Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in Meiringen

Visit the dramatic Reichenbach falls. A wonderful old funicular (May–Oct; Fr.8.50 combined ticket with Sherlock Holmes Museum) runs from the south of town up to a vantage point below the roaring falls, best visited in spring laden with snowmelt from the glaciers further upstream.

Day 2:
Rosenlaui to Grindelwald, 13 miles (20 km) - 5 hours 30 min

Take the postal bus from Meiringen to Rosenlaui.
Before setting off on your hike, a visit to the stunning Rosenlaui glacier gorge is highly recommended. The actual walk starts off very easily with impressive views of the Wetterhorn until you reach the Grosse Scheidegg saddle (1962m). The Höhenweg (the high road) heading for First is a very attractive route and affords spectacular views of the 3 world famous giants - Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. To avoid the steep descent to Grindelwald you can take the gondola lift down from First or Egg.

Day 3:
Alpiglen to Wengen/Lauterbrunnen, 11 miles (18 km) - 5 hours 10 min

We recommend you take the train up to Alpiglen.
The famous pass saddle of Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the Eiger north face is an impressive entrance into the close-up world of the magnificent high alps. An optional excursion by train from Kleine Scheidegg up to Jungfraujoch will be an unforgettable experience.
The hike down to Wengen is over lush mountain meadows with grazing cows and continually watched over by the Jungfrau. From Wengen the path leads down steeply to the valley floor and the village of Lauterbrunnen. You have two options: either the direct way which is spectacular but steep and slippery when wet, or the gentler, longer route through meadows and forests. The train down from Wengen is another option. Overnight in either Wengen or Lauterbrunnen

Day 4:
Wengen/Lauterbrunnen to Griesalp, 13 miles (20 km) - 6 hours 30 min

If your overnight stop was in Wengen you take the train to Lauterbrunnen and from there the train to Mürren where your hiking starts for the day.
This section of the trip truly bears the crown! As you will be going high into the Alps, this passage should be undertaken only if weather conditions are favourable. The Sefinenfurgge pass (2612m) is a hiker's highlight on the Alpine Pass Route. The grand views of Blümlisalp, the Jungfrau region and down into the Kiental valley more than make up for the arduous descent towards Griesalp.

Day 5:
Griesalp to Oeschinensee to Kandersteg, 10 miles (15.5 km) - 6 hours 45 min

From the wildly romantic alpine hamlet of Griesalp (1408m) the Via Alpina heads directly towards Hohtürli (2778m), a lofty, wind-scoured saddle reached by passing close-up to the glaciers and rock faces of the Blümlisalp - a powerful experience in the high Alps. To shorten the way down, you can take the chairlift from the scenic lake setting of Oeschinensee to Kandersteg where you will spend the night.
Alternative: If weather conditions are unfavourable for the above tour, a 4 hour hike from Kiental/Ramslauenen via the Lötschberg north ramp to Blausee and on to Kandersteg is an acceptable substitute.

Day 6:
Kandersteg to Allmenalp to Adelboden, 12 miles (20 km) - 5 hours 30 min

Take the chairlift up from Kandersteg to Allmenalp (1725m)
The Bunderspitz (2446m) is the highest point on this section and affords sensational vistas into Kandertal (the Kander valley), to Oeschinensee, and into the Blümlisalp, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau regions. The descent to Adelboden is initially steep, but later makes its way over pastures with alpine huts serving refreshments. From Oey the postal bus can take you the rest of the way to Adelboden.

Day 7:
Adelboden via Hahnenmoos Pass to Lenk, 8 miles (13 km) 4 hours 30 min

This section takes you into the skiing area of Hahnenmoos (1956m), and therefore provides many short-cuts of the route by way of cable-cars and chairlifts. It is also an area very much favoured by hang-gliders. The scenery is dominated by the snowy crown of the Wildstrubel. A very worthwhile detour leads to the Simmen Falls where there is a bus connection to Lenk. Overnight in lenk.

Day 8:
Departure from Lenk

Departure from Lenk after breakfast.