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Berner Oberland, North Faces Tour - Trek in Switzerland
Day 1: leaving home town and fly to Zurich Switzerland
Day 2: Arrival in Zurich, transfer to Meiringen by train. Evening meeting with your guide, trip orientation, gear check.
Day 3: Meringen - Grindelwald
We take a bus to Schwarzwaldalp and start our warm-up hike to Grindelwald by heading up to the Grosse Scheidegg Pass
(6,540'). This is a gentle hike through forests of fir and rolling pastures, with views of the Wetterhorn above us.
From the pass we have our first breathtaking views of the notorious Eiger (13,233'), whose formidable 5,000-foot north face has
challenged and tragically defeated many climbers over the years. Descend to the famous resort village of Grindelwald.
Grindelwald—“village of the glaciers”—is set at 3,460 feet in the Bernese Oberland and surrounded by an amphitheater of
impressive peaks, including the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. The hiking throughout the day is easy to
moderate and on very well maintained trails and/or paved paths. Elevation gain is approximately 1,700 feet and the descent is
about 3,100 feet. Hiking time is about five hours (6½ miles).
DAY 4: Grindelwald-Murren
Take the train to Grindelwald Grund and up to Alpiglen, then start hiking directly below the imposing north face of the Eiger and
the summits of the Monch and Jungfrau. Hike up to Kleine Scheidegg (6,870') for more outstanding glacier views. We gradually
descend along a beautiful forest trail and gravel paths to the ski resort of Wengen and take a train down to Lauterbrunnen. Here
we take the steep funicular up to Grutschalp, then continue hiking on a level path to Murren (5,454'). Weather permitting, we have
impressive views of the north faces of the Gletscherhorn, Abeni Flue, Mittaghorn, Grosshorn, Breithorn, and Gspaltenhorn. Hiking
time is about five hours (9 miles), with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet and loss of 2,600 feet.
B,D…Hotel Jungfrau
DAY 5: Murren-Bundalp
Hike out of Murren on a comfortable path to Spilbodenalp (6,040’). After a series of steep switchbacks, we hike along a nice alpine
trail to the Rotstock Hut, where we can enjoy a hot drink or some soup before we set out for our climb up steep scree slopes to
Sefinenfurgge (8,698'). From the pass we can enjoy the incredible view of the surrounding mountains and the last glimpse of the
Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. We then start our long descent to Bundsteg in the Kiental Valley and up again to Bundalp (6,133').
Bundalp is working dairy farm, combined with a rustic mountain inn with shared bathroom facilities. Hiking time is about eight hours
or longer (6½ miles) and the day is strenuous. Elevation gain is 4,513 feet, with a descent of 3,840 feet.
(Conditions permitting, there is an alternative, challenging route from Sefinenfurgge: We cross long scree or snow fields with
exposure and cross over the Gamchi Glacier towards Bundalp.)
B,D…Moutain Inn Bundalp
DAY 6: Bundalp-Kandersteg
We start our three-hour ascent over very steep moraine and scree to Hohturli and Blüemlisalp Hut (9,447'), the highest pass of the
trip. We can expect areas of exposure on this ascent. Once at the top we’ll have the glaciers and the high snowy peaks at our
fingertips, and our rest and refueling break at the mountain hut will allow enough time for contemplation. Skirting glaciers, we
descend to Oeschinensee Lake (5,300') in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, then take a chairlift down to Kandersteg (3,900').
Overnight at hotel. Hiking time is about seven hours, with an elevation gain of 3,314 feet and descent of about 4,150 feet. Today’s
hike is about 5½ miles and is quite strenuous with challenging trail conditions.
DAY 7: Kandersteg-Engstligenalp
We take a gondola to Sunnbuel (6,360') and hike along a comfortable path to Schwarenbach, an old customs house for travelers
heading to the Canton of Valais over the Gemmipass. The elegant summits of the Altels and Balmhorn keep guard as we make our
way up (with sections of exposure) to the Rote Chumme (8,658'), where we enjoy extraordinary views reaching as far as the Valais
Alps. From here we’ll be able to get full panoramas of the Monte Rosa massif in Italy. We then continue our hike along the
Talligletscher and up to the Chindbettipass (8,630'), then make a long descent into Engstligenalp (6,370'), an old glacial
amphitheater that is now a summer pasture. Hiking time is about eight hours, with an elevation gain of 2,850 feet and descent of
about 2,630 feet (about 7 miles). (You will not have access to your luggage tonight, so you’ll need to carry some overnight items in
your daypack.)
