Self-Guided Hiking Tours

Switzerland | Pastoral Berner Oberland

Just the right amount of hiking and sightseeing in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

Switzerland flag
  • Berner Oberland
  • Pastoral Berner Oberland
  • Pastoral Berner Oberland
  • Berner Oberland Trek
  • "Everything was great. Was very easy to follow and optional things to do were available. We like to have local cuisine when we travel. Each resturant and breakfast was very good and the choice of items was great."- William Brown
  • "Couldn't ask for better accommodations. Remote night was spent with lovely people."- Tammy Brown
  • "The descriptions were very impressively accurate. Clearly the author knew the area well because we went to places other tourists had not heard of. That was really fun for us."- Lauren T.
  • "I loved experiencing the hiking infrastructure in Switzerland. Helicopter supplied Berghauses. Safe water along the trails. Villages within appropriate 1 day distances. The scenery was amazing. Especially the cows."- Andre G.

Trip Highlights:

  • Cuckoo clock chalets, cows, and pleasant pastoral walks.
  • Shorter climbs on the local mountain passes.
  • Hiking beneath the famous peaks of the region, including the Eiger.

Swiss perfection is embodied in the world famous Jungfrau region, the very heart of the Swiss Alps, and hiking beneath the dramatic glaciated peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau lures mountain enthusiasts from around the world. Picture-perfect views surround you in every direction, and the fabulous system of lifts, cable cars and funiculars make hiking in this lofty region accessible for families and those wishing a more moderate experience without sacrificing big mountain views, as well as for more ambitious hikers.

From the spectacular Lauterbrunnen Valley with thousand-foot waterfalls plunging over the vertical cliffs, to the pastoral meadows above Grindelwald where cows graze contentedly on a carpet of wildflowers, to the stunning snowy slopes of the Jungfrau Massif, the Pastoral Oberland Trek offers the most spectacular hiking in the Swiss Alps. This scenery can be enjoyed without crossing over the high, prohibitive passes that separate the deep valleys of the region. Hiking days are gentle with options to suit a variety of ambitions, and transportation between all the villages on the itinerary is convenient if you choose to skip hiking on a particular day.

Trip Itinerary

Choose from our standard itinerary or customize the trek by adding or subtracting days.

Travel independently to Meiringen.

Begin today with a short bus ride up 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 most classic ramble lies before you today as you cross the Kleine Scheidegg, the saddle beneath the infamous Eiger Nordwand, and descend through forest along wooded trails to Wengen.

Distance: 10.5 miles. Elevation gain/loss: up to 3650/2780 ft.

Enjoy a long ramble up the Lauterbrunnen Valley and view the thundering falls and the vestiges of pastoral culture in this picture-perfect valley before ascending to a remote berghaus with classic Swiss ambiance and hearty cuisine. You do not have access to your luggage tonight if you choose to stay in the hut.

Distance: up to 10 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1320/up to 1650 ft.

Today you start high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The trail wanders through pine forest and hillside pastures, and crosses over some of the streams that provide Lautebrunnen with its beautiful waterfalls. Optional hut lunch for those interested in a little more exercise.

Distance: up to 8.5 miles. Elevation gain/loss: up to 2850/up to 1480 ft.

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: 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1500/1380 ft. 

Depart from Mürren.

Pastoral Berner Oberland | Switzerland

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