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Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland
Arrival day: Arrive in Engelberg
Your trip begins on arrival in Engelberg, a small Swiss town at the end of the train from Lucerne but with an outdoorsy feel. Find everything you need here and enjoy the town's restaurants.
Hotel in Engelberg (breakfast)
Your trip begins on arrival in Engelberg, a small Swiss town at the end of the train from Lucerne but with an outdoorsy feel. Find everything you need here and enjoy the town's restaurants.
Hotel in Engelberg (breakfast)
Stage 1: Engelberg to Engstlenalp
Red 3 (grade) 11.6km with 1260m ascent, 430m descent
Setting off from Engelberg, the Jochpass is the first col, relatively modest at 2,207m and with ski infrastructure on either side. Nevertheless, the mountains are building up and we descend to the delightful meadow of Engstlenalp. We are still a day from Meiringen in the next valley system. (The bus runs to Meiringen and it is also possible to walk beyond Engstlenalp to the cable car on the next stage.)
Auberge in Engstlenalp (dinner and breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 11.6km with 1260m ascent, 430m descent
Setting off from Engelberg, the Jochpass is the first col, relatively modest at 2,207m and with ski infrastructure on either side. Nevertheless, the mountains are building up and we descend to the delightful meadow of Engstlenalp. We are still a day from Meiringen in the next valley system. (The bus runs to Meiringen and it is also possible to walk beyond Engstlenalp to the cable car on the next stage.)
Auberge in Engstlenalp (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 2: Engstlenalp to Meiringen
Red 3 (grade) 21.7km with 570m ascent, 1810m descent
Our main route is a hilly, at times narrow traverse via Tannalp to Planplatten, from where we begin the solid descent to Meiringen. On the way is the Balmeregghorn, a grassy hill with long views over meadows and the deep Gental. (At Planplatten a series of three cable cars can be taken to Meiringen to save some or all of the descent.)
Hotel in Meiringen (breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 21.7km with 570m ascent, 1810m descent
Our main route is a hilly, at times narrow traverse via Tannalp to Planplatten, from where we begin the solid descent to Meiringen. On the way is the Balmeregghorn, a grassy hill with long views over meadows and the deep Gental. (At Planplatten a series of three cable cars can be taken to Meiringen to save some or all of the descent.)
Hotel in Meiringen (breakfast)
Stage 3: Meiringen to Grindelwald
Blue 3 (grade) 22.9km with 1410m ascent, 990m descent
The passes continue with the easy-angled Grosse Scheidegg. A small road goes over the pass and down to Grindelwald. We climb and descend through woods and meadows. This feels like a more gentle day than others, despite the distance, because after the first ascent by the Reichenbach falls (as per Sherlock Holmes) the gradients are generally modest.
Hotel in Grindelwald (breakfast)
Blue 3 (grade) 22.9km with 1410m ascent, 990m descent
The passes continue with the easy-angled Grosse Scheidegg. A small road goes over the pass and down to Grindelwald. We climb and descend through woods and meadows. This feels like a more gentle day than others, despite the distance, because after the first ascent by the Reichenbach falls (as per Sherlock Holmes) the gradients are generally modest.
Hotel in Grindelwald (breakfast)
Stage 4: Grindelwald to Wengen
Red 3 (grade) 19.2km with 1170m ascent, 930m descent
The Kleine Scheidegg is today's pass, unique on the Via Alpina in hosting a railway station. (The Jungfraujoch railway can be joined here as an excursion.) We walk under the North Face of the Eiger. Roll gently down to Wengen on its high shelf. Together with Grindelwald and Murren, Wengen makes up the trio of famous Bernese Oberland resorts.
Hotel in Wengen (breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 19.2km with 1170m ascent, 930m descent
The Kleine Scheidegg is today's pass, unique on the Via Alpina in hosting a railway station. (The Jungfraujoch railway can be joined here as an excursion.) We walk under the North Face of the Eiger. Roll gently down to Wengen on its high shelf. Together with Grindelwald and Murren, Wengen makes up the trio of famous Bernese Oberland resorts.
Hotel in Wengen (breakfast)
Stage 5: Wengen to Murren
Blue 2 (grade) 8.7km with 870m ascent, 500m descent
Today is a modest stage, steeply down to Lauterbrunnen then steeply up to the mountainside village of Murren, car-free and a curious delight. It feels as if suspended in mid-air. (The Grutschalp cable car and sweet old train can be used to bypass the stiff climb, thus skipping this stage and either missing Wengen or reaching Griesalp in a day.)
