Trek the Swiss Via Alpina
Journey inn-to-inn through the heart of the Bernese Oberland, crossing dramatic mountain passes
Location: Bernese Alps, Switzerland
Difficulty: Level 3 ▲ ▲ ▲ △
Duration: 6 days
Group Size: 6-8 Guests
Price: £1,850 pp
Dates: July-October
Best for: Those looking for a multi-day trek up experiencing some of best trails and views of the Swiss Alps.
Trip Overview
This challenging six-day trek follows one of the most spectacular sections of the Via Alpina through the Bernese Oberland.
Starting in Grindelwald, we’ll travel on foot through high mountain passes, traditional alpine villages and landscapes shaped by glaciers and waterfalls. Along the way, we’ll hike beneath the Eiger, look down into the Lauterbrunnen Valley and spend a night high in the mountains before finishing beside the turquoise waters of Oeschinensee.
With a new destination waiting each evening, this is a true point-to-point adventure and an unforgettable way to experience the Swiss Alps.
Why you’ll love this trip
Hike Beneath the Eiger
Walk through the dramatic landscapes of the Bernese Oberland beneath some of Switzerland’s most recognisable peaks.
Cross High Alpine Passes
Climb above the valleys and experience the scale and beauty of the Swiss Alps from the trail.
Sleep High in the Mountains above 2800m
Spend two nights in authentic mountain huts surrounded by glaciers, peaks and huge alpine views.
Discover Classic Swiss Villages
Journey through places such as Grindelwald, Mürren and Kandersteg, each with its own distinctive mountain character.
Finish at one of the prettiest lakes in the world
Celebrate the end of the trek with a swim in one of Switzerland’s most beautiful turquoise alpine lakes.
Share the journey
Most guests join solo, making this a brilliant way to challenge yourself alongside a small group of adventurous women.
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What to expect…
Day one / arrival day
Meet your guide and fellow hikers in the beautiful village of Grindelwald, talk through the route and make final preparations before enjoying dinner together.
Day five / last day
We will finish our hike with a dip in the stunning lake Oeschinensee, and then head down into the village of Kandersteg for a lovely night in a local hotel. Heading out for dinner to celebrate the trip.
Day two-five / hike days
Spend five unforgettable days trekking through high passes, alpine meadows and dramatic valleys. Each day brings a new landscape and a new place to stay, from traditional mountain villages to remote huts high above the valley floor.
Day six / departure
There are no activities planned today so you are free to depart the chalet. Checkout from our hotel in Kandersteg is at 10am.
What’s included
Six nights’ accommodation
Four nights in hotels or hostels
Two nights half-board in mountain huts
Breakfast each morning
Packed lunches during the trek
Three evening meals
Qualified mountain leader
What’s not included
Travel to Grindelwald and onward travel from Kandersteg
Two evening meals out in local restaurants
Personal snacks and drinks
Travel insurance
Travelling to our start/finish point
We're always happy to help you plan your journey to and from the start and end of the trek. Switzerland has an amazing train system which makes its super easy to get around.
Accommodation
Accommodation is part of the adventure, with a mixture of small hotels, traditional hostels and authentic mountain huts along the route.
In the villages, expect simple and comfortable shared rooms with easy access to local facilities. Higher in the mountains, we’ll stay in shared dormitory-style accommodation, where facilities are more basic but the setting is unforgettable.
Evenings are spent enjoying hearty meals, resting tired legs and watching the light change across the surrounding peaks.
Equipment & Clothes
We'll send you a detailed packing list as part of your booking documentation, including clothing recommendations and everything you'll need for a comfortable week in the Swiss Alps.
Terms & Conditions
Please take a moment to read our booking terms and conditions before securing your place on the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This is a challenging trek, so you’ll need a strong level of fitness and previous experience hiking on steep, uneven mountain terrain.
Daily distances range from approximately 8–15 km, with some days involving up to 1,500 m of ascent or descent. You should be comfortable hiking for several consecutive days while carrying a loaded backpack.
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Absolutely. Most of our guests join our trips solo and quickly become part of the group. Our small-group adventures are a brilliant way to meet like-minded people.
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We’ll stay in a mixture of small hotels, traditional hostels and mountain huts along the route. Accommodation is simple and shared, with a combination of shared bedrooms and dormitory-style bunk rooms.
Facilities in the mountain huts are more basic, but the spectacular settings and evenings spent high in the Alps are an unforgettable part of the experience.
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You’ll carry everything you need for the journey, so your backpack will weigh approximately 10–15 kg. We’ll send you a detailed packing list and advice on travelling light before the trip.
We strongly recommend completing some training walks with a loaded backpack beforehand.
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Once you book on you will be sent a detailed packing list to help you prepare for Lapland. You'll find everything you need, from clothing recommendations to the essential bits of kit you'll want to bring with you. You can also see here the packing lists for our different trips.
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We’ll meet in Grindelwald at 5pm on the first day of the trip. We’ll introduce you to your guide and fellow hikers, talk through the route and make our final preparations before enjoying dinner together.
The trip finishes in our hotel in Kandersteg on the final day of the trip.
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The easiest and most environmentally friendly option is to travel by train. Grindelwald is approximately 3.5 hours by train from Zurich Airport and 4.5 hours from Geneva Airport.
The return journey from Kandersteg takes a similar amount of time. We’ll provide more detailed travel guidance before your trip.
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Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory for all of our trips and should cover cancellation, medical expenses and adventure activities included within your itinerary.
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We'd love to hear from you! If you're unsure whether this trip is right for you or have any questions at all, just drop us a message, we're always happy to chat adventures.
Still have questions?
Not sure if this adventure is right for you?
We'd love to help. Drop us a message and we'll happily chat through the itinerary, fitness requirements or anything else you're unsure about.