Highlights
- Visit Swiss villages like Interlaken and enjoy boat rides on the lake
- Hike across high mountain passes amid sweeping Alpine views
- Trek through Bernese Oberland, one of Switzerland's most beautiful regions
- Stay overnight in car-free villages, at mountain huts, and on local farms
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Interlaken, Optional Activities | Interlaken |
| Day 2 | Trek to Mount Faulhorn | Faulhorn Hut |
| Day 3 | Trek to Grindelwald & Berghaus Alpiglen | Alpiglen |
| Day 4 | Trek to Kleine Scheidegg & Wengen | Wengen |
| Day 5 | Trek to Lauterbrunnen Valley & Obersteinberg | Obersteinberg |
| Day 6 | Trek to Gimmelwald & Mürren | Mürren |
| Day 7 | Trek to Sefinenfurgge Pass & Bundalp | Bundalp |
| Day 8 | Trek to Oechinensee & Kandersteg | Kandersteg |
| Day 9 | Trek to Bunderspitz & Adelboden, Transfer to Interlaken | Adelboden |
| Day 10 | Free Morning in Interlaken, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Interlaken, Optional Activities
Welcome to Switzerland! Hopefully, you're primed for a grand trekking adventure because that's what's in store over the next 10 days. And you'll be in the best region for such a hike: Bernese Oberland. This region in the canton (state) of Bern is world famous for its unspoiled natural beauty, which includes glaciers, valleys, and the peaks of the Swiss Alps. In short, it's a paradise for nature lovers.
Upon arrival at the international airport (likely in Zürich), you'll transfer into Bernese Oberland, arriving at Interlaken. Situated between two turquoise lakes (Thun and Brienz), this picture-postcard town offers a breathtaking backdrop with the towering Swiss Alps peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel.
Then, you'll have the rest of the day to relax and prepare for your big trek, which starts tomorrow. If you like, enjoy a leisurely activity like a boat ride on Brienz. You can also warm up with a brisk hike to romantic waterfalls just outside of town—don't forget your camera!
Day 2: Trek to Mount Faulhorn
The adventure begins! Your maiden hike on this multiday trek begins early with a ride in a Swiss cogwheel train from Interlaken to the Schynige Platte station. This mountain ridge sits at 6,496 feet (1,980 m) and offers unrivaled views of the surrounding snowcapped peaks.
From the station, you'll set off on the day's 6.5-mile (10.5 km) hike. The first leg of the trek from Schynige Platte is a bit of a warm-up, as it's an easy ascent up to a mountain hut at 7,690 feet (2,344 m). Then, push onward up to the summit of Mount Faulhorn at 8,795 feet (2,681 m). The total hiking time is about four hours, at the end of which you'll reach another mountain hut where you'll overnight.
Day 3: Trek to Grindelwald & Berghaus Alpiglen
Today is a bit more strenuous as it covers a 9-mile (14 km) route that takes 5-6 hours to complete. Luckily, every mile is packed with dazzling Bernese Oberland scenery. The journey kicks off in the morning with a hike down to the glassy waters of Bach Lake at 7,434 feet (2,266 m). Take a moment to relax on the lakeshore amid views of surrounding mountain peaks that tower over 13,000 feet (4,000 m).
Then, break up the hiking with a gondola ride down to Grindelwald. This village is renowned for its awe-inspiring mountain scenery, including some of the most iconic peaks in the Alps, like Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. While here, you can take a stroll around town. Later, continue on foot or by cogwheel train up to Berghaus Alpiglen. This mountain inn sits at the foot of the Eiger's north face. You'll spend the night in one of the inn's private rooms or dormitories.
Day 4: Trek to Kleine Scheidegg & Wengen
Leave Berghaus Alpiglen this morning on a hike that covers 12 miles (19.5 km) to the village of Wengen. Today's journey is a highlight of the trip, as you'll hike along the famous Eiger Trail. It's a rugged route that will take you along high ridges to Kleine Scheidegg, a mountain pass at 6,762 feet (2,061 m). All along the trail, you'll enjoy more memorable views of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Then, it's a long descent through fertile high meadows to the idyllic hamlet of Wengen (4,180 ft/ 1,274 m), located high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The day's hike takes around 6-7 hours to complete, and once in Wengen, you'll check into the inn, where you'll overnight. Feel free to head out and explore the town on foot amid total peace and tranquility—Wengen is car-free.
Day 5: Trek to Lauterbrunnen Valley & Obersteinberg
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
The adventure continues this morning with an 8.5-mile (13.5 km) hike through Alpine meadows to the perfectly U-shaped valley of Lauterbrunnen. The entire region is part of a UNESCO-listed scenic area known as the "Valley of the 72 Waterfalls," so you can guess what kind of scenery is in store.
Leaving Lauterbrunnen, the trail gets steeper and wilder as you blaze remote trails to Obersteinberg. This tiny village sits on a sunny slope with views straight across to the sheer face of a mountain and the massive Schmadribach Falls. It takes about five hours of hiking to reach this quaint town with no electricity, where you'll stay overnight.
Day 6: Trek to Gimmelwald & Mürren
Enjoy a bit of a leisurely day, as this morning's hike only takes about 3.5 hours to complete. It follows a 5.5-mile (9 km) route from Obersteinberg down to the car-free mountain town of Mürren. The trail is remote and off-the-beaten-path, meaning you'll pass no vehicles and only green pastures and mountains as far as the eye can see.
The route does take you through Gimmelwald, a village tucked away in the Lauterbrunnen Valley surrounded by mountains. Once in Mürren, you'll check into your accommodation and can spend the rest of the day exploring the town.
Day 7: Trek to Sefinenfurgge Pass & Bundalp
Get back into it this morning on a 6.5-hour hike that will take you 10.5 miles (16.5 km), mostly across scenic Swiss valleys. One highlight is when you arrive at Sefinenfurgge Pass (8,569 ft/ 2,612 m), a notch in the high rocky ridgeline where the views will once again leave you speechless.
The hike down from the pass takes you through meadows and native forests to the charming village of Griesalp (4,429 ft/ 1,350 m). From there, make one last push to rural Bundalp, where you'll spend a memorable evening at a farmhouse in the mountains. Dinner will be a farm-fresh meal that includes locally-made cheese.
Day 8: Trek to Oechinensee & Kandersteg
Leave early on a six-hour hike up one of the most spectacular valleys in the Bernese Oberland. The 8-mile (12.5 km) route will also lead you to other highlights like the Hortürli Pass at 9,022 feet (2,750 m). Then, trek along the foot of massive glaciers to a guesthouse nestled on the shores of Oeschninensee.
One of the most beautiful lakes in the country, Oeschninensee is set against the backdrop of the towering Alps, and its clear glassy waters create a dazzling mirror effect. From the lake, continue to the village of Kandersteg (3,838 ft/ 1,170 m), where you'll overnight.
Day 9: Trek to Bunderspitz & Adelboden, Transfer to Interlaken
Day 10: Free Morning in Interlaken, Depart
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