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The Bernese Oberland

A classic walk from valley to valley
 
Explore some of Switzerland’s most beautiful scenery on this self-guided walking holiday, with luggage transported. There is a good choice of routes – all featuring magnificent Alpine views – and three of your four friendly, welcoming hotels offer an indoor pool.
The Bernese Oberland. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
The Bernese Oberland. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in the Bernese Oberland

The Bernese Oberland is justly famed as the most dramatic region of Switzerland, but the romantic names of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Schilthorn are but part of the story. The Oberland also possesses rolling green hills, flower-filled meadows, shady forests and villages tucked away in the quiet, sheltered valleys, where you will find a special serenity. For walking, few regions are its equal...
Well-waymarked paths offer thrilling views at every turn, with vivid green meadows – carpeted in flowers from mid-June to mid-July – giving way to dramatic, snow-capped peaks. Our walk takes you through the heart of the region, leading through ever-changing scenery from idyllic Kandersteg – home to beautiful Lake Oeschinen – to the pretty Lauenental Valley, from where you can look back at the majestic mountains through which you have walked.
 

Book with confidence

At present, we are only accepting bookings for Switzerland for travel from 24 June onwards. Our flexible booking arrangements, commitment to safety and financial protection mean that you can book with confidence, despite the current travel restrictions in place.

What we’re doing so you can book and travel with confidence >
Check the destination entry requirements >

If you have a holiday booking with us already, we will contact you before your balance is due (currently 4 weeks before departure) to advise whether or not the holiday can go ahead.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights. 
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    The best time for flowers is late June and early July.
     
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 0 1 4 8 12 16 19 18 15 10 4 1
    mm 84 80 80 99 119 142 130 153 108 85 100 86
  • Arrival in Kandersteg
    Night 1: at Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria (the first of three nights here).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.

    The local network of cable cars, gondolas, buses and trains works very efficiently and interconnects well. Pay locally for all public transport.
  • Choice of walks from Kandersteg: 6km to 20.5km
    The mountains around Kandersteg are a paradise for walkers and we offer a number of different options for your two days here.

    Oeschinensee – grade 1-2 option: 6km, 2hrs; ascent 70m/descent 560m
    For a leisurely introduction to your week, we recommend exploring the shores of beautiful Lake Oeschinen, reached by gondola. 

    Oeschinensee – grade 2-3 option: 10.5km, 4.5hrs; ascent 410m/descent 900m
    For something more strenuous, ascend into the mountains which surround the lake for superb views over its turquoise waters.

    Gasterntal – grade 2-3 option: 20.5km, 7hrs; ascent/descent 625m
    Renowned as the glacial valley in the Bernese Oberland, the secluded Gastern Valley – now a nature reserve – is well worth exploring today. There is a bus that you can take to the entrance to the spectacular Kander Gorge, which you traverse before emerging into the Gastern Valley, passing numerous waterfalls en route to its far reaches. You return by following the River Kander downstream. 

    Gasterntal – grade 3 option: 11.5km, 5hrs; ascent/descent 870m
    Another way to enjoy the reserve is to take a bus further into the valley, then follow an out-and-back route which winds steeply uphill, gaining some 1,000 metres of altitude, to reach the blue ice of the Kanderfirn Glacier.

    Gemmi Pass – grade 2-3: 19km, 6.5hrs; ascent/descent 755m; shorter option: 8.5km, 3hrs
    Or you may decide to follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes and head up onto the Gemmi Pass (2,346 metres), the former link between the Bernese Oberland and the Valais to the south. You start by taking a bus and a cable car to Sunnbüel, then ascend through glorious alpine scenery. From the panoramic pass you return on foot to Sunnbüel via the western shore of Daubensee (or if you don’t wish to walk any further, you can use a combination of cable car, bus and train to return to Kandersteg from the pass).
    Lake Oeschinen
    Oeschinensee (grade 1-2): 6km
    Oeschinensee (grade 2-3): 10.5km
    Gasterntal (grade 2-3): 20.5km
    Gasterntal (grade 3): 11.5km
    Gemmi Pass (grade 2-3): 19km
  • Choice of walks from Kandersteg to Adelboden: 14.5km or 16km

    Kandersteg to Adelboden via Bunderchrinde Pass – grade 3 option: 16km, 7.5hrs; ascent 1295m/descent 1165m
    Leaving Kandersteg, there is a choice of routes, the most challenging and rewarding of which follows a high-level path up to and over the rocky Bunderchrinde Pass. Here, at over 2,000 metres, the views often stretch as far as distant Lake Thun, and you can look right along the Gasterntal glacial valley. Once in Adelboden, you spend one night at the traditional Hotel Adler.

