Walking the Bernese Highlights East

Activity Level

Challenging

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

Cross alpine meadows and skirt crystal clear lakes set high amongst the mountains

This 7-night self-guided tour takes you through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery that Switzerland has to offer, crossing two major passes and combining stays in small Swiss towns and villages with hotels high on the passes. You walk within sight of some of Switzerland’s most stunning peaks: Titlis, Jungfrau and Eiger to name but a few, with magnificent glaciers which feed many of the mountain streams you cross. At the end of a day’s walking, you are assured of a friendly welcome at each of our hotels with meals prepared from fresh local ingredients.

Starting in the peaceful mountain village of Engelberg, you climb the Joch Pass passing the turquoise blue waters of Trubsee Lake before descending to Engstenalp. Walk above the beautiful Gental valley, pressing on to the diversely rich valley of Meiringen, a true haven for walkers with lush pastures, dazzling cascades from tight gorges and exquisite mountain paths. Set off on your picturesque route up to the famous Reichenbach Waterfall before walking through the stunning Rosenlaui valley to the scenic mountain village of Schwarzwaldalp. Another picturesque route awaits as you head into the magnificent valley of Grindelwald sitting at the foot of the Eiger. Your last days walking offers unparalleled views of the Eiger and its infamous North Face, before ending the walk in the relaxed atmosphere of the car-free village Murren.

Why not extend to 15 days and continue walking to Gstaad for a tougher challenge?

Please see W07BW – Walking the Bernese Highlights West.

Key Information

Trip Code: W07BE
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Switzerland

What's Included

7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation
All breakfasts and two dinners
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Navigation App
Luggage transfers between hotels

5 days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

The paths are all excellent quality and are well waymarked. The route has many options for shortening by taking a cable car or post bus to take the strain out of the climbs or pressure off the knees for the downhill sections.

Day 2: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Day 3: 22 km / 13.7 miles
Day 5: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Day 6: 13 km / 8.1 miles
Day 7: 24 km / 14.9 miles

Highlights

Discover some of the most beautiful mountain scenery that Switzerland has to offer
Walk within sight of some of Switzerland's most stunning peaks; Titlis, Jungfrau and Eiger
Cross two major mountain passes and stay in small, traditional Swiss villages

Itinerary

First Destination: Engelberg
Next Destination: Murren

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Engelberg
Next Destination: Murren

It is a good idea to add an extra day or two in Engelberg before starting your Bernese Highlights walk to get used to walking at high altitudes.

Overnight Trail Hotel, Engelberg.

Todays walk takes you up past the Trubsee Lake from where you climb to the Jochpass before descending to Engstlenalp. A demanding first day because of the total ascent involved, which can be reduced by using one or more cable cars. From Engelberg, you walk along the right hand side of the picturesque Engstlensee, where a profusion of wild flowers and shy marmots may catch your eye. Take some time to enjoy the beautiful Trubsee Lake before continuing to Engstlenalp.

Overnight Hotel Engstlenalp, Engstlenalp.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Follow the trail past lake Tannensee up to a ridge walk that leads you over Balmeregghorn. Wonderful views on the snow-covered peaks of Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau await. The setting is truly amazing and make for one of the most scenic walks in Switzerland. To avoid the long way down to Meiringen, you can use the cable car from Planplatten down into the valley. Meiringen is a little town on the shore of river Aare.

Overnight Parkhotel du Sauvage, Meiringen.

Meals included:Breakfast

Take a day off from walking and visit Ballenberg, Switzerland’s greatest open-air museum, take the steam railway to the top of the Rothorn, visit the stunning gorge Aareschlucht, or just cruise on Lake Brienz.

Overnight Parkhotel du Sauvage, Meiringen.

Meals included:Breakfast

A short day albeit energetic early on, with opportunities for diversions. Leaving Meiringen behind, you cross the River Aare and head up past the Reichenbach Falls, famous for the death of Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes in Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle’s classic before walking through the stunning Rosenlaui valley to Schwarzwaldalp.

Overnight Chalet Schwarzwaldalp, Schwarzwaldalp.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Today, you can either take the high-level route via First or the more leisurely crossing of Grosse Scheidegg. {BREAK}

The high-level route is a truly scenic walk to the cable car station at First, offering spectacular views of the Berner Oberland giants. Alternatively, you can hike up on a steady ascent to the Grosse Scheidegg pass with magnificent mountain views behind you and then down to the village of Grindelwald.

Overnight Central Hotel Wolter, Grindelwald.

Meals included:Breakfast

There are two options today. Either follow Via Alpina over the pass Kleine Scheidegg, or take the Eiger Trail, a more challenging route along the foot of the North Face, or the more challenging route over Kleine Scheidegg – both with stunning views. Mountain railways also offer alternative starts and ends.

If you choose to walk via Kleine Scheidegg, this will be the longest day of your trip, with unmatched views of the Eiger, the Monch, and the Jungfrau mountains. Walking by the Eiger Trail is a truly magnificent route which brings you so close to the many scenes of triumph and tragedy – it would be worth reading the story of the great Eiger climbs before your trip

Meals included:Breakfast

Say fond farewells to Switzerland as you depart on the train.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Accommodation

Trail Hotel, Engelberg

Situated in the lively village of Engelberg, this family-run accommodation offers comfortable rooms, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil getaway.

Chalet Engstlenalp

This hotel has great history as a mountain inn and the atmosphere reflects just that. Rooms are comfortable but simple in style and decor. There is a communal bar area for coffees, drinks and snacks and dinner is ‘mountain style’ served in the delightful wooded restaurant. You certainly feel as though you’re amongst the mountains tonight!

Parkhotel du Sauvage, Meiringen

In Parkhotel du Sauvage guests will enjoy comfortable rooms with a touch of elegance. The hotel is located amidst the centre of the village and provides easy access to local attractions and outdoor activities. You can make use of the lovely garden or enjoy a beer in the hotel pub in the evening. The outdoor and indoor pools are just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. With the hotel guest card you have free entry to the indoor pool and benefit from a 50% discount in the outdoor pool.

Chalet Schwarzwaldalp

This chalet is presented in a traditional Swiss style all wood and very charming. Rooms are small and cosy but without private bathrooms, they do have wash basins in the rooms with shared showers and toilets nearby. Some guests may stay in an adjacent building with dormitory style accommodation which are all private (advised at booking time). Dinner will be traditional mountain food most likely featuring cheese from the alp and all meals are well presented and are fresh, seasonal, local products.

Central Hotel Wolter, Grindelwald

Central Hotel Wolter is a family run hotel, located in the heart of the lively town of Grindelwald. The impressive Eiger North-Face is just a stones throw away from this town, so you can enjoy incredible views from your room or when having dinner in the à la carte restaurant.

Hotel Edelweiss, Murren

Boasting the best views on the snow-covered peaks of Bernese Oberland, Hotel Edelweiss offers a charming mix of cosy rooms together with a modern ambience. Since 1991 Mr & Mrs Kuster-von Allmen have welcomed guests from all over the world to enjoy car-free village of Murren. Hotel guests have complimentary admission to the Alpine Sports Centre, just a few minutes walk away with swimming pool and whirlpool.

Essential Information

Switzerland

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Switzerland. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/switzerland
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/switzerland
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/switzerland/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Switzerland.html

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