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Valleys of the Bernese Oberland

A classic walk from valley to valley
 

Holiday Highlights

Majestic mountains | The views looking back through the Lauenental Valley reveal the majestic mountains on your route.
Gondola journey | Explore the shores of beautiful Lake Oeschinen, reached by gondola from Kandersteg.
Kander Gorge | Venture into spectacular Kander Gorge, from where you can access the Gastern Valley and its breathtaking waterfalls.
Price from
£1365pp
Valleys of the Bernese Oberland. 7 nights
Price from
£1365pp
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Price from
£1365pp
Valleys of the Bernese Oberland. 7 nights
Price from
£1365pp
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in the Bernese Oberland

Explore some of Switzerland’s most beautiful scenery on this self-guided walking holiday, with luggage transported. There is a good choice of routes – all featuring magnificent Alpine views – and three of your four friendly, welcoming hotels offer an indoor pool.
The Bernese Oberland is justly famed as the most dramatic region of Switzerland, but the romantic names of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Schilthorn are but part of the story. The Oberland also possesses rolling green hills, flower-filled meadows, shady forests and villages tucked away in the quiet, sheltered valleys, where you will find a special serenity. For walking, few regions are its equal...

Well-waymarked paths offer thrilling views at every turn, with vivid green meadows – carpeted in flowers from mid-June to mid-July – giving way to dramatic, snow-capped peaks. Our walk takes you through the heart of the region, leading through ever-changing scenery from idyllic Kandersteg – home to beautiful Lake Oeschinen – to the pretty Lauenental Valley, from where you can look back at the majestic mountains through which you have walked.
 

A taste of the Bernese Oberland

 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.

The local network of cable cars, gondolas, buses and trains works very efficiently and interconnects well. You will be given a guest card on arrival at each hotel which entitles you to free or discounted travel on the local public transport in each valley.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    The best time for flowers is late June and early July.
     
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 0 1 4 8 12 16 19 18 15 10 4 1
    mm 84 80 80 99 119 142 130 153 108 85 100 86
  • Arrival in Kandersteg
    Night 1: at Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.
  • Choice of walks from Kandersteg: 9.5km to 14.5km
    The mountains around Kandersteg are a paradise for walkers and we offer a choice of routes for your day here, including two highly recommended walks in the tranquil and secluded Gastern Valley.

    Oeschinensee – grade 2-3 option: 9.5km, 3.5hrs; ascent/descent 490m
    To see the area's jewel in the crown, beautiful Lake Oeschinen, take the gondola into the mountains above Kandersteg, then make the steep climb to a panoramic ‘balcony’ path high above the north side of the lake for superb views over its turquoise waters and the peaks beyond. We also provide notes for a shorter, easier walk near the lake (7km), if you prefer a more leisurely introduction to your week.

    Kander Gorge and the Gasterntal – grade 2-3 option: 13km, 5hrs; ascent 580m/descent 250m
    A short bus ride from your hotel takes you to the lower end of the spectacular Kander Gorge, through which you climb to emerge into the Gastern Valley, known for the steep rock walls of its southern side, with spectacular waterfalls. Head up the valley to the remote hamlet of Selde before making a circuit of the upper river, enjoying views of the impressive head of the valley. Arriving back in the hamlet, you return to Kandersteg by minibus shuttle.

    Sunnbuel and Lake Dauben – grade 2-3 option: 14.5km, 6hrs; ascent/descent 670m
    Travel by bus and cable car to Sunnbuel, then walk around a high-altitude pocket of forest to reach a hotel whose former guests include Mark Twain and Conan Doyle. A high mountain path leads to Lake Dauben, from where you follow an ancient trading route back to Sunnbuel.
    Oeschinensee (grade 2-3): 9.5km
    Gasterntal
    Lake Oeschinen
    Sunnbuel and Lake Dauben (grade 2-3): 14.5km
  • Choice of walks from Kandersteg to Adelboden: 14km or 17km

    Kandersteg to Adelboden via Bunderchrinde Pass – grade 3 option: 17km, 7.5hrs; ascent 1450m/descent 1280m
    Leaving Kandersteg, there is a choice of routes, the most challenging and rewarding of which follows a high-level path up to and over the rocky Bunderchrinde Pass. Here, at over 2,000 metres, the views often stretch as far as distant Lake Thun, and you can look right along the Gasterntal glacial valley. Once in Adelboden, you spend two nights at the superb Hotel Adler.

