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The High Route

Beneath the Eiger

In the whole Alpine region, no ridge of mountains can boast such romance as that combining the awe-inspiring peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, all around 4,000 metres. On the verdant slopes nestle idyllic, quintessential Alpine villages such as Wengen and Mürren which deservedly attract numerous hikers. Walking from Grindelwald to Kandersteg takes you on a classic route through high mountains and over splendid passes, amid some of Europe's grandest and most humbling landscapes within the Jungfrau-Aletsch Unesco World Heritage Site. Following well-established paths recognised for their outstanding vistas, the route is among the most challenging in our selection, with demanding ascents and descents each day, though the magnificent panoramas from the high passes also make it one of our most rewarding walks. We include a half-fare card which gives discounts on public transport if you need to shorten a walk or use a poor-weather alternative.

Nights: 7
Grade: 3
Terrain: mountain paths and passes, meadows
Hotels: one mountain guesthouse; three 3-star hotels; one 4-star hotel
Meals: dinner & breakfast each day, plus 1 picnic
Climate: summers in the Bernese Oberland are warm and sunny, with pleasant mountain breezes. Temperatures average 16.5°C in June, 19°C in July and August, and 15.5°C in September.

Views to the Eiger

Scenic paths

Hotel Bellevue-Crystal, Mürren

Berggasthaus Golderli

Paths across high meadows

Cafe on the way to Griesalp

Lake Oeschinensee

Clanging cowbells are often the only sounds

Starting point: Hotel Kreuz & Post (4*), Grindelwald. Run by the Konzett family for several generations, this is a historic and atmospheric hotel. The bedrooms all have a south-facing balcony, though the best views of the Eiger are from the roof terrace. There is a sauna and jacuzzi as well as several parlours in which to relax.

Day 1: there are various walking possibilities for your day in Grindelwald. One very scenic option is to take the cable car to First and walk westwards. Following a classic high alpine route, you pass the lake of Bachalpsee and enjoy far-reaching views towards Lake Thun. Your target is Schynige Platte, the 19th-century narrow-gauge cog railway summit station and its Alpine garden, where 560 plants can be seen. You return to Grindelwald on the oldest electrically powered locomotive, complete with nostalgic open carriages and original wooden seats (pay locally for this and the cable car using the included half-fare card). (15km, 6hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel Kreuz & Post, as above.

Day 2: this thrilling walk takes you past the north faces of the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau before you descend through meadows, along glacial moraine and wooded valleys to the beautiful village of Wengen. (18.5km, 7hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel Alpenrose (3*), Wengen. The spacious hotel enjoys a tranquil position on the edge of the village with far-reaching views over the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Here, you will find a warm welcome and excellent cuisine.

Day 3: this short route winds down through forest to the valley floor, before rising through meadows and woodland to Mürren. (11km, 4hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel Bellevue-Crystal (3*), Mürren. This friendly hotel has a prime position in the very centre of the traffic-free village of Mürren. The sun terrace boasts sensational views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau which are shared by the airy restaurant.

Day 4: today's route is challenging but thoroughly rewarding, offering on clear days some of the most spectacular views you will encounter in the Alps. From Mürren you ascend to the Sefinenfurke Pass (2,612 metres) from where, after admiring the views back down the valley to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, you descend through an unspoiled valley. In bad weather, you can take the train from Mürren to Reichenbach and walk up the Kiental Valley. (15km, 7hrs)

Accommodation: Berggasthaus Golderli (mountain guesthouse), Griesalp. This is a simple guesthouse, with shared facilities, but Georges and Beatrice offer a warm welcome and delicious mountain cooking. As access is difficult, you are required to carry overnight clothes with you.

Day 5: from Griesalp you walk to Kandersteg via the Hohtürli Pass which, at 2,778 metres, is higher than the Sefinenfurke Pass that you crossed on the way to Griesalp. Once more, the walk involves a long - and at times steep - ascent, though the extensive panorama certainly compensates! In good weather, the descent towards Kandersteg offers good views of the glaciers in this area, and later takes you round the shores of beautiful Lake Oeschinensee, set in a natural amphitheatre. (15km, 8hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel Victoria (3*), Kandersteg. Run by the charming Platzer family, the Victoria offers a blend of comfort and home charm. With spacious lounges, attractive gardens, tennis courts, a pleasant bar, a sauna and an indoor pool with views of the mountains, there is plenty of space to relax.

Day 6: there are numerous walking options for your last day at Kandersteg, one of them leading through the wonderful Kander Gorge into the Gasterntal, a magnificent, secluded glacial valley that is now a nature reserve. The walk can be extended by ascending some 1,000 metres to the edge of the Kanderfirn Glacier. (up to 18km, 6hrs)

Accommodation: Hotel Victoria, as above.

Recommendations for extra nights: Mürren (Hotel Bellevue-Crystal) and Wengen (Hotel Alpenrose) are both delightful villages and make excellent bases for an extra day.

Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system.

Walking chart: the chart gives the distance and an approximation of the ascents and descents involved each day. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of each chart as this can differ.

Extensions: why not spend three nights at the 4-star Hotel la Ginabelle in Zermatt, a chic, bustling resort which offers further high-level walking with impressive views of the Matterhorn? Alternatively, you could combine this holiday with our popular Bernese Oberland walk, making for a marvellous descent from the high peaks to the mountains to the west of Kandersteg. The 13-night itinerary is as follows: Grindelwald (2 nights), Wengen (1 night), Mürren (1 night), Griesalp (1 night), Kandersteg (3 nights), Adelboden (2 nights), Lenk (1 night), Lauenen (2 nights).

Similar holidays: The Bernese Oberland (grades 2 & 3), Towards the Matterhorn (grades 2 & 3), Villages of the Engadine (grades 2 & 3), The High Dolomites (grades 2 & 3), Lake Oeschinensee & Beyond (7 nights in Kandersteg)

Prices & travel

Recommended destination airport: Zurich
Latest flight arrival time: 1600
Earliest flight departure time: 1300 (1400 for Adventure)
*Connecting travel (standard holiday): return rail from Zurich airport (out 3h15/home 2h30) £35pp
Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route, times and price to suit you
Self-drive includes: P&O Ferries Dover-Calais
By rail includes: Eurostar/TGV/regional rail via Paris & Basel (out) / Lausanne (back) (out dep St Pancras 0730 / home dep Kandersteg 1014). Please note that a supplement may be payable depending on availability of seats for your chosen dates of travel and how far in advance of your departure date your holiday booking is made
Start: any day

Extra night prices 2008 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):

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