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The Swiss Alps

Bernese Oberland – classic walks 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 both of your friendly, welcoming hotels offer an indoor pool.
The Swiss Alps. 4 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
The Swiss Alps. 4 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking break in the Bernese Oberland

The Bernese Oberland is probably one of the most beautiful regions of Switzerland. In summer, the combination of fresh air, sunshine, rolling green hills, flower-filled meadows, shady forests and pretty villages will delight and enchant you. And at its heart lies idyllic Lake Oeschinen, a glittering jewel surrounded by sheer cliffs and snow-capped mountain peaks...
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. Walking from, and then between, two delightful mountain villages, you will discover magnificent scenery, welcoming hoteliers and excellent cuisine.
 

Book with confidence

We are accepting bookings for our holidays to Switzerland. Our flexible booking arrangements, commitment to safety and financial protection mean that you can book with confidence.

What we’re doing so you can book and travel with confidence >
Check the destination entry requirements >
 
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 two nights here).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.
  • Choice of walks from Kandersteg: 6km to 20.5km

    Oeschinensee – grade 1-2 option: 6km, 2hrs; ascent 70m/descent 560m
    The mountains around Kandersteg are a paradise for walkers and we offer a number of different options for your time here. For a leisurely introductory walk, 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 two nights 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
  • Circular route from Adelboden – grade 2: 12km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 660m
    One of the most rewarding walks from Adelboden is to follow an undulating path across meadows and through woodland to the breathtaking – and famous – waterfall at Engstligen. You return to Adelboden along a pleasant riverside path.    
    Around Adelboden
    Circular route from Adelboden (grade 2): 12km
 

Accommodation

Two friendly, 3-star hotels wait to warmly welcome you each evening, both serving excellent local dishes.
 

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.
Currency converter

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  • 4 nights: 13 June 2021 - 10 October 2021 & 11 June 2022 - 09 October 2022

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

    Starting Price Single room
    13 Jun - 3 Jul 2021 £725 £135
    4 - 15 Jul 2021 £765 £135
    16 Jul - 5 Aug 2021 £780 £135
    6 - 23 Aug 2021 £765 £135
    24 - 31 Aug 2021 £725 £135
    1 - 30 Sep 2021 £690 £130
    1 - 6 Oct 2021 £675 £130
    11 Jun - 3 Jul 2022 £765 £145
    4 - 15 Jul 2022 £795 £145
    16 Jul - 5 Aug 2022 £820 £145
    6 - 23 Aug 2022 £795 £145
    24 - 31 Aug 2022 £765 £145
    1 - 30 Sep 2022 £725 £140
    1 - 5 Oct 2022 £710 £140
    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.

    Included travel: return rail/bus travel from any Swiss airport

    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.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria, Kandersteg
    Mini-suite: 13 Jun - 07 Oct 2021 £38
    Mini-suite: 11 Jun - 09 Oct 2022 £40
    Hotel Adler, Adelboden
    South-facing: 13 Jun - 10 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 - 10 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
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Zürich, Geneva or Basel
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    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 for any of the options listed above except those operated by Ryanair. 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.

    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) included 1730
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    walk to bus station (0h02), bus Adelboden Post to Frutigen (0h30), rail Frutigen to Zurich airport (2h20) included 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) included 1530
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    walk to bus station (0h02), coach Adelboden Post to Frutigen (0h30), rail Frutigen to Basel SBB (2h), coach Basel SBB to Basel airport (0h30) included 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) included 1630
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    walk to bus station (0h02), coach Adelboden Post to Frutigen (0h30), rail Frutigen to Geneva airport (3h) included 1400
What is included
  • 4 nights
  • 4 dinners
    4 breakfasts
  • luggage transported (1 bag per person)
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • return rail/bus travel from any Swiss airport
 
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 6 reviews
  • Ms D Fancy
    USA
    29 August 2019

    Both the Engadine Valley and the Swiss Alps walks were beyond all of our expectations.  We were very pleased with Inntravel's detailed planning and information provided in advance of the trip.  We are already looking at future trips to other European locations.

  • A Roberts, Somerset
    25 August 2019

    My son and I had a wonderful few days on this short break to Kandersteg and Adelboden. Both hotels very good and the area was quite quiet, being the end of the summer holidays. We liked the hotel Victoria best for room quality, meals and views. We used the swimming pool in both places, nice after a long day's walk. On our last full day we walked direct to the Engstligen falls, got the gondola up to the plateau and then walked down, past the falls, which then gave us enough time in the afternoon to do the gondola ride to Sillerenbuhl and to come down via trottibike. Would recommend!

  • Mr & Mrs P.
    04 July 2019

    We would highly recommend a walking holiday with Inntravel, their service, travel arrangements, booked accommodation and walking notes are excellent. You need not feel intimidated by a walking adventure in the hands of these experienced holiday planners, as their walking notes describe the challenge very cleverly and leave nothing to chance. We had the perfect walking holiday in the Bernese Oberland.

  • Ms H Johnson
    London
    30 August 2018

    An excellent short break (though the weather left a lot to be desired). We would ilke to have spent more time in the region and left thinking there were lots more paths and areas to be explored. The hotels were excellent and the food delicious - in fact we didn't need to buy lunches as we ate so much at breakfast and each evening! If you are feeling fit we recommend climbing the path by the Engstligen Falls for a stunning up close encounter with the river and waterfalls. We were also pleasantly surprised by how many flowers were still in bloom for relatively late in the season.

  • Mrs H Grandfield
    Pontefract
    23 August 2018

    Overall we had a wonderful holiday. The hotel Adler was exceptional. We couldn't believe it was only rated 3 stars. 

    The free gondola pass was a real bonus as it made the whole area more accessible to us our only negative would be that this wasn't offered at the first hotel.

  • Ms S. Johnson
    06 August 2018

    This was an amazing way to see the Swiss Mountains!  We loved the ability to just show up and enjoy the spectacular scenery and plush, welcoming accommodations without having to do all the planning. Having the luggage transfer taken care of was also ideal.  This was the first time in a long time we don't need a vacation from our vacation (meaning it was so relaxing and enjoyable... the way a vacation should be!) It truly lived up to the Slow Holiday tag line. The whole experience was magical and we can't wait to plan another Inn to Inn adventure in the near future.  Maybe we'll try the cycling!  We'd highly recommend this company to anyone who really wants to savor the experience, adventure to a new part of the world, and leave the stress behind!
 

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, not least taking tests before and after your holiday for many destinations.
    Your holiday experience: what to expect >
    Safety measures being taken by hoteliers & others >
    Entry requirements for non-UK destinations & for re-entering the UK >
  • 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 routes from the UK with a variety of airlines (but not, currently, with Ryanair). 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-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.

    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 : 7/30/2021 1:46:34 AM