasts
1 Dinner
Luggage transfers (apart from Day 2)
Detailed route notes and maps on arrival
24-hour assistance by phone
Train transfer from Interlaken to Schynige Platte on Day 2
Return travel by rail from Murren to Interlaken

Excluded

Flights and transfers to first / from last accommodation
Travel to and from Switzerland
Any train/bus travel in case of bad weather or for shortcuts
Travel Insurance
Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
Any items not specifically mentioned in the program

Extras

Upgrade to a first-class hotel on Kleine Scheidegg for 2 nts (double room, half board) - baggage transfer is not available to this overnight
Airport transfers
Additional nights during the walk

When To Go

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.

Getting to the Start

Interlaken is located in the Bernese Oberland between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun and can be accessed by the following transport: By Air - You can either fly into Zurich Airport or Geneva Airport (both in Switzerland). Many low cost and charter airlines fly from both the UK and Europe. From Zurich - You can take a train from Zurich to Interlaken - (approx. 2hr 15mins, usually involving a change in Bern) Train schedules can be found on the Swiss Rail Network. From Geneva - You can catch a train from Geneva to Interlaken - (approx. 3hrs usually, involving a change in Bern) Train schedules can be found on the Swiss Rail Network.

Getting from the End

From Murren you can take the train to Grutschalp (15mins) and then take the cable car to Lauterbrunnen. From here you can catch the train back to Interlaken where you can connect to Zurich (2hrs 15 mins) or Geneva (3hrs). Please check the Swiss Rail network for up to date timetables.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary (except for on Day 2 when you need to carry an overnight pack due to the remote location). We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

If you choose the upgraded overnight option in Kleine Scheidegg you will need to carry an overnight pack as baggage transfer is not available

Travel Insurance

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.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Interlaken Day 2 Train to the Schynige Platte and walk to Faulhorn 7 miles / 11 km Day 3 Walk to Grindelwald 12 miles / 20 km Day 4 Walk to Wengen 6 miles / 10 km Day 5 Rest day in Wengen

Take a rest day in Wengen or make use of one of many possibilities for walks available in the area. If you have not already done so the day before, you may walk from Kleine Scheidegg down to a place called Alpiglen from where you return to Kleine Scheidegg on the very rewarding “Eiger Trail”. Another possibility is to visit the summit of the Männlichen mountain, a particularly good viewpoint offering a marvellous panorama. From Wengen, you can walk up a good but very steep trail directly to the top of the mountain or you take it easy and take the cable car. From the summit of the Männlichen, you continue your walk back to Kleine Scheidegg and onwards to Wengen if you stay there. Another choice, of course, would be to take the train up to famous Jungfraujoch, offering you stunning views over the icy world of the Aletschglacier, one of the longest glaciers in Europe.

Walk: Ranging from 5 - 10km, 2 - 4.5hrs, 100-750m ascent / 170 - 850m descent depending on walk.

Overnight Wengen

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Bellevue | 3 Star | Chalet

A family-run 3-star hotel situated in the beautiful Bernese Oberland. Located in the peaceful and charming village of Wengen. The hotel Bellevue was built in 1890. It is situated at the edge of the village in quiet surroundings and with a view of the Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen valley.

From the centre of the village, you will reach the hotel in a few minutes. Chalet style accommodation is combined with modern comfort to create a cosy atmosphere. Various lounges and a marvellous sun terrace invite you to stay and relax. Enjoy the Jacuzzi on the sun terrace after a long walk.

Hotel Bahnhof | 3 Star | Chalet

The Hotel Restaurant Bahnhof comprises of a restaurant with a large outdoor terrace, external food station and bars. They offer an authentic mountain ambience in simple and rustic surroundings. Rooms are with shared facilities.

Hotel Bellevue des Alpes | 3 Star | Chalet

Upgrade Option: The Hotel Bellevue des Alpes ranks among the few remaining grand hotels of the nineteenth century. The Kleine Scheidegg lies amid alpine splendour at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau at 2070m above Grindelwald and Wengen.

Baggage transfer is not available to this overnight and you will need to carry an overnight pack.