Hotel in Murren (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 8.7km with 870m ascent, 500m descent
Today is a modest stage, steeply down to Lauterbrunnen then steeply up to the mountainside village of Murren, car-free and a curious delight. It feels as if suspended in mid-air. (The Grutschalp cable car and sweet old train can be used to bypass the stiff climb, thus skipping this stage and either missing Wengen or reaching Griesalp in a day.)
Hotel in Murren (breakfast)
Stage 6: Murren to Griesalp
Purple 3 (grade) 17.5km with 1100m ascent, 1330m descent
The first of the two toughest stages comes with the long climb to the Sefinafurgga (2,612m), the second-highest col of the whole Via Alpina. (The highest comes tomorrow.) The ascent is exceptionally scenic with views over Murren and back to the Kleine Scheidegg. The Sefinafurgga is narrow, loose and rocky, and the descent to tiny Griesalp is quick down meadows.
Auberge in Griesalp (dinner and breakfast)
Purple 3 (grade) 17.5km with 1100m ascent, 1330m descent
The first of the two toughest stages comes with the long climb to the Sefinafurgga (2,612m), the second-highest col of the whole Via Alpina. (The highest comes tomorrow.) The ascent is exceptionally scenic with views over Murren and back to the Kleine Scheidegg. The Sefinafurgga is narrow, loose and rocky, and the descent to tiny Griesalp is quick down meadows.
Auberge in Griesalp (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 7: Griesalp to Kandersteg
Purple 4 (grade) 15.5km with 1440m ascent, 1670m descent
The rocky Hohtürli (2,778m) col is not even the highlight of this exceptional day in the mountains. Perhaps the highlight is the Blüemlisalphütte (2,834m) just above the col, in classic Swiss Alpine Club style, or the glacial views and features on the descent. We walk on a lateral moraine with waterfalls opposite. Today has the most consistently mountainous setting of all the Via Alpina stages.
Hotel in Kandersteg (breakfast)
Purple 4 (grade) 15.5km with 1440m ascent, 1670m descent
The rocky Hohtürli (2,778m) col is not even the highlight of this exceptional day in the mountains. Perhaps the highlight is the Blüemlisalphütte (2,834m) just above the col, in classic Swiss Alpine Club style, or the glacial views and features on the descent. We walk on a lateral moraine with waterfalls opposite. Today has the most consistently mountainous setting of all the Via Alpina stages.
Hotel in Kandersteg (breakfast)
Departure day: Depart from Kandersteg
After a last breakfast we depart from Kandersteg. Trains make it easy to reach Bern for a city stop or Geneva and Zurich Airports. In the other direction, Milan is a surprisingly easy trip. We love to advise on onward travel.
After a last breakfast we depart from Kandersteg. Trains make it easy to reach Bern for a city stop or Geneva and Zurich Airports. In the other direction, Milan is a surprisingly easy trip. We love to advise on onward travel.
Options
Our 7-stage Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland trip offers a stunning week-long hike including 2 high rocky passes. The abundance of accommodation along the way allows us to be flexible with trip lengths. We provide some options below and please ask if you'd like more details!
Hike with a guide
Hike with confidence in the company of our fully qualified International Mountain Leaders (IMLs), with the navigation, accommodation and all arrangements taken care of. If your group would like a guide for your trip, please get in touch for more details.
Longer Stages
It's possible to shorten the trip to 6 or 5 stages while still walking the entire route. The first 2 stages can be combined into 1 longer day, and the 3 stages between Grindelwald and Griesalp can be combined into 2 stages, with a night in Lauterbrunnen in the middle. If combining the first 2 stages, the lower route from Engstlenalp is recommended. For a quick blast through the Bernese Oberland, then this 5-stage trip is superb.
Miss out the high passes
To keep the hike to our Red grade, finish your walk in Murren. This gives a 5-stage hike over 3 grassy passes, the Jochpass, Grosse Scheidegg and Kleine Scheidegg. This option showcases the best of Switzerland’s romantic villages and summit views, whilst keeping the walking to solid mountain paths. The cable cars and buses can be used to miss out sections on every stage of the trip if you wish.
More high passes
If time allows, you can make this 8-stages by adding on a third rocky high pass at the end of the trip. The Bunderchrinde (2,385m) is the high pass between Kandersteg and Adelboden and makes a fine addition to the trip. For an extra challenge why not make the trip 9-stages and begin the hike in Altdorf and add on the Surenpass (2,291m). This long stage is a great option for stronger hikers.
