Switzerland | Jungfrau Loop
Hike beneath the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.
Trip Highlights:
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See the best highlights of the Berner Oberland in six days.
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Hike beneath the famous peaks of the region, including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
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Walk through the Lauterbrunnen Valley, home to 72 waterfalls.
Moderate inn-to-inn hikes link the fabled villages of the Jungfrau region in this quick tour for those with other stops on their European itinerary. Starting in the the booming alpine center of Interlaken, this loop explores the Lauterbrunnen Valley, with its cascading waterfalls; and visits sleepy Mürren; the busy alpine center of Grindelwald, beneath the impressive north face of the Eiger; as well as the car-free village of Wengen. Without crossing the high passes of the western Oberland, this tour enables hikers to enjoy the big scenery with a little less effort and in a little less time. Inns along the way include charming country inns with fluffy down comforters, a gemütlich welcome, and famous Swiss hospitality.
Trip Itinerary
Choose from our standard itinerary or customize the trek by adding or subtracting days.
Travel to Interlaken. Overnight at a cozy hotel that offers an abundance of Swiss charm.
A short transfer takes you from Interlaken to Wilderswil. Ride a cog railway then hike along a ridge with unsurpassed views over the Interlaken lakes, the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, the Wetterhorn and the remote Finsteraarhorn. Overnight in a charming four-star inn in Grindelwald.
Distance: 9 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 2800/2000 ft.
NOTE: For treks starting June 15 – June 30: Today’s hike takes an early season alternate route beginning with a train/bus transfer of 1.5 hours toward the Große Scheidegg, where you find the trailhead. Take your time to enjoy the splendid views across Grindelwald to the Kleine Scheidegg. The trail descends through mixed pasture and alpine heathland into Grindelwald.
Distance: 6 miles. Elevation gain/loss: up to 1800 ft.
A classic ramble leads over the Kleine Scheidegg, the saddle beneath the infamous “Eiger Nordwand”, then along wooded trails to Wengen, a car-free village perched on a bench with views of the Jungfrau and over the spectacular Lauterbrunnen Valley, with its sheer limestone walls and plummeting waterfalls. Overnight in a “gemütlichem” inn.
Distance: 7 miles (with train). Elevation gain/loss: 1500/2000 ft (with option to shorten).
Extension: +1 miles (no train). Elevation gain/loss: 3500/2780 ft.
Enjoy a long ramble up the Lauterbrunnen Valley and view the thundering falls and the vestiges of pastoral culture before ascending to Mürren, a sleepy village perched above the valley with dramatic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The timeless quality of this small village is accentuated by the absence of automobiles. Overnight in a family-run three-star inn in the quaint, car-free village of Mürren, with spectacular views across the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Distance: up to 8.3 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 3000/300 ft; options for less distance and almost no gain/loss.
Enjoy one of our favorite regional hikes to a remote and little visited alpine club hut with expansive views over the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Lauterbrunnen Valley. Here the warden will offer you a simple lunch overlooking one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Alps. Your day ends in Sulwald with a short transfer back to Mürren.
Distance: up to 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1550/1380 ft with options to shorten walk.