THE OBERLAND BALCONIES, self-guided

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7 days 7 days
Self-guided Self-guided
With baggage transport With baggage transport
Accommodation Classic (dormitory)
Level *** Level ***
From 640 € From 640 €

In the heart of the Bernese Alps

From Adelboden to Grindelwald, we offer you a week on the balconies of the Bernese Oberland, to make the most famous crossing of the entire Alps. t's a journey that encapsulates the soul of the Swiss mountains, from the lush green, rounded pre-Alps to the world's most famous mountaineering peaks: the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau. It's all there: wooden chalets with flower-filled balconies, herds of cows and their bells that beat out the rhythm of the hiker's steps, alpine cheese served with a Schwyzerdütsch accent and, of course, the company of these impressive walls of rock and ice all along the way!
There are two versions of this itinerary, with more or less alpine aspects, which can be done earlier or later in the season.

You will like

  • The proximity of iconic peaks: Eiger, Jungfrau, Mönch 
  • The permanent contrast between opulent alpine pastures and "fearsome icy mountains to behold"
  • Traditional architecture, from wooden chalets to Belle-Epoque hotels
  • The mountain lifestyle of Switzerland
  • A very preserved environment and rich in wildlife
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THE OBERLAND BALCONIES, self-guided

From 640 €

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Hike details

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Dates & prices

DEPARTURES AND PRICES

7-day tour, departure from late June to mid-September 2024, Mondays to Fridays

Without luggage transport
640€ per person, classic accommodation

With luggage transport (except on day 5)
2/3 persons : 1120€ per person, classic accommodation
4/5 persons : 880€ per person, classic accommodation
6 persons : 800€ per person, classic accommodation

Comfort version (2 or 3-person bedroom) : (6 nights in a room for 2 or 3 people, of which 3 in a B&B with dinner possible à la carte, not included): +130€ per person
Optional extra day in Grindelwald (D8) : +130€ per person

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THE PRICE

The price includes

  • Half board ccommodation in gîtes, refuges and small hotels, from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the last day, except dinner on night 5 in Gimmelwald;
  • A road book: description and IGN maps (1 road book per registration up to 4 people. A supplementary road book for groups of 5 or more. Extra road book supplement 10-25€);
  • Daily luggage transport between accommodation (except day 5), if you have chosen this option;
  • Organisation and booking fees;
  • Tourist tax.

The price does not include:

  • Picnic lunches;
  • Diner on night 5 in Gimmelwald (and nights 1 and 2 in the comfort version);
  • Bus and train transfers and cablecars (approximately CHF90);
  • Personal expenses (drinks, etc.), touristic visits;
  • Potential shower tokens in accommodation;
  • Your return journey from your home to the point of departure/end point;
  • Cancellation insurance (4.% of total tour cost).

The price is all inclusive from the hike departure to end point.

L’itinéraire jour après jour...

Day 1

ADELBODEN - BUNDERSCHRINDE - KANDERSTEG
The route starts gently through the rolling pastures of Adelboden to the huge scree slope below the Bunderschrinde. On arrival at the col, the show begins with the splendid panorama of the Kandertsteg valley and the high peaks that dominate it. A leisurely descent through mountain pastures and limestone cliffs takes you back to the village. Settle into a gîte in Kandersteg for 2 nights.
6h15 walk / elevation: + 1100 m -1150 m/ 13km

Day 2

OESCHINENSEE
A day around the spectacular Oeschinensee lake, one of the jewels of the Alps, deep blue and nestled in a setting of breathtaking cliffs! After taking the cable car up to the lake, you can choose between two itineraries: a loop around the Bluemisalphorn mountain range or a round trip to the Fründenhütte, situated on the edge of the glacier, 1000m above the lake! Return to Kandersteg for the night.
5h40 walk / Elevation: +/-1070 m/ 12km (Loop) 
5h20 walk / Elevation: +/- 1050 m/ 10km (Fründenhütte)

