Private BERNESE OBERLAND HIKe
Located just south of Interlaken, the Bernese Oberland is mainly known for two peaks, the Jungfrau and the Eiger, which tower above the alpine town of Grindelwald.
Our private Bernese Oberland hike begins in the town of Meiringen, famous for the death of Sherlock Holmes in Sir Conan Doyles’ novel . The Bernese Oberland hike traverses a lush landscape of huge mountain faces, waterfalls, tiny hamlets clinging to limestone cliffs ,and plump cows enjoying the abundant grass and wildflowers that grow here. The hike finishes in the equally charming town of Kandersteg.
Small family farms which have been run for generations by passionate mountain folks dot the mountain scenery. Many of them are still operating, tending to their animals, while also offering accommodation to hikers from all over the world.
Our accommodation ranges from rustic mountain refuges, known as ‘hütte’ in German or ‘cabanes’ in Swiss-French, to four-star hotels with all of the amenities one would expect from the Swiss hospitality industry.
LOCATION
SWITZERLAND
LENGTH OF TRIP
7-11 DAYS
AVERAGE PRICE – This itinerary
USD $ 4,300
CAD $ 5,600
*Pricing based on three hikers
SIMILAR to Bernese oberland hike:
Proposed private Bernese Oberland Hike – Itinerary
Day 1: MEIRINGEN
Meet in Meiringen, trip briefing and Welcome Dinner.
Hotel in Meiringen
Dinner included
Day 2: MEIRINGEN
An early morning stroll through town, made famous by the fictitious death of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Conan Doyle’s ingenious detective. A gentle walk up hill takes us to the cable car, allowing us to easily reach the Maegisalp, and the high pastures above Meiringen. Loop hike with spectacular views high above the lush pastures below. Lunch in a mountain inn before returning to the cable-car.
Hotel in Meiringen
Breakfast / Dinner included
Distance: 6km (3.75m), 2-3 hours, up / down: 150m (500ft)
Day 3: ROSENLAUI
We begin our walk by crossing the Aare River, heading due south, climbing through meadows and small hamlets past the Reichenball Falls, where Sherlock Holmes staged his own death, presumably falling from the top platform. Following the Reichenbach River, our trail takes us through forested sections above the gorge to the Rosenlaui Hotel. First accepting guests nearly 240 years ago- they have since updated the rooms.
Hotel Rosenlaui
Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage delivered
Distance 5km (3m), 3 hours. Up 728m (2402ft)
Day 4: GRINDELWALD
Soaring above the Rosenlaui Hotel are the cliffs of the Wellhorn and the Wetterhorn. Our trail allows us to discover meadows and fields of wildflowers, before reaching the obvious pass at the Grosse Scheidegg, with spectacular views out to the Eiger North Face. From Grosse Scheidegg, we descend steeply, making our way to the Grindelwald Valley and 4/5-Star hotel.
Hotel Bodmi
Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage delivered
Distance: 9km (5.6m), 5-6 hours, up 850m (2805ft), down 1130m (3729ft)
Day 5: JUNGFRAUJOCH
From Grindelwald, our goal is the Eiger Bahn, leading to Kleine Scheidegg, a large plateau just below the North Face of the Eiger. We will then take a different train up to the Jungfraujoch and the Sphinx Observatory at nearly 3500m. The train tunnels into the rock, made famous by the classic Eastwood movie, The Eiger Sanction.
After exploring the area, we head back down to the Kleine Scheidegg and weather-permitting, walk back along the Eiger Trail to Grindelwald. We stay in Grindelwald for a second night.
Hotel Bodmi
Breakfast / Dinner included
Distance: 6 km (3.75m), 2-3 hours, up 140m (460ft) , down 800m (2640ft)
Day 6: MÜRREN
Our train brings us back to Kleine Scheidegg, giving us an easy descent to Lauterbrunnen, past Wengen and stunning 19th century hotels. A steep cable-car ride followed by a short train journey or hike to Muerren and our hotel. Muerren is only accessible by train or on foot and remains a tranquil refuge from the crowds lower down in the Rhône Valley.
Hotel in Mürren
Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage delivered
Distance 12km, 5 -6hours. Up 710m (2343ft), down 735m (2426ft)
Day 7:GRIESALP
Heading west out of town, our path is a wide, paved trail up towards Gimmela and the high pastures above Gimmelwald with the Breithorn in full view to the south. The trail snakes steeply to Bryndli where, a contour trail leads to the Rotstockhutte for an early lunch of organic soups and homemade pastries. In the afternoon, a steep climb of 600m leads us to the Sefinenfurgge. If the group is fit and the time allows, we will take a side-trail towards the spectacularly perched Gspaltenhornhütte, overlooking the Gamchigletscher, before heading down to Griesalp.
