Walking the Bernese Highlights East

Walking the Bernese Highlights East

49 Views
8 Days From

$2375

Walking the Bernese Highlights East

8 Days Starting in Engelberg, Switzerland and ending in Murren, Switzerland

Visiting: Engelberg, Meiringen, Grindelwald, Murren

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

W07BE

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Moderate & Challenging

Age range:

18-99

From: $2375

NB: Prices correct on 22-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Switzerland's breathtaking Bernese Oberland with the "Walking the Bernese Highlights East" tour. This adventure takes you through some of the most stunning mountain scenery, offering views of iconic peaks like Titlis, Jungfrau, and Eiger. Starting in the charming village of Engelberg, you'll traverse two major mountain passes, staying in traditional Swiss villages along the way. Enjoy the convenience of luggage transfers and the option to use cable cars to ease your journey. With comfortable accommodations and meals included, you'll have the chance to explore picturesque lakes, vibrant wildflower meadows, and historic sites like the Reichenbach Falls. Whether you choose the high-level routes or more leisurely paths, each day promises awe-inspiring vistas and the tranquility of the Swiss Alps. Conclude your adventure in the idyllic village of Murren, leaving with memories of Switzerland's natural beauty.

Highlights

  • Discover some of the most beautiful mountain scenery that Switzerland has to offer.

  • Walk within sight of some of Switzerland's most stunning peaks: Titlis, Jungfrau, and Eiger.

  • Cross two major mountain passes and stay in small, traditional Swiss villages.

  • Explore the picturesque Trubsee Lake and the Engstlensee with its wildflowers and marmots.

  • Experience the breathtaking views from the ridge walk over Balmeregghorn.

  • Visit the Reichenbach Falls, famous for the death of Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes.

  • Choose between a high-level route via First or a leisurely crossing of Grosse Scheidegg.

  • Walk the Eiger Trail along the foot of the North Face for a challenging and scenic route.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive In Engelberg

Location: Engelberg

Accommodation Name: Trail Hotel, Engelberg

It is a good idea to add an extra day or two in Engelberg before starting your Bernese Highlights walk to get used to walking at high altitudes.



Overnight Trail Hotel, Engelberg.

Day 2 : Engelberg To Engstlenalp

Location: Engelberg

Accommodation Name: Hotel Engstlenalp, Engstlenalp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Todays walk takes you up past the Trubsee Lake from where you climb to the Jochpass before descending to Engstlenalp. A demanding first day because of the total ascent involved, which can be reduced by using one or more cable cars. From Engelberg, you walk along the right hand side of the picturesque Engstlensee, where a profusion of wild flowers and shy marmots may catch your eye. Take some time to enjoy the beautiful Trubsee Lake before continuing to Engstlenalp.



Overnight Hotel Engstlenalp, Engstlenalp.

Day 3 : Engstlenalp To Meiringen

Location: Meiringen

Accommodation Name: Parkhotel du Sauvage, Meiringen

Meals Included: Breakfast

Follow the trail past lake Tannensee up to a ridge walk that leads you over Balmeregghorn. Wonderful views on the snow-covered peaks of Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau await. The setting is truly amazing and make for one of the most scenic walks in Switzerland. To avoid the long way down to Meiringen, you can use the cable car from Planplatten down into the valley. Meiringen is a little town on the shore of river Aare.



Overnight Parkhotel du Sauvage, Meiringen.

Day 4 : At Leisure In Meiringen

Location: Meiringen

Accommodation Name: Parkhotel du Sauvage, Meiringen

Meals Included: Breakfast

Take a day off from walking and visit Ballenberg, Switzerland's greatest open-air museum, take the steam railway to the top of the Rothorn, visit the stunning gorge Aareschlucht, or just cruise on Lake Brienz.



Overnight Parkhotel du Sauvage, Meiringen.

Day 5 : Meiringen To Schwarzwaldalp

Location: Meiringen

Accommodation Name: Chalet Schwarzwaldalp, Schwarzwaldalp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A short day albeit energetic early on, with opportunities for diversions. Leaving Meiringen behind, you cross the River Aare and head up past the Reichenbach Falls, famous for the death of Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes in Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle's classic before walking through the stunning Rosenlaui valley to Schwarzwaldalp.



Overnight Chalet Schwarzwaldalp, Schwarzwaldalp.

Day 6 : Schwarzwaldalp To Grindelwald

Location: Grindelwald

Accommodation Name: Central Hotel Wolter, Grindelwald

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, you can either take the high-level route via First or the more leisurely crossing of Grosse Scheidegg. {BREAK}



The high-level route is a truly scenic walk to the cable car station at First, offering spectacular views of the Berner Oberland giants. Alternatively, you can hike up on a steady ascent to the Grosse Scheidegg pass with magnificent mountain views behind you and then down to the village of Grindelwald.



