Most feel this is the Alps ' most classic route. Charming glimpses of the active Bernese pastoral culture, villages of Swiss perfection, and high mountain passes beneath ice blue glaciers all conspire to make a route that epitomizes Swiss trekking and justify the fame of the mountain scenery of the Jungfrau region.

A traverse through Switzerland 's most classic terrain, this traverse of Switzerland 's most famous mountain range is a fabulous introduction to hiking the Alps for those with a good level of fitness. From chalet style inns and Grand Victorian hotels in such renowned destinations as Grindelwald, the carless villages of Wengen and Murren, the tiny settlement of Griesalp in the remote Kiental, and the quiet resort villages of Kandersteg, Adelboden, Lenk and Gstaad, we enjoy an unforgettable journey.

ITINERARY
Day 1-3 Travel by rail to Gstaad and meet your guides and group for dinner in a lovely, four star, chalet style hotel on Gstaad's main street. Begin the next morning with a chairlift ride to the fabulous Wasserngrat with beautiful views of the pastoral Saanenland. Wander through enchanting meadows and limestone outcrops with superb vews of the emerging glaciated peaks of the Oberland. Descend to the idyllic Lenk by cable car. Day two travels over a high pass by towering waterfalls and impressive peaks to the high alpine meadow, Engstligenalp. Overnight in a comfortable berghaus in this enchanting spot. Ascend a rarely traveled pass the following morning to arrive in heavenly Kandersteg.

Day 4-5 Enter the very heart of the high peaks of the Oberland with a scenic chairlift ride out of Kandersteg to the Oeschinensee. Pass through the spectacular Hohturli ("high little door" in Swiss German) to enter into the remote and lush Kiental. Overnight in a simple but marvelous hiker's hostelry.

Day 6-9 Ascend through high alpine pastures to the Sefinenfurke, a pass that is a portal to the central Oberland. The Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau come into full view as you descend into the fabled Lauterbrunnental. Overnight in Murren, perched atop a high cliff above the lush meadows of the Lautebrunnen valley. Thext day we traverse the Lauterbrunnen and ascend to carless Wengen, a lovely hamlet nestled beneath the massive North /Face of the Jungfrau . Finish the trek by crossing the Kleine Scheidegg and descending into Grindelwald beneath the 6000ft Forth Face of the Eiger.

"The scenery was beyond compare and even more impressive than I had imagined! All of the accommodations and meals were outstanding." Lynn Ricciardella, Baltimore , Maryland.

Learn more about the Swiss Alps/Berner Oberland Region.