Bernese Oberland Budget Self Guided Tour

This self-guided tour is 7 nights long with the possibility of spending more then one night in each hotel to lengthen the trip. Stay in three 3-star hotels and 4 mountain inns with great views and family-style hospitality. See also the Dates & Prices page.

This tour caters to guests preferring less expensive accommodation, staying in some dormitory style rooms, with mostly double rooms. (it is possible to up-grade to only double rooms) This tour is ideal for families wanting a maximum of 4 hours hiking on any particular day, with some sort of public transport available on most days in case bad weather or tired feet! We have designed the tour to incorporate beautiful sights on the path which make perfect picnic or resting places. Our chosen hotels are in areas easily accessible in order to cater to our less energetic guests, but have scheduled physically challenging optional hiking for our very fit guests (See fitness requirements.). Each hotel is situated in the Bernese Oberland in a village famous for its hospitality, locality, and history.

The trip takes advantage of hiking into more remote valleys on smaller paths, bringing one directly to the most beautiful scenery in the area. We have personally hiked all the routes listed!

Ibex Treks will book all the hotels for you at half-board (the price will include dinner and breakfast). Lunches will not be included, but we will recommend possible lunch stops offering panoramic views.

Upon booking the trip, you will receive a detailed, topographical map showing the entire route with various easy and difficult optional hikes, together with a comprehensive itinerary. We will also include train timetables from Zurich airport to the mountains and back to the airport, and hiking tips relative to Swiss Hiking.

Finally, we will advise you on your equipment. Although excess baggage can be sent on every few days, we recommend that guests travel light, and try, if possible, to carry everything in one backpack (7 to 10 kilos, or 15 to 20 pounds). This makes for a rewarding and challenging tour. Remember, guests basically only have to carry clothing in the rucksack or backpack. (See equipment list.)

Day 1 Double rooms	Grindelwald Arrive at Zurich Airport. Travel by train to hotel in Grindelwald 1166m. Possible boat trip on Lake Thun on the way. Spend late afternoon and evening wandering the village.
Day 2 Dormitory	Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg We recommend taking the train from Grindelwald to Alpiglen and hiking the Eiger Trail where the North Wall will loom right above your head!
Day 3 Double Rooms	Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen A scenic traverse takes you to Mannlichen. It's worth spending time enjoying the views before descending to Wengen.
Day 4 Double rooms	Wengen to Trachsellauenen Descending through the forest to Lauterbrunnen, you follow the river most of the way to Stechelberg, where an ascent brings you to your mountain hotel. The U-shaped valley is world famous for its spectacular cliffs and waterfalls!
Day 5 Dormitory	Trachsellauenen to Obersteinberg This valley offers everything. The waterfalls are incredible. You will be dominated by mountains rising almost vertically around you. Following streams racing down the valley, you make your way up to your hotel which is situated on the side of the valley that offers the best views.
Day 6 Double Rooms	Obersteinberg to Mürren A gentle incline leads you down the valley, but you remain high enough to appreciate the mountain views on the other side. You hike back down below the tree line, gradually turning into another valley system where you start your descent to Gimmelwald. Various paths lead to Murren.
Day 7 Double rooms	Mürren to Lauterbrunnen Your final day is all down hill. If you did not have time to visit the village the day before, now is your chance to do so. Having no cars and being rather small, it is picturesque and quiet. Hiking down the valley, you traverse with great views of where you came from the previous days. Your accommodation in Lauterbrunnen will offer the usual hospitality and good food with the added luxury of a 3 star hotel. Possible public transportation will take you to Lauterbrunnen if Murren's day hikes are too irresistible!
	Leaving the area Lauterbrunnen offers good connections by train to all major cities and the airport.