Overnight Central Hotel Wolter, Grindelwald.

Day 7 : Grindelwald To Murren

Location: Grindelwald

Meals Included: Breakfast

There are two options today. Either follow Via Alpina over the pass Kleine Scheidegg, or take the Eiger Trail, a more challenging route along the foot of the North Face, or the more challenging route over Kleine Scheidegg - both with stunning views. Mountain railways also offer alternative starts and ends.



If you choose to walk via Kleine Scheidegg, this will be the longest day of your trip, with unmatched views of the Eiger, the Monch, and the Jungfrau mountains. Walking by the Eiger Trail is a truly magnificent route which brings you so close to the many scenes of triumph and tragedy - it would be worth reading the story of the great Eiger climbs before your trip

Day 8 : Depart Murren

Location: Murren

Meals Included: Breakfast

Say fond farewells to Switzerland as you depart on the train.

What's Included

  • 7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation

    The tour includes 7 nights of accommodation, moving from one hotel to another.

  • All breakfasts and two dinners

    Breakfast is provided every day, along with two dinners during the tour.

  • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent

    The tour is managed by a local agent appointed by Headwater.

  • Navigation App

    A navigation app is provided to assist with the tour.

  • Luggage transfers between hotels

    Luggage is transferred between hotels for convenience.

  • Transport Description

    The tour includes luggage transfers between hotels, and there are options to use cable cars to reduce walking distances on certain days.

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included in the tour package.

  • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

    Single accommodation is not included and is available on request with a compulsory supplement.

  • Visas or vaccinations

    Visas or vaccinations are not included in the tour package.

  • Lunches

    Lunches are not included in the tour package.

  • Arrival and departure transfers (if booking a land only package)

    Transfers for arrival and departure are not included if booking a land-only package.

Food

Accommodation

Situated in the lively village of Engelberg, this family-run accommodation offers comfortable rooms, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil getaway.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of transportation is included during the tour?

    The tour includes luggage transfers between hotels, and there are options to use cable cars to reduce walking distances on certain days.

  • What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

    The accommodation is situated in the lively village of Engelberg, offering comfortable rooms perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil getaway.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    The tour package includes all breakfasts and two dinners.

  • What are some of the highlights of the walking routes?

    The walking routes offer views of some of Switzerland's most stunning peaks, including Titlis, Jungfrau, and Eiger. You will also cross two major mountain passes and stay in small, traditional Swiss villages.

  • Is there a day of leisure included in the itinerary?

    Yes, there is a day of leisure in Meiringen where you can visit Ballenberg, Switzerland's greatest open-air museum, take the steam railway to the top of the Rothorn, visit the stunning gorge Aareschlucht, or cruise on Lake Brienz.

  • What options are available for the walk from Schwarzwaldalp to Grindelwald?

    You can either take the high-level route via First or the more leisurely crossing of Grosse Scheidegg. The high-level route offers spectacular views of the Berner Oberland giants, while the Grosse Scheidegg pass provides magnificent mountain views.

  • What are the options for the walk from Grindelwald to Murren?

    You can follow Via Alpina over the pass Kleine Scheidegg or take the Eiger Trail, a more challenging route along the foot of the North Face. Both options offer stunning views, and mountain railways provide alternative starts and ends.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

paul green (Google Reviewer)  

Went on a tour of...

14-Jan-2022

Went on a tour of morocco in October and loved it ,mohamed the tour guide was excellent, probably go with exodus to India next year

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
Ann B (Google Reviewer)  

We had a week walking...

08-Oct-2024

We had a week walking and wine in the Duro valley with two local guides Louis and Theresa. They were both exceptional, knowledgeable, professional and funny. Our group of 11 had a great time. This was a premium tour. Our 4 star hotels were both well located clean and with great views. We had several local meals arranged by our guides with local people cooking for us. We did not meet any other walkers during our hikes only two shepherds. I would certainly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the local produce and wine. We both felt as we had learnt a lot about Portugal during this tour. We will use Exodus again. One of our group had done 30 tours with Exodus over the years. Quite an endorsement.

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

David (Google Reviewer)  

Exodus are generally a good...

21-Aug-2024

Exodus are generally a good travel company. Things tend to run smoothly and trips well organised. Their customers tend to be at retirement age. Trips are a bit overpriced. I would also avoid trips in Europe, as these often focus on more coffee stops and meals, rather than walking. I would also recommend making sure your guide records any accidents you have, hopefully not applicable. I had one on Sierra de Aitana which the guide saw and knew about, but he and Exodus said it never happened when I followed up after the trip. I wasn’t putting in a claim, just suggested a safety improvement. They have since apologised and acknowledged this as an error. They are a good reliable option for outside of Europe trips.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.