Day 3

KANDERSTEG - KIENTAL
From Mittholz, the hike starts through meadows and forest to the Alp de Giesene. The steep climb is largely rewarded by the arrival in the large circus that opens at the foot of the “hore” … Zallers, Salz, Sattel…: fantastic rock faces and vast pastures! After passing the col, the landscape opens wide on the Kiental and Lake Thun. Overnight in Ramslauenen in a gîte.
5h50 walk / Elevation: + 1300 m - 880 m / 11km

Day 4

KIENTAL - BUNDALP
The route continues through the unspoilt Kiental valley, winding its way gently up small roads and country lanes, through small forests and traditional farmhouses. To reach Griesalp, the route crosses Europe's steepest road several times, with a gradient of 28%... and it's served by public transport! The arrival at the magnificent Bundalp mountain pasture rounds off this peaceful day in style. Overnight in a dormitory in the refuge.
5h walk / Elevation: +840 m -330 m / 13km

Day 5

SEFINAFURGGA – MURREN / GIMMELWALD
Another splendid high altitude section begins in the impressive Gamchi valley. The meadows gradually give way to the mineral atmosphere of the Sefinafurgga pass (2612m) and the climb ends in a world of glaciers and high mountains. Extraordinary views of the iconic peaks of the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch, finally revealed in their entirety, accompany the long descent to Gimmelwald. Overnight in a gite without luggage.
7h15 walk / Elevation: +1060 m -1320 m / 15km

Day 6

KLEINE SCHEIDEGG - ALPIGLEN
After a descent by cable car on Stechelberg, the day begins between the steep cliffs of the Lauterbrunnen valley, along the spectacular Trummelbach waterfalls. The path then reaches the Petit Sheidegg pass, at the foot of the majestic Oberland giants and leads to the wide Grindelwald valley. A last descent leads to the refuge of Alpiglen for a night as close as possible to the north face of «l'Ogre»! Night in refuge, in dormitory.
6h15 walk / Elevation: +1300 m; -520 m / 14km

Day 7

EIGER TRAIL - GRINDELWALD
The tour ends with a day on the balcony above Grindelwald on the Eiger Trail. The path follows the foot of the Eiger, dominated by its imposing north face and the impressive climbing routes leading to the summit! After a short descent to the edge of the village, the hike can be extended to the foot of the glacial valley of the Oberer Grindelwaldgletscher, before leaving the vertical walls of the Wetterhorn to reach Grindelwald via the gentle grazing of its pastures.
5h walk / elevation: +620 m -1100 m / 12km

Optional extra day at the end of the hike in Grindelwald
GROSSE SCHEIDEGG - BACHSEE LAKE - GRINDELWALD
Departure by local bus to reach the Grosse Scheidegg pass. The itinerary ends on a high note with this final stage to Lake Bachsee, the pearl of the Bernese Alps, reflecting all the legendary peaks of the massif! The lake can be reached directly or by walking around the Schwarzhoren. Descent to the village of Grindelwald is partly by bus.
4h walk / Elevation: + 420 m - 490m / 12km
5h30 walk / Elevation: +760 m; -790 m / 13km for the Schwarzhoren tour

End of the hike in Grindelwald.

The programme has been drawn up on the basis of the latest information available at the time of writing; unforeseen circumstances are always possible and situations beyond our control may alter the programme.

The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: +/- 850m approximately per day.
Walking time: 4 to 6.5 hours per day.
Type of trek: a mountain trail on signposted paths, including gravel paths. Some aerial sections equipped with cables.

You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running, cycling, from 3 to 4 hours a week.
Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.
Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: levels of difficulty

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we will send you a travel folder containing: 
- 1 topographical map (1/50 000) with the route highlighted
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek
- 1 waterproof map holder
- Accommodation list

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC : 6 nights in a dormitory, hotel, refuge or gite
COMFORT : 6 nights in a room for 2 (or 3) people, in a refuge, hotel or gite

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation (except dinner on night 5).
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accomodation in the evening. Possibility of refuelling en route at farms, mountain refuges and villages along the way.

Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking.
The accommodation do their best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT

There are 2 options available:
Without baggage transport: all your luggage is transported by you.
With luggage transport: your luggage is transported to your accommodation every day by a logistics vehicle (except day 5).

PERSONALISED TOURS

We can tailor a trip to your requirements (number of days, number of participants, level of itinerary, choice of accommodation, etc.). A more alpine version, based on our guided tour, is possible on request. Please contact us for further details.

MAPS

Vanderkarte 1/30000 : 3304T Gstaad- Adelboden
Vanderkarte 1/30000 : 3323T Jungfrau Region

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Start of the hike in Adelboden, Switzerland.

BY TRAIN 
Outtward journey: Paris – Basel or Geneva - Frutigen by train; then line bus (about 6€, 30 minutes transfer) to Adelboden.
Return journey: Grindelwald - Interlaken - Basel or Geneva - Paris
Visit the Swiss Railways website for the up to date timetable and tarifs.

BY PLANE
Geneva Cointrin International Airport, Basel Mulhouse or Zürich.
Then transfer by train to Frutigen and by bus 230 to Adelboden.

BY CAR
Refer to the itinerary on www.viamichelin.fr
From the north: access by Basel, Lucerne.
From the west: access by Frasnes, Neuchâtel, Bern
From the south: access by Geneva, Lausanne, Bern. Please note the mandatory sticker on Swiss motorways, to be bought at the border or at petrol stations.
Where to park your vehicle? Possibility of week passes for parking in Frutigen (25CHF per week). Then bus 230 to Adelboden (no free long term parking in Adelboden). 3 (free) long-term car parks in Grindelwald (end of the hike): Maennlichen, Jungfaujoch Kl and First Pfingstegg. 

End of the hike in Grindelwald.

RETURN TO THE STARTING POINT

Return from Grindelwald to Frutigen or access to the starting point: many trains via Interlaken and Spiez (1h40 journey). Bus between Frutigen and Adelboden.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER STAY

Frutigen : Hôtel Landhaus Adler -  http://www.landhaus-adler.ch/ Hôtel National - https://www.national-frutigen.ch/en/
Adelboden : Hôtel Hari - https://www.hotelhari.ch/fr/
Grindelwald : Hôtel First Lodge - https://berggasthausfirst.ch/first-lodge Grindelwald Youth Hostel - www.youthhostel.ch/grindelwald
Swiss National Tourism Office: +41 800 100 200 29

INSURANCE

In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. Under no circumstances, we can replace your personal civil liability.
The repatriation insurance EUROP ASSISTANCE that we offer is dedicated to French speaking people living in Europe. If it is not your case, we advise you to subscribe to another travel insurance which will cover you in case of injury and repatriation during your trek.

If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.

Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.

CONTACT US

If you are late, contact the agency: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

  • Walking trousers
  • Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
  • Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
  • Breathable or merino wool leggings
  • Fleece or jumper
  • Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
  • Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
  • Pair of gloves and a warm hat
  • Sun hat or baseball cap
  • Walking socks (1 pair per day)
  • Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
  • 1 change of clothes for the evening
  • A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

  • Toilet bag
  • Quick drying towel
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
  • Knife, fork and spoon
  • Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
  • Plastic cup for coffee
  • Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
  • Survival blanket
  • Head torch or hand torch
  • Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
  • Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
  • Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your luggage will be transported daily, except on day 5, between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy. 
Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs! 

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHTS WITHOUT YOUR LUGGAGE

On night 5, your luggage won't be dropped off at your accommodation (you will get it back the day after). Here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)

THE OBERLAND BALCONIES, self-guided

From 640 €
Book online
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