    Kandersteg to Adelboden via Blausee – grade 2 option: 14.5km, 5hrs; ascent 310m/descent 695m
    For an easier option, head along the east side of the Kander Valley, passing enchanting Blausee ('Blue Lake', for which a small entrance fee is payable locally) before reaching Frutigen, from where you catch the bus up to Adelboden.
    Via the Bunderchrinde Pass (grade 3): 16km
    Via Blausee (grade 2): 14.5km
  • Adelboden to Lenk – grade 3: 14km, 7hrs; ascent 830m/descent 1120m
    Your route from Adelboden starts through two gorges, before the steep ascent to the summit of Sillerenbüel (1,972 metres), which rewards with ever-improving views back over Adelboden. Your next target is the Hahnenmoos Pass, the link between the Adelboden and Lenk valleys, from where you descend via a former mule track into the Simmen Valley and the village of Lenk where you spend the night at the Hotel Krone. For a grade 2-3 walk, you can shorten the ascent by taking a cable car up to Sillerenbüel or alternatively you can descend into Lenk by bus from Hahenmoos.
    The route to Lenk
    Adelboden to Lenk (grade 3): 14km
  • Lenk to Lauenen – grade 3: 15km, 6.5hrs; ascent 1065m/descent 895m
    Today's route is another rewarding walk with outstanding and ever-changing scenery. You head up the steep, wooded Wallbach Gorge, passing a dramatic waterfall, then gradually ascend across the flanks of the Ronewald to cross the Trüttlisberg Pass at 2,038 metres, where you can often spot chamois and marmots. From here, the route descends – steeply at first, then more steadily – through pastureland and woodland to the pretty Lauenental Valley. As on the previous day, for a grade 2-3 walk, you can shorten the route and reduce the ascent by taking advantage of the gondola lift. In Lauenen you stay at the Hotel Alpenland for two nights.
    The route to Lauenen
    Lenk to Lauenen (grade 3): 15km
  • Choice of walks from Lauenen: 12km or 19km

    Circular walk from Lauenen via Gstaad – grade 3 option: 19km, 7hrs; ascent/descent 980m
    For a contrast to the tranquil scenery that you have explored during the week, we suggest that on your last day you walk to the chic and bustling resort of Gstaad. The walk, uphill through farmland, then along the grassy Höhi Wispile ridge, also offers the opportunity to look back at the majestic mountains through which you have walked. After strolling through Gstaad, you return to Lauenen on a lower route through the valley or can take the bus.

    Circular walk from Lauenen via Lauenensee – grade 2 option: 12km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 690m
    Alternatively, this less challenging route takes you from the centre of the village southwards to peaceful Lauenensee and neighbouring Klein Lauenensee. An optional detour up the valley beside the Geltenbach river leads to an impressive waterfall and some panoramic picnic spots.
    Via Gstaad (grade 3): 19km
    Via Lauenensee (grade 2): 12km
 

Accommodation

You stay in four friendly hotels, where a warm welcome and an excellent dinner await each evening.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 13 June 2021 - 11 October 2021 & 11 June 2022 - 09 October 2022

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    13 Jun - 2 Jul 2021 £1090 £190
    3 Jul - 22 Aug 2021 £1170 £190
    23 - 31 Aug 2021 £1090 £190
    1 - 12 Sep 2021 £1045 £185
    13 Sep - 4 Oct 2021 £1020 £185
    11 Jun - 2 Jul 2022 £1145 £200
    3 Jul - 22 Aug 2022 £1230 £200
    23 - 31 Aug 2022 £1145 £200
    1 - 12 Sep 2022 £1095 £195
    13 Sep - 2 Oct 2022 £1075 £195
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights: 13 June 2021 - 11 October 2021 & 11 June 2022 - 09 October 2022

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    13 Jun - 2 Jul 2021 £1565 £190
    3 Jul - 22 Aug 2021 £1635 £190
    23 - 31 Aug 2021 £1565 £190
    1 - 12 Sep 2021 £1495 £185
    13 Sep - 4 Oct 2021 £1475 £185
    11 Jun - 2 Jul 2022 £1645 £200
    3 Jul - 22 Aug 2022 £1720 £200
    23 - 31 Aug 2022 £1645 £200
    1 - 12 Sep 2022 £1570 £195
    13 Sep - 2 Oct 2022 £1545 £195
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras or Ebbsfleet International to Lille or Paris, with onward travel as described below.

