Switzerland’s Wildstrubel Tour: Valais & Bernese Oberland – 7 Days

Your journey begins on the sun-kissed plateau of Crans-Montana, perched high above the Rhone Valley. The breathtaking alpine panorama sets the tone for the days ahead, inviting you to unwind and appreciate the surrounding beauty. Take a walk in the relaxed streets of Crans to people watch or stop in a cozy cafe. Then check out the glamor of Montana with its luxury shopping and Michelin star restaurants.

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Crans-Montana

Fill up on a big breakfast before todays walk. Walk through alpine meadows and aromatic larch forests up the steep steady ascent to Bisse de Tsittoret. There is the option to halve this 6.5km ascent with a bus, at own cost, to Aminona. As you break through the tree line you are confronted by the Valais Alps’ iconic four-thousand-meter giants including the Matterhorn and Weisshorn looming large across the valley behind you. Continue via the Cave du Sex cliff for refreshments at the mountain hut, then onto vast, windswept Varneralp Plateau. Descend to the charming village of Leukerbad, where the peaks of Valais surround you. End the day with a well-deserved soak in the Leukerbad thermal baths.

Walk: 19km / 6.5 hrs or 23 km / 7.5 hrs
Elevation: + 730 m / – 845 m
Meals: Breakfast
Included Activity: Leukerbad Thermal Baths
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Leukerbad

Embark on an unforgettable ascent to the Gemmi Pass, a historic trading route with breathtaking vistas of raw geography. The steep path was blasted and chiseled directly into the cliffside in 1739. Once at the summit, be treated to unforgettable panoramic views before making your descent into the picturesque and green Bernese Oberland. There is the option to shorten the descent by 4km with the Sunnbüel cable car. Your accommodation tonight is in Kandersteg. Once refreshed perhaps find a meal in a cozy, timber-framed stübli, drinking a local Swiss beer, eating a hearty plate of Rösti (Swiss hashbrowns).

Walk: 17km / 6 hrs or 21 km / 7 hrs
Elevation: + 1020 m / -500m or – 1230 m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Kandersteg

The challenge of the day lies in the ascent to Bunderspitz, where the rewarding views provide ample motivation. The shorter route option utilises the Allmenalp cable car from Kandersteg, at own cost. The trail dives straight into a dense canopy, tackling a punishingly steep, canyon-like ravine right alongside the thundering Alpbach waterfall. As elevation increases, the rear-facing views become spectacular. The trail offers an excellent vantage point overlooking the valley, showcasing Lake Oeschinen, the Blümlisalp glacier massif, and the sharp peak of the Altels. Descend into Adelboden. Post check-in head straight to the Schmid Tea Room and  order a Cremeschnitte, a rich, indulgent Swiss custard and puff-pastry slice.

Walk: 12 km / 4.5 hrs or 17 km / 7 hrs
Elevation: + 915 m / – 1355 m or + 1270 m / – 1100 m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Adelboden

Today, follow the scenic Via Alpina to Silleren, where you have the option to shorten the walk via two cable cars. Continue along the vibrant trails leading to Hahnenmoospass. To the south, enjoy panoramic views of the icy Wildstrubel massif and the Plaine Morte Glacier. To the west, the trail overlooks the sprawling, scenic Simmental valley. A gentle stroll down smooth gravel paths leads you into the Simmental valley. The trail winds past historic wooden barns and green pastures filled with the iconic sound of ringing cowbells.

Walk: 14 km / 5 hrs or 18 km / 6.5 hrs
Elevation: + 650 m / – 930 m or + 910 m / – 1190 m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Lenk

Begin the day with a scenic bus ride to Iffigenalp, at own cost, followed by a challenging ascent to Rawilpass. The views are nothing short of spectacular as you cross back into Valais. The green meadows of the Bernese Oberland fade as you climb right back into the stark, high-altitude moonscape of the Valais Alps. After crossing the rocky Plan des Roses plateau, a steep descent brings you to the turquoise waters of Lac de Tseuzier, a dramatic alpine reservoir hemmed in by sheer cliffs and waterfalls. Saving the best for last, the route follows the historic Bisse du Ro right into Crans-Montana. Chiseled into vertical rock faces, this ancient waterway trail features secure modern boardwalks and a dramatic, 120-meter pedestrian bridge spanning a deep chasm for an unforgettable finish.

Walk: 23 km / 8 hrs
Elevation: + 1190 m / – 1280 m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Crans-Montana

The itinerary finishes after breakfast this morning. Whether you’re heading home or extending your stay, the spectacular landscapes of Crans-Montana and the Swiss Alps are bound to stay with you long after the journey ends.

Meals: Breakfast