The Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland hardly needs an introduction. It is one of the most stunning mountain ranges on earth. Throughout one finds high, glaciated peaks and vertical rock walls soaring thousands of feet above lush and pristine valley floors. The villages of the Oberland appear to have been born in story books with perfect little chalets and magnificent gardens.
The BERNER OBERLAND RAMBLE is designed to be less strenuous than its counterpart, THE EIGER TRAIL. Like the Eiger Trail it is centered around the classic alpine villages of Grindelwald, Wengen and Murren. The trek wanders beneath the world famous summits of the Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau and the numerous glaciated giants of the Lauterbrunnen valley above which Wengen and Murren are perched.
Throughout we stay in superior and classic Bernese inns that out clients have raved about for decades. Unlike most of our treks we stay in each village for two nights (except Meiringen) allowing for a more leisurely approach with less packing and unpacking.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Travel independently by rail to Meiringen. Meiringen is a classic alpine village and is the gateway to the Grimsel region, one of the wildest in the Alps. Meet your group for welcome and orientation at seven this evening.
Day 2 Hike over the Grosse Scheidegg beneach the towering limestone walls and spires of the Wetterhorn (the "peak of storms"). Look behind the Wetterhorn at the fabulous summits of the Finsterarhorn, Schreckhorn and Fiescherhorn and ahead to the massive 6000 vertical foot wall of the North Face of the Eiger. Enjoy the care and attention of the excellent staff and kitchen at our quietly located hotel in Grindelwald.
Day 3 Today we enjoy a beautiful walk through high alpine meadows and around the Alp's most picturesque lake. All the while enjoy the superb panorama of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau across the valley. Return to Grindelwald inn.
Day 4 Ascend to the Kleine Scheidegg beneath the North Face of the Eiger. Kleine Scheidegg is the location from which most of the famous Clint Eastwood film The Eiger Sanction was filmed. Enjoy lunch and a high mountain restaurant. Traverse beneath the Lauberhorn to a conveniently situated cable car that takes us down to Wengen. For the next two nights we are in one of our clients "all time favorite" establishments in a quiet sector of Wengen, one of Switzerland's most quaint villages.
Day 5 Enjoy a varied day hike beneath the numerous waterfalls cascading from the peaks into the pristine Lauterbrunnen valley (there are 72 with some over 1000 ft. in height. Lunch in a classic Swiss Berghaus before returning to our Wengen inn.
Day 6 Wander deep into the head of the Lauterbrunnen valley passing perfect farms and tiny hamlets. Lunch is in the lush and remote farm of Trachsellauenen. Ascend to Murren through the wild and beautiful Sefinen gorge. Murren is unique. It is perched on a high hillside directly above the Lauterbrunnen valley and across from the Schwarzmonch and the Jungfrau. Overnight in an excellent family run hotel on the "high street" with some of the best views in the village.
Day 7 Ascend to the Schilthorn. From the Schilthorn you can enjoy one of the finest panoramas in the Alps. Additionally the Schilthorn has been made famous for its role in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Return to Murren inn by cable car.
Day 8 Depart. It is possible to meet same day flights out of Zurich. |
