Itinerary Include flights Expand all Day 1 Fly to Basel, take the train to Kandersteg. Fly to Basel, take the train to Kandersteg. Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Walk along the Kandertal Valley and the Lotschberger trail. On our first day of walking we will visit the Kandersteg valley and the famous Lotschberger train line which is an important feature of the area. We wander through woods and paths towards the small village of Kandergrund for lunch before we continue the walk towards Frutigen. There is on option to travel back by bus (CHF6) or train (CHF11.20). Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner 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. 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. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 4 Short ride on the Oeschinensee cable car followed by a circular walk to the Heuberg viewpoint. 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. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 Free day. Optional activities include rowing on the Oeschinensee or a visit to the lakes near Interlaken. Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Ride on the Allmenalp cable car followed by a walk along the paths into the Ueschinen valley; descend to Kandersteg. 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. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Walk through the Gasterntal Valley to the Kanderfirn Glacier; return with local bus. 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. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 8 End Kandersteg; fly to London. Following breakfast we say our goodbyes. We take the train to the airport and fly to London. Meals included: Breakfast
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.
July 5, 2019 Views from the Path: The Best Hiking Trails in Europe Sometimes travel is about sticking to the main roads, but bold explorers know the excitement that comes from hiking o
Reviewed July 2019 Pam Bell Trip: Trails of the Swiss Alps Stunning scenery Five guided walks through beautiful scenery. The moderate grading was just right, with a varied selection of walks through alpine meadows as well as some more challenging steeper ascents. All giving stunning views of mountain peaks, waterfalls and lakes. 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 July 2019 Garance C Trip: Trails of the Swiss Alps Great landscapes in the Swiss mountains This trip covers one of the most beautiful regions of Switzerland, including sights of famous summits. I really enjoyed hiking in a varied and pristine environment, seeing deep blue altitude lakes, lots of waterfalls and powerful rivers going down the mountains as snow was still melting this time of year. The hikes were really adequate for a grade 3 with a few steep parts to keep it interesting and some flatter ones, going through hidden valleys full of spring flowers of all sorts. Very good level of accommodation in a comfortable family hotel where enjoying food and taking time to relax is taken very seriously! We even had a nice welcome drink to get started for the first briefing with our leader. Loads of activities to do on the free day like visiting nearby Interlaken, paragliding, going down a mountain slide or renting an e-bike, that some of our groups tried very successfully! 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.
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