Bernese Oberland Self Guided Scenic Tour Itinerary

The self guided tour is 8 nights long. Stay in 3-star hotels at four different locations. See also the Dates & Prices page.

This tour is designed for guests who would like a more independent hiking tour, with the luxury of staying in 3-star hotels and the freedom to choose any 8 consecutive days between mid-June through mid-October. 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.

Finally, we will advise you on your equipment. Although excess baggage can be sent on, 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	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	Grindelwald area Day hike in the Grindelwald area. Our recommended hike has the option of taking a gondola part way. You hike to a beautiful lake at 2265 m., and then on to a small mountain inn 2680 m. perched on a crest for lunch, with one of the best panoramic views in the area. Continuing your hike, you descend into Grindelwald the back way.
Day 3	Grindelwald to Wengen Hike to Wengen. There are several options available for this hike. If you would like to visit the Jungfraujoch (accessed by the highest railway in Europe), take the first train in the morning (about 7am) to Kleine Scheidegg 2061m. From here another train ride will take guests to the Jungfraujoch 3454 m. From this high point, a fantastic view down the Aletsch glacier, Europe's longest glacier, can be seen. Other attractions include: a museum, slide show, ice sculptures, restaurants, and an observatory. On your return from the Jungfraujoch, a traverse and steep descent lead you to Wengen. Alternatively, you could hike all the way or part of the way. If you decide to hike, we suggest you take the train to a place called Alpiglen and hike a new trail directly under the Eiger north face. Lunch at Mannlichen 2229 m. (panoramic resturant).
Day 4	Wengen area Day hike from Wengen 1275 m. A loop trail makes for a pleasant, relaxed hike in the area. Or take the first train from Wengen to visit the Jungfraujoch. (It is only worth visiting the Jungfraujoch in good weather.) We recommend a picnic lunch on the loop trail.
Day 5	Wengen to Mürren Hike to Mürren 1645 m. Descending to Lauterbrunnen 795 m., you follow the stream surrounded by 750 m. (2000ft) cliffs spilling waterfalls into the valley. This rare flat hike can give you a crick in the neck! It would be worth it to visit Trümmelbach Falls. Fantastic tunnel systems have been carved out by the massive torrent of cascading water. Lunch at Trümmelbach. Not too far from Trümmelbach is a cable car that will take tired guests half way or directly to Mürren. Enthusiasts can hike up the 750 m. (2000ft)!
Day 6	Mürren area Day hike from Mürren. There are several possibilities. A hike to the Schilthorn 2960 m. (highest mountain in the area) will offer the best view. Unfortunately or not, there is a cable car that goes all the way. So it is possible to hike in stages up or down. Lunch at the Schilthorn resturant. Alternatively, a wilder hike with less people will take you to a mountain cabin for lunch (at 2040 m.)--a beautiful stone built cabin run by a Swiss family. Strong hikers have the option of an eight hour round trip hike into a different valley system.
Day 7	Mürren to Kandersteg By train to Kandersteg 1176 m. Descending by a funicular train to the valley floor, you take a train to Interlaken. A short visit is possible, shopping or sight-seeing. By train to Spiez, and on to Kandersteg. Hotel lies about 500yds from the station. (Kandersteg has excellent conections to Bern and Zurich.) Possible afternoon hike from the village.
Day 8	Kandersteg area Day hike from Kandersteg 1176 m. A hike up the valley will bring you to a beautiful mountain lake at 1593 m. A high loop will take you to heights where you can appreciate the area. Lunch at the lakeside hotel or picnic if you decide on one of the several much longer hikes available.
	Leaving the area Possible morning train back to Zurich Airport on the 9th day.