    Kandersteg to Adelboden via Frutigen – grade 2 option: 14km, 5hrs; ascent 295m/descent 680m
    For a lower level walk, head along the east side of the Kander Valley, enjoying evolving views as you pass through forest, alpine farming country and hamlets of traditional Bernese farmhouses to reach Frutigen, from where you catch the bus up to Adelboden.
    Kandersteg to Adelboden (grade 3): 17km
    Bunderchrinde Pass
  • Circular route from Adelboden – grade 2: 12km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 660m
    One of the most rewarding walks from Adelboden is to follow an undulating path across meadows and through woodland to the breathtaking – and famous – waterfall at Engstligen. You return to Adelboden along a pleasant riverside path.
    Circular route from Adelboden (grade 2): 12km
    Wonderful views
  • Adelboden to Lenk – grade 3: 14km, 6hrs; ascent 755m/descent 1100m
    Your route from Adelboden starts through two gorges, before the steep ascent to the summit of Sillerenbüel (1,972 metres), which rewards with ever-improving views back over Adelboden. Your next target is the Hahnenmoos Pass, the link between the Adelboden and Lenk valleys, from where you descend via a former mule track into the Simmen Valley and the village of Lenk where you spend the night at the Hotel Kreuz. For a grade 2-3 walk, you can shorten the ascent by taking a cable car up to Sillerenbüel or alternatively you can descend into Lenk by bus from Hahenmoos.
    Adelboden to Lenk (grade 3): 14km
    The ridge leading to the Hahnenmoos Pass (C) Andrew Locking
  • Lenk to Lauenen – grade 3: 15.5km, 7hrs; ascent 1095m/descent 930m
    Today's route is another rewarding walk with outstanding and ever-changing scenery. You head up the steep, wooded Wallbach Gorge, passing a dramatic waterfall, then gradually ascend across the flanks of the Ronewald to cross the Trüttlisberg Pass at 2,038 metres, where you can often spot chamois and marmots. From here, the route descends – steeply at first, then more steadily – through pastureland and woodland to the pretty Lauenental Valley. As on the previous day, for a grade 2-3 walk, you can shorten the route and reduce the ascent by taking advantage of the gondola lift. In Lauenen you stay at the Hotel Alpenland for two nights.
    Lenk to Lauenen (grade 3): 15.5km
    En route to Lauenen
  • Choice of walks from Lauenen: 12.5km or 19km

    Circular walk from Lauenen via Gstaad – grade 3 option: 19km, 7hrs; ascent/descent 950m
    For a contrast to the tranquil scenery that you have explored during the week, we suggest that on your last day you walk to the chic and bustling resort of Gstaad. The walk, uphill through farmland, then along the grassy Höhi Wispile ridge, also offers the opportunity to look back at the majestic mountains through which you have walked. After strolling through Gstaad, you return to Lauenen on a lower route through the valley or can take the bus.

    Circular walk from Lauenen via Lauenensee – grade 2 option: 12.5km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 660m
    Alternatively, this less challenging route takes you from the centre of the village southwards to peaceful Lauenensee and neighbouring Klein Lauenensee. An optional detour up the valley beside the Geltenbach river leads to an impressive waterfall and some panoramic picnic spots.
    Via Gstaad (grade 3): 19km
    Hohi Wispile ridge (C) Andrew Locking
    Via Lauenensee (grade 2): 12.5km
    Lauenensee
 

Accommodation

You stay in four friendly hotels, where a warm welcome and an excellent dinner await each evening.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 15 June 2025 - 06 October 2025

    Start Any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    15 Jun - 2 Jul 2025 £1590 £370
    4 Jul - 22 Aug 2025 £1595 £365
    23 - 31 Aug 2025 £1540 £360
    1 - 12 Sep 2025 £1550 £345
    13 - 29 Sep 2025 £1365 £340
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights: 15 June 2025 - 06 October 2025

    Start Any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    15 Jun - 2 Jul 2025 £2060 £370
    4 Jul - 22 Aug 2025 £2060 £365
    23 - 31 Aug 2025 £2010 £360
    1 - 12 Sep 2025 £1980 £345
    13 - 29 Sep 2025 £1945 £340
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to either Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, or Lille, with onward travel as described below.

