Testimonials

It has been a lifelong dream of mine to hike in the Alps, ever since I read Heidi as a girl. Thank you for helping make that dream come true so spectacularly. Your knowledge and attention were greatly appreciated . - C.C., California

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Zurich - Train to Lauterbrunnen

Upon arrival, you’ll take a train to Lauterbrunnen, set in the world’s most spectacular glacial valley, ringed by 72 gushing waterfalls. We’ll stay near the base of Staubbach Falls—the highest in Switzerland—dropping over 1,000 feet. The group will meet in the hotel lobby at 2:00 pm and visit Trümmelbach Falls, where torrents of water have created a series of caves and underground waterfalls. Then it’s dinner and a group orientation. Overnight in Lauterbrunnen. (D)

Distance: 2 - 4 miles | level walk (may vary)

Day 2 – Mürren - Allmendhubel - Northface Trail

Today, we will take a cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp where we begin hiking along the Mountain View trail going up to Allmendhubel, which is perched high on a mountain shelf overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley. We will stop for lunch and take some time for the circular flower walk before continuing along the Northface trail down to the car-free town of Mürren. From Mürren, we can take the train back to Grütschalp and cable car down to Lauterbrunnen. Overnight in Lauterbrunnen (BSD)

Distance: 7 miles | Ascent: 1825 feet | Descent: 1350 feet (may vary)

Day 3 – Lauterbrunnen to Obersteinberg

From Lauterbrunnen we will travel to Stechelberg where we’ll follow a mountain trail to the remote Berghotel Obersteinberg framing postcard views of Schmadri Falls and the scenic head of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. In the afternoon we can take an additional hike up to the upper glacial bowl of Oberhornsee with more breathtaking views of the Jungfrau region, before returning to Obersteinberg. Overnight at the Berghotel Obersteinberg. (BSD)

Distance: 3.5 - 8 miles | Ascent: 2850 - 3792 feet | Descent: 942 feet  - if you do optional Oberhornsee hike (may vary)

Day 4 – Obersteinberg - Männlichen Royal walk - Grindelwald

This morning we will hike down from Obersteinberg to Stechelberg for our onward journey toward Grindelwald. We will have a quick stopover in the car-free town of Wengen before taking the cable car up to Männlichen. The magnificent hike from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg is along the Panorama ridge trail (also known as the Royal Walk) which will give us sweeping views of the whole Jungfrau region including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau Mountain peaks. From Kleine Scheidegg, we can take the train to Grindelwald. Overnight in Grindelwald. (BSD)

Distance: about 7 miles | Ascent: 50 feet | Descent: 3700 feet (may vary)

Day 5 – Grindelwald - Alpine Farm Cheesemaking - Hike from Bussalp to Bachalpsee

This morning, we'll experience first-hand the art of making cheese in the Alps and the time-honored traditions of being an Alpine farmer and cheesemaker. The Senntum Michel farm is located in the high meadows above Grindelwald where we can gaze out over the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau while watching cheese being made in a cauldron over an open fire. Following breakfast, we will hike from Bussalp to Bachalpsee lake, where we have wonderful panoramic views over the mountains to the south. We then end at the top of "First" where we can return to Grindelwald by cable car. Overnight in Grindelwald. (BSD)

Distance: 5.5 miles | Ascent: About 2300 feet | Descent: about 850 feet (may vary )

Day 6 – Jungfraujoch excursion - Eiger Trail

Ride the Eiger Express V-Bahn cable car up to Eigergletscher. From here a dramatic cog-wheel climb takes us into a tunnel through the Eiger to ascend to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe and overlooking the longest glacier in the Alps. From Eigergletscher, additional hiking options include walking down to Kleine Scheidegg on the Eiger walk or a longer Eiger trail hike where we find ourselves face-to-face with the legendary Nordwand—the North Face of the Eiger Mountain. Overnight in Grindelwald. (BS) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Grindelwald tonight.

Distance: 4-6 miles | Ascent: 75-775 feet | Descent: 2400-3000 feet (may vary)

Day 7 – Hiking through the Rosenlauital into Scenic Meiringen

Since the 18th century, a crossing of the Grosse Scheidegg has been considered to be the highlight of a journey to Switzerland. In 1779 Goethe departed Grindelwald over this stunning pass and wrote "No thoughts, no description or memory can equal the beauty and magnitude of this site." We will make our way to the Grosse Scheidegg before descending the beautiful Rosenlauital on the Romanticweg into charming Meiringen. Overnight in Meiringen. (BSD)

Distance: 7-8.3 miles | Ascent: 0-233 feet | Descent: 2664-3030 feet (may vary)

Day 8 – Meiringen to Zürich

As we spend the morning in Meiringen, we discover the nearby sights including Reichenbach Falls, the setting for a dramatic Sherlock Holmes' story. We will travel by train to Zürich for a celebratory farewell dinner. Overnight at a hotel in Zürich Airport. (BSD)

Distance: about 2.5 miles | Ascent: 250-1125 feet | Descent: 250-1125 feet (Can vary depending on morning hike chosen)

Day 9 – Depart Zürich

From Zürich continue an onward journey or depart the airport on your homebound flight. (B)

Trip Videos

Activity Level

Alpenwild trips are designed for people who are energetic, active, and filled with a spirit of adventure. We rate this trip as moderate. Please note that the stats listed on the itinerary can vary depending on the guide and desires of our hikers --- as many of the hikes are easily adaptable. You should be an experienced hiker in good physical condition. You should be capable of walking 5 to 7 hours per day on well-groomed and graded trails at an elevation up to 9,000 feet above sea level. On one day a mountain railway takes you to an elevation of 11,400 feet to the Jungfraujoch.

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