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Trip Highlights:

• The best of the Berner Oberland in a week of hiking.

• Accommodations in charming Swiss hotels and inns.

• Hiking across big mountain passes and tranquil mountain meadows.

The Berner Oberland is maybe the most visually arresting region in Switzerland. The magnificent summits of the Eiger, Jungfrau, Mönch, and Breithorn all tower high above pastoral valleys. In the heart of the Berner Oberland is the Lauterbrunnen Valley – meaning valley of many fountains in English, a reference to the hundreds of waterfalls cascading towards the valley floor. The region is populated by a series of charming villages of varying sizes, from the larger, resort town of Interlaken to the farmer’s hamlet of Griesalp, visitors get to experience the diversity of Swiss alpine lifestyle.

Ryder-Walker’s Berner Oberland Trek begins in Interlaken, the touristic heart of the Berner Oberland, where everyone from climbers to businessmen gather to begin their adventures in the mountains above. While the great peaks of the range are still largely out of view at this point, the true majesty of the Berner Oberland is about to be revealed when we hike into Grindelwald. Grindelwald was one of the original tourist destinations, established as such in the 1800s, due to its proximity to the legendary north wall of the Eiger. From here you spend a couple of days exploring the Lauterbrunnen Valley, staying overnight in both of its mirrored cliff-top villages, Mürren and Wengen. Past the Lauterbrunnen is where the true hiking begins – over the next couple of days you ascend some of the most impressive passes in the Alps, including the Seffinefurke and Hohtürli, (high little door). The next night is spent in the sleepy hamlet of Griesalp, where you’ll experience the rare sight of truly undisturbed Swiss wilderness, before finally finishing the trek in the spa village of Kandersteg.

Hiking in the Berner Oberland is varied and flexible, with many days naturally assisted by trains, cable cars, and lifts that all combine to create a veritable wonderland of Swiss transportation. The second half of the trek, however, involves some more committed hiking – with the last two days involving pass ascents that even the most dedicated hikers would consider full days. The region is rarely too rough underfoot, however, with an excellently maintained and signed trail system linking all the villages together. The true magic of hiking through the region is expressed in the natural transformation, where the sunny pastures of the valleys give way to deep pine and larch forests, and finally, break into the rocky high mountain landscapes that the Oberland is famous for.

Culturally the Berner Oberland is Switzerland at its purest, herds of cows gather in high pastures, visitors feast on local meats and cheese, and chalet-style buildings dot the idyllic countryside. The villages in this region are all extremely charming, with the Swiss architectural stylings both protected and expressed in the high mountains and the more urban areas. The true highlights of this trek are in Mürren and Wengen, which both sit thousands of feet above the valley floor, offering the most breathtaking views of a lifetime. While hiking through the Lauterbrunnen, keen-eyed visitors may also notice daring base jumpers and paragliders soaring through the skies – this area is one of the most welcoming and desired for the adventurous risk takers of these high-octane sports.

Learn more about the Central Swiss Alps-Berner Oberland destination