Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland & The Jungfrau – 8 Days
SwitzerlandSwiss Alps

Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland & The Jungfrau – 8 Days

8 Days
Challenging

Via Alpina: Bernese Oberland & The Jungfrau – 8 Days

from $3,065 / person

Overview

The Via Alpina 1 takes you through the heart of the Swiss Alps, passing beneath the iconic trio of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau before winding through some of the region's most celebrated villages. Grindelwald, Wengen, and Lauterbrunnen each offer their own character, but it's the landscape between them that truly stays with you: glaciers, flower-filled valleys, and high mountain trails where the quiet is broken only by cowbells and the crunch of boots on rock. This is a route for walkers who want more than a pretty view. Alongside the drama of the high Alps, there are tranquil lakes, rich alpine flora, and the kind of remote terrain that feels genuinely wild despite being well within reach. A wonderful choice for avid hikers looking to experience the Swiss Alps at their finest.

Highlights

  • Marvel at the breathtaking panorama from Grosse Scheidegg
  • Visit postcard-perfect towns of Grindelwald, Wengen & Lauterbrunnen
  • Cross Kleine Scheidegg with epic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks
  • Experience postcard-perfect vistas at Lake Öschinen near Kandersteg
  • Discover the stunning Trümmelbach waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen
  • Ascend to the Blüemlisalp for incredible mountain views
  • Auswalk through the picturesque village of Adelboden
  • Hike the sunlit trails leading to car-free Wengen
  • Capture the charm of quaint alpine hamlets

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Meiringen

Your journey begins in Meiringen, a village tucked into the Haslital valley at the foot of the Swiss Alps. It's a relaxed place to arrive, with enough character to reward an afternoon's wander before the walking begins. Budget-conscious travellers may want to stock up at the local Co-op before heading into the hills.

Accommodation

3-star Hotel in Meiringen

What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (7 nights)

Meals

7 breakfasts, and 1 dinner

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Cable Car
  • Train

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

5

Auswalk Walking Grade

Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.

View Fitness Guide

6

Days on the trail

12-17 km

Daily distance range

615-1355 m

Daily ascent range

7/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

You'll stay in a mix of handpicked places along the way, from family-run guest houses to comfortable 3-star hotels. Each has been chosen for its comfort and character, giving you a proper rest before the next day's walk. Breakfasts are hearty and feature local produce, setting you up well for the trail ahead.

What You'll Eat

Most evenings are free for you to choose where to eat, but in Griesalp dinner is included. You'll sit down to traditional Swiss cuisine with mountain views right outside the window, a fitting way to end a day on the trail.

More About This Trip

Fly into Zurich Airport, then take the train (with a change in Lucerne) to Meiringen Station, a journey of around 2.5 hours. The walk finishes in Lenk, where public transport connects you onward.

This walk runs daily from 27 June to 13 September. The file doesn't include specific weather data, so I've stuck to the availability window rather than guessing at temperatures or conditions. If you'd like, I can check the Knowledge Base for seasonal weather notes on this route to round this out.

Terrain ranges from gentle valley paths to steep alpine ascents and descents. The route includes a demanding 17 km section with a 995 m climb and 1,225 m descent, including a steep descent via wooden steps and gravel to Alp Brügli. The maximum elevation gain on a single stage is 1,355 m. Shorter walking options are available on several stages, with cable cars, cogwheel trains, and buses (at your own expense) providing additional ways to reduce the distance or ascent.

Each morning it will be up to you to place your luggage at the designated luggage pick-up point within the hotel by 9.00 am. This generally will be at reception or where you pick up your luggage the night before. There is a strict limit of one suitcase with a maximum weight of 20 kg.

The bus journey to Rosenlaui (day 2) and the Cable car ascent to Allmenalp (day 5)  are at own cost. The cost is approximately CHF 44 pp.