    Included travel from the UK: Out: UK-Paris (Eurostar), Paris-Kandersteg (TGV/regional rail), approx. duration 9h50 plus 0h05 walk to the hotel. Home: Lauenen-Paris (TGV/regional rail/bus), Paris-UK (Eurostar) plus 0h05 taxi transfer.
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect
    A Swiss Card is included, providing you with half-price tickets for trains, bus and boat journeys and up to 50% reduction on private railways and cable cars.

    If you book your holiday less than 6 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

    7 nights: 13 June 2021 - 11 October 2021 & 11 June 2022 - 09 October 2022

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    13 Jun - 2 Jul 2021 £1215 £190
    3 Jul - 22 Aug 2021 £1285 £190
    23 - 31 Aug 2021 £1215 £190
    1 - 12 Sep 2021 £1165 £185
    13 Sep - 4 Oct 2021 £1135 £185
    11 Jun - 2 Jul 2022 £1280 £200
    3 Jul - 22 Aug 2022 £1350 £200
    23 - 31 Aug 2022 £1280 £200
    1 - 12 Sep 2022 £1225 £195
    13 Sep - 2 Oct 2022 £1195 £195
    3rd & 4th person discount -£60
    Single traveller supplement £60

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus a return ferry crossing between Dover and Calais with P&O Ferries for your party and one car.

    > More information about travelling self-drive
    We also include a transfer back to the first hotel at the end of your holiday to collect your car.

    A supplement of £35 per car per single journey applies for outward travel on 26-28 March & 2-4 April 2021, and for homeward travel on 4-5 & 10-11 April 2021. A supplement of £56 per car per single journey applies outward on Fridays & Saturdays 28-29 May & 9 July-14 August 2021 and homeward on Saturdays & Sundays 5-6 June & 17 July-29 August 2021. Supplements also apply at peak times in 2022; please contact us for details.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria, Kandersteg
    Mini-suite: 13 Jun - 11 Oct 2021 £38
    Mini-suite: 11 Jun - 09 Oct 2022 £40
    Hotel Adler, Adelboden
    South-facing: 13 Jun - 11 Oct 2021 £38
    South-facing: 11 Jun - 09 Oct 2022 £40

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria, Kandersteg (with dinner) Double room Single room
    13 Jun - 04 Jul 2021 £115 £125
    05 Jul - 23 Aug 2021 £132 £142
    24 Aug - 13 Sep 2021 £115 £125
    14 Sep - 11 Oct 2021 £106 £116
    11 Jun - 04 Jul 2022 £120 £132
    05 Jul - 23 Aug 2022 £140 £150
    24 Aug - 13 Sep 2022 £120 £132
    14 Sep - 09 Oct 2022 £112 £124
    Hotel Adler, Adelboden (with dinner) Double room Single room
    13 Jun - 17 Jul 2021 £122 £150
    18 Jul - 07 Aug 2021 £130 £158
    08 Aug - 11 Oct 2021 £122 £150
    11 Jun - 17 Jul 2022 £130 £160
    18 Jul - 07 Aug 2022 £138 £168
    08 Aug - 09 Oct 2022 £130 £160
    Hotel Alpenland, Lauenen (with dinner) Double room Single room
    13 Jun - 19 Jun 2021 £120 £156
    20 Jun - 28 Aug 2021 £130 £166
    29 Aug - 11 Oct 2021 £120 £156
    11 Jun - 19 Jun 2022 £126 £164
    20 Jun - 28 Aug 2022 £138 £176
    29 Aug - 09 Oct 2022 £126 £164
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Zürich, Geneva or Basel

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Zürich or Geneva. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Zurich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Aberdeen - Zurich (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Zurich Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Geneva easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Basel easyJet 
    Bristol - Geneva easyJet 
    Bristol - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Basel easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Geneva easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Zurich Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Geneva easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Geneva easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Geneva British Airways,  Swiss 
    London City - Zurich British Airways,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Basel easyJet 
    Gatwick - Geneva British Airways,  easyJet,  Swiss 
    Gatwick - Zurich easyJet,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Basel British Airways 
    Heathrow - Geneva British Airways,  Swiss 
    Heathrow - Zurich British Airways,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Basel easyJet 
    Luton - Geneva easyJet 
    Luton - Zurich easyJet,  Vueling 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Basel easyJet 
    Manchester - Geneva easyJet 
    Manchester - Zurich Swiss 
    Manchester - Zurich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Zurich (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Geneva easyJet 
    Newcastle - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Zurich (via Paris CDG) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Zürich or Geneva. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service (£60 for India and Nepal). Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    If purchasing outward connecting travel through Inntravel, the homeward travel is at no extra cost.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Zürich

