Walking the Bernese Highlights West

Activity Level

Challenging

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

Cross Switzerland’s high mountain passes, from Mürren to Gstaad through lush, alpine valleys nestled between traditional Swiss villages

Walking high in the mountains on the Bernese Highlights West offers a more challenging route than the Bernese Highlights East. Amazing views are the reward for your efforts and at every turn in the way you will be greeted by some of the most dramatic mountain scenery to be found in Switzerland – if not the whole of Europe. However, if you wish to opt out of any day’s walk or should inclement weather descend, it is possible to travel between all overnight stops by public transport.

Starting in perhaps the most beautiful village in the Bernese Oberland, perched high up above the Lauterbrunnen Valley is Murren. Above Murren rises the great peak of the Schilthorn, with its revolving restaurant made famous by James Bond. Walk up and over the high pass of Sefinenfurgge and continue to the remote valley of Griesalp, set against the backdrop of the Bluemlisalp massif. Continue through the Hohturli pass where views are utterly magnificent! Get up close to a number of glaciers in addition to the turquoise waters of Lake Oeschinensee in its stunning setting above Kandersteg. Set within the beautiful Kander valley, Kandersteg is home to an extraordinary amount of diverse Alpine flowers. Follow stunning mountain paths with incredible panoramic views before descending into the mountain village of Adelboden for the night. Another mountain pass awaits you as you head over to Lenk across scenic alpine meadows. Finally, you cross Trutlisbergpass, then down the valley to Gstaad, which despite being known for its prestige has remained truly Alpine.

Key Information

Trip Code: W07BW
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Switzerland

What's Included

7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation
All breakfasts
Navigation app
Luggage transfers between hotels

5 days of Walking & Trekking

Day 2: 18 km / 11.2 miles
Day 3: 17 km / 10.6 miles
Day 5: 17 km / 10.6 miles
Day 6: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Day 7: 22 km / 13.7 miles

Highlights

Delight in magnificent views along this as you cross high mountain passes linking alpine valleys
Walk to some of the most remote areas and be rewarded with dramatic mountain scenery
View exquisite glaciers and the shimmering turquoise waters of Lake Oeschinensee

Itinerary

First Destination: Murren
Next Destination: Gstaad

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Murren
Next Destination: Gstaad

It is a good idea to add an extra day or two in Murren before starting your Bernese Highlights walk to get used to walking at high altitudes. We have several walks to chose from based here.

Overnight Hotel Edelweiss, Murren.

You begin with a steady ascent from Murren to Rotstockhutte. Enjoy a healthy lunch in this marvellous setting, before you climb the high pass of Sefinenfurgge which becomes quite steep towards the end. Descend on a scree section, dotted with wooden steps as you enter the attractive valley of Griesalp.

Overnight Hotel Berghaus, Griesalp.

Meals included:Breakfast

Another challenging but unforgettable day! Be prepared for an almost unrelenting ascent to reach Hohturli pass at 1,370m. Weather conditions permitting, the views are utterly magnificent! The descent is both long and steep in places, affording close up views of a number of glaciers in addition to the turquoise waters of Lake Oeschinensee in its stunning setting above Kandersteg. From Oeschinensee a cable car operates to Kandersteg eliminating the final descent of approx. 1mile.

Overnight Hotel Blumlisalp 3*, Kandersteg.

Meals included:Breakfast

A free day if you wish with time relaxing in the hotel or just wandering around this delightful village.

Overnight Hotel Blumlisalp 3*, Kandersteg.

Meals included:Breakfast

Not as tough as the previous days, as we suggest you use the Allmenalp cable car and then walk towards Bunderchrinde. Afterwards, you descend down to the valley, before one last ascent takes you up to the charming village of Adelboden.

Overnight Hotel Adler, Adelboden.

Meals included:Breakfast

Your walk today is a less dramatic ascent, much of it alongside pretty streams in woodland and then out onto the beautifully groomed pastures of upland Switzerland. The scenery is less rugged though there are still snow-capped peaks in view – you cross from one valley to another on easier paths mainly among scenic alpine meadows.

Overnight Hotel Kreuz, Lenk.

Meals included:Breakfast

Your climb out of Lenk today takes you above the Wallbach valley in a SW direction towards the Truttlisbergpass. Once you are clear of the forest the views grow increasingly stunning and you can see yesterday’s walk behind you. You cross from Lenk over the Trutlisbergpass to Lauenen, then down the valley to Gstaad with superb views on both sides of the pass and a short gorge walk to add further dimension to the day. The valley descent (3 miles) can be avoided by catching the bus at Lauenen to Gstaad.

Overnight Hotel Alphorn, Gstaad.

Meals included:Breakfast

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

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Accommodation

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.

Hotel Berghaus, Griesalp

A small oasis in the middle of the summits of the Bernese Oberland. The Griesalp Hotels offer excellent accommodation with wonderful panoramic views. Relax in the in-house sauna and enjoy regional specialities in the excellent restaurant Berghaus.

Hotel Blumlisalp, Kandersteg

This charming family run hotel awaits you in Kandersteg. With just 20 rooms, some are located in the main building and some in the newly renovated, nearby chalet. Guests can enjoy local cuisine at their a la carte restaurant.

Boutique Hotel Adler, Adelboden

Hotel Adler in Adelboden is one of the best hotels in town. It offers an excellent restaurant, a small spa-area and rooms with nice views on the adjacent mountain peaks. Built in the traditional chalet-style of the Bernese Oberland, Hotel Adler is centrally located and a good starting point for the coming hiking days.

Hotel Kreuz, Lenk

Centrally located, this chalet-style hotel offers newly renovated rooms. The hotel has a small spa area with pool and sauna and an excellent restaurant serving specialities from the Bernese Oberland.

Hotel Alphorn, Gstaad

Hotel Alphorn is located roughly 5 – 10 minutes from the lively city centre of Gstaad. The hotel offers newly renovated rooms, a restaurant and a small spa-area. The perfect spot to relax after a long day walking.

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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