Switzerland hiking Distant Journeys day hikes in the Swiss Alps the Bernese Oberland

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Walks in Switzerland: self-guided 2008

Self-Guided Day Hikes

Details

Location: Switzerland
Length: 5 - 10 days
Grade: moderate
Accommodations: 3 star hotels
Dates: Self-guided Trips June - September
Land Cost (US$): from $1,450 for 5 days to $1950 for 10 days; Land cost may vary depending on final itinerary.

Self-Guided Trip Possibilities:

We offer self-guided walking trips in several different locations in Switzerland. Some areas offer easy and moderate hikes, other areas offer moderate and strenuous hiking. We feature the villages of Kandersteg, Wengen, Murren, Zermatt (Valais), and several other small villages in Switzerland. The possibilities are really limitless. Call us with your ideas and we are certain we can plan a wonderful hiking vacation in Switzerland for you.

Berner Oberland: Kandersteg and Wengen:

The Berner Oberland is one of the great alpine gems of Switzerland. Classic wooden chalets, perfectly kept window boxes, grazing cows, high alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, bold, imposing mountains with hanging glaciers, snowy peaks, and impressive waterfalls compose an incredibly inspiring backdrop for these day hikes.

Long a destination for hikers and walkers, Kandersteg (elevation 3,880') is a wonderful village of wooden chalets and old farms. Nestled in the Kander Valley, it is surrounded by impressive waterfalls, snow-capped peaks many reaching to over 12,000 feet high, lush alpine meadows, rich forests and beautifully preserved farms. Strikingly beautiful, and immediately welcoming, Kandersteg is a perfect area to begin a classic Swiss Alps hiking vacation.

Perched high on the eastern rim of the Lauterbrunnen valley, tucked up against the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau and free of cars, Wengen provides a stunning setting for the last half of our week. A tourist destination since the mid 1800's, the village still retains an Old World charm.

Zermatt:

Though not in the Berner Oberland spending several days in Zermatt make for a wonderful Swiss hiking vacation. Situated at the southern most end of the Mattertal valley, closed to car traffic and dominated by the formidable Matterhorn (14,777'), Zermatt has for generation's lured hikers and mountaineers from the world over. Ringed by more than fifty peaks many over 13,000 feet and some thirty-two glaciers, its location at the confluence of three glaciers and two additional narrow valleys, combined with an extensive cable car and tram system allow Zermatt (5,300') to offer the best set of hikes anywhere in the Alps.

Though experiencing its share of expansion due to popularity, the center of Zermatt, comprised of narrow streets lined with darkwood chalets richly adorned by colorful window boxes, retains many of the vestiges of an old rustic Swiss village. Hiking in this area is renowned. From easy valley walks to strenuous high level hikes Zermatt will satisfy all levels of abilities.

Sample Itinerary

Walks in the Berner Oberland: Kandersteg and Wengen

Day 1: Individual transfer to the hotel in Kandersteg, Switzerland. Welcome dinner and orientation.

Day 2 & 3: A hike around Lake Oeschinen (5,257') set on a small plateau above Kandersteg and fed by the glaciers of the Blumlisalp massif. Some say that this is the "most" spectacular hike in all the Alps as the rock faces emerge directly from the lake and rise to form the glaciated mountain peaks of the Doldenhorn, Frundenhorn, Oeschinenhorn and the Blumlisalphorn.

Hike in the Gastern Valley, a protected area, surrounded by steep mountains.

Day 4: Transfer to Wengen and free afternoon. For those looking for impressive panoramas, a cog rail train ride up to the Schynige Platte offers a wonderful vista of the surrounding region, including the famous Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch.

Day 5 & 6: A hike southward from Wengen along the rim of the valley and up through Wengernalp and on to the Kleine Scheidegg. This is a wonderful hike with impressive views down to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, across to the village of Murren and up towards the peaks of the Schilthorn, Tschingelhorn, and Breithorn. Climbing up through the woods and into open meadows the views of the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger are breath taking and ever changing.

A transfer to Lauterbrunnen and funicular up to Grutschalp will afford a pleasant walk into the village of Murren. From Murren it is possible to continue down through the hamlet of Gimmelwald and down yet again to Stechelberg the terminus of the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Another option leads from Wengen to Leiterhorn and down into Burglauenen lying in the valley of Lutschental down stream from Grindelwald. This is a somewhat forested way punctuated with outstanding views, especially those of the Wetterhorn.

Day 7: Depart Wengen.

Additional Information:

Included:

2 hours of general consulting regarding hiking dates and abilities, travel information on getting to and from starting ending points, travel suggestions, the area and route, hiking maps covering the route, detailed trail notes, which include additional information covering various aspects of your trip (i.e. lunches, laundry, water, alternate transportation, etc.). 2nd Class Swiss Card which will cover portions of trains, lift and bus transfers. We make and prepay all overnight accommodations, which include all breakfasts and all dinners. All hotels with private baths.

Not included:

air fare, lunches, travel to and from Switzerland, transfer of luggage, transfers or excursions on trains, lifts, buses, taxis, extra charges due to changes in itinerary, items not on set dinner menu, beverages except what is served at breakfast, insurance, items of personal nature.

Accommodations:

three-star family run hotels that are comfortable, accommodating and reflect the local character. The rooms are double occupancy with private baths. Breakfasts and dinners are served at the hotels and lunches are picnic style along the trail.

Travel:

Nearest airports: Zurich or Geneva.

How to register for a self-guided trip:

Call or email us to discuss location, dates and level of difficulty. We can modify the above itinerary to meet your time frame and abilities. Once we agree on an itinerary and the dates we require a $375 deposit per person. Please see information about how to book your self-guided trip.

For a more detailed itinerary, to discuss dates and locations or to register, please call.