Best of the Bernese Oberland

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.9 Read 20 reviews

Flexible alpine walking amidst a backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau
The villages of Mürren, Wengen & Grindelwald, staying at chalet-style hotels
The classic Swiss Alps—jagged peaks, crystal clear lakes & alpine meadows
Working up an appetite for delicious raclette, fondu, rösti and apfelstrüdel
The freedom to extend/shorten your walk by cable car, funicular, bus or train!

Explore the iconic peaks of the Bernese Oberland on foot, with a choice of classic walks between Mürren, Wengen and Grindelwald; Swiss chocolate-box alpine villages framed by the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The network of mountain transport gives you easy and flexible access to the Jungfrau region’s 500km of walking trails. You’re in control of how easy or challenging you want your walks to be, or simply relax and let the train, funicular, cable car or bus whisk you up and down the mountains!

What To Expect

Thanks to a flexible choice of walks, you’re free to enjoy this alpine hikers’ playground as you wish—whilst making good use of the superb network of mountain railways to shorten or lengthen your walks. Stay in authentic family-run chalet-style hotels in traditional mountain villages.

Tour Style:

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

Activity:

Multi Center Walking | You will spend multiple nights in one or more of the locations on this walking tour

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travelers, Families, Multi-Generational, Groups > 10, First Timers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Mountains

Inspiration:

Classic

Activity Level & Terrain

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.

Navigation

The network of paths and trails in the Bernese Oberland 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, or indeed if you wish to take alternative routes according to your wishes.

Accommodations

Stay 7 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.

Meals

Breakfasts are included each day, and you can opt to add a 7-night half board supplement to your arrangements. Most of your accommodations will more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival.

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.

Included

7 Nights in 3-star family-run chalet-style hotels
7 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers between accommodations (days 3, 5)
Route notes, map & info pack
24-7 Emergency telephone support

Excluded

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

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Half board supplement
Jungfrau Travel Pass or rail travel within Switzerland

When To Go

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.

Getting to the Start

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.

Getting from the End

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.

Luggage Transfer

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.

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 Mürren

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.

Overnight Mürren

Accommodations

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 Alpenruh

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.

Hotel Blumental

Hotel Blumental is located in the very heart of Mürren. Hosts Heidi and Ralph von Allmen are 4^th 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.

Hotel Alpenblick

Hotel Alpenblick is a simple but friendly property, located in the very heart of Mürren. There are 14 rooms and an apartment. The hotel has a restaurant and has wonderful views over the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the Jungfrau. Located beside the (quiet) railway line from Grutschalp to Muerren, it is popular with rail enthusiasts!

Day 2 Schilthorn/choice of walks from Mürren 4 miles / 6.5 km

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 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 walks 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. There’s also a 360° restaurant and interactive Bond World 007 exhibition; paying homage to the thriller ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’.

Flexible Walking: 4-14km

Overnight Mürren

Accommodations

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 Alpenruh

Hotel Alpenblick

Hotel Blumental

Day 3 Choice of walks/travel to Wengen 3 miles / 5 km

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. Spend your next 2 nights here.

Flexible Walking: 4-13km

Overnight Wengen

Accommodations

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 Schoenegg

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.

Hotel Bären

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).

Hotel Belvedere

The hotel Belvedere was built in 1912 as an art nouveau hotel and enjoys one of the best and peaceful locations in Wengen. It has been refurbished sympathetically to provide today’s comforts without losing the atmosphere of the olden days of the ‘Grand Hotel Belvedere’. Rooms have bathtubs and tea and coffee is available in the lounge (fee payable), however there is also a kettle in each room. There is a grand restaurant and an outdoor seating area. The hotel has free WiFi throughout.

Day 4 Männlichen cable car, walk to Kleine Scheidegg/Wengen 7.5 miles / 12 km

A must-do walk is the aptly named Panorama Trail, reached by the Männlichen cable car (2342m). 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).

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 walk further.

Flexible Walking: 5-12km

Overnight Wengen

Accommodations

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 Schoenegg

Hotel Bären

Hotel Belvedere