A journey in the heart of the Berner Oberland completing the Northern section of the Via Alpina, taking in the Eiger North face and the Kleine Scheidegg, travelling onto Kandersteg, the Oeschinensee lake before finishing on the shores of Lac Leman.
Arrival into the beautiful City of Lucerne. A chance to explore, hike the city walls, or maybe take a boat ride across to Rigi or gondola up Pilatus.
Welcome Meal on the waterfront.
Departing Lucerne by train, then the local Post bus we reach the small mountain village of Unterschächen.
Our hike takes us to the spectacular falls of Asch, before utilising a local mini bucket gondola to access the mountain cheese farm of Oberalpbeizli where we take lunch high up on the Alpage. We then traverse the mountain looping back to our small family run hotel.
Distance 4.5km Gain 288m Descent 35m PART 1 (nb can also return this way)
PART 2 6.9km Gain 299m Descent 1132m
Starting the day with a short transfer via Postal Bus, we take the gondola to Brüsti before ascending up to the Surenen pass at 2300m linking the Ruess Valley to the Hasli Valley. A wild feeling to today hike descending to the small farm at Blackenalp before traversing around to Obeer Zieblen and Gondola down to Engelberg.
Distance: 18.3km Gain: 1282m Descent: -1192m
After breakfast we take the 1st Gondola all the way to the Jochpass at 2200m below the mighty Titlis Glacier. Descending we pass Engstlensee lake, ascending up to the Tannalp for lunch. The most spectacular ridge line traverse starts from here with sweeping views down the valley, reaching Planplatten and a series of gondolas to arrive in Meiringen. This was the scene of the final showdown for the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.
Distance: 14.24km Gain: 991m Descent: 974m
The is the option to descend after lunch and take the Post Bus to Meiringen.
Taking the Post Bus to Alpiglen we hike to the Grosse Scheidegg pass below the mighty Wetterhorn (3361m) before traversing across First and descending via gondola into the famous mountain town of Grindelwald.
Distance: 8.7km Gain: 591m Descent: 119m
Nb. This hike can also be extended if desired.
Independent Dinner
From Grindelwald we take the mountain train to Alpiglen to Eiger the Eiger Trail below the mighty North Face. We arrive at Eigergletscher taking a trail that weaves in history as we descend to the iconic Bellevue Hotel at Kleine Scheidegg, part of the historic Swiss Collection.
For those people that haven't visited the Jungfrau you can also complete this journey which would replace the hike.
Distance: 7.5km Gain: 750m Descent: 298m
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. As the centre of the ski and hiking region, it is also the direct starting point for the Jungfraujoch. The historically important hotel is still run as a family business with tradition in mind.
Descending via Cog train after breakfast to Lauterbrunnen, famed for having over 70 waterfalls we train around to Kandersteg before hiking the incredibly beautiful Oeschinensee lake.
Distance: 12.58m Gain: 991m Descent: 1503m
Nb. There is the option to do a much shorter hike alleviating 1000m.
Independent dinner
The Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria is situated in the centre of Kandersteg and surrounded by a large park. You will find a friendly and familiar atmosphere combined with best Swiss Hotel Tradition. The ideal place to relax and feel good.
Thousands of visitors from around the world and of all ages have been meeting here for over 220 years and many of them return as a regular customer. And maybe soon you will be joining them.
Transferring from German speaking Switzerland to French speaking Switzerland and on the shores of Lac Leman. We explore Chateau Chillon before taking a steam boat on to Vevey.
Farewell Dinner
