Switzerland’s Via Alpina Walking Holiday

Travel overview

Travel to the alpine town of Meiringen, gateway to the Bernese Alps and the starting point for this section of the Via Alpina. After settling into your centrally located hotel, take time to explore this charming mountain town, set between dramatic limestone cliffs and lush valleys. You may wish to dine in the hotel’s excellent restaurant or stroll into the village where several welcoming eateries serve regional Swiss specialities. After a restful night and hearty breakfast, you’ll be ready to begin your journey through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Bernese Oberland.

4* Hotel Victoria, Meiringen (B&B)

Your journey begins in Meiringen, a traditional alpine town best known as the gateway to the high Bernese Alps. You’ll stay at the elegant Hotel Victoria, a refined 4-star hotel set close to the centre, with shops, cafés and the Reichenbach Falls nearby.

Rooms are spacious and classically styled, offering a comfortable base for the days ahead. Breakfast is a generous buffet of fresh breads, pastries, fruit, cheeses and hot options. With the mountains rising all around, there’s a real sense of anticipation here as your Via Alpina adventure begins.

Walk overview

Your walk begins beside the famous Reichenbach Falls, where thundering water plunges dramatically into the gorge below. The trail continues through forest and alpine pasture to the historic Hotel Rosenlaui and the impressive Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, watched over by the towering Wetterhorn. Crossing wild moorland landscapes towards the Grosse Scheidegg, magnificent views open towards the legendary trio of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. A scenic descent then leads into Grindelwald, where the dramatic Eiger North Face dominates the skyline.

4* Hotel Kirchbühl, Grindelwald (B&B)

Arriving beneath the towering north face of the Eiger, Grindelwald is one of the most dramatic settings in the Alps. Tonight you stay at the 4-star Hotel Kirchbühl, perched above the village with panoramic views across the valley.

After your walk, the hotel’s terrace is the perfect place to take in the scenery. Breakfast the following morning includes a wide buffet of breads, cheeses, fruit and hot dishes. The combination of altitude, scenery and comfort makes this one of the standout nights of the journey.

Walk overview

Leaving Grindelwald, today’s walk climbs steadily through flower-rich alpine meadows towards Kleine Scheidegg. Throughout the ascent the immense Eiger North Face rises above you — one of the most legendary walls in mountaineering. From the pass, a high-level panoramic trail leads across open mountain slopes where marmots are sometimes spotted among the rocks. Your destination is the car-free village of Wengen, perched on a natural balcony high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley with breathtaking views of the Jungfrau.

4* Hotel Regina, Wengen (B&B)

Perched high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Wengen offers a quieter, more timeless alpine atmosphere. Your stay is at the historic Hotel Regina, a grand 4-star hotel with a long tradition of welcoming mountain travellers.

Set in a peaceful, car-free village, it’s an ideal place to unwind after the day’s walking. Breakfast is served buffet-style, with fresh breads, pastries, fruit and local produce. In the evening, the views across the valley and towards the high peaks are particularly memorable as the light fades.

Walk overview

A woodland trail leads from Wengen to the spectacular Trümmelbach Falls, where glacial water roars through narrow rock chambers deep within the mountain. After descending into Lauterbrunnen, a cable car carries you to the cliff-top village of Mürren, offering superb views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Crossing flower-filled alpine pastures, the route climbs steadily to the dramatic Sefinenfurgge Pass, gateway to the remote Kiental.

Hotel Berghaus, Griesalp (half-board)

Tonight brings a change of pace as you stay high in the mountains at Hotel Berghaus, a traditional alpine hotel in a remote and spectacular setting. Surrounded by towering peaks and accessed via one of Switzerland’s most dramatic valleys, Griesalp feels wonderfully off the beaten track.

Dinner is taken in the hotel and typically features hearty Swiss mountain dishes, perfect after a demanding day on the trail. Breakfast the following morning is simple but plentiful, setting you up for another unforgettable stage through the high Alps.

Walk overview

Today’s stage crosses the highest and most dramatic section of your route. The trail climbs to the rugged Hohtürli Pass at 2778m, where chains and steps assist hikers across a short exposed section. Nearby stands the welcoming Blümlisalphütte, perfectly placed for a well-earned rest. From here the path descends across glacial moraine to the stunning Oeschinensee, its turquoise waters framed by towering cliffs and glaciers. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps, it marks the approach to Kandersteg.

3* Victoria Belle Epoque, Kandersteg (B&B)

Descending back into the valley, you arrive in Kandersteg, a classic Swiss mountain village surrounded by forested slopes and waterfalls. You’ll stay at the charming Victoria Belle Epoque Hotel, a 3-star property full of character and traditional alpine style.

The village has a relaxed feel, with several restaurants and cafés within easy reach for the evening. Breakfast is a continental buffet with fresh breads, pastries, fruit and local cheeses, offering a gentle start before the next day’s walk.

Walk overview

From Kandersteg, surrounded by traditional wooden chalets and lush meadows, a cable car lifts you to Allmenalp. The trail climbs through high alpine terrain rich with summer wildflowers, occasionally revealing chamois grazing on steep slopes. Your goal is the dramatic Bunderchrinde Pass, where sweeping views open across the remote Engstligen Valley. From here, a long but rewarding descent leads through quiet alpine pastures and woodland into the charming mountain resort of Adelboden.

4* Bellevue Parkhotel & Spa, Adelboden (B&B)

Set on a sunny terrace high above the valley, Adelboden combines wide mountain views with a lively alpine atmosphere. Tonight you stay at the 4-star Bellevue Parkhotel & Spa, a stylish hotel known for its comfort and excellent spa facilities.

After your walk, there’s time to relax and enjoy the surroundings before heading into the village. Breakfast the next morning is a generous buffet, including fresh breads, pastries, fruit and hot options, preparing you for your final day on the trail.

Walk overview

Your final walk begins in Adelboden, following the Glisbach through forest and open moorland. The trail climbs gently to the scenic Hahnenmoospass, where sweeping views reveal the broad Simmental Valley below. Descending through alpine meadows alive with butterflies and wildflowers in summer, you reach Lenk, beautifully framed by the glaciated peaks of the Wildstrubel Massif — a fitting finale to your journey through the Bernese Alps.

3* Hotel Kruez, Lenk (B&B)

Your final night is spent in Lenk, a peaceful village set at the head of a broad valley. Accommodation is at the welcoming Hotel Kreuz, a comfortable 3-star hotel located close to the village centre.

With shops, cafés and walking trails nearby, it’s an ideal place to reflect on your journey through the Alps. Breakfast the following morning includes a buffet of breads, pastries, fruit and local produce. It’s a relaxed and fitting end to a week of spectacular mountain walking.

Travel overview

After breakfast, make your own onward travel arrangements from Lenk. If you are returning to the starting point of your journey, regular rail connections link Lenk with Meiringen, with a scenic journey of around three hours through the heart of the Bernese Oberland. Alternatively, you may wish to continue your travels through Switzerland, taking advantage of the country’s excellent rail network to reach destinations such as Bern or Zurich. Whichever you choose, you leave with lasting memories of an unforgettable journey along one of the finest sections of the Via Alpina.