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Zürich airport to Kandersteg (2h25), walk to hotel (0h05) £115 in 2021; £122 in 2022 1730
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    hotel transfer to Lauenen Geltenhorn bus stop (0h02), coach Lauenen Geltenhorn to Gstaad (0h20), rail Gstaad to Zürich airport (3h20) £0 1400

    Connecting travel options - flying via Geneva

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Geneva airport to Kandersteg (3h15), walk to hotel (0h05) £122 in 2021; £130 in 2022 1630
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    hotel transfer to Lauenen Geltenhorn bus stop (0h02), coach Lauenen Geltenhorn to Gstaad (0h20), rail Gstaad to Geneva airport (3h20) £0 1400

    Connecting travel options - flying via Basel

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    coach Basel airport to Basel SBB (0h20), rail Basel SBB to Kandersteg (2h10), walk to hotel (0h05) £115 in 2021; £122 in 2022 1530
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    hotel transfer to Lauenen Geltenhorn bus stop (0h02), coach Lauenen Geltenhorn to Gstaad (0h20), rail Gstaad to Basel SBB (3h), coach Basel SBB to Basel airport (0h20) £0 1430
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported (1 bag per person)
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 25 reviews
  • Mrs J Langton
    Ashford
    07 September 2019

    It was a most wonderful week, everything combined to make it one of the best holidays I have had. Our 'room' was a magnificent suite in hotels 1,2,and 4. Ask for normal bottled water in Alpenland Hotel!

  • Mrs C Evans
    Scarborough
    03 September 2019

    Although the weather was changeable at the beginning of September ranging from hot sunshine to thick cloud and snow on the hills it was a fantastic holiday. We needed lots of layers! Each day completely different and all the hotels were comfortable, welcoming and provided excellent refreshment. There is no flat ground in the Bernese Oberland so hiking poles and footwear with good grips were essential. The scenery was fantastic and we saw Alpine Marmots, lots of raptors and late flowering wild flowers. We loved it all!

  • Toronto Visitors
    01 September 2019

    Our hotel rooms were awesome with great views. I did not expect the quality we recieved both with the room and the food. But nothing could beat the beautiful views from the mountain tops we climbed. We enjoyed every moment of our hikes even when our feet hurt so much later.

  • Anon, Derbyshire
    01 August 2019

    Pros - incredible mountain views, great paths, efficient transport when using buses and trains. We had one really good meal at the Victoria which was a fancy barbecue for Swiss National Day. The Alpenland also worked hard to adapt their tasty menu and accommodate our fish eater. Cons - It is hardly Inntravel’s fault but due to the weak pound this seemed a very expensive trip. The cable cars in Kandersteg are ridiculously expensive even with a Swiss half fare card. Wine was upwards of £40 a bottle so we just drank a few beers here and there. Above all we felt this trip was missing the “inn” in Inntravel. A really important part of these holidays for us is relaxing over good local food and wine in the evenings and discussing the walks. This was spoilt for us by the general prices and one very poor meal at the Hotel Adler. What does it say about a place when the non-meat menu choice on half board is Quorn curry? The meat offering was scarcely any better. In short, if we go back to Switzerland it will be self catering only.

  • Ms S Allanson
    Matlock
    30 July 2019

    The first 2 hotels were a real treat, lovely facilities. The walks went through fantastic scenery and routes were not too busy which was perfect for us. the routes were clear and we didn't get lost once.

  • ANON
    24 July 2019

    A well organised walking holiday, in fantastic mountains with great wildflowers.

    Swimming down the clear Aare river around the medieval heart of the city of Bern was an unexpected delight.

  • Mr C Dunn
    Abergavenny
    19 July 2019

    This is a demanding set of walks but quite doable. Walking poles are a signficant, if not essential, aid. We used walking shoes and got away with it. All Swiss Germans were walking in boots. You need two water bottles. Interesting to hear from the hotel in Lauenen how it likes its relationship with Inntravel, very positive.