Hotel in Grindelwald
Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage delivered
Distance 17km (10.4m), 5 -7 hours (if going up to the Gspaltenhorn hut). Up 1400m (4620ft), down 1200m (4000ft)
Day 8: KANDERSTEG
Most of the morning will be spent walking steeply uphill to the Blümlisalphütte, where a delicious lunch will be our reward. Home-made cakes, coffee and great views of the Thuner Lake and Interlaken, complete the feast.
A steep descent on a trail hewn out of the rock face takes us past a series of hanging glaciers to the south, before leading us to a series of summer alps above the turquoise-coloured Öschinen Lake, located just above Kandersteg. A beautiful trail leads us through Larch and Fir forests and down to Kandersteg.
Hotel in Kandersteg
Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage delivered
Distance 14.5km (9.1m), 6-7 hours. Up 1333m (4400ft), down 1582m (5220ft)
Day 9: DEPARTURE
Trip ends after breakfast. Departure at your own leisure.
Breakfast included
Here’s a list of everything you can customize for your private Bernese Oberland hike, and your group of travellers:
ITINERARY – OPTIONS
There are numerous options to explore the Bernese Oberland, either a traverse from place to place, or hotel-based day-hikes, using cable-cars and buses, or more rigorous hiking up to many of the excellent alpine mountain refuges. Our trips focus around the areas of Meiringen, Grindelwald, Muerren, and Kandersteg.
OPTIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Several of the huts like the Rotstockhuette are beautiful destinations or a day-hike, or even for an overnight stay. Stechelberg, a tiny little place straight out of a long forgotten fairytale, is everything one thinks the Alps should have: alpine meadows, waterfalls, cows, and spectacular views – culminating with a night at Obersteinberg, an authentic mountain inn once can only reach by foot.
ACCOMMODATION
During our private Bernese Oberland hike, nights are generally booked in three-star and four-star hotels, and if the itinerary stays in the mountains, some nights are spent in mountain huts. Accommodation can be adjusted to the group’s preference, from mountain chalets, mountain huts all the way to four-star or five-star hotels, where available.
WHAT IS ALWAYS INCLUDED
- Hiking guide (we only hire certified International Mountain Leaders)
- All accommodation
- All breakfasts
- Local transfers and lifts
- Detailed information package including day-to-day itinerary with elevation gains/descents, and hiking maps of the Bernese Oberland.
Optional Services
- Lunches, Dinners
- Luggage transfer where possible
This trip is rated: MODERATE – STRENUOUS
If you would like to do the Bernese Oberland traverse, the rating would be difficult to strenuous:
Difficult walking on some well-marked trails, but also some cross-country hiking. Scree slopes, some boulder-hopping, minimal ridge-walking with occasionally some exposure. Possibly ladders and cables. 6-9 hours of daily walking, consecutively for 6-11 days. 1400m (4600ft) maximum elevation gain per day.
Day-pack and occasionally overnight pack. Maximum altitude reached is about 3,000m (10,000ft)
If you add rest days, or use the excellent Swiss bus / rail system, the hiking would be moderate – difficult.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The nearest airport would be Bern. However, Geneva as well as Zurich are good choices, and the excellent bus and train system make it easy to get to the right location.
Our self-guided, private Bernese Oberland hike is everything you have always wanted in a hiking trip.
Amazing views, a variety of hiking options each day, a large selection of hotels ranging from 4-star luxury to family inns and seamless travel thanks to a meticulously prepared itinerary. The North Face of the Eiger is one of the most spectacular rock faces on earth situated just above the town of Grindelwald. Our self-guided itinerary allows a variety of point-to-point walks or loop hikes, using Swiss public transportation and a series of private gondolas and funiculars.
Most days will allow for lunch in one of the many mountain-top restaurants and the option for a more arduous hike if your group is feeling ambitious.
MORE INFO
We are here to make your dream holiday come true
The company is owned and operated by Karin Stubenvoll and Louis Marino.
Louis is the owner of the company and the lead guide. He is responsible for the high quality of all our guided hiking trips, new itineraries, and customer care. One of the main reasons why we have so many returning clients. Karin is the Office Manager and does all the work!
In 2005, Karin and Louis moved from Chamonix in the French Alps to the Canadian Rockies in order to explore the Canadian west.
Let Alpine Interface tailor your private Bernese Oberland hike for your family and friends in Switzerland.
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- Fully customized itineraries catering to your group
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