    Included travel from the UK: Out: UK-Paris (Eurostar), Paris-Kandersteg (TGV/regional rail), approx. duration 9h50 plus 0h05 walk to the hotel. Home: Lauenen-Paris (TGV/regional rail/bus), Paris-UK (Eurostar) plus 0h05 taxi transfer.
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 6 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria, Kandersteg
    Mini-suite: 15 Jun - 06 Oct 2025 £50
    Hotel Adler, Adelboden
    South-facing: 15 Jun - 06 Oct 2025 £50
    Hotel Alpenland, Lauenen
    South-facing: 15 Jun - 06 Oct 2025 £57

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria, Kandersteg (with dinner) Double room Single room
    15 Jun - 04 Jul 2025 £160 £176
    05 Jul - 23 Aug 2025 £180 £194
    24 Aug - 13 Sep 2025 £160 £176
    14 Sep - 06 Oct 2025 £150 £166
    Hotel Adler, Adelboden (with dinner) Double room Single room
    15 Jun - 17 Jul 2025 £170 £208
    18 Jul - 07 Aug 2025 £180 £218
    08 Aug - 06 Oct 2025 £170 £208
    Hotel Alpenland, Lauenen (with dinner) Double room Single room
    15 Jun - 19 Jun 2025 £180 £325
    20 Jun - 28 Aug 2025 £195 £355
    29 Aug - 06 Oct 2025 £180 £325
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Zürich, Geneva or Basel
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Zürich or Geneva. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Zurich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Aberdeen - Zurich (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Zurich Swiss 
    Birmingham - Zurich (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Geneva easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Basel easyJet 
    Bristol - Geneva easyJet 
    Bristol - Geneva (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Bristol - Zurich Swiss 
    Bristol - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Basel easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Geneva easyJet 
    Edinburgh - Zurich Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Geneva easyJet 
    Glasgow - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Humberside - Basel (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Geneva easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Geneva British Airways,  Swiss 
    London City - Zurich British Airways,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Basel easyJet 
    Gatwick - Geneva British Airways,  easyJet,  Swiss 
    Gatwick - Zurich easyJet,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Basel British Airways 
    Heathrow - Geneva British Airways,  Swiss 
    Heathrow - Zurich British Airways,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Basel easyJet 
    Luton - Geneva easyJet 
    Luton - Zurich easyJet,  Vueling 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Basel easyJet 
    Manchester - Geneva easyJet 
    Manchester - Zurich Lufthansa,  Swiss 
    Manchester - Zurich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Zurich (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Geneva easyJet 
    Newcastle - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Zurich (via Paris CDG) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Zürich or Geneva. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    If purchasing outward connecting travel through Inntravel, the homeward travel is at no extra cost.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Basel

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    bus Basel airport to Basel SBB (0h20), rail Basel SBB to Kandersteg (2h10), walk to hotel (0h05) £150-£160 1530
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    walk to Lauenen Rohrbrücke bus stop (0h02), bus Lauenen Rohrbrücke to Gstaad (0h30), rail Gstaad to Basel SBB (3h), bus Basel SBB to Basel airport (0h20) included in outward price 1430

    Connecting travel options - flying via Geneva

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Geneva airport to Kandersteg (3h10), walk to hotel (0h05) £160-£170 1630
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    walk to Lauenen Rohrbrücke bus stop (0h02), bus Lauenen Rohrbrücke to Gstaad (0h30), rail Gstaad to Geneva airport (3h20) included in outward price 1400

