Self-Guided: Bernese Alps Eiger Trek

Self-Guided: Bernese Alps Eiger Trek Itinerary

Travel/ Arrival Day
Arrival at our hotel in beautiful Interlaken at the Thuner Lake, about 1.5 hrs by train from Zurich Airport

Day 1
Train ride to Schynige Platte (1980 m). Now comes what makes this trip one of the most famous hikes in Switzerland: Amazing vistas of the Eiger, Moench, and Jungfrau while hiking along mellow ridges, high pastures and quaint little mountain tarns. The highpoint of the day is probably the lunch stop on the summit of the Faulhorn (2620 m) with it’s 360 degree views. A pleasant two hour downhill stroll gets us to the top station of the First Gondola, which will get us into the center of Grindelwald the easy way. Approx. walking time: 7 hours (Ascent: +970m. Descent: -775m)

Day 2
We start out with a train ride on the historical Jungfraujoch cog rail to the Alpiglen Station. In the shadow of the famous Eiger North Face, we climb all the way to the Kleine Scheidegg (2061 meters). A long descent to Lauterbrunnen via the spectacular Truemmelbach Cascades. Gondola ride to Muerren (1650m), one of the quaintest mountain villages in Switzerland nestled on a steep hillside and inaccessible for cars. Did we mention the views? Approx. walking time: 6 hours ( 16 km, +710m,  -1500m). The day can be shortened by using the cog train from Kleine Scheidegg for part or all of the descent. Another alternative for today would be a visit to the famous Jungfraujoch by cog trail ride through the north face of the Eiger with awesome views of the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier of the Alps.

Day 3
Amazing views again today and the toughest day of the trip. Early start for the long climb to the Sefinenfurgge (2612m) via the Rothorn Hut, where we usually stop for a short break for “Cafe und Kuchen”. All downhill from here, first side-hilling in relatively steep, rocky terrain (with metal cables to handrail), later through lovely meadows and forests to the mountain hamlet of Griesalp. Commonly we still continue to climb to the quaint high pasture farm of the Bundalp (1840 m) in the afternoon, but this part can be shortened by a jeep ride. Conditions allowing, we take the high-level traverse below the Gspaltenhorn with a lunch stop at the Gspaltenhorn Hut. Approx. walking time: 8 hours ( 15.5 km, climb +1450m, descent -1250, can be shortened to 6 hrs, +1100m, -1200m if jeep taxi is used to Bundalp)

Day 4
A sustained climb, at the end secured with metal chains to handrail along the steep trail, takes us to the Hohtuerli Pass (2750m) where yet again an amazing view opens up onto the glaciers of the Bluemlisalp range. Optional detour to the Bluemlisalp Hut (extra 30 min round trip) for lunch. Our descent takes us past yet another high point of this trek: The Oeschinen Lake, which as some people say, is the prettiest lake in the Alps. A gondola ride shortens our descend into the village of Kandersteg for lodging in our hotel with an opportunity to access our luggage. Approx. walking time: 7 hours, 11 km, Climb +1000m. Descend -1175m.

Day 5
A short bus ride and gondola to Sunnbuehl (1834m) makes for an easy start to the day. Beautiful high-level walk along the Ueschinen Grat (ridge) with views all the way to the high peaks of the Valais Alps, including the Matterhorn. After arriving at the Chindbetti Pass (2691m) we descend to the quaint alpine pastures of Engstligenalp (1950m) for lodging in a mountain lodge. Approx. walking time: 6 hours (11.5 km, Climb +1100, descent -1100m.) the Engstligenalp can be accessed by gondola from the valley.

Day 6
A short climb to the Ammertenpass (2445 m) with the option to climb a little peak face to face with the glaciers of the Wildstrubel. Now comes a long and at first challenging descent into the Simmen Valley. Another short pass traverse takes us to the charming and historic Iffigenalp Hotel. Approx. walking time 7 hours, 15.2 km, climb +1050 m, descend – 1450m.