Take a rest day in Grindelwald
We recommend a rest day in Grindelwald to explore more of the local area. Explore First, the hillside above the town by cable car, or take take a bus to Kleine Scheidegg, the bustling train interchange under the Eiger where you can take the train through the mountain to the Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest train station. Stunning panoramic views of the Aletsch glacier and beyond await from the viewing platform at 3,454m.
2025 Prices
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Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland 14 July to 18 Sept 2025 |
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| Classic | Comfy | ||
| Self-guided | |||
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5 stages (6 nights) |
GBP 1,360 Singles 270 |
GBP 1,470 Singles 330 |
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7 stages (8 nights) |
GBP 1,540 Singles 360 Main Trip |
GBP 1,690 Singles 440 |
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7 stages 1 rest day (9 nights) |
GBP 1,650 Singles 410 |
GBP 1,820 Singles 495 |
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| Options | |||
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Baggage transfer |
Please ask us | ||
Accommodation
Where we stay
The accommodation on the Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland is of a high standard, using mostly 3* hotels with delicious buffet breakfasts included on every morning. Following our standard itinerary, there are 6 hotel nights and 2 nights in auberges (comparable to simple hotels). You will have a private room each night; at the hotels with an ensuite bathroom, while at the auberges your bathroom might be shared. If availability is tight at 1 of the auberges then we’ll let you know in advance; in that case the choice is between dormitories, or taking a scenic bus to a nearby hotel. No huts are needed on this trip.
Comfy
As standard, the accommodation on the Via Alpina Bernese Oberland is fairly comfy. If you are looking for a little more comfort, we can upgrade your hotels on 6 nights to more comfortable hotels; mostly 3 and 4*. You would still stay in 2 auberges; in Engstlenalp and Griesalp. We would book a comfier auberge in Griesalp and we'd be happy to swap the auberge at Engstlenalp for another night in a lovely hotel in Meiringen, with a short and scenic bus ride to get to the hotel from the route and back again the following morning if you'd prefer. Please do just let us know if you'd like a second night in Meiringen.
Hutty
The famous Swiss mountain huts are an excellent addition to any hike of the Via Alpina. Whilst we don’t book any hut accommodation as the norm, with each of our stages ending in the valley after a pass crossing, it is possible to incorporate a night at the Rotstockhütte after, or instead of, your night in Mürren. This would change the walking distances slightly; in return, you get the chance to experience typical Swiss hut charm, with accommodation in stunning mountain settings. Please ask us for more details.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to stay in single rooms rather than sharing a double, twin or triple room we add our single room supplement. This covers the additional cost of booking single occupancy rooms. The single supplement is only applied to nights where single rooms are available. In the auberges, we may be able to book single rooms or if not, we will book the smallest room available.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. If you are still interested in this trip, we do have availability on our guided trips.
The accommodation on the Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland is of a high standard, using mostly 3* hotels with delicious buffet breakfasts included on every morning. Following our standard itinerary, there are 6 hotel nights and 2 nights in auberges (comparable to simple hotels). You will have a private room each night; at the hotels with an ensuite bathroom, while at the auberges your bathroom might be shared. If availability is tight at 1 of the auberges then we’ll let you know in advance; in that case the choice is between dormitories, or taking a scenic bus to a nearby hotel. No huts are needed on this trip.
Comfy
As standard, the accommodation on the Via Alpina Bernese Oberland is fairly comfy. If you are looking for a little more comfort, we can upgrade your hotels on 6 nights to more comfortable hotels; mostly 3 and 4*. You would still stay in 2 auberges; in Engstlenalp and Griesalp. We would book a comfier auberge in Griesalp and we'd be happy to swap the auberge at Engstlenalp for another night in a lovely hotel in Meiringen, with a short and scenic bus ride to get to the hotel from the route and back again the following morning if you'd prefer. Please do just let us know if you'd like a second night in Meiringen.
Hutty
The famous Swiss mountain huts are an excellent addition to any hike of the Via Alpina. Whilst we don’t book any hut accommodation as the norm, with each of our stages ending in the valley after a pass crossing, it is possible to incorporate a night at the Rotstockhütte after, or instead of, your night in Mürren. This would change the walking distances slightly; in return, you get the chance to experience typical Swiss hut charm, with accommodation in stunning mountain settings. Please ask us for more details.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to stay in single rooms rather than sharing a double, twin or triple room we add our single room supplement. This covers the additional cost of booking single occupancy rooms. The single supplement is only applied to nights where single rooms are available. In the auberges, we may be able to book single rooms or if not, we will book the smallest room available.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. If you are still interested in this trip, we do have availability on our guided trips.