    Connecting travel options - flying via Zürich

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Zürich airport to Kandersteg (2h25), walk to hotel (0h05) £150-£160 1730
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    walk to Lauenen Rohrbrücke bus stop (0h02), bus Lauenen Rohrbrücke to Gstaad (0h30), rail Gstaad to Zürich airport (3h20) included in outward price 1400
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported (1 bag per person)
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 51 reviews
  • Hiking ladies from Connecticut
    05 September 2024

    The day 3 hike around Adelboden included some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen. What a magnificent landscape! On that same hike we were followed by a goat for a third to a half a mile . She kept a respectful distance but pushed her way through 2 turnstiles and hopped over 2 low fences. Just when we were wonderimg what we were going to do with her she stopped in a farmyard and baaed at us as we walked away! 

    The weather was not ideal but the pleasant accommodations and helpful staff made up for it and the 5 ladies in my group had a wonderful time. 

     

  • Anon
    20 August 2024

    Beautiful and exhilarating trip.  This was my second trip with Inntravel and can't wait to plan my next one.

  • Mr J Short
    Shrewsbury
    06 August 2024

    Just a fantastic introduction to Alpine walking - do stay extra nights at Hotel Adler, Adelboden if you can as it's a wonderful place

  • Mrs P Somers
    Knebworth
    21 July 2024

    Challenging walks in beautiful scenery with comfortable hotels at the end of long days.

  • Mrs JM Tumelty
    Rossendale
    14 July 2024

    Everything about this holiday was excellent.  The scenery, walking routes and notes were outstanding, with plenty of signposts to help, and lots of options to make things a bit easier if wanted.  All the accommodation and food was really good, and easy to find. The organisation, travel arrangements and baggage transfers went like clockwork. We particularly enjoyed all the meadows full of wild flowers, and appreciated the hotels giving us passes to use cable cars and buses for free, which proved to be quite a saving. Just using a cable car to go up and back for the views was a great extra.

  • Mrs S Baker
    USA
    10 July 2024

    Traveling with Inntravel has been a gift to our family. In planning all of the details for hotels, walks, luggage transfers, accommodations, and many of the meals, they allow the focus for our family to be enjoyment of the beauty of our surroundings, one another, and rest. We are already looking forward to our next Inntravel adventure!

  • Annie
    09 July 2024

    Superb holiday. As ever brilliant accurate walk notes. Great hotels and food (with one exception out of four hotels) Stunning scenery and the most amazing wildflowers. Swiss public transport and arrangements by Inntravel could not be faulted.

  • Brighton walkers
    08 July 2024

    Beautiful walking with some satisfyingly tough stretches for us OAPs!  The flowers in July were absolutely wonderful - orchids, gentians, alpine roses and many, many others.  Friendly people and delightful villages.  Especially loved Kanderstag and Lauenen.  

  • Mr C Aeschlimann
    Brighton
    08 July 2024

    The Bernese Oberland is simply wonderful and Inntravel's walking itinerary and choice of hotels allows this beautiful area to be fully appreciated.

  • Anon
    06 July 2024

    The scenery on the walks was outstanding in early July. Despite the patchy forecast prior to arriving in Switzerland, in the end the weather was generally kind and enabled fantastic views over the Bernese Alps and wonderful meadows filled with variety of alpine flowers. Owing to an overcast low cloud day on arrival, we chose to walk to Frutigen (day 2 alternative) rather than the Day 1 option walks and the weather improved down the valley. Watching the red kites soar and glide sometimes only metres in front of us was truely awesome. Day 2 over the Bunderchrinde Pass was spectacular and a good challenge - but with a picnic at the top  prior to the long descent was worth it for the views. The hotels were all good - especially the Adler in Adelboden and the Alpenland in Lauenen. We'd highly recommend a final extra day or two in the Alpenland as a lovely place to unwind and with free bus to Gstaad and surroundings....can easily fill a spare day or two here with fabulous food. Similarly an extra night in Adelboden would be good as much to do.