B,D…Berghaus Bärtschi
DAY 8: Engstligenalp-Lenk
Today, we have a few options to reach Hahnenmoospass (6,500'), depending on the weather and the physical condition of the
group members. (Your guide will select the best option for the group.) Once at Hahnenmoospass, we are greeted by views of the
peaceful Simmental Valley below and the summits of the Wildhorn (9,729') and Wildstrubel. After a typical Swiss lunch (cheese
spaetzle or bratwurst) at a restaurant on the pass, we continue hiking down to Buelberg and from there into Lenk by bus (3,560').
Lenk is a typical, picturesque Swiss village at the head of the valley. Overnight at hotel. Hiking time is four to six hours, depending
on the selected trails, and the distance is 6 miles.
B,D…Hotel Kreuz
DAY 9: Lenk-Zurich
Take the train down the Simmental Valley to Zweisimmen, where you connect with the train to Bern. Continue to Zurich (earliest
possible arrival time is at 9:16 a.m.) and connect with homeward-bound flights. If you have time, we encourage you to spend a few
extra days in Switzerland.
B…(Note—Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to leave before breakfast is available.)
It is possible for us to arrange a substitute hotel near the Zurich airport for those individuals having to depart early on
Day 9. You would need to take the evening train to Zurich on Day 8. We must have your departure information early in order for all
the arrangements to be made.
Difficulty:
A moderate to Strenuous tour , well balance. Few Strenuous days , few moderate days make this tour a perfect combination.
However the hardest day require hiking over challenging steep terrain for 3 to 4 hours.
Tour dates:
Best time from early July until mid-September
2009 pricing Per person
4 persons $2,830.
5 persons $2,580.
6 persons $2,370.
Price for larger group available, 1: 6 ratio
Service includes:
Expert leadership by Swiss guides
Accomodations. Hotels, Ins, mountain huts.
Lodging include half pension. Breakfast – dinner
All transport during the tour
Luggage’s transfers by van except for Engstligenalp
Group technical equipment: first aid,
Service does not include:
International airfares, airport taxes.
Lunches
Personal equipment
incidentals
Day 1: leaving home town and fly to Zurich Switzerland
Day 2: Arrival in Zurich, transfer to Meiringen by train. Evening meeting with your guide, trip orientation, gear check.
Day 3: Meringen - Grindelwald
We take a bus to Schwarzwaldalp and start our warm-up hike to Grindelwald by heading up to the Grosse Scheidegg Pass
(6,540'). This is a gentle hike through forests of fir and rolling pastures, with views of the Wetterhorn above us.
From the pass we have our first breathtaking views of the notorious Eiger (13,233'), whose formidable 5,000-foot north face has
challenged and tragically defeated many climbers over the years. Descend to the famous resort village of Grindelwald.
Grindelwald—“village of the glaciers”—is set at 3,460 feet in the Bernese Oberland and surrounded by an amphitheater of
impressive peaks, including the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. The hiking throughout the day is easy to
moderate and on very well maintained trails and/or paved paths. Elevation gain is approximately 1,700 feet and the descent is
about 3,100 feet. Hiking time is about five hours (6½ miles).
DAY 4: Grindelwald-Murren
Take the train to Grindelwald Grund and up to Alpiglen, then start hiking directly below the imposing north face of the Eiger and
the summits of the Monch and Jungfrau. Hike up to Kleine Scheidegg (6,870') for more outstanding glacier views. We gradually
descend along a beautiful forest trail and gravel paths to the ski resort of Wengen and take a train down to Lauterbrunnen. Here
we take the steep funicular up to Grutschalp, then continue hiking on a level path to Murren (5,454'). Weather permitting, we have
impressive views of the north faces of the Gletscherhorn, Abeni Flue, Mittaghorn, Grosshorn, Breithorn, and Gspaltenhorn. Hiking
time is about five hours (9 miles), with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet and loss of 2,600 feet.
B,D…Hotel Jungfrau
DAY 5: Murren-Bundalp
Hike out of Murren on a comfortable path to Spilbodenalp (6,040’). After a series of steep switchbacks, we hike along a nice alpine
trail to the Rotstock Hut, where we can enjoy a hot drink or some soup before we set out for our climb up steep scree slopes to
Sefinenfurgge (8,698'). From the pass we can enjoy the incredible view of the surrounding mountains and the last glimpse of the
Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. We then start our long descent to Bundsteg in the Kiental Valley and up again to Bundalp (6,133').
