2010 Guided Challenge Tour Itinerary

Challenge tours are offered in lengths of 5, 7, 8, or 10 nights. Maximum 14 guests, minimum 6. See also the Dates & Prices page.

This tour is designed specifically for experienced walkers. A good level of physical fitness would be necessary. The average walking time per day will be about seven hours.

Careful consideration has been taken to ensure a varied and interesting route. We try when possible to travel the quieter wilder paths not known or walked on by the majority of hikers. These paths give a sense of remoteness enhancing ones appreciation of the mountain scenery, and make the sighting of wild animals possible at a closer distance.

The complete tour (10 nights) starts and finishes in Wilderswil. Guests can walk sections of the tour; see Dates & Prices.

Accommodation is varied, taking advantage of the friendly hospitality on route. We stay in hotels, guest houses and mountain huts (cabins). (See the Itinerary page for an explanation of the accommodation.) Double rooms are available, except in some hotels (see details below).

For more information, see fitness requirements and equipment list.

Day 1 Double rooms only.	Wilderswil Begin 7 night tour (Wilderswil to Trachsellauenen) Begin 10 night tour (Wilderswil to Wilderswil) Arrive at hotel in Wilderswil. Meet group.
Day 2 Dormitory only.	Wilderswil to Lobhorn Wilderswil, 584 m., to the Lobhorn Hut, 1955 m. Leaving Wilderswil we ascend through pine woods to a small village at 1103 m. After passing through the valley, our ascent begins through alpine meadows passing small farms. Views down to Interlaken open up. Our highest point of the day will be 2117m.
Day 3 Double rooms and dormitory.	Lobhorn to Griesalp New guests arrive for: Begin 8 night tour (Griesalp to Wilderswil) Begin 5 night tour (Griesalp to Trachsellauenen) Lobhorn, 1955 m. to Griesalp, 958 m. Leaving the Lobhorn Hut, we make a small descent into the valley and climb to the base of the Lobhorner at 2400 m. A short descent brings us to our final climb of the day through moraine and over a Mountain Pass at 2674 m. A long descent brings us first to the Spiggegrund valley, and then a smaller Pass has to be climbed with a descent to Griesalp. Long day!
Day 4 Double rooms and dormitory.	Day Hike in the Griesalp Area Griesalp hotel 1408 m. Explore area, local options. Picnic by streams or waterfalls. Enjoy a challenging hike to a Mountain Hut at 2458m, or wander relaxing loops closer to the hotel.
Day 5 Dormitory only.	Griesalp to Rotstock Hut Griesalp 1408 m. to Rotstockhütte 2039 m. A good track leads us out of Griesalp passing various farms. Depending on the groups fitness and weather conditions we have several options, and a choice between two possible Mountain Passes. From the Passes incredible views of the trio Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau can be seen in the distance. A short steep descent, and then a pleasant meander through meadows leads us to the Rotstockhütte.
Day 6 Double rooms and dormitory.	Rotstock to Obersteinberg Rotstockhütte 2039 m. to hotel Obersteinberg 1774 m. Steep descent through pastures and trees into a V-shape valley to 1253 m. Steep ascent for 500 m. through pine woods to Alpine pastures. Leaving the tree line we skirt around a valley corner to make a gradual descent to Obersteinberg. Incredible views across the valley to high snow covered peaks
Day 7 Double rooms only.	Obersteinberg to Trachsellauenen Last night for 5 night tour (Griesalp to Trachsellauenen) Last night for 7 night tour (Wilderswil to Trachsellauenen) Obersteinberg 1774 m. to Trachsellauenen 1203 m. Optional rest day. For those who would like a rest day, a short walk of 1 hour and 15 minutes leads directly to Trachsellauenen. Alternatively hike up to a Mountain lake, and continue up to a Mountain hut for lunch. This beautiful valley is worth exploring! The descent takes us by refreshing fast flowing streams and thundering water falls. Finally, through meadows and pine woods to Trachsellauenen.
Day 8 Double rooms and dormitory.	Obersteinberg to Alpiglen We descend to the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Following the stream along the valley floor, 650m cliffs rise above on both sides. At the Trümmelbach waterfalls, (worth a visit) we ascend steeply through pine trees and alpine meadows to Kleine Scheidegg where we descend to Alpiglen beneath the North face of the Eiger!
Day 9 Double rooms and dormitory.	Alpiglen to the Faulhorn Alpiglen 1616 m. to Hotel Faulhorn at 2680 m. Descending through trees to Grund, our low point of the day, we start our climb to Grindelwald and continue through a pine forest to alpine meadows with fantastic views. Continuing to Bachsee Lake, we follow an old donkey path that leads to steeper and more barren terrain. A short, steep incline finally brings us to the Faulhorn Hotel. Very famous sunrise and sunset view point!
Day 10 Double rooms and dormitory.	Faulhorn to Wilderswil Last night for 8 night tour (Griesalp to Wilderswil) Last night for 10 night tour (Wilderswil to Wilderswil) Faulhorn, 2680 m. to hotel in Wilderswil 584 m. Rocky ground leads us to a steep descent on moraine to the Sägistalsee (lake, 1935 m.). Following the floor of the Sägistal (valley) through meadows we gradually ascend 125 m. to wilder terrain of rocks and boulders. A traverse on a panoramic ridge leads us to Schynige Platte 2100 m. A steep descent through pine woods brings us finally to Wilderswil.