  • Anon
    25 June 2024

    Load GPX files provided by Inntravel into AllTrails before leaving home. Note that trail closures are merely suggestions and trails may still be passable. Bring earplugs for some of the noisier hotel locations. Bring hiking poles and waterproof boots (even in summer when snow and river crossings still occur). Don't skip the saunas and pools at the hotels!! Use the swiss weather app:  MeteoSwiss. Use the SBB Mobile app, it's amazing.  Lines up all your train/but travel and connections. 

  • Mr T Axworthy
    Liverpool
    24 June 2024

    The scenery took our breath away every trip we took. Walking in a country with no litter anywhere. We will definately be using Inntravel again. Great service.

  • Mrs J Cherry
    Nantwich
    23 June 2024

    We had an extra night in Kandersteg, Adelboden and Lauenen (as recommended from previous reviews) and it was definitely worth it - we had an extra day of hiking in Kandersteg and then a couple of 'rest days' which our feet appreciated! All the hikes were varied, interesting and had stunning views, it's hard to name a favourite as each walk had stand out sections. Favourite place was Adelboden - the view from the hotel terrace is amazing!

  • The Alter Family
    15 June 2024

    This hiking adventure was magical. The landscape is truly spectacular with gorgeous mountain vistas, waterfalls, wild flowers and picturesque villages. We loved that all of the breakfasts and dinners were included, and lunches were easy to acquire since nearly all hiking destinations had mountain tea houses. The Adler Hotel in Adelboden was a particular delight with its indoor/outdoor spa pool and its restaurant deck providing the best views of the trip. Just a note to our fellow travelers, many of the routes are steep and some routes cross meadows of tall grass with no worn paths. However, the stunning views made everything worthwhile. 

  • Wendy T
    15 June 2024

    Our holiday in the Bernese Oberland was amazing, the places/scenery were stunning and the mountains were majestic.  A walkers paradise.  One of the highlights of our visit to Switzerland was seeing 23 Yaks being brought up the mountain to graze on the pasture for the Summer.  

  • Faith G
    14 June 2024

    This was an amazing holiday! The wildflowers were beautiful, and the combination of mountain paths and trails through the meadows, forests and cliffsides was breathtaking. There is a lot of flexibility to use cable cars, buses or trains if your joints begin to ache. The accommodations were lovely and the food was fresh and delicious. Definitely strenuous, but the hardest hikes had the best views and were definitely worth it. Overall, an incredible experience!

  • Mr P Tomlin
    Darwen
    08 June 2024

    This was our first walking holiday with Inntravel and we would most certainly do another one. The organisation was excellent and the transfer to and from airport was easy and all hotels easy to find from the walks. The forecasts were never great but, in the event, we only had one misty damp day and the rest were ideal for walking, including sun and blue skies. We are both 61 and walk regularly in the West Pennine Moors, Lake District etc. The grade 3 walks were a challenge but perfectly manageable for us but we relied heavily on poles, which we do not generally use in the UK. The grade 2 – 3 walks were perfect for us. We chose to look around Kandersteg on our arrival (including seeking out the International Scout Centre) and would suggest adding this into the walk highlights.

  • Anon
    29 September 2023

    This is a fantastic walk and two of the four hotels are really excellent, the other two are good enough. We were blessed with exceptional weather, although this did have us gazing anxiously at the disappearing glaciers. The walk on day two has two options - we opted for the tougher over the pass walk, which was pretty challenging for us over 60s and a little scary coming down the scree: but it's not vertiginous. After that the walks were easier - both objectively and because we were acclimatised. On day 3 at Adelboden there are alot of alternative walks off the top of the cable car not mentioned in the Inntravel notes. It was really great having the final two days in a valley essentially free from skiing infrastructure. The train (it's more like a rural tram) journey back from Gstaad to Montreux was a bonus treat.

