dossier

The Alpine Pass Route

Travel Information
Arrival: Hourly train service from Zurich airport (2hrs 40mins; changeat Luzern) and Geneva airport (about 4 hours 45mins; change at Bern (usually)and at Luzern).

First Hotel: Engelberg.

Nearest airport to first hotel: Zurich

Alternative airport (and nearest to last hotel): Geneva

End of Tour: On day 14 at Saanen.

Season: Start any day, mid-July to mid September.

Swiss Travel Cards
Allow free travel from the airport of arrival to your 1st hotel and from thelast hotel back to the airport. In between you enjoy half price travel ontrains (including the Jungfrau railway), post buses, lake steamers and manycable cars as well. They are probably a good investment even if you are justdoing this walk and have no other travel plans within Switzerland. Consult yournearest Swiss tourist office or Rail Europe, www.raileurope.com or toll free:1-800-848-7245 for full details. Swiss Transfer Cards are similar but onlycover journeys between the airports and the first and last hotels. Theycost approx $195.

Grade
Grade C (Challenging). This self-guided tour is not available to singles. Thisis a trek, which involves much daily uphill and downhill walking. It is onlysuitable for fit walkers who can readily manage days with more than 1000mascent and descent in a day. Those in good physical condition, who take regularexercise and who have recent hill-walking experience, will find this a tripwhose exciting challenges are equally matched by its rewards. The longest day(Lauterbrunnen to Griesalp) can be shortened by using a mountain railway forthe first part of the route. The highest point on the Alpine pass Route is2778m (Hohturli on Day 9 of this tour); but many walkers also visit theBlumlisalp Hut, which lies a little way above the Hohturli at 2837m.

Waymarking
The route is well waymarked and signposted. It is necessary to carry and beable to use a compass in case of mist.

Bad Weather / Adverse conditions
We strongly recommend that each morning you consult your hotelier and/or callthe local tourist office and/or or phone ahead to mountain huts on or near theday's route for the weather forecast. In case of anticipated bad weather oradverse snow conditions which may impede walking at high level we describe inthe route notes alternative ways of reaching your destination each day bystaying as far as possible in the valleys and using public transport. Weprovide relevant bus, train and cable car timetables. Public transport faresare not included in the tour price, but tickets can be obtained at a 50%discount with a Swiss Travel Card.

Climate
Our treks in the Alps operate during the European summer. In recent years,temperatures have ranged from 15 C - 30 C (60 – 90 F) during the day, withnights from 15 C (60 F) to below freezing. Although rain and snow is possibleat any time in the season, there are fortunately very few prolonged periods ofbad weather. Clear skies and spectacular sunsets are frequently experienced.New snowfall is possible in September.

Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation on this trek is in a mixture of hotels, ranging from 1 to 3 star,and two mountain inns. The mountain inns normally provide dormitory-styleaccommodation. However they also have some fairly basic twin-bedded rooms,which we will reserve for you when available. Bed and breakfast and 8 eveningmeals are included in the tour price. The other 5 evening meals can be obtainedat each night's stop without pre-booking. Pleasenote: there may be variations regarding where the evening meals are included;but the standard arrangement is as detailed below for each night. If there areany variations this will be made clear in your accommodation schedule, whichyou will receive with your route note and map package. Lunches are notincluded, but picnic materials or packed lunches can be obtained locally.We suggest you budget US$200 per person for meals not included.

Night 1: Engelberg. A comfortable hotel close to this Alpine villagewith its 12th century Benedictine monastery. Half board.

Night 2: Engstlenalp. Mountain inn. Basic accommodation intwin-bedded rooms. No baggage transfer to or from Engstlenalp. Evening mealavailable at the inn.

Night 3: Meiringen. Our 3* hotel is centrally located near shops andthe station and has modern facilities and has received praise from previouscustomers. Half board.

Nights 4 & 5: Grindelwald. Here we stay at a cozy chalet-hotelwith a spectacular view of the Eiger and the surrounding peaks. All roomsfacing south have balcony, shower and toilet/sink. The hotel is a short walkfrom train stations and the Firstbahn gondola station. Bed and breakfast only.Evening meals can be obtained either at the hotel or elsewhere in thetown.

Nights 6 & 7: Lauterbrunnen. Our recently modernized 3-starhotel, only two minutes' walk from the train station, provides views of thefamous Jungfrau Mountain and of the waterfalls on both sides of the valley. Theen suite rooms are tastefully furnished and decorated. First night half board,second night bed and breakfast only. Evening meal on the second night can beobtained either at the hotel or elsewhere in the village.

Night 8: Griesalp/Golderli. Mountain inn. Basic accommodation intwin-bedded rooms. No baggage transfer to or from Griesalp. Half board.

Nights 9 & 10: Kandersteg. A 3-star hotel centrally located withconvenient access to the hiking trails, cable cars and lifts, shops and therailway station (5 minutes on foot). All rooms have a balcony, bath/shower, toilet/sink, hair-dryer,cable-TV, radio and direct-dial telephone. First night half-board, second night bed & breakfast. Evening meal on the second night can beobtained either at the hotel or elsewhere in the village.

