Walking the Bernese Highlights West
Experience Overview
Walking high in the mountains on the Bernese Highlights West offers a more challenging route than the Bernese Highlights East. Amazing views are the reward for your efforts and at every turn in the way you will be greeted by some of the most dramatic mountain scenery to be found in Switzerland - if not the whole of Europe. However, if you wish to opt out of any day's walk or should inclement weather descend, it is possible to travel between all overnight stops by public transport. Starting in perhaps the most beautiful village in the Bernese Oberland, perched high up above the Lauterbrunnen Valley is Murren. Above Murren rises the great peak of the Schilthorn, with its revolving restaurant made famous by James Bond. Walk up and over the high pass of Sefinenfurgge and continue to the remote valley of Griesalp, set against the backdrop of the Bluemlisalp massif. Continue through the Hohturli pass where views are utterly magnificent! Get up close to a number of glaciers in addition to the turquoise waters of Lake Oeschinensee in its stunning setting above Kandersteg. Set within the beautiful Kander valley, Kandersteg is home to an extraordinary amount of diverse Alpine flowers. Follow stunning mountain paths with incredible panoramic views before descending into the mountain village of Adelboden for the night. Another mountain pass awaits you as you head over to Lenk across scenic alpine meadows. Finally, you cross Trutlisbergpass, then down the valley to Gstaad, which despite being known for its prestige has remained truly Alpine.
Highlights
— Delight in magnificent views along this as you cross high mountain passes linking alpine valleys — Walk to some of the most remote areas and be rewarded with dramatic mountain scenery — View exquisite glaciers and the shimmering turquoise waters of Lake Oeschinensee
Trip Details
Product Code: 22716
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport:
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: W07BW
Starts: Murren, Swiss Alps
Finishes: Murren, Swiss Alps
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Demanding
Includes
— 7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation — All breakfasts — Navigation app — Luggage transfers between hotelsAccommodation
Hotel Edelweiss, MurrenBoasting the best views on the snow-covered peaks of Bernese Oberland, Hotel Edelweiss offers a charming mix of cosy rooms together with a modern ambience. Since 1991 Mr & Mrs Kuster-von Allmen have welcomed guests from all over the world to enjoy car-free village of Murren. Hotel guests have complimentary admission to the Alpine Sports Centre, just a few minutes walk away with swimming pool and whirlpool.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,710 ($339 /day)
Itinerary
It is a good idea to add an extra day or two in Murren before starting your Bernese Highlights walk to get used to walking at high altitudes. We have several walks to chose from based here. Overnight Hotel Edelweiss, Murren.
You begin with a steady ascent from Murren to Rotstockhutte. Enjoy a healthy lunch in this marvellous setting, before you climb the high pass of Sefinenfurgge which becomes quite steep towards the end. Descend on a scree section, dotted with wooden steps as you enter the attractive valley of Griesalp. Overnight Hotel Berghaus, Griesalp.
Another challenging but unforgettable day! Be prepared for an almost unrelenting ascent to reach Hohturli pass at 1,370m. Weather conditions permitting, the views are utterly magnificent! The descent is both long and steep in places, affording close up views of a number of glaciers in addition to the turquoise waters of Lake Oeschinensee in its stunning setting above Kandersteg. From Oeschinensee a cable car operates to Kandersteg eliminating the final descent of approx. 1mile. Overnight Hotel Blumlisalp 3*, Kandersteg.
A free day if you wish with time relaxing in the hotel or just wandering around this delightful village. Overnight Hotel Blumlisalp 3*, Kandersteg.
Not as tough as the previous days, as we suggest you use the Allmenalp cable car and then walk towards Bunderchrinde. Afterwards, you descend down to the valley, before one last ascent takes you up to the charming village of Adelboden. Overnight Hotel Adler, Adelboden.
Your walk today is a less dramatic ascent, much of it alongside pretty streams in woodland and then out onto the beautifully groomed pastures of upland Switzerland. The scenery is less rugged though there are still snow-capped peaks in view - you cross from one valley to another on easier paths mainly among scenic alpine meadows. Overnight Hotel Kreuz, Lenk.
Your climb out of Lenk today takes you above the Wallbach valley in a SW direction towards the Truttlisbergpass. Once you are clear of the forest the views grow increasingly stunning and you can see yesterday's walk behind you. You cross from Lenk over the Trutlisbergpass to Lauenen, then down the valley to Gstaad with superb views on both sides of the pass and a short gorge walk to add further dimension to the day. The valley descent (3 miles) can be avoided by catching the bus at Lauenen to Gstaad. Overnight Hotel Alphorn, Gstaad.
Say fond farewells to Switzerland as you depart on the train.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why Choose Us?
We Work for You
Our goal to make you happy! That means ensuring our travel consultants have the best product knowledge and excellent customer service. A positive customer experience is our #1 goal!
Our Products
We offer an broad selection of travel products, including all-inclusive vacation packages, pre-packaged tours, custom travel itineraries, destination weddings, and luxury vacations.
Escapes Cares
We believe in giving back. When you book with us, you are contributing to tree planting through our partners at Veritree, as well ocean conservation though Oceana Canada.
