Highlights of the Bernese Oberland In Style

5 Days & 4 Nights

A short walking break in the Swiss Alps, staying in historic 4-star hotels.
Flexible walks beneath the impressive peaks of the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau.
Wandering between the traditional villages of Mürren, Wengen & Grindelwald.
Fine dining at hotel restaurants; indulging in Swiss cheese & chocolate…
An optional Jungfraujoch visit & the thrill of riding cable cars and funiculars.

An indulgent short walking break taking in the highlights of the Bernese Oberland on foot. Stay in 100-year old family-run 4-star hotels, with fine dining restaurants. Relax in the spa at the end of a rewarding day exploring the alpine meadows and slopes of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. You can walk between the villages Mürren, Wengen and Grindelwald; also linked by a network of trains, cable cars and buses, allowing you to shorten or lengthen your hikes as you wish. You’ll also have the chance to visit the must-see Jungfraujoch, with its ice palace and panoramic glacier and mountain views.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

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.

Tour Type:

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.

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:

Foodie
Short Break
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 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, and you can opt to add a 4-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.

Included

4 Nights in historic 4-star family-run hotels.
4 Breakfasts.
Baggage transfers between accommodations (days 2, 3).
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.
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.

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.

How far in advance do I need to book?

How fit do I need to be?

How do the baggage transfers work?

Which is the best airport to fly to?

What personal equipment do I need?

When is the best time of year?

What happens if I cant walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Mürren Day 2 Choice of walks/travel to Wengen 4.5 miles / 6 km

Mürren is nestled amidst a trio 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’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.

The car-free alpine village of Wengen is situated on a sunny plateau with outstanding views to the Jungfrau. Settle into your 4-star hotel; why not treat yourself to a glass of Bordeaux from the specialist wine cellar.

Grutschalp to Muerren via the Mountain View Trail: 6.5km, ascent/descent: 450m/300m

Lauterbrunnen to Wengen: 2.6km, ascent/descent: 450m/10m

Wengen- Leiterhorn Loop: 5km, ascent/descent: 285m/275m

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 Wengenerhof | Hotel

Hotel Wengener Hof is one of the most traditional hotels in Wengen, and dates from 1898. The Wengener Hof occupies a peaceful location in the village, with extensive gardens and views to the Jungfrau, and over the Breithorn mountain chain down into the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The lobby bar with its open fire is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner aperitif. The hotel's chefs serve a 5-course menu each evening in the bright dining room (with a gala dinner on Sundays). A highlight is the excellent selection of exquisite Bordeaux wines, and you can book a visit to the wine cellar. The village centre and the Männlichen cable car are just 3 minutes away, and Wengen station a 5 minutes’ walk away. Transport from and to Wengen train station is by the hotel's electric vehicle. Guests enjoy free access to the wellness and fitness facilities of sister hotel Silberhorn. Stay in a south-facing room, Jungfrau view, with balcony. Free WiFi throughout the hotel. If you have chosen to take half board, then you will enjoy a 5-course menu, with 3 choices.

Hotel Silberhorn | Hotel

Hotel Silberhorn is in the heart of the village, and boasts an impressive spa with fitness suite. It has 63 rooms and two restaurants (one of which is a la carte, serving such Swiss specialities as raclette and fondu; the other is a buffet/half board restaurant). Guests can book massages with therapists (booking recommended 1-2 days in advance, payable locally). There is a solarium (surcharge payable). The spa has a relaxation area with lounge beds and whirlpools and herbal tea. There are herb and Finnish saunas and a steam bath (facilities open from 14:00-20:00). Minimum age 16yrs for the sauna/spa area. Rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, and there is free WiFi in the entire hotel.

Day 3 Eiger Trail/Travel to Grindelwald 8.5 miles / 13.5 km

One of our favourite Swiss walks is the Eiger Trail from Eigergletscher (a short train ride from Wengen) to Alpiglen. This high route brings you right in front of the famous North Face itself; look up and right to see the metal ladders and perhaps even a climber or two setting off on an adventure.

Soak up the views over the Wetterhorn and the Grosse Scheidegg before continuing on a zig zag trail down to Alpiglen. Here you can jump on board the train, or walk further via Gletscherschlucht to Grindelwald, your base for the next 2 nights. Ease any weary muscles in your hotel’s sauna, freshwater Jacuzzi or whirl pools.

Remember, you can also take cable cars or the train all the way from Wengen to picture-postcard Grindelwald, and there are easier/shorter walks to choose from.

Maennlichen-Kleine Scheidegg - Wengen: 12km, ascent/descent: 950m/50m

Eiger trail via the Gletscherschlucht to Grindelwald: 13.5km, ascent/descent: 250m/1500m

Overnight Grindelwald

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 Belvedere | 4 Star | Hotel

Belvedere Swiss Quality Hote is a 4-star superior hotel dating from 1907, with unrivalled direct views of the Eiger. Your hosts are the Hauser family, now in their third generation of running the hotel. Relax in the small but attractive spa area with its large indoor pool, ‘Experience’ shower, Finnish sauna and glacier steam bath, or take a dip in the outdoor salt water Jacuzzi. You can book the sauna for private use in the evening – please ask at reception. The fine dining Restaurant Français showcases inventive cuisine featuring fresh, home-grown ingredients; classic Swiss specialities as well as light fusion food with a Mediterranean or Asian influence. The restaurant is a member of the French gourmet association ‘Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’. On Monday evenings you have the chance to take a peek behind the scenes, with a visit to the kitchen with Markus Berger and his crew. All rooms have a large balcony with mountain views, and there’s even a choice of pillows for a truly refreshing sleep! If you would like to dine on the terrace we recommend making a reservation, especially during July and August (as this is very popular).

Day 4 Jungfraujoch optional excursion or choice of walks 10 miles / 16 km

A must-do optional excursion during your stay in the Bernese Oberland is the ‘Top of Europe’ Jungfraujoch, easily reached by rail from either Wengen or Grindelwald. From Kleine Scheidegg, the cog-wheel railway climbs steeply up to the Jungfraujoch (3454m).

At the very top you’ll find an ice palace with ice sculptures, a viewing plateau, restaurants and panoramic “Sphinx” observation terrace with views over the Aletsch glacier, the longest alpine glacier at 23km.

From Grindelwald you’ve a choice of walks; explore the Grosse Scheidegg plateau, the sparkling Bachalpsee or First with its cable car station. Mountain cafés dotted around Grindelwald will tempt you to relax in the sunshine with a large slice of Apfelstrüdel or Mövenpick icecream sundae— you need to keep your energy levels up after all!

First - Bachalpsee - Grosse Scheidegg: 16.0km, ascent/descent: 850m/1050m

Grindelwald - Grosse Scheidegg: 8.5km, ascent/descent: 950m/80m

Overnight Grindelwald

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 Belvedere | 4 Star | Hotel

Day 5 Onward Travel