Thank you so much for a wonderful trek. You were so organized and professional. Hope to return again soon for another great trek . - B.G., Texas
Travel by Swiss rail from your arrival in Zurich or Geneva to the picturesque town of Lauterbrunnen. The group will meet in the hotel lobby at 1:00 pm. From there, we take a train to the car-free village of Wengen and a cable car up to Männlichen, where a walk along the “Royal Walk” treats us to sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, ending at Kleine Scheidegg. We then return by train to Lauterbrunnen, followed by an orientation and a welcome dinner. Overnight in Lauterbrunnen. (D)
Ascent: 50-300 feet | Descent: 575-825 feet | Distance: 2.8-3.6 miles (may vary)
Today will start with a walk through the breathtaking Lauterbrunnen Valley, where lush pastures meet 72 waterfalls plunging from sheer cliffs to the valley floor. This magical landscape inspired Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and is sure to leave you spellbound. Explore the roaring, ten-tiered Trümmelbach Falls deep inside the mountain, then ascend to the traditional farming village of Gimmelwald before continuing to Mürren, where awe-inspiring views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau dominate the horizon. Overnight in Mürren. (BSD)
Ascent: (variable) 400 to 2765 ft | Descent: 75 | Distance: 5 to 7.5 miles (may vary)
From Mürren, we’ll climb the Sefinental, passing the Rotstockhütte as we tackle the high, rocky reaches of the Sefinenfurgge. Keep your eyes open for chamois grazing along the slopes below this spectacular pass. A steep descent along a stairway of over 300 steps bypasses the loose scree, leading into the magical, remote Kiental. We’ll spend the night at a stunning hotel complex tucked into the traditional farming hamlet of Griesalp—a hidden gem in the heart of the Alps. Overnight in Griesalp. (BSD)
Ascent: 3300 ft | Descent: 3900 ft | Distance: 10 miles (may vary)
We'll have a much-appreciated rest day in the beautiful hamlet of Griesalp—but with plenty to enjoy and keep us busy. The chasm below Griesalp is known as Wildwasser, where a dozen waterfalls, chutes, and cascades surround the trail. You can also plan to make a reservation to enjoy the sauna, steam room, or hot pots located in the private garden area of this resort. Overnight in Griesalp. (BSD)
Ascent, descent, and distance is variable and optional today (may vary)
From Griesalp, we tackle the spectacular Hohtürli Pass, the most demanding of our journey. A sturdy stairway of roughly 500 steps keeps us above the scree, but the ascent remains a true alpine challenge. Along the northern slopes of the Blüemlisalp massif, we’re awed by the shimmering Blüemlisalp Glacier before descending to the stunning Oeschinensee. The day ends with a scenic tram ride down to Kandersteg, surrounded by the grandeur of the Alps. Overnight in Kandersteg. (BSD)
Ascent: 3300-4600 ft | Descent: About 4000 ft | Distance: 7.5-9 miles (may vary)
In this breathtaking valley, towering cliffs rise above lush alpine meadows, while glaciated peaks dominate the skyline. You’ll have the option to hike through the UNESCO-recognized Gasterntal, where glacier-fed waterfalls cascade alongside the Kander River. The trail winds down the canyon, through the striking Chluse Gorge, and back to Kandersteg, offering an unforgettable alpine experience. Overnight in Kandersteg. (BS) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Kandersteg tonight.
Recommended Route: Ascent 175 ft | Descent 1400 ft | Distance: 7 miles (can be variable if we decide to ride the bus part of the way back)
From Kandersteg, we ascend by tram to Allmenalp, then follow a remote trail beneath the towering Gällihorn toward the classic Bundergrat. A short 20-minute detour brings us to the summit of Bunderspitz, where breathtaking views stretch across the Bernese Alps and down to Lake Thun. We then descend into the broad valley below, arriving at the renowned World Cup ski resort town of Adelboden. Overnight in Adelboden. (BSD)
Ascent: 2500 ft | Descent: 3900 ft | Distance: 8.5 miles (may vary)
From the heart of Adelboden, a cable car carries us up to Sillerenbühl, where a beautiful high-alpine walk leads toward the Hahnenmoospass. Though the lowest pass of our journey, it offers sweeping panoramic views in every direction. We then descend via the Pommernpass, passing the spectacular Simmenfälle waterfalls, before continuing by bus to the charming village of Lenk. Overnight in Lenk. (BSD)
Ascent: 625-825-ft | Descent 3300-3500 ft | Distance: 7-7.5miles (may vary)
A cable car lifts us to Stoss or Betelberg, where we follow much of the Via Alpina trail toward the Trüttlisbergpass. The descent takes us along scenic alpine paths to the picturesque village of Lauenen, before reaching Gstaad—the trendiest “cow town” in the Alps—where we celebrate the conclusion of our memorable journey. Overnight in Gstaad. (BSD)
Ascent: 500-1575 ft | Descent: 2850-3500 ft | Distance 7-13 miles (may vary)
Gstaad resident Julie Andrews calls it “the last paradise in a crazy world!” You can relax at the spa or seek adventure in the surrounding mountains. A local hike is one option, or take an exhilarating excursion to Glacier 3000, where breathtaking views, the Peak Walk suspension bridge, and the chance to stand atop a glacier high in the Alps await. Overnight in Gstaad. (BD) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch on their own in Gstaad today.
Ascent, descent, and distance are variable and optional today
Onward Departure (B). Note: it is a 3-3.5-hour train ride to Zürich airport, and the first train departs Gstaad at 5:03 am (weekdays) and 6:25 am (weekends), so plan departure flights accordingly. We can recommend hotels in Zürich if needed.
Daily distance measurements may vary depending on the device you use to track them. If a range is provided for the statistics, it is possible to hike closer to the lower end, and we’ll include options in your detailed daily directions. Use the listed figures as estimates and reference points while preparing and training for this tour.
We rate this trip as strenuous. You should be an experienced hiker in good physical condition. You should be capable of walking -7-8 hours per day on good trails with some steep ascents and descents, averaging 2500-3000 vertical feet per day at an elevation just over 9000 feet above sea level. Sure-footedness is important, and a history of severe vertigo may impact your ability to do this tour.
We cross two of the most spectacular and challenging hiking passes in the Swiss Alps—the Sefinenfurgge and the Hohtürli. On these passes, there are long staircases, scree slopes, some exposed drop-offs protected by cables or handholds, and short ladder assists of about 2 meters. Please note that there are two days during this tour where the elevation gains could be between 3300 and 4600 vertical feet. Trekking poles are highly recommended on this tour.
Assume 2.5 miles/hour on the flat.
Assume 1200 feet of up per hour.
Assume 2000 feet of down per hour.
