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.
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
* All breakfasts, 5 packed lunches and 6 dinners
* 7 nights accommodation (see accommodation section)
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
What is not included in this tour?
Flights
Arrival & departure transfers (available on request, inquire for supplement)
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)
Your holiday begins at the Alfa Soleil hotel in Kandersteg. You should aim to arrive late morning to early afternoon for a pre-dinner briefing from your walking leader.
A gentle walk to start our week, this varied and peaceful route takes us along the bottom of the upper Kandertal Valley to the world-famous Blausee – Blue lake. Lunch can be taken at the lake. The afternoon is free to enjoy the hotel’s facilities and the wonderful views of the valley.
In the morning we take ride on the Sunnbüel cable car to the start of the walk. We then cross the cantonal border into the Valais and walk to the Schwarenbach Hotel, where even Lenin and Picasso have signed the visitors’ book! From here we walk to the northern end of 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.
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 cable car, we climb to the viewpoint at Heuberg. Nothing can prepare us 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 Frunden glacier.
It’s a gentle start today with a spectacular cable car ride to ascend to the Allmenalp (1725m), a colourful meadow brimming with rural mountain charm. There are stunning views across the valley to the Oeschinensee with its magnificent turquoise-coloured waters and towering cliffs adorned with waterfalls. From the summit the 360° view is nothing less than spectacular, with 12 mountain peaks above 3000m in close proximity, and occasionally eagles frequent the adjoining peaks.
This is a day full of thrilling experiences, starting with an exciting 20 minute minibus ride along a narrow road literally carved 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 glacier 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, we meander through woods and open meadows; look out for lady slippers, fire lilies and more than 25 varieties of orchid before we return to the hotel with a local bus.
End Kandersteg. Following breakfast we say our goodbyes and take our train to the airport.
Where you stay
Hotel Alfa Soleil
Hotel Alfa Soleil exterior
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.
Hotel Alfa Soleil bedroomHotel Alfa Soleil bedroom
Eating and Drinking
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.
Overall Rating
5/5
Reviewed On 26/07/2019
4/5
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.
Reviewed On 26/07/2019
5/5
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.
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.