Highlights of the Bernese Oberland
5 Days & 4 Nights 4.9 Read 35 reviews- A short hiking break with flexible walks in the Bernese Oberland.
- Walking beneath the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, staying at chalet-style hotels.
- Chocolate-box Swiss villages of Mürren, Wengen and Grindelwald.
- Fresh alpine air and delicious food— bubbling fondu overlooking the peaks.
- The flexibility to shorten/extend your walks by mountain railways.
Tour Type:
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Activity:
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.
This trip is suitable for:
Solo Travellers
As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years
Ideal if you have an interest in:
- Short Break
- National Parks
- Accessible by Rail
- Alpine Walking
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, although you should have a good head for heights and be sure-footed. 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
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 smart phone navigation app, so you will have no problem finding your way.
Accommodations
Stay 4 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.
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.- 4 Nights in 3-star family-run chalet-style hotels.
- 4 Breakfasts.
- Baggage transfers between accommodations (days 2, 3).
- Detailed route notes, info pack, maps, GPX tracks and access to the Macs Adventure navigation app
- 24-7 Emergency telephone support.
- 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.
- Additional nights before, during or after the walk.
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.
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.
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.
General Information
The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jackets and trousers), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking shoes or boots, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer and a day pack.
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.