Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains in the Berner Oberland. This unforgettable hike takes you through stunning alpine landscapes, where sheer cliffs meet lush valleys. As you trek along well-marked trails, you'll be treated to panoramic views of glistening glaciers and charming mountain villages. Keep your camera ready, as the iconic trio of peaks offers spectacular photo opportunities at every turn. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, the diverse routes cater to all skill levels, ensuring an adventure filled with awe-inspiring scenery and lasting memories. We have chosen to follow the Via Alpina, a trans-alpine that links the age old footpaths across the Alps. Starting in the small town of Adelboden and finishing at the foot of the impressive North face of the Eiger, exceptional hiking in the heart of Switzerland.
Highlights:
Hiking alongside glaciers
Staying in small mountain lodges
Discover mountaineering history
Closest Airport: Geneva CH or Zurich CH
Arrive into the Adelboden, a small, sleepy Swiss mountain village famous for its World Cup downhill ski racing.
Rendez-vous at 6:00pm at the Hotel Bristol 3*, Obere-Dorfstrasse 6, CH 3715
Adelboden. Tel +41 33 673 14 81. en.bristol-adelboden.com
Share a welcome meal with your guide and fellow group members.
Pamper yourself in our hotels wellness oasis "Aqua Live", equipped with steam bath, bio sauna, experience shower, Jacuzzi tubs as well as relaxation loungers with the fantastic view of the Adelboden mountains.
The small town of Adelboden lies in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, one of the most beautiful mountain regions of Switzerland. A short transfer to a cheese farm at Bunderalp high up in the meadows allows us to join our trail. Climbing up through the alpage the mountains have a rugged feel, as we cross over the Bunderschrinde pass (7845ft) which sits on the Loner ridge line. Impressive views of the Kander valley and over the towering peaks of the Blumisalps.
Soon the trail eases and joins a level farm road, and from here the beautiful Gasterntal valley reveals itself. Framed by the summits of the Balmhorn and Doldenhorn, this deeply cut glacial valley feels wild and romantic, with feathery waterfalls spilling from high buttress-like cliffs. A gradual climb brings us to the tiny hamlet of Selden.
Accommodation: Selden Berghotel Gasterntal - private rooms, shared bathrooms https://berghotel-gasterntal.ch
Elevation Gain: 2,853ft / Loss: 4,300ft
Distance: 9.5 miles
Starting the day descending the beautiful valley we reach the small town of Kanderstag where we can take a coffee before utilising the a gondola which links us to a balcony trail high above the impressive Oeschinensee Lake. We following the contours of the lake before ascending steeply up to the Hohturli pass, and the Blumlisalp hutte at (9141ft). A strenuous climb but we are rewarding views at the mountain refuge alongside the Bluemlisalp glacier.
Accommodation: Mountain lodge - Dormitory
Blumlisalp hutte https://www.sac-b l u e m l i s a l p . c h / f r /
Option 2: For larger groups, or people who prefer hotels, then we can propose a hotel in Kandersteg - Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria https://www.hotel-victoria.ch We can complete the iconic Oeschinensee Lake loop and from here travel to Mürren by train with the option of hiking a panoramic trail from the top of the Gondola into the car free town of Mürren
Elevation Gain: 3576ft / Loss: 500ft
Distance: 9 miles
Descending we utilise a serious of steps cut into the mountain side and can see clearly our objective for the Sefinenfurke pass and the peaks of Buttlassen and Gspaltenhorn. Reaching green pastures we pass through small farmsteads before arriving at the small hamlet of Griesalp. Hiking out of Griesalp on a jeep track we pass through the small farmstead of Ober Durrenburg. From here we leave behind the pastoral landscape as the route climbs across a barren, glacial cirque before ascending steeply on a wooden staircase to reach the Sefinenfurke pass (8620ft). Descending from the pass we start to see the magnificent peaks of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. As we reach the alpage we arrive at the pretty Rotstockhütte enjoying cold drinks.
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge https://rotstockhuette.ch/index.php/en
Option 2: For those who stayed in a hotel, we would journey directly to Mürren.
Elevation Gain: 3870ft / Loss: 4900ft
Distance: 9 miles
After breakfast we continue onto the traditional mountain village of Mürren and the highest in the Bernese Oberland (5,413ft).
Optional rest day or jump on the Gondola up to the Schilthorn. Depart at mid station and do the ariel walkway (good fun!) https://schilthorn.ch/23/en/Thrill_Walk, then hike up to the Schilthorn (9744ft) approx 2 hrs.
This is the setting of the famous ski run in the James bond movie, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. We enjoy a fabulous meal in the revolving restaurant before returning back to Murren via Cable car. https://www.schilthorn.ch/#
The views from our hotel of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau are impressive and the perfect location to enjoy an Apero.
Accommodation: Centrally located hotel 3* Drei Berg or Regina, part of the Historic Swiss Hotel Collection https://www.reginamuerren.ch
Independent evening
Elevation Gain: 1765ft
Distance: 2 miles
Spend a relaxing rest day in Mürren, either reading, enjoying a local stroll, swimming in the village pool, or if you didn't get a chance to do the Schilthorn yesterday, then you can do this today. Independent lunch & dinner.
If you have chosen not to stay in the mountain refuges, then you will arrive in Mürren a day early, stay for 2 nights so the trip will be 8 days & not 9 days.
After breakfast we continue onto the traditional mountain village of Murren and the highest in the Bernese Oberland (5,413ft).
Descending to small hamlet of Gimmelwald, continuing through woodland before climbing up to a small mountain hotel with about 20 yaks, arriving at Obersteinberg for lunch.
We offer and optional afternoon hike above the hotel to a picturesque glacial lake.
Elevation Gain: 1935ft Elevation Loss: 2850ft
Distance: 10miles
Accommodation: Obersteingberg Inn - Private rooms - shared bathroom. No electricity, stunning location.
http://www.stechelberg.ch/schlafen-und-essen/berghotel/berghotel-obersteinberg.html
Leave fairly early and descending through incredible scenery into the Lauterbrunnen valley which has over 70 waterfalls and part of a Unesco World Heritage Area.
From Lauterbrunnen we hike up to the resort town of the Wengen. An opportunity to explore this classic Swiss mountain town before taking the cog train to Kleine Scheidegg (6760ft).
The location is exceptional with soaring views of the Eiger’s 6000ft North Face, steeped in mountaineering history and the setting of the Clint Eastword film - ‘Eiger Sanctions.’
Elevation Gain: Elevation Gain: 1935ft / Loss: 1550ftft
Distance: 5 miles
Accommodation: Scheidegg Hotel https://www.scheidegg-hotels.ch/index_e.php
Enjoy a G&T in the old drawing room. Hotel where they filmed Eiger Sanctions.
After breakfast we take the Jungfrau train we physically journey through the North Face of the Eiger before arriving at the highest station in Europe at (11332ft). Phenomenal views. Taking time to tour the station and all its different features before hiking out onto the top of the Aletscher Glacier - which stretches over 22.7 km and one of the largest in Europe, reaching the amazing Monch hütte in 1.5 hrs, where we enjoy a traditional mountain lunch before descending down to the Kleine Scheidegg and on to Lauterbrunnen. At this point the trip finishes
Elevation Gain: 656ft / Loss: 1000ft
Distance: 5 miles