Night 11: Adelboden. A friendly welcome awaits you at this chaletstyle hotel. Pine furniture is much in evidence. Buffet style breakfastincluding Swiss cheeses. Sauna, gymnasium and whirlpool. Half board.

Night 12: Lenk. Here we stay in a 3-star chalet style hotel with 22rooms close to the centre of the village. All rooms have bath/shower andtoilet/sink and many have own balcony. The hotel has a lawn and sun terracewith alpine views. There is a nearby sulphur spa and public pool. Friendly andwell-informed management. Half board.

Night 13: Saanen. On the site of the former town hall, this hotel wasbuilt in1907 and renovated in 1982. The comfortable guest rooms are in thetraditional style of the region. Half board.

Baggage Transfers
On most days your baggage is transported from hotel to hotel, so it will not benecessary to carry more than a light pack containing items you will need duringthe day. For the overnight stays at Engstlenalp (night 2) and Griesalp (night8) you will also need to carry spare clothes and washing kit as you are notreunited with your baggage on those occasions.

We provide you with . . .
Maps, book (Kev Reynolds) and route notes.

Escorted Departures
These are ideal for those who arenot sure about their navigational skills, or just want to do walks in companyof other like-minded individuals.

In 2008 we are offering two escorted departures on this route. Startingdates are:
Sat July 5 – Fri Jul 18 and Sun Aug 16 – Sat Aug 29

ITINERARY

1,000m=3,281ft. 1km = 0.62miles.

Day 1: Arrive in Engelberg. There is an hourly train service from Zurich airport (nearer) and from Geneva airport to Engelberg, changing trains in Luzern. Journey time from Zurich airport is 2 hrs 40 mins and from Geneva airport 4 hours 45mins. Engelberg is a beautifully situated mountain resort with a 12th century Benedictine monastery.

Day 2: Engelberg (1002m) to Engstlenalp (1834m) Highest point Jochpass (2207m). 14km(9mi)/ 4hrs 50mins. Our route takes us up past the Trubsee (1764m). From the lake we climb to the Jochpass (2,207m). We overnight in the delightful old Engstlenalp Hotel (a mountain inn).

Bad weather alternative: weather and snow are unlikely to impede this day during our season, but in emergency take the train from Engelberg to Hergiswil (hourly, duration 50 mins), change there for the train to Meiringen (hourly, duration 1 hour 10 mins) and post bus to Engstlenalp (about every 2 hours, journey time 1 hour). The last bus from Meiringen leaves at 15.45.

Day 3: Engstlenalp (1834m) to Meiringen (595m). 17 km(11mi)/4hrs 40 mins. Highest point Engstlenalp (1834m). We follow a little-used path, descending through forest and along the enchanting Gental valley to Reuti before a final steep descent to Meiringen. Near Meiringen are the Reichenbach Falls, scene of Sherlock Holmes' final struggle with Moriarty, and the Aareschlucht gorge.

Bad weather alternative: either take the post bus to Meiringen (about every 2 hours, journey time 1 hour), or, in the very unlikely event that the weather is too bad for the bus to run, the only alternatives are to walk down the road (15km/9mi)) or stay another night at Engstlenalp.

Day 4: Meiringen (595m) to Grindelwald (1034m). 21km(13mi)/7hrs 30 mins. Highest point Grosse Scheidegg (1962m). Along hard ascent which can be eased by taking the bus for part of the way up to Schwarzwaldalp (1454m). Towering above on your left is the massive peak of the Wetterhorn (3704m). You descend to Grindelwald, the village of Glaciers" nestling below an amphitheatre of peaks, the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.

Bad weather alternative: there is a post bus which runs parallel to the walking route from Meiringen via Schwarzwaldalp and Grosse Scheidegg to Grindelwald. If conditions are too bad for this to run, take the train from Meiringen to Interlaken Ost and change there for Grindelwald. Frequency hourly; journey time 1 hour 20 minutes.

Day 5: Rest day in Grindelwald, a resort town overlooked by the towering Eigerwand (North Face of the Eiger), scene of many dramatic climbing exploits. A trip on the Jungfrau railway (highest in Europe and 3rd highest in the world) is well worthwhile even though somewhat expensive at approximately US$98. A magnificent view from the Jungfraujoch station (3454m) if it is clear - so check the weather forecast. You change trains at Kleine Scheidegg. A gondola (mini-cable car) (approx US$50) trip up to first gives access to a delightful walk to the Faulhorn peak (2681m), a tremendous viewpoint in clear weather. There are numerous other fine day walks at all altitudes around Grindelwald.

Day 6: Grindelwald (1034m) to Lauterbrunnen (797m). 19km(12mi)/6hrs 30mins. Highest point Kleine Scheidegg (2061m). A short descent to Grund (943m) and then a steady ascent along a steep forest track to the day's high point at the famous pass of Kleine Scheidegg, and then down via the beautifully located village of Wengen to Lauterbrunnen deep down in the Loetschinen valley.