  • Anon
    11 July 2019

    Great way to experience the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. There is nothing better than a strenuous day of hiking followed by good food and drink, and a really comfortable bed in a nice lodge. Perhaps the one of the more notable things about our trip was the quality of the hiking trails, trail markers, and the overall scenery. Strongly recommend this type of trip for anyone looking to forget the world’s issues, all while being close to nature and experiencing the friendliness of the locals.

  • Anon
    03 July 2019

    Overall, it was very well organized and the directions were almost always perfect. We did not do the walk from Kandersteg to Adelboden because it was on the road a lot and very long and we were afraid of thunderstorms, but the bus worked well and allowed us more time in Adelboden and time to see the waterfall. The hotel in Lenk was unimpressive and I would suggest another hotel. Because it was on a Sunday and the hotel was not serving dinner, we had a very mediocre meal at a nearby restaurant. The only negative part was the 1/2 board - we felt like gastronomic second-class citizens and it was not worth it. One highlight was the walk up the mountain before Lenk, though it was very tiring. The walk to Lauenen was equally beautiful, and we also loved the Gasternal Nature preserve. 

  • Mr J Field
    Cambridge
    28 June 2019

    An excellently organised walking holiday with some outstanding alpine scenery and flowers. Some of the walks were quite challenging but with the option of using the cable car were managable. We paricularly enjoyed swiiming at the Wallbach Bad in Lenk which we spotted on the descent into Lenk from Adelboden. It was good to have the first 3 nights in Kandersteg to find our feet.

  • Mr R Potts
    Fakenham
    25 June 2019

    A superbly-organised holiday in which the detailed and accurate instructions complemented the breathtaking scenery. Accommodation, catering and travel arrangements were of universally high quality. A pleasurable and memorable experience. ence.

  • Mrs A Beckman
    USA
    21 June 2019

    This was our first trip with Inn Travel, and it was a great experience. The representatives were so helpful from the beginning of the process and the combination of itinerary, hotels, hikes, food was the best. Switzerland was as beautiful as we had imagined and the hospitality along the way surpassed out expectations. We are already starting to think about our next trip with Inn Travel.

  • Mrs E Klavan
    USA
    20 June 2019

    My husband and I are in our sixties and we had a wondeful time hiking in the Swiss Oberland (often opting for the shortened versions of the hikes). Inntravel was extremely helpful, responsive and attentive. All arrangemnts were expertly made and there were no hitches at all in the itineary. We would definitely use this company again for future hiking.

  • Mr SG Pooley
    USA
    19 June 2019

    Beautiful scenery with wild flowers and some snow. Fun! Interesting mountain villages. This was an excellent holiday as usual (our 5th!) if challenging because of the heat wave. On this trip we emphasized the “holiday” rather than the “walking” (but we did walk over 50 miles en route). We chose to use (ski) lifts and twice went up and explored the upper edge of the route one day and the next day used the excellent Swiss bus system to the next inn. It was wonderful to rely on Inntravel for the hotel arrangements, luggage transfers, and routes. It's a great way to still enjoy the mountains and grade 2 & 3 walks even when we can't walk them entirely.

  • Gillian Locking
    13 June 2019

    Lying in the soothing warm bubbles of the outdoor pool in Adelboden after a day of delightful walking from Kandersteg is right at the top of my most memorable moments from this wonderful holiday.  So too was the cable car ride up from Gstaad to the heavenly grassy ridge of Hohi Wispile where an idyllic walk surrounded by awe-inspiring views was accompanied by only the sound of cuckoos and cowbells...not to mention the Lenk to Lauenen walk through flower-filled alpine meadows, over glorious mountain pastures and the Truttlisberg pass.  We had to keep stopping ourselves from breaking into a rendition of "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music"!    Every day brought new challenges and achievements, unbelievable vistas, excellent food and comfortable beds...thank you Inntravel for another first class walking holiday.

  • Dr A Goodall
    New Zealand
    01 September 2018

    There were many highlights - the views, the solitude in some places and the sense of achievement in some parts where conditions were challenging.

  • Anon
    18 August 2018

    A perfectly organized holiday from start to finish and sumptous meals to look forward to at the end of every walk. We had an absolutely wonderful holiday and would highly recommend it to others, and look forward to our next walking holiday with Inntravel. 