A small tourist tax, payable at each accommodation, is not included in the price.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

For over 30 years, we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know you’ll have many more questions even with that in mind. You will receive a detailed information pack and itinerary approximately six weeks before departure outlining all the fine details and much more.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants, or if you have specific track-related questions if we can't answer them, we can also ask our staff who have walked the track. You can contact us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on this self-guided trip. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

June through September (summer to early autumn) is the main walking season in Switzerland. July and August offer the warmest conditions and the best chance of clear views, while June brings wildflowers across the alpine meadows and September sees the first golden colours of autumn with noticeably fewer crowds. High passes and some routes above 2,500 metres may still carry snow in early June.

Geneva is the main gateway for the Tour du Mont Blanc and Haute Route itineraries. Zurich is a good option for walks further east. Switzerland's rail network is exceptional — from either airport, trains connect quickly and reliably to virtually any starting point on your itinerary.

Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations each day, so you walk with just a daypack. Bags must weigh no more than 20kg. On most itineraries your luggage arrives at the next accommodation by early evening. Keep your passport and valuables with you rather than in your main bag.

Across the walks, you'll stay in a mix of three-star hotels, family-run guesthouses and simple mountain hotels, all with private ensuite rooms. The standard is consistently comfortable — Swiss hospitality rarely disappoints. Most itineraries include breakfast daily and several dinners.

Coverage is generally good by alpine standards — Switzerland's infrastructure is world-class — but signal can drop in more remote valleys and high passes. A downloaded offline map is a sensible backup, and the smartphone app included with your travel packet works without data.

A daypack in the 25–30L range is ideal. Pack two to three litres of water, snacks, a waterproof jacket with hood, warm mid-layers, sun protection (the alpine sun is strong at altitude), a headtorch, your walk notes and map, and any personal medication. Walking poles are worth considering — the high-pass itineraries involve significant ascent and descent.

Layers are essential. Conditions in the Swiss Alps can shift from warm sunshine to cold wind and rain within an hour, especially at altitude. A quality waterproof jacket is non-negotiable. Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support are strongly recommended for the higher-graded routes. For the Tour du Mont Blanc and Haute Route, warm gloves and a hat are worth packing even in July.

The Switzerland walks are rated challenging to strenuous. The Tour du Mont Blanc and Haute Route both involve daily ascents and descents of 800 to 1,200 metres or more, and several days exceed 20km. A solid base of fitness and regular hill walking in the months before you leave will make a real difference to how much you enjoy it. The Via Francigena itinerary is rated moderate and suits a wider range of walkers.

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). It is one of the more expensive countries in Europe — budget accordingly for lunches, drinks and any activities not included in your package. Credit cards are widely accepted, but having some cash on hand is useful in smaller mountain villages. Tipping is not expected in Switzerland but rounding up the bill is common practice.

Yes, and it's a condition of booking. Your policy must cover injury, trip cancellation, luggage loss and medical evacuation. Mountain rescue in Switzerland is excellent but chargeable — a helicopter evacuation from a high pass can cost several thousand francs. Never pack your passport in your main luggage.

Want to Know More?

The Swiss Alps experience

Wonder
Walk the eastern section of the Walkers Haute Route from Arolla to Zermatt, finishing in the shadow of the Matterhorn
Cross the Col de Riedmatten, the highest section of the route with commanding views over the Pennine Alps
The Matterhorn's distinctive pyramid appears on the final descent into Zermatt, one of the great walk finishes
Wellness
Switzerland's 50,000 kilometres of meticulously maintained trails make this one of the world's great walking destinations
Mountain huts and valley inns provide warm food and comfortable beds at the end of every challenging day
The Haute Route's stages are achievable for experienced walkers seeking a serious but non-technical challenge
Nature
More than fifty peaks above 4,000 metres, including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and the Dom, line the horizon
Glacial lakes, alpine meadows, and towering waterfalls mark each day of this classic alpine traverse
Chamois, marmots, and ibex are commonly encountered on the high sections of the Haute Route