Walking the Bernese Highlights East
Walking the Bernese Highlights East
Walking the Bernese Highlights East
8 Days Starting in Engelberg and ending in Murren
Visiting: Engelberg, Meiringen, Grindelwald, Murren
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W07BE
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-99
Tour Overview
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.
Starting in the peaceful mountain village of Engelberg, you climb the Joch Pass passing the turquoise blue waters of Trubsee Lake before descending to Engstenalp. Walk above the beautiful Gental valley, pressing on to the diversely rich valley of Meiringen, a true haven for walkers with lush pastures, dazzling cascades from tight gorges and exquisite mountain paths. Set off on your picturesque route up to the famous Reichenbach Waterfall before walking through the stunning Rosenlaui valley to the scenic mountain village of Schwarzwaldalp. Another picturesque route awaits as you head into the magnificent valley of Grindelwald sitting at the foot of the Eiger. Your last days walking offers unparalleled views of the Eiger and its infamous North Face, before ending the walk in the relaxed atmosphere of the car-free village Murren.
Why not extend to 15 days and continue walking to Gstaad for a tougher challenge?
Please see W07BW - Walking the Bernese Highlights West.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Engelberg
Location: 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.
Overnight Trail Hotel, Engelberg.
Day 2 : Engelberg To Engstlenalp
Location: Engelberg
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Overnight Hotel Engstlenalp, Engstlenalp.
Day 3 : Engstlenalp To Meiringen
Location: Meiringen
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Overnight Parkhotel du Sauvage, Meiringen.
Day 4 : At Leisure In Meiringen
Location: Meiringen
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Overnight Parkhotel du Sauvage, Meiringen.
Day 5 : Meiringen To Schwarzwaldalp
Location: Meiringen
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Overnight Chalet Schwarzwaldalp, Schwarzwaldalp.
Day 6 : Schwarzwaldalp To Grindelwald
Location: Grindelwald
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you can either take the high-level route via First or the more leisurely crossing of Grosse Scheidegg. {BREAK}
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.
Overnight Central Hotel Wolter, Grindelwald.
Day 7 : Grindelwald To Murren
Location: Grindelwald
Meals Included: Breakfast
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
Day 8 : Depart Murren
Location: Murren
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say fond farewells to Switzerland as you depart on the train.
What's Included
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7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation
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All breakfasts and two dinners
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Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
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Navigation App
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Luggage transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Lunches
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Arrival and departure transfers (if booking a land only package)
Food
Accommodation
Situated in the lively village of Engelberg, this family-run accommodation offers comfortable rooms, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil getaway.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes luggage transfers between hotels, and there are options to use cable cars to reduce walking distances on certain days.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
The tour offers 7 nights of hotel-to-hotel accommodation, including a family-run accommodation in the lively village of Engelberg, which is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil getaway.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, all breakfasts and two dinners are included in the tour package. However, lunches are not included.
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Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfers between hotels are included in the tour package.
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What are some of the highlights of the walking routes on this tour?
The tour includes walking within sight of some of Switzerland's most stunning peaks such as Titlis, Jungfrau, and Eiger. You will also cross two major mountain passes and stay in small, traditional Swiss villages.
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Are there any options for reducing the difficulty of the walks?
Yes, on certain days, the total ascent can be reduced by using cable cars. For example, on the walk from Engelberg to Engstlenalp, you can use cable cars to reduce the ascent.
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What activities are available during the leisure day in Meiringen?
During the leisure day in Meiringen, you can visit Ballenberg, Switzerland's greatest open-air museum, take the steam railway to the top of the Rothorn, visit the stunning gorge Aareschlucht, or cruise on Lake Brienz.
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What are the options for the walk from Grindelwald to Murren?
There are two options: you can 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. Both routes offer stunning views, and mountain railways provide alternative starts and ends.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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