CLASSIC SWISS ALPS WALK

Kandersteg is in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, where the great arc of the Alps culminates in some of its highest and most spectacular peaks. This is “chocolate-box” Alps: lush green meadows bright with wildflowers against a backdrop of rugged, wild and beautiful mountains, topped by glistening glaciers.

A weeks’ stay here will allow you to discover the very best of the region: a huge turquoise lake enclosed by towering cliffs, a “hidden” valley headed by a glacier you can touch, a sheer gorge carved out by glacial meltwaters, an Alpine pass that has been used since Celtic times and more wild flowers than you even knew existed. And what views! The 4,000-metre Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and Matterhorn all display their white peaks proudly, and a plethora of other summits and glaciers is closer to hand. Amazingly, all of this is accessible on well defined paths directly from the hotel or after a short bus or cable car ride.

The excellent Swiss signposting and path marking, together with the Headwater notes, makes all of the walking accessible even for people with little, or no, experience of walking in the high Alps, and the hotel will loan you a pedometer (free of charge) to use during your stay. You do, however, need to be a confident walker.

Having based our Swiss cross-country skiing holidays here since 1996, the Hotel Alfa Soleil is now a firm Headwater favourite. There’s an elegant lounge, lively bar, swimming pool, sauna, solarium and gym. Meals are taken in the traditional restaurant where local specialities include blanquette de veau à la grande mère, sauteéd pork fillet with sun-blush tomato tapenade, and carpaccioof pears marinated in cinnamon-spiced oranges.

For more infomation about this holiday, including hotel descriptions, travel options and full holiday itinerary, please see our new 'further details' section.