Walking the Bernese Highlights West

The adventure

Cross Switzerland’s high mountain passes, from Mürren to Gstaad through lush, alpine valleys nestled between traditional Swiss villages Walking high in the mountains on the Bernese Highlights West offers a more challenging route than the Bernese Highlights East. Amazing views are the reward for your efforts and at every turn in the way you will be greeted by some of the most dramatic mountain scenery

At a glance

Day by day

Your journey through

Switzerland

Showing Days 1-7

8-day itinerary

Day 1Arrive MurrenIt is a good idea to add an extra day or two in Murren 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 Edelweiss, Murren.

It is a good idea to add an extra day or two in Murren 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 Edelweiss, Murren.

Day 2Murren to GreisalpYou begin with a steady ascent from Murren to Rotstockhutte. Enjoy a healthy lunch in this marvellous setting, before you climb the high pass of Sefinenfurgge which becomes quite steep towards the end. Descend on a scree section, dotted with wooden steps as you enter the attractive valley of Griesalp. Overnight Hotel Berghaus, Griesalp.

Murren to Greisalp

You begin with a steady ascent from Murren to Rotstockhutte. Enjoy a healthy lunch in this marvellous setting, before you climb the high pass of Sefinenfurgge which becomes quite steep towards the end. Descend on a scree section, dotted with wooden steps as you enter the attractive valley of Griesalp. Overnight Hotel Berghaus, Griesalp.

Day 3Griesalp to KanderstegAnother challenging but unforgettable day! Be prepared for an almost unrelenting ascent to reach Hohturli pass at 1,370m. Weather conditions permitting, the views are utterly magnificent! The descent is both long and steep in places, affording close up views of a number of glaciers in addition to the turquoise waters of Lake Oeschinensee in its stunning setting above Kandersteg. From Oeschinensee a cable car operates to Kandersteg eliminating the final descent of approx. 1mile. Overnight Hotel Blumlisalp 3*, Kandersteg.

Griesalp to Kandersteg

Another challenging but unforgettable day! Be prepared for an almost unrelenting ascent to reach Hohturli pass at 1,370m. Weather conditions permitting, the views are utterly magnificent! The descent is both long and steep in places, affording close up views of a number of glaciers in addition to the turquoise waters of Lake Oeschinensee in its stunning setting above Kandersteg. From Oeschinensee a cable car operates to Kandersteg eliminating the final descent of approx. 1mile. Overnight Hotel Blumlisalp 3*, Kandersteg.

Day 4At Leisure in KanderstegA free day if you wish with time relaxing in the hotel or just wandering around this delightful village. Overnight Hotel Blumlisalp 3*, Kandersteg.

A free day if you wish with time relaxing in the hotel or just wandering around this delightful village. Overnight Hotel Blumlisalp 3*, Kandersteg.

Day 5Kandersteg to AdelbodenNot as tough as the previous days, as we suggest you use the Allmenalp cable car and then walk towards Bunderchrinde. Afterwards, you descend down to the valley, before one last ascent takes you up to the charming village of Adelboden. Overnight Hotel Adler, Adelboden.

Kandersteg to Adelboden

Not as tough as the previous days, as we suggest you use the Allmenalp cable car and then walk towards Bunderchrinde. Afterwards, you descend down to the valley, before one last ascent takes you up to the charming village of Adelboden. Overnight Hotel Adler, Adelboden.

Day 6Adelboden to LenkYour walk today is a less dramatic ascent, much of it alongside pretty streams in woodland and then out onto the beautifully groomed pastures of upland Switzerland. The scenery is less rugged though there are still snow-capped peaks in view - you cross from one valley to another on easier paths mainly among scenic alpine meadows. Overnight Hotel Kreuz, Lenk.

Adelboden to Lenk

Your walk today is a less dramatic ascent, much of it alongside pretty streams in woodland and then out onto the beautifully groomed pastures of upland Switzerland. The scenery is less rugged though there are still snow-capped peaks in view - you cross from one valley to another on easier paths mainly among scenic alpine meadows. Overnight Hotel Kreuz, Lenk.

Day 7Lenk to GstaadYour climb out of Lenk today takes you above the Wallbach valley in a SW direction towards the Truttlisbergpass. Once you are clear of the forest the views grow increasingly stunning and you can see yesterday's walk behind you. You cross from Lenk over the Trutlisbergpass to Lauenen, then down the valley to Gstaad with superb views on both sides of the pass and a short gorge walk to add further dimension to the day. The valley descent (3 miles) can be avoided by catching the bus at Lauenen to Gstaad. Overnight Hotel Alphorn, Gstaad.

Lenk to Gstaad

Your climb out of Lenk today takes you above the Wallbach valley in a SW direction towards the Truttlisbergpass. Once you are clear of the forest the views grow increasingly stunning and you can see yesterday's walk behind you. You cross from Lenk over the Trutlisbergpass to Lauenen, then down the valley to Gstaad with superb views on both sides of the pass and a short gorge walk to add further dimension to the day. The valley descent (3 miles) can be avoided by catching the bus at Lauenen to Gstaad. Overnight Hotel Alphorn, Gstaad.

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