Swiss Alps: The Bernese Oberland on Foot and by Rail
The Jungfrau region does something no other range manages: it puts genuine high-alpine walking within twenty minutes of a train. We use that shamelessly — walk the good parts, ride the rest, sleep in mountain inns above the cloud line, and never once carry a full pack up a valley.
- Days
- 8
- 7 nights
- Group size
- 8–12
- Hard cap
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- See the day-by-day below
- From, per person
- $3,150
- Land price, no flights
The 8 days, in order
Written by the guide who runs it. Where a day is hard, it says so.
Zürich to Grindelwald
Day 1 of 8Two and a half hours by train through Bern and Interlaken, the last stretch climbing beside the Lütschine. Kit check over dinner: we will tell you honestly if your boots will not do.
Night: Chalet hotel, GrindelwaldMeals: DBachalpsee and the First ridge
Day 2 of 8Gondola to First, then the ridge walk to Bachalpsee with the Schreckhorn reflected in it, and on to Faulhorn for lunch at the oldest mountain hotel in Europe. Twelve kilometres, mostly downhill after the first hour.
Night: Chalet hotel, GrindelwaldMeals: B · LThe Eiger Trail
Day 3 of 8Eigergletscher down to Alpiglen, directly under the north face — six kilometres that take four hours because nobody can stop looking up. Afternoon train to Wengen, which has no cars.
Night: Mountain inn, WengenMeals: B · LJungfraujoch, and then back down to the flowers
Day 4 of 8Early to the Top of Europe at 3,454 m before the cloud builds — the Aletsch glacier from the Sphinx terrace is the biggest view of the trip. Down by midday, then an easy walk through the meadows to Mürren.
Night: Mountain inn, MürrenMeals: B · DSchilthorn and the Northface Trail
Day 5 of 8Cable car to 2,970 m, the whole Bernese wall in one sweep, then the Northface Trail traverse back to Mürren past Suppenalp. Cheese and bread at an alp dairy that has been in one family for two centuries.
Night: Mountain inn, MürrenMeals: B · LSefinenfurgge pass
Day 6 of 8The hard day, and the best one: 1,100 m of ascent to a 2,612 m notch on the Via Alpina, then down into the Kiental. Nine hours, and you will remember every one of them.
Night: Mountain inn, MürrenMeals: B · L · DLauterbrunnen valley, gently
Day 7 of 8A deliberately easy last day: the valley floor past the Staubbach and Trümmelbach falls, then the Schynige Platte cog railway and its alpine botanical garden. Farewell dinner in Interlaken.
Night: Hotel, InterlakenMeals: B · DTrain out
Day 8 of 8Direct to Zürich airport, two hours ten. There is a left-luggage counter at Interlaken Ost if you want the morning on the lake first.
Depart todayMeals: B
Swiss Alps, month by month
Average daily high and average monthly rainfall. Our own recommendation is Late June to mid September.
Average high temperature
3–23 °C across the year
| Month | Average high (°C) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 3°C |
| Feb | 5°C |
| Mar | 9°C |
| Apr | 13°C |
| May | 18°C |
| Jun | 21°C |
| Jul | 23°C |
| Aug | 22°C |
| Sep | 18°C |
| Oct | 13°C |
| Nov | 7°C |
| Dec | 4°C |
Average rainfall
70–160 mm a month
VerdictSweet spot: July–September — the high passes are clear of snow, every mountain railway is running, and the light holds past nine in the evening.
What is and is not in the price
Included
- 7 nights in chalet hotels and mountain inns, twin share
- Mountain guide for all six walking days
- Every lift, cog railway and cable car on the itinerary, Jungfraujoch included
- Regional rail pass and all group transfers from Zürich
- Breakfast daily, 5 packed lunches, 4 dinners
- Emergency mountain-rescue cover for the walking days
Not included
- Flights to and from Zürich (ZRH)
- Travel insurance — required, and it must cover walking to 3,500 m
- Boots, poles and waterproofs (hire available in Grindelwald)
- Meals not listed, and all drinks
- Tips for the guide
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Centred on where the trip is based. OpenStreetMap, so nothing is requested from a third party that sets cookies.
Before you book Swiss Alps
When is the best time to visit Swiss Alps?
Late June to mid September. Sweet spot: July–September — the high passes are clear of snow, every mountain railway is running, and the light holds past nine in the evening. The two charts in the "best time to visit" block above plot the average daily high and the average monthly rainfall for all twelve months, so you can judge it against your own tolerance for heat and rain rather than taking our word for it.
How hard is the Swiss Alps trip?
We rate it challenging. It runs 8 days with a group of 8–12, and the day-by-day itinerary above says exactly what each day asks of you. If a particular day looks like too much, say so when you book — sitting one out is normal and costs nothing.
What is included in the Swiss Alps price?
7 nights in chalet hotels and mountain inns, twin share; Mountain guide for all six walking days; Every lift, cog railway and cable car on the itinerary, Jungfraujoch included — and more; the full list is in the inclusions above. Flights are not included.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation for 14 days after booking, with the deposit refunded in full. After that: cancel more than 60 days before departure and you lose the 20% deposit only; between 60 and 30 days, 50% of the trip price; inside 30 days, the full amount. If we cancel a departure — too few travellers, or a route genuinely closed — you choose between a full refund and a transfer to any other date.