Bad weather alternative: the BOB railway runs parallel to the walking route from Grindelwald up to Kleine Scheidegg and down via Wengen to Lauterbrunnen. Hourly service, change trains at Kleine Scheidegg. Otherwise take the valley rail route from Grindelwald and change at Zweiluetschinen for Lauterbrunnen. Hourly service.

Day 7: In Lauterbrunnen. Lauterbrunnen lies in a spectacular narrow valley and is one of the major attractions of the Bernese Oberland. One possibility is to anticipate tomorrow's long climb by walking the first part up to Murren today. From Murren you can walk back by a scenic route via Gimmelwald down to Stechelberg, from where there is an hourly bus back along the valley to Lauterbrunnen. Another possibility is to take the cable car up from Stechelberg or Murren to the Schilthorn.

Day 8: Lauterbrunnen (797m) or Murren (1665m) to Griesalp/Golderli (1408m). 21km(13mi)/9 hrs 30 mins (15km(9mi)/7 hours from Murren). High point Sefinenfurke (2612m). It is a very long climb up from Lauterbrunnen (795m) to the Sefinenfurke Pass (2,612m), but if you have followed our suggestion of walking up to Murren on Day 7, it is possible to shorten this without missing out any of the walk by taking the rack and pinion railway up to Murren (1665m). The climb on from Murren via Brunli (2,127m) is straightforward. Our exertions are rewarded by stunning views of the Eiger (3,970m), Monch (4,099m) and Jungfrau (4,158m). From the Sefinenfurke Pass it is a steep and impressive descent into the Durenberg valley and down to Griesalp, for our night's accommodation in fairly basic twin-bedded rooms in a mountain inn.

Bad weather alternative: train from Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken Ost; change there for train to Spiez; change there again for train to Reichenbach-in-Kandertal; then bus to Griesalp. The train journey operates hourly and the journey time from Lauterbrunnen to Reichenbach-in-Kandertal takes 1 hour 15 minutes. The bus runs 7 times per day (approx every 2 hours) and the bus journey takes 45 minutes. The last bus departure in summer is at about 17.30pm.

Day 9: Griesalp-Golderli (1408m) to Kandersteg (1176m). 15km(9mi)/7hrs 30mins. High point Hohturli (2778m). Today is probably the hardest day of the trip. There are rewards in some of the finest scenery of the trip. The last section of the ascent from Griesalp to Hohturli is steep and aided by chains. The hut near the Hohturli, Blumlisalphutte (2,837m), is just a few minutes' climb away and offers welcome refreshments. Then a beautiful descent past the large Oeschinensee alpine lake to Kandersteg.

Bad weather alternative: take the bus from Griesalp down to Reichenbach-in-Kandertal (service approx every 2 hours - journey time 45 minutes), then hourly train to Kandersteg (40 to 55 mins; in some cases change trains at Frutigen).

Day 10: In Kandersteg. We can recommend taking the Sunnegga cable car and trekking up to the famous Gemmi Pass with great views down to Leukerbad in Valais.

Day 11: Kandersteg (1176m) to Adelboden (1356m). 16km(10mi)/6hrs 45mins. High point Bundechrinde pass (2380m). A long ascent with beautiful views back to the Blumlisalp massif and the Oeschinensee. After traversing the Bundechrinde pass (2380m; some awkward scree slopes here), a long descent to Adelboden.

Bad weather alternative: train from Kandersteg to Frutigen (hourly; takes 17 minutes); then bus to Adelboden (hourly service; takes 30 minutes).

Day 12: Adelboden (1356m) to Lenk (1068m). 18km(11mi)/7hrs. High point Hahnenmoospass (1956m). Overall a fairly gentle day. From Adelboden you climb through a mixture of woods and meadows to the Hahnenmoospass. After a level section there is a final steep descent to the village of Lenk, which lies below the Simmenfalle (waterfalls).

Bad weather alternative: bus from Adelboden to Frutigen (hourly service; takes 30 minutes); then train to Lenk (change trains at Spiez and Zweisimmen; hourly service; train journey time 2 hours).

Day 13: Lenk (1068m) to Lauenen (1241m). 14km(9mi)/5hrs. High point Trutlisberg Pass (2038m). A long easy climb from Lenk to the Truttlisberg Pass. From the pass there are outstanding views of the Wildstrubel peak (3,243m) and surrounding snowy peaks and glaciers. A short ascent brings us to a delightful picnic spot amongst mountain gentians. You then descend to the Turbach valley and take the bus (approx. hourly service) from Lauenen down to Gstaad and walk/short train ride to Saanen.

Bad weather alternative: train from Lenk to Zweisimmen; change there for train to Saanen.

Day 14: Departure. Train from Saanen to Geneva airport (approx hourly service, journey time 3 hrs, change trains at Montreux) or to Zurich airport (approx. hourly service, journey time 3 hrs 45 mins, change trains at Zweisimmen, Spiez and Bern).

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