Walk the Crossroads of Five Passes

Arrive in Meiringen to prepare for your wonderful week of walking. Below are just a selection of the many walks that are available in and around Meiringen. Meiringen owes much of its prosperity to the Victorian tourists brought in by the tale of the last battle between Moriarty and Holmes at the mighty Reichenbach falls.

If you arrive early enough, then you could undertake the Reichenbach falls walk before or after dinner, otherwise it makes a great route in combination with the Brienz Nature Walk.

This walk is ideal for your first day. It has a little bit of everything and is a good option to familiarise yourself with the Hasliberg geography, with numerous variations for shortening the walk.

There’s plenty of scenery on show today. Begin with a short train journey from Meiringen to Brunig, from here you follow the Hasliberg Panorama Way through open meadows famous for orchids in late Spring with incredible views of the Eiger and Monch mountains. You’ll return to Meiringen via a modern sculpture garden which is well worth a look.

Today’s walk is a little more adventurous, with some light scrambling, but definitely worth the effort!

Take a bus from Meiringen to Nessental Triftbahn then take the cable car up to Trift. From the Berghaus, drop to the river, and then it’s a steep initial climb. The fairly well looked after but rocky route contours up into the glacial lake bowl and a monumental suspension bridge! Very pretty views most of the way in and out, with several complete changes in environment.

This is a classic ridge walk to the summit of Augstmatthorn (2137m) offering fantastic views over Lake Brienz and the mountains beyond. A beautiful train journey from Meiringen to Interlaken starts off your day before ascending at a 64% gradient on the Harder Kulm funicular. Upon reaching ‘The Top Of Interlaken’, you gradually ascend through woodland where you’re likely to spot the local deer alongside spectacular views of the bright blue Lake Brienz below.

There are more than enough routes here to walk twice in a day if you are feeling ambitious. But if you would rather give the boots a rest, today is the day to see what else this corner of Switzerland is known for. The Jungfraujoch railway climbs through the Eiger itself to the Top of Europe at 3,454 metres, where an ice palace is cut into the glacier and the Aletsch, the longest glacier in the Alps, runs away below you. The Schilthorn and its revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, of James Bond fame, is an easier half day. Or take the lake steamers between Brienz, Interlaken and Thun, wander the open air museum at Ballenberg, or simply walk the Aare Gorge and take the afternoon slowly. These are all suggestions rather than inclusions, so you are free to book whichever appeal to you locally.

This is certainly one to tick off your list! With a gradient of 106%, Gelmer Funicular isn’t just any old funicular journey. This hair-raising ride presents spectacular views over the Grimsel Valley and nearby mountains. Once at the top, the stunning Gelmer Lake offers a beautiful circular walk.

One of the great classic walks of the Bernese Oberland, with spectacular views and scenery at every turn. Beginning with a train to Schynige Platte via Interlaken, your walk starts with a steady climb as you make your way to Faulhorn summit. Upon reaching First, you can take the gondola down to Grindelwald which is well worth exploring, before taking the train back to Meiringen. This is a more challenging walk and we have listed it here as it is one of the most popular walks on this trip but there are plenty of options to choose from if you prefer something easier.

Say fond farewells to Meiringen as you depart on the train.