Bundalp is working dairy farm, combined with a rustic mountain inn with shared bathroom facilities. Hiking time is about eight hours
or longer (6½ miles) and the day is strenuous. Elevation gain is 4,513 feet, with a descent of 3,840 feet.
(Conditions permitting, there is an alternative, challenging route from Sefinenfurgge: We cross long scree or snow fields with
exposure and cross over the Gamchi Glacier towards Bundalp.)
B,D…Moutain Inn Bundalp
DAY 6: Bundalp-Kandersteg
We start our three-hour ascent over very steep moraine and scree to Hohturli and Blüemlisalp Hut (9,447'), the highest pass of the
trip. We can expect areas of exposure on this ascent. Once at the top we’ll have the glaciers and the high snowy peaks at our
fingertips, and our rest and refueling break at the mountain hut will allow enough time for contemplation. Skirting glaciers, we
descend to Oeschinensee Lake (5,300') in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, then take a chairlift down to Kandersteg (3,900').
Overnight at hotel. Hiking time is about seven hours, with an elevation gain of 3,314 feet and descent of about 4,150 feet. Today’s
hike is about 5½ miles and is quite strenuous with challenging trail conditions.
DAY 7: Kandersteg-Engstligenalp
We take a gondola to Sunnbuel (6,360') and hike along a comfortable path to Schwarenbach, an old customs house for travelers
heading to the Canton of Valais over the Gemmipass. The elegant summits of the Altels and Balmhorn keep guard as we make our
way up (with sections of exposure) to the Rote Chumme (8,658'), where we enjoy extraordinary views reaching as far as the Valais
Alps. From here we’ll be able to get full panoramas of the Monte Rosa massif in Italy. We then continue our hike along the
Talligletscher and up to the Chindbettipass (8,630'), then make a long descent into Engstligenalp (6,370'), an old glacial
amphitheater that is now a summer pasture. Hiking time is about eight hours, with an elevation gain of 2,850 feet and descent of
about 2,630 feet (about 7 miles). (You will not have access to your luggage tonight, so you’ll need to carry some overnight items in
your daypack.)
B,D…Berghaus Bärtschi
DAY 8: Engstligenalp-Lenk
Today, we have a few options to reach Hahnenmoospass (6,500'), depending on the weather and the physical condition of the
group members. (Your guide will select the best option for the group.) Once at Hahnenmoospass, we are greeted by views of the
peaceful Simmental Valley below and the summits of the Wildhorn (9,729') and Wildstrubel. After a typical Swiss lunch (cheese
spaetzle or bratwurst) at a restaurant on the pass, we continue hiking down to Buelberg and from there into Lenk by bus (3,560').
Lenk is a typical, picturesque Swiss village at the head of the valley. Overnight at hotel. Hiking time is four to six hours, depending
on the selected trails, and the distance is 6 miles.
B,D…Hotel Kreuz
DAY 9: Lenk-Zurich
Take the train down the Simmental Valley to Zweisimmen, where you connect with the train to Bern. Continue to Zurich (earliest
possible arrival time is at 9:16 a.m.) and connect with homeward-bound flights. If you have time, we encourage you to spend a few
extra days in Switzerland.
B…(Note—Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to leave before breakfast is available.)
It is possible for us to arrange a substitute hotel near the Zurich airport for those individuals having to depart early on
Day 9. You would need to take the evening train to Zurich on Day 8. We must have your departure information early in order for all
the arrangements to be made.
Difficulty:
A moderate to Strenuous tour , well balance. Few Strenuous days , few moderate days make this tour a perfect combination.
However the hardest day require hiking over challenging steep terrain for 3 to 4 hours.
Tour dates:
Best time from early July until mid-September
2009 pricing Per person
4 persons $2,830.
5 persons $2,580.
6 persons $2,370.
Price for larger group available, 1: 6 ratio
Service includes:
Expert leadership by Swiss guides
Accomodations. Hotels, Ins, mountain huts.
Lodging include half pension. Breakfast – dinner
All transport during the tour
Luggage’s transfers by van except for Engstligenalp
Group technical equipment: first aid,
Service does not include:
International airfares, airport taxes.
Lunches
Personal equipment
incidentals
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