Self-Guided Walking
Switzerland: The Bernese Oberland
Walking the Bernese Highlights East
Trip code: W07BE
Average customer rating 5.0 / 5(7 verified reviews)
- Self-Guided Walking
- 7 nights hotel-to-hotel
- Challenging
- CO₂ rating 1/5
- Agent supplied app
Trip highlights
Trip details
This 7-night self-guided tour takes you through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery that Switzerland has to offer, crossing two major passes and combining stays in small Swiss towns and villages with hotels high on the passes. You walk within sight of some of Switzerland’s most stunning peaks: Titlis, Jungfrau and Eiger to name but a few, with magnificent glaciers which feed many of the mountain streams you cross. At the end of a day’s walking, you are assured of a friendly welcome at each of our hotels with meals prepared from fresh local ingredients.
What's included
Included
- 7 nights in 3-star equivalent, 3-star and 4-star accommodation
- All breakfasts and 2 evening meals
- Navigation app
- Luggage transfers between hotels
Not included
- Flights
- Local taxes/fees
- Travel insurance
Travel options
Our travel specialists can arrange flights, rail and transfers to this holiday from wherever you are. Call us to plan your journey. +44 1606 720099
Itinerary
Day 1 · —Arrive Engelberg
It is a good idea to add an extra day or two in Engelberg before starting your Bernese Highlights walk to get used to walking at high altitudes.
You stay at Trail Hotel
Trail Hotel
Engelberg
- Hairdryers
- Safe
- Television
- Wifi access
Situated in the lively village of Engelberg, this family-run accommodation offers comfortable rooms, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil getaway.
Day 2 · 12km/7.5miEngelberg to Engstlenalp
Todays walk takes you up past the Trubsee Lake from where you climb to the Jochpass before descending to Engstlenalp. A demanding first day because of the total ascent involved, which can be reduced by using one or more cable cars. From Engelberg, you walk along the right hand side of the picturesque Engstlensee, where a profusion of wild flowers and shy marmots may catch your eye. Take some time to enjoy the beautiful Trubsee Lake before continuing to Engstlenalp.
Elevation
You stay at Chalet Engstlenalp
equivalent
Chalet Engstlenalp
Engstlenalp
- Hairdryers
- Shops
- Wifi access
This hotel has great history as a mountain inn and the atmosphere reflects just that. Rooms are comfortable but simple in style and decor. There is a communal bar area for coffees, drinks and snacks and dinner is ‘mountain style’ served in the delightful wooded restaurant. You certainly feel as though you’re amongst the mountains tonight!
Day 3 · 22km/13.7miEngstlenalp to Meiringen
Follow the trail past lake Tannensee up to a ridge walk that leads you over Balmeregghorn. Wonderful views on the snow-covered peaks of Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau await. The setting is truly amazing and make for one of the most scenic walks in Switzerland. To avoid the long way down to Meiringen, you can use the cable car from Planplatten down into the valley. Meiringen is a little town on the shore of river Aare.
Elevation
You stay at Parkhotel du Sauvage
Parkhotel du Sauvage
Meiringen
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Safe
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Built in 1880, this Art Nouveau hotel, famously linked to Sherlock Holmes, enjoys a peaceful yet central location in Meiringen. Enjoy a breakfast buffet in the grand Belle Époque breakfast room and relax in the bright and inviting winter garden. Behind the hotel, you’ll find a serene park garden complete with seating areas and sunbathing spots.
Featuring 60 comfortable and stylish rooms with a touch of elegance all equipped with private bathroom with hairdryer, TV, Wi-Fi, safe and tea and coffee making facilities.
Day 4 · —At Leisure in Meiringen
Take a day off from walking and visit Ballenberg, Switzerland’s greatest open-air museum, take the steam railway to the top of the Rothorn, visit the stunning gorge Aareschlucht, or just cruise on Lake Brienz.
You stay at Parkhotel du Sauvage
Parkhotel du Sauvage
Meiringen
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Safe
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Built in 1880, this Art Nouveau hotel, famously linked to Sherlock Holmes, enjoys a peaceful yet central location in Meiringen. Enjoy a breakfast buffet in the grand Belle Époque breakfast room and relax in the bright and inviting winter garden. Behind the hotel, you’ll find a serene park garden complete with seating areas and sunbathing spots.
Featuring 60 comfortable and stylish rooms with a touch of elegance all equipped with private bathroom with hairdryer, TV, Wi-Fi, safe and tea and coffee making facilities.
