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Walks in the Berner Oberland

Hotel Based

The Trip

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. We will divide our time between the villages Kandersteg and Wengen.

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 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.

Both these areas offer wonderfully rewarding hikes through truly idyllic and inspiring settings. Each afternoon we'll return to our inn with time to relax, mingle with other hikers, and enjoy the quiet solitude of these mountain settings

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Itinerary

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:

All accommodations, all buffet breakfasts, all dinners, all group transfers on ski lifts, buses and trains as described in the itinerary, 1 month Swiss Card 2nd class which allow for transfer to and from airport to starting and ending points, guides, great hiking and memories.

Not Included:

air fare, lunches, optional/individual transfers or excursions including, train trip to the Jungfrau and any side excursions on day 4, items not on set dinner menu, beverages, insurance, tips to guides, 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.

Meeting point:

at the hotel in Kandersteg day 1.

Ending point:

at the hotel in Wengen the last morning.

For a more detailed itinerary or to register please call.