
Trails of the Swiss Alps
Discover the western end of the Bernese Oberland range
-
Reviews 2 Reviews5/5
-
Vacation Style Holiday Type
-
Walking
-
-
Activity Level Moderate
-
Group Size Small Group
Located in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, where the great arc of the Alps culminates in some of its highest and most spectacular peaks, Kandersteg is a walker’s paradise. This area epitomises the ‘chocolate-box’ Alps: lush green meadows bright with wildflowers, against a backdrop of rugged, wild mountains, topped with glistening glaciers. We stay at the charming Hotel Alfa Soleil, owned by the Seiler family, and discover the best of the region offers, including towering cliffs, a hidden valley headed by a glacier, a sheer gorge carved out by glacial meltwaters and more.
* All breakfasts, 5 packed lunches and 6 dinners
* 7 nights 3-star Hotel Alfa Soleil, all rooms en suite
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Travel by train, cable car and bus
- Flights
- Tourist Tax (CHF 28)
- Single Accommodation (available on request – limited availability, inquire for supplement)
Highlights
- Centre based in the pretty village of Kandersteg
- Classic Swiss landscapes
- Views of the Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau and Matterhorn
- Waterfalls and wildflowers (best in early spring/summer)
- Day 1 Start Kandersteg
- Day 2 Walk along the Kandertal Valley and the Lotschberger trail.
- Day 3 Ride on the Sunnbüel cable car to the start of the walk. Cross the cantonal border into the Valais; hike to the northern end of the Daubensee.
- Day 4 Short ride on the Oeschinensee cable car followed by a circular walk to the Heuberg viewpoint.
- Day 5 Free day.
- Day 6 Ride on the Allmenalp cable car followed by a walk along the paths into the Ueschinen valley; descend to Kandersteg.
- Day 7 Walk through the Gasterntal Valley to the Kanderfirn Glacier; return with local bus.
- Day 8 End Kandersteg.

Hotel Alfa Soleil

The Hotel Alfa Soleil is a traditional, cosy 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. It has been owned by the same family for three generations. All rooms are en suite and have a television, telephone, hairdryer and wifi.
For the evenings, the hotel has a cosy lounge bar with a pool table which is open to both hotel guests and the general public. There is also a large lounge area for residents with an open fire, gym, indoor pool, Jetstream and soft-jacuzzi and sauna.
Single rooms are available for a supplement – subject to availability.


All breakfasts, 5 packed lunches and 6 dinners included. For dinner, we enjoy regional dishes.
With such a mixture of language and tradition co-existing in such a small country, it is no wonder that there are so many regional dishes. In the Bernese Oberland, Austrian and German influences predominate; gastronomic local delicacies include geschnetzeltes Kalbsfleisch (veal in a rich cream sauce), Kandersteger Bratwurst au Mad re-Jus (roast sausage with a Madeira sauce), Lammbraten gefüllt mit Kraütern (herb roasted lamb) and smoked pork with sauerkraut, and a selection of colorful salads. Typical desserts include Caramel-Birne mit Rum-Sabayon (caramelized pear with a rum sabayon) and Aprikosen-Symphonie (apricot gateau).
Activity level: 3 (Moderate)
The walks on this trip are graded moderate and they include mountain walking on good (though sometimes narrow) paths with occasional steepish climbs. Some walks will get your pulse racing but we will also have plenty of time to rest. Although the walks are not technically challenging, you do need to be steady on your feet. All walks take between 4 and 6 hours including lunch stops and require a moderate level of fitness.
You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference:
https://www.breakaway-adventures.com/Breakaway_wt_fitness_training_guide.pdf
Following a review of all our trips we have categorized this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveler on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Package Confirmed Dates | Trip Status Trip Status | Price (PP) Excluding Flights | Price (PP) Including Flights | |
---|---|---|---|---|
June 5, 2021
|
Available |
$2,449.00 |
N/A |
|
June 26, 2021
|
Available |
$2,449.00 |
N/A |
|
July 3, 2021
|
Available |
$2,579.00 |
N/A |
|
July 10, 2021
|
Available |
$2,579.00 |
N/A |
|
August 21, 2021
|
Available |
$2,579.00 |
N/A |
|
September 4, 2021
|
Available |
$2,579.00 |
N/A |
|
September 18, 2021
|
Available |
$2,449.00 |
N/A |
Stunning scenery
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Gasterntal Valley was the most challenging walk, but the sense of achievement when finally eating lunch overlooking Kanderfirn Glacier was worth all the of the climb.What did you think of your group leader?
Liz was excellent; aware of all of the groups capabilities and setting a pace that matched it. She was very informative, friendly and supportive, whilst always ready to share a joke.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
When arriving at the airport, leave through the Swiss exit to meet the Exodus guide, not the French/German exit - very confusing as they don't come out in the same place. Take gloves and hat for the Kanderfirn Glacier walk (as well as the normal layers and waterproofs) - its cold up there even in the sun.Great landscapes in the Swiss mountains
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Discovering the local culture and landscapes was a highlight. We were lucky enough to sample some local cheese kindly offered by a lady who makes her own cheese in an altitude chalet where we had stopped for coffee.What did you think of your group leader?
Liz our leader was extremely helpful and very well prepared. She knew how to advise us on the equipment needed so that we were all well prepared for each walk, and where to stop for water refill etc. to make every day very enjoyable. She was careful about checking on us but also leaving space for us to go at our own pace.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you bring good boots, and if you can, bring some walking poles, they can come very handy on rocky surfaces and when going down long stretches.