Day 5 · 11km/6.8miMeiringen to Schwarzwaldalp
A short day albeit energetic early on, with opportunities for diversions. Leaving Meiringen behind, you cross the River Aare and head up past the Reichenbach Falls, famous for the death of Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes in Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle’s classic before walking through the stunning Rosenlaui valley to Schwarzwaldalp.
Elevation
You stay at Chalet Schwarzwaldalp
equivalent
Chalet Schwarzwaldalp
Schwarzwaldalp
- Wifi access
This chalet is presented in a traditional Swiss style all wood and very charming. Rooms are small and cosy but without private bathrooms, they do have wash basins in the rooms with shared showers and toilets nearby. Some guests may stay in an adjacent building with dormitory style accommodation which are all private (advised at booking time). Dinner will be traditional mountain food most likely featuring cheese from the alp and all meals are well presented and are fresh, seasonal, local products.
Day 6 · 13km/8.1mi or 6km/3.7miSchwarzwaldalp to Grindelwald
Today, you can either take the high-level route via First or the more leisurely crossing of Grosse Scheidegg.
The high-level route is a truly scenic walk to the cable car station at First, offering spectacular views of the Berner Oberland giants. Alternatively, you can hike up on a steady ascent to the Grosse Scheidegg pass with magnificent mountain views behind you and then down to the village of Grindelwald.
Elevation
You stay at Central Hotel Wolter
Central Hotel Wolter
Grindelwald
- Hairdryers
- Minibar
- Safe
- Tea & coffee
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Central Hotel Wolter is a family run hotel, located in the heart of the lively town of Grindelwald. The impressive Eiger North-Face is just a stones throw away from this town, so you can enjoy incredible views from your room or when having dinner in the à la carte restaurant.
Day 7 · 24km/14.9mi or 10km/6.2miGrindelwald to Murren
There are two options today. Either follow Via Alpina over the pass Kleine Scheidegg, or take the Eiger Trail, a more challenging route along the foot of the North Face, or the more challenging route over Kleine Scheidegg – both with stunning views. Mountain railways also offer alternative starts and ends.
If you choose to walk via Kleine Scheidegg, this will be the longest day of your trip, with unmatched views of the Eiger, the Monch, and the Jungfrau mountains. Walking by the Eiger Trail is a truly magnificent route which brings you so close to the many scenes of triumph and tragedy – it would be worth reading the story of the great Eiger climbs before your trip
Elevation
You stay at Hotel Edelweiss
Hotel Edelweiss
Murren
- Hairdryers
- Safe
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Boasting the best views of the snow-covered peaks of the 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 the 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.
Day 8 · —Depart Mürren
Say fond farewells to Switzerland as you depart on the train.
What our travellers say
Item 1 of 1
Positive impact
Carbon score for this trip
15.0
Kg CO₂e
per person, per night
Relative to other Headwater trips
We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more
Frequently asked questions
What is the Via Alpina?
The Via Alpina is Switzerland’s National Route 1, a long-distance trail running more than 370km from Liechtenstein to Montreux across fourteen alpine passes. This holiday walks a section of it through the Bernese Oberland, from Engelberg to Mürren.
Do I carry my own luggage?
No. Your main bag is moved to the next hotel each day. You carry only what you need for the day.
How hard is it?
This is a challenging route. Expect 5 to 7 hours of walking with ascents and descents of up to 1,000 metres. Surefootedness and a good level of fitness are needed, and you should be comfortable with heights. Most stages can be shortened using cable cars, buses or mountain railways if the weather turns or a day is too much.
Is one of the hotels not en suite?
Chalet Schwarzwaldalp, on night five, is a traditional mountain chalet. Rooms have wash basins, with showers and toilets shared and nearby. There is no alternative property on this stage of the trail, and guests consistently tell us it is a highlight of the week rather than a compromise.
What can I do on the free day at Meiringen?
Day 4 has no walking. Ballenberg open air museum, the Aare Gorge, the Rothorn steam railway from Brienz, or a Lake Brienz steamer are all easy from the hotel. The Sherlock Holmes Museum is on the square, which makes more sense the following morning when you walk past the Reichenbach Falls.
Can I combine this with the Bernese Highlights West?
Yes, and they were designed to join. The East finishes in Mürren and the West begins in Mürren, at the same hotel, so you do not even change rooms on the changeover day. Together they walk the Bernese Oberland section of the Via Alpina end to end.
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