  • Anon
    17 August 2018

    We are very happy customers. I have already recommended your company to my brother-in-law and we are looking at your vacations for our next break. 

  • Mr T Obendorf
    USA
    14 August 2018

    Fantastic holiday! We really felt like we got to know the Bernese Oberland area in a unique way. The logistics were well organized and Inntravel picked some lovely hotels.

  • Anon
    26 July 2018

    Beautiful scenery. Excellent accomodation and food at all the hotels.

  • Mr D Mulvey
    Ireland
    21 July 2018

    Second time with Inntravel, second time having a completely wonderful experience and discovering beautiful parts of the world in safe hands.

  • Mr K McCarthy
    Newcastle Upon Tyne
    20 July 2018

    The sense of achievement by walking to Adelboden via the Bundechrinde pass was huge but maybe expect a longer day.

    Hotel Adler our favourite and breakfast on the balcony very special.

  • Mr C Vickers
    USA
    30 June 2018

    The Bernese Oberland walking holiday is magnificent. I don't think Americans are very familiar with walking holidays (at least I wasn't), but I will be telling all of my friends about them. There is a terrific variety of landscapes in the Bernese Oberland walks. Most of the walks have various options for shortening or lengthening which we took advantage of (the Heuberg extension at Oeschinensee was particularly great). The meals were very good and the hotels excellent. Also the service at Inntravel is outstanding.

  • Mr C Thornton
    Kidderminster
    27 June 2018

    We visited the Bernese Oberland during July and the wild flowers in the alpine meadows were wonderful, so many different varieties, so many of them, so beautiful.

  • Dr T Green
    Stockport
    09 June 2018

    The route was spectacular with great accommodation along the way. Two problems were encountered. The late winter and heavy snow in Switzerland meant that the pass from Kandersteg to Adelboden (Bunderchrinde) was closed and likely to remain so for some weeks (Tourist Office). Our only alternative was via Frutigen.

    Secondly, the vast majority of the lifts, bus services and mountain restaurants did not open until the 16th of June which was when we had finished our holiday. Consequently, none of the various options in the walk notes were available to us. Since the 16th was the seasonal opening date and nothing to do with the severe winter, it would seem appropriate that you did not sell this holiday before this date. It was somewhat annoying to find that everything opened the day after we left.

    Inntravel
    response

    There is no single seasonal opening date for cable cars and buses in this region, and we ensure that all of the full walks as advertised are accessible from the start of our season. Cable cars and some buses are only used to shorten the routes if preferred. The buses operate all year round, except for one private service, while half of the cable cars were open by June 9th (2018), with the remainder opening on the 16th. The Bundechrinde Pass between Kandersteg and Adelboden opened on June 25th this year, later than usual, owing to conditions on the mountainside.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • If your holiday plans go awry because of Coronavirus, rest assured that we’ll do right by you. Since the start of the pandemic, our flexible booking policy and prompt issuing of refunds to customers who prefer not to defer their holiday have earned us high praise in the national press.
  • We sincerely hope that your holiday experience will be as enjoyable as it would have been before the pandemic – walking holidays are ideal in these times of social distancing, and we’re not operating holidays if the key highlights can no longer be delivered – but, naturally, there will be some changes to ensure your and other people’s safety.
    Your holiday experience: what to expect >
    Safety measures being taken by hoteliers & others >
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of airlines and routes from the UK. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. For Europe, there’s a £35 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £60 per person. More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to take out our recommended travel insurance policy (if you live outside the UK you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    We'll ask you for the details of your policy (insurer, policy number and medical emergency phone number) so that we can help out if the worst happens while you are on holiday. It's up to you, though, to check that your policy covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs; we don't check alternative policies.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Switzerland, but not a visa. If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). UK citizens can no longer use their EHIC in Switzerland, and nor is the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) valid in Switzerland. It is therefore important that, if you already have travel insurance in place, the terms do not exclude medical cover, especially for existing conditions, in the absence of an EHIC.
  • The official languages are German, spoken in the majority of the country; French, spoken in the south-west; Italian, spoken in the south-east; and Romansch, mostly limited to the Engadine valley. The currency is the Franc. Swiss time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021.

    At Inntravel we work in close partnership with our hoteliers, taxi drivers and other local suppliers to provide our self-guided holidays directly to you. We are entirely confident that you will continue to receive the usual warm welcome from them, regardless of what is happening in the European political sphere.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.
    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
Last fetch time is : 4/21/2021 11:34:50 AM