Day 7 
The Grand Finale: Through a beautiful nature reserve passing the Iffigenlake we descend all the way to the Lauenen Lake. Bus or taxi ride the famous resort town of Gstaad. Option to depart already to Spiez, Bern and Zurich. Approx walking time 5 hrs, Climb + 820m, descent -1000m

Departure/Travel Day
Departure after breakfast with excellent train connections either back to Zurich or onto Geneva or Zermatt.

Inclusions

Included:

• Fully Customized and detailed day-to-day itinerary, designed by our director and head guide, Jorg Wilz
  • (you will find directions, including hiking times/distances/elevation gain and loss, trail numbers and “Plan B options” in case of fatigue or adverse weather or extension options should you desire a longer day)
• 5 nights hotels (double or triple rooms, ensuite bathroom or shared facilities)
• 3 nights at mountain lodges or high pasture farms (double or triple rooms, shared showers)
• 3 dinners, 8 breakfasts
• GPS tracks that you can upload to your smartphone or GPS, along with printable PDF maps
• 24-hour Hotline contacts while you are en route
• Support with your travel logistics and all trip organization as well as sightseeing suggestions

Not Included:

• Single room surcharge (please inquire)
• Airfares
• Lunches, drinks, snacks
• Dinners for 5 nights while lodging in towns and villages
• City/tourist tax for lodging (approx €5 / person / night)
• Gondolas or mountain trains (about CHF 300 / person, less with Swiss rail half-price ticket)
• Transport to/from Interlaken and Gstaad
• Luggage transfer Interlaken to Gstaad (by train – approx €50)
• Additional luggage transfers
• Insurance
• Any additional costs in case of itinerary changes regardless if those changes were made due to adverse weather or mountain conditions, or due to personal or group preferences.

Transportation

Closest Airport

Arrive in Interlaken for hotel lodging, which can be conveniently reached by train from Zurich airport in about 2 hrs.

Self-Guided: Bernese Alps Eiger Trek Private Trip Pricing

For groups and families, we can offer the following discounts on our advertised prices

Self-Guided Trips:

2-4 participants: Our advertised per person price
5-6 participants: 5% discount from our advertised per person price
7+ participants: 10% discount from our advertised per person price

Custom trips are available any time from July – early September.

FAQ

Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?

Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here

Medical/Rescue and Trip Cancellation Insurance

We recommend pandemic coverage with your insurance policy.

Trip Related Questions:

Meeting Point/Closest Airport

Meet on the first day of the trek at 8AM in our hotel in Interlaken, which can be conveniently reached by train from Zurich airport in about 2 hrs.

Closest Airport

Arrive in Interlaken for hotel lodging, which can be conveniently reached by train from Zurich airport in about 2 hrs.

What are the Hotels / Mountain Lodges like? Rooms? Showers? Food Choices?

All nights will be spent in private rooms. We have chosen small family-owned hotels at the two and three star level in the resort towns. The mountain lodges / high pasture farms are spectacularly located and also offer private rooms, however the showers are shared.

In the mountain lodges, we have booked a half board dinner and dietary preferences can be accommodated to a large extent. In the Hotels in the resort towns, we will be eating in restaurants “a la carte”.

Do I need to pay a single room supplement if I sign up as a single hiker?

Not necessarily! If you do not mind sharing a room with a fellow hiker, we generally do NOT charge you the single room supplement but try to team you up with another guest or a the guide. This rule does not apply to self-guided itineraries as all those trips tend to be custom departures.

Can I Do It?

Strenuous but non-technical trail hike with up to 8 hrs hiking (up to 10 miles (16 km), maximum of 3900 ft (1200 m) vertical gain on some of the days. One day has +1450m of elevation gain that can be reduced to +1200m  with use of a cog train. Trails vary hugely from forest roads to narrow trails with steep drop-offs that are secured with fixed ropes or chains for hand railing on short sections. The trek includes three high pass traverses with sustained uphill and downhill sections, which could be hazardous if the trail was snow-covered of frozen, which can happen any month of the season but more so in June, September and October. In case of adverse conditions, easier variations are available and so is a detour to the day’s destination by public transport.