Route
Our Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland trip gives a complete journey on foot from Engelberg to Kandersteg. On completion you will have walked the central high section of the Via Alpina and passed by the most notable peaks including the Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch. On the trek itself, no transport is taken except for any that you would like to add in, to skip certain sections of valley walking or shorten any ascents or descents by cable car.
Our route cards detail the transport options available on each day, as well as pointing out where refreshments can be purchased. Where there is a choice of routes, we describe both options, allowing you to tailor the hike a little to suit your needs.
The Terrain
The Via Alpina's terrain comprises the full range of Alpine walking, a typical day starting with wide tracks through forests, tarmac country lanes, then up to zig-zagging hillside paths. Forest tracks in the valleys are straightforward enough, rising to the open meadow where narrow hard-pack paths cross grassland. Above, we venture into the high hills and good balance is needed on rocky paths and steps. The two highest cols in particular, the Sefinafurgga (2,612m) and the Hohturli (2,778m), involve loose paths over scree and shale, with hand rails and wooden steps built in to aid the walking. The Via Alpina has no via ferrata or climbing sections and is considered a trek throughout.
Is it for me?
The Via Alpina is likely to satisfy stronger trekkers who like a good day out in the hills. You'll know it if you've had one! In the week from Engelberg to Kandersteg, the difficulty builds up right to the last day, with the crossing of the highest pass, the Hohturli. For hikers looking for a more relaxed holiday, we offer a fantastic 5 stage hike over the lower, grassier passes such as the Grosse Scheidegg (1,962m) as an alternative.
The route is relatively even in terms of daily distances, despite this build-up towards the end. This gives a pleasing rhythm and caters extremely well for comfortable trekking.
Difficulty
On the final 2 stages the Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland is at the upper end of the difficulty range for accomplished trekkers, needing confident foot placement and good balance. These days have sections where the path crosses rocky and steep ground including steep scree slopes, plus sections with metal cables as handrails over normal Alpine walking terrain. Crossing open, unforgiving terrain without easy escape routes, these full days of mountain walking calling for self-reliance, especially in wet weather with bad visibility.
Not all the passes are like this though, with many offering grassy passes through Alpine meadows. By missing out the final 2 stages the hike is graded a red3. These days comprise the spectrum of Alpine landscape, rising through woods to meadows above, topped by a col crossing on mostly grassy ground.
Walking Guide to the Via Alpina - our detailed read
The making of our Via Alpina - photos from our research trips
How to get there
Travel to and from the trip is not included in the holiday price. We take care to give the most useful notes possible about all the travel options. We supply these both on booking and in your info pack, and we offer personalised tips at any point. The aim is that our trekkers arrange their travel by the simplest and most scenic means as suits their plan.
Included
- Bespoke accommodation itinerary - tailored to suit your particular requirements
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner at the auberges (on 2 nights for our main trip, more if staying in the huts)
- Detailed Routecards VAS7-VAS13 of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
- The 5 topographical maps needed
- Downloadable GPX Tracks covering the route
- Expert advice and local information
- A comprehensive 'Season Update' following our pre-season recce
- Full support during your trip from the Alpine Exploratory team (9am until 9pm in the Alps)
Not included
- Travel to and from your trip
- Local transport whilst on the trip unless specified
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and evening meals in the towns (this would be 6 nights on our main trip)
- Baggage transfers (available as an extra)
Baggage transfer
We offer baggage transfers as an extra to all stops on our standard Via Alpina (baggage transfers aren’t available to the huts if this option is chosen). Due the high cost of transferring luggage by road and rail in Switzerland, we generally recommend that you carry everything you need for the trip on your back; there is not too much you need during your trek. We can also advise on more cost-effective ways of sending additional kit ahead to meet you on your rest days and at the end of your trip. If you would like more information about our baggage transfer service, please ask.
Got questions about the Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland?
Feel free to ask us any questions you have about any aspects of your planning and preparations! Lucy, Steph, Nicky, Rob, Evie, Ben and Amy will reply with expert advice. We spend a lot of time walking our routes and more broadly exploring ski and hiking trails around the world so do feel free to ask anything at all.
 
Enquiry Form
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If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
| Contact Alpine Exploratory | |
| info@alpineexploratory.com | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
| Our times |
9am to 5pm UK time Monday to Friday |
| Australia | 02 8319 2266 |
| Canada | 416-548-4819 |
| New Zealand | 04 889 4515 |
| USA | 646-757-1102 |
Open to the world
Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Along with the UK, our best-represented countries are the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Please use our national-rate numbers for a cheaper call to contact our office in Edinburgh.
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Views on the descent from Hohtürli
Alpine Exploratory
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