Walking the Bernese Highlights East

Walking information

The paths are all excellent quality and are well waymarked. The route has many options for shortening by taking a cable car or post bus to take the strain out of the climbs or pressure off the knees for the downhill sections.

Day 1: Arrive Engelberg

It is a good idea to add an extra day or two in Engelberg before starting your Bernese Highlights walk to get used to walking at high altitudes. We have several walks to chose from based here.
Overnight Hotel Schweizerhof 3*, Engelberg (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 2: Engelberg to Engstlenalp 12KM/7.5MILES

Todays walk takes you up past the Trubsee Lake from where you climb to the Jochpass before descending to Engstlenalp. A demanding first day because of the total ascent involved, which can be reduced by using one or more cable cars. From Engelberg, you walk along the right hand side of the picturesque Engstlensee, where a profusion of wild flowers and shy marmots may catch your eye. Take some time to enjoy the beautiful Trubsee Lake before continuing to Engstlenalp.
Overnight Hotel Engstlenalp 3H, Engstlenalp (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 3: Engstlenalp to Meiringen 16KM/10MILES

This is a superb walk firstly above the Gental, a wonderland for lovers of wildflowers and butterflies early in the season then facing the quite different Hasliberg region. Beginning in chirping woodland, the path drops straight away crossing small trees through interesting vegetation. The path takes you right up to a number of impressive waterfalls with opportunities to see wild deer, marmots and of course the friendly Swiss cow. The path brings you down into Interrkirchen where you can carry on to Aareschlucht to witness the stunning Aare Gorge.
Overnight Hotel Meiringen 3*, Meiringen (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 4: At Leisure in Meiringen

There is a choice of day walks exploring this amazing walking area or take a day off from walking and visit Ballenburg Switzerland's greatest open-air museum, take the steam railway to the top of the Rothorn or just cruise on Lake Brienz.
Overnight Hotel Meiringen 3*, Meiringen (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 5: Meiringen to Schwarzwaldalp 11KM/7MILES

A short day albeit energetic early on, with opportunities for diversions. Leaving Meiringen behind, you cross the River Aare and head up past the Reichenbach Falls, famous for the death of Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes in Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle's classic before walking through the stunning Rosenlaui valley to Schwarzwaldalp.
Overnight Chalet Schwarzwaldalp 3H, Schwarzwaldalp (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 6: Schwarzwaldalp to Grindelwald 11KM/7MILES OR 14KM/9MILES

Today, you can either take the superb high-level route via First and Bussalp or the more leisurely crossing of Grosse Scheidegg.

The high-level route is a truly memorable walk which will take you over the pass from one valley, Reichenbachtal, to another, Lutschental, offering spectacular views of the Berner Oberland giants. Alternatively, embark on a steady ascent to the pass at Grosse Scheidegg with magnificent mountain views behind you.
Overnight Hotel Lauberhorn 3*, Grindelwald (breakfast included).

Day 7: Grindelwald to Murren 16KM/10MILES OR 22KM/14MILES

Again, there are two options today. Either take the Eiger Trail along the foot of the North Face, or the more challenging route over Kleine Scheidegg - both with stunning views. Mountain railways also offer alternative starts and ends.

If you choose to walk via Kleine Scheidegg, this will be the longest day of your trip, with unmatched views of the Eiger, the Monch, and the Jungfrau mountains. Walking by the Eiger Trail is a truly magnificent route which brings you so close to the many scenes of triumph and tragedy - it would be worth reading the story of the great Eiger climbs before your trip. Both routes bring you to Lauterbrunnen where you'll need to catch the cable car up to Murren station, followed by the most amazing mountain rail journey to Murren village. This is one of the best places to see the North Face of the Eiger, just make sure you sit on the left!
Overnight Hotel Jungfrau 3*, Murren (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 8: Depart Mürren

Say fond farewells to Switzerland as you depart on the train.