dossier

Classic Swiss Alps Walk

CLASSIC SWISS ALPS WALK - DAY BY DAY

Hotel Alfa Soleil ***, Kandersteg

The Hotel Alfa Soleil is a traditional, cozy and family run hotel on the edge of the village (only 5 minutes walk from the centre) with a wonderful view over fields to the mountains behind. There are 35 rooms on three floors, all rooms are en-suite and have a television and telephone and hairdryer. For the evenings, the hotel has an English-style pub with a pool table and darts, which is also open to the general public. There is also a large lounge for residents with an open fire where you can relax for a quiet chat or with a book, or to play one of the hotel’s board games.

Further details on the hotel website.

Day 1   Arrive in Kandersteg

You arrive in time to settle in and perhaps enjoy an apéritif before dinner .

Day 2  Allmenalp  11km/7mi/3hr or 16km/10mi/4.5hr

A gentle start to your walking week begins with a spectacular cable car ride (small cost, pay locally) to ascend to the Allmenalp (1725m), a colorful meadow brimming with rural mountain charm. Stunning views across the valley to the Oeschinensee with its magnificent turquoise-colored waters and towering cliffs adornded with waterfalls. From the summit the 360 degree view is nothing less than spectacular , with 12 mountain peaks above 3000m in close proximity, and occasionally eagles frequent the adjoining peaks.

Day 3  The Gasterntal and Kanderfirn Glacier  13km/8mi/5hr

This is a day full of thrilling experiences, starting with an exciting 20-minute  minibus ride along a narrow road literally hacked out of the rock wall. The Gasterntal is Kandersteg’s “hidden valley”, dozens of snow-fed waterfalls thundering down the sheer rock faces carved out by a gigantic glaciers 10,000 years ago. From this romantic nature reserve, and with the mighty rock walls of the Tatlishorn and Atels towering up on the right, you meander through woods and open meadows: look out for lady slippers, fire lilies and more than 25 varieties of orchid!

Day 4  Oeschinensee  15km/9mi/5hr

Widely regarded as the “jewel in the crown’ of the Bernese Oberland, Oeschinensee is, in our view, the most beautiful Alpine lake in Switzerland. After a short ride up on the Nostalgia Chairlift (pay locally), you climb to the viewpoint at Heuberg: nothing can prepare you for the cobalt blue of the water surrounded by the razor-edged peaks of the Doldenhorn (3638m), towering  2000m above it, and striped by dainty waterfalls trickling down from the Früden glacier .

Day 5  Rest day

It’s less than an hour on the mountain railway to the fascinating and colorful town of Interlaken. From here, you can take a picturesque steamer ride, or catch the funicular to the town of St Harderkulm (1322m). Perhaps take the “rack and pinion” rail route to Schynige Platte and explore its Alpine Gardens (top tip: magnificent panorama of the famous Eiger -Mönch-Jungfrau trio from here!)

Day 6  Üschinengrat and the Gemmi Pass  15km/10mi/4hr or 20km/12mi/5.5hr

The Sunnbüel cable car (pay locally) whisks you up to nearly 2,000m, from where you climb to a fantastic ridge walk along the Üschinengrat (2200m). If you’re lucky, you’ll spot wild deer on the upper slopes. You might fancy lunch at the renowned Schwarenbach Hotel, where Lenin and Picasso have signed the visitors’ book. On past the Daubensee (sometimes still partially frozen) to the famous high Gemmi Pass (2322m), a major transalpine route first used by the Celts. The extraordinary panorama of the Valais Alps to the south includes the Matterhorn (4478m) and Monte Rosa on the Italian border .

Day 7  The Sud Rampe  12km/7mi/3.5hr or 18km/11mi/5.5hr

Today starts with a 25 minute rail ride through the mountains up to the village of Hohtenn where your route takes you high above the Rhone Valley, and through a landscape of gorges, plunging waterfalls and small colorful villages hemmed in by vineyards on the edge of the fertile Rhone Valley.

Day 8  Leave Kandersteg

WALKING DETAILS

The walking is of moderate difficulty and includes mountain walking on good (though sometimes narrow) paths with occasional steepish climbs.

Note: Some ski lifts/cable cars do not operate in early/late season when alternative walks will be proposed.