Self-Guided Across the Berner Oberland Hike

Day 1: Arrive Lenk
Independent travel to the hotel in Lenk, Switzerland. The location of this hotel is quintessential Swiss complete with meadows, mountain peaks, grazing cows, and chalets. This is a wonderful hotel from where to start the hike across the Berner Oberland. 

• Many like to build in a travel/rest day and spend two nights in Lenk. There are a few great options for today’s hike. Dinner and breakfast included. 

Day 2: Lenk to Adelboden
Leaving the village of Lenk, the day begins with a climb through wooded hillsides that open onto high mountain pastures on the way to Hahnenmoos Pass. Hiking along the crest of Sillere on a clear day, you may get your first glimpse of the distant Jungfrau as you make your way down into the town of Adelboden.

• Mountain Hut Option: Just beyond Adelboden is the hut Berghaus Bunderalp. It is a simple cheese farm that welcomes hikers for the night. Bunkrooms. 

Day 3: Adelboden to Kandersteg
As you hike east of Adelboden, the landscape takes on a different character as the mountains become steeper, more rugged, and more glaciated. From Adelboden, you transfer to Bunderalp. The trail continues up the valley, passing through a beautiful boulder-strewn pasture and then climbing steeply to reach the Bunderschride. Descending, you have wonderful views down to the Kander Valley and across to the mountain lake of Osechinensee and the towering peaks of the Blumlisalps.

• Many of our hikers enjoy two nights in Kandersteg.

Day 4: Kandersteg to Griesalp
Today begins with a spectacular mountain bus transfer to the isolated hamlet of Griesalp. The bus passes through idyllic Swiss villages and begins climbing; switch-backing through forests and between waterfalls until it reaches Griesalp perched on a high alpine plateau. Leaving your packs at the hotel, you can hike up to Bundalp for lunch at a classic mountain hut.

• For those who want a more challenging hike if the weather is accommodating, it is possible to reach Griesalp via the high pass of Hohturli. This option is a strenuous plus hike.

• Mountain Hut Option: It is possible to hike up to the Hohturli pass from Kandersteg and spend the night at the remote Blumlisalp Hut. The setting for this hut is dramatic. The next day you descend to Griesalp for the night. Bunkrooms. 

Day 5: Griesalp to Mürren
The route from Griesalp up to Sefinenfurke is another demanding mountain hike, but well worth the effort. Leaving the pastoral landscape behind, your route climbs across barren glacial cirques before ascending steeply to the pass, Sefinenfurke (8,620′), which reveals our first spectacular view of the Jungfrau. The descent from the pass to Murren is long and pleasant, dropping quickly at first, and traversing through broad open grasslands with imposing views of the Monch, Jungfrau, and Eiger. Your day ends in the pleasant car-free village of Murren, resting dramatically on the western rim of the Lauterbrunnen valley.

Day 6: Rest Day in Mürren
 There are plenty of ways to spend your day in Mürren, including just gazing out at these awe-inspiring mountains. For James Bond enthusiasts, you might enjoy a cable car to the Schilthorn where the spy movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was filmed. Even if you are not a 007 fan, the trip to the top is stunning. Another hike from Mürren is along the high belvedere to Grütschalp or on the more exciting route from the Birg lift to the Schilthorn along the ridge. 

Day 7: Mürren to Obersteinberg
Today your destination is the Hotel Obersteinberg, situated in the undeveloped head of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The descent from Mürren is pleasant, passing through the village of Gimmelwald and continuing on until just above Stechelberg. Here the trail begins climbing, heading south, and hiking alongside the Weisse Lutschine River as it flows quickly from the glaciers high above. A steady climb, passing through wooded areas and open pastures with views of the Schmadribach waterfall, the trail leads you to the mountain hotel. If time permits, you may explore further up the valley where a small tarn, the Oberhornsee, is surrounded by high mountain peaks.

Day 8: Obersteinberg to Wengen
The hike from Obersteinberg to Wengen is comparatively easy and so allows for a more leisurely day. The descent into Lauterbrunnen is stunning as you enter the valley walking beneath sheer rock faces etched with magnificent waterfalls. From Lauterbrunnen, another hour and a half climb brings you to the resort town of Wengen, which, like Mürren, is also free of cars. You will have two nights in Wengen.

Day 9: Wengen to the Kleine Scheidegg
You are now in the heart of the Berner Oberland and the route converges with the tourists that come to view the famous trio of peaks, the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, which dominate the landscape. The destination today is the Kleine Scheidegg. This is your last day of hiking, and it would be a shame to rush through this unparalleled alpine setting. You will have spectacular views back down the Lauterbrunnen valley and an ever-changing view of the Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger as you hike around the shoulder of the Lauberhorn. Arriving at the broad, grassy saddle of the Kleine Scheidegg (6,800') about lunchtime, there are many options for the afternoon.

Two of the options from the Kleine Scheidegg include continuing down to the well-known village of Grindelwald hiking on the Eiger trail, or taking the train up to the famous Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe. Dinner and breakfast included. If you have a Swiss Half Fare you get a 50% discount on your train ticket to the Jungfrau.

Day 10: Depart Wengen
Departure from the hotel in Wengen. The earliest train from Wengen departs at 5:12 am arriving at the Geneva Airport at 9:15 am or Zurich Airport at about 8:15 am. Please allow for travel time when making flight arrangements.

Our self-guided itineraries can range in length from 5 to 10 or more days. We are happy to customize your trip to suit your timeframe, interests, and abilities.