  • A satisfied hiker from Brighton
    18 September 2023

    Highlights: To relax in the hotels. The walk from lenk to lauenen. Also perhaps we did a bit too much on first day harder walk, Kanderfinn Glacier. Extremely hard to do in the time suggested, even downhill. Rushed to get last bus back Which was 4.10 - they weren't running the 5.10 for some reason

  • Mr M Snow
    Sherborne
    10 September 2023

    Thoroughly recommend the Stubleni crag option, using the cable cars to get to Betelberg.  Also the SwissTopo app is a must as you can upload the Inntravel gpx files, assess the routes in comfort, and download the route and map for off-line use on the mountain. Also get a weather app which has rainfall radar such as MeteoBlue so you see approching thunderheads and take shelter! 

  • Mrs S Massey-Clark
    Canada
    05 September 2023

    We can just echo all the positive reviews others have posted about the scenery in the Bernese Oberland and Inntravel’s professionalism. The overall quality of the inns was excellent with the meals in Lauenen particularly outstanding.

    In the Loire, the weather was perfect and 90% of the riding was easy; the other 10% could be challenging depending on your fitness level.

    A highlight of all our Inntravel trips is spending time with others, be they locals or tourists. This was the case in both Switzerland and the Loire where we met fellow Inntravellers who made this trip very special.

  • Mrs R Wilkojc
    Edinburgh
    24 August 2023

    Thoroughly enjoyed the holiday. Excellent hotels and very good food. Swimming pools in Kandersteg and Adelboden were great, though the Lenk one was far too cold - problem with thermostat. Fantastic scenery and the walking was good. Highlights were the walk to Oeschinensee and also the Lenk to Lauenen day. We weren't able to do any high level walks in Adelboden as the weather was bad.  

  • Anon
    12 August 2023

    Oeschinensee on the first day was beautiful. The final hotel was in an idyllic location, and the room and food was excellent. All walks were well pitched with options to shorten them if required. At all times the route notes were very clear and comprehensive.

  • Anon
    11 July 2023

    The high level route above the Oeschinensee and the Hohi Wispile ridge walk to Gstaad are outstanding!  

  • Ms A Gregory
    Stains
    11 July 2023

    Highlights: Hahnenmoos Pass. Ridge walk, we bussed to Gstaad/Wispile cable car and then walked back to the hotel along the ridge. Hotels Belle Epoque, Adler and Alpenland. Local transport. Cows with bells.

    We had every sort of weather: lightning storms and torrential rain, marble sized hail, 33 degree heat. Bring clothes for all weathers!

  • Mr B Bennett
    Colchester
    10 July 2023

    HIGHLIGHTS: Hotel Adler view from the dining room. Hotel Alpenland view from the terrace. Alpine meadows still many flowers though they were just past their best. The two ridge walks.

  • Mr R Stepney
    Chipping Norton
    30 June 2023

    The wealth of wildflowers in late June/early July is extraordinary in colour and variety. The upland meadows sing with them.

  • Anon
    26 June 2023

    Excellent dinner and service at Alpenland. And actually getting over the Bunderchinde pass!

  • Anon
    23 June 2023

    We really appreciated the thought that went into the choice of routes and choice of hotels by the team at Inntravel, saving us a lot of time and effort and giving us a varied trip full of beauty & variety. We would highly recommend making the most of the beautiful locations and allowing extra days at Kandersteg, Adelboden and Lauenen to either do all the recommended walking options, or to have a rest day and/or to allow for the vagaries of the weather! We have done other walking and through trips in Europe and these 2 trips (both Zermatt and the Mighty Matterhorn and The Bernese Oberland walking holidays) were superbly put together and gave us a holiday that we will never forget . We would happily book with Inntravel again!

  • M. Morris, California
    23 June 2023

    We enjoyed this first trip with Inntravel immensely. The hiking was hard (lots of elevation change) but very rewarding both in scenery and sense of accomplishment. They are not kidding about the Bundechrinde Pass being difficult but we did it and it was definitely a highlight of the trip. As hard as the climb up is, coming down the steep slippery backside through scree and loose rock was the most difficult for us - hiking poles are a must. The hotels in Adelboden and Lauenen were our favorites with great food at both. Unfortunately the new accomodations/dinner in Lenk were still a bit disappointing. The transportation passes we received at each hotel came in handy and allowed us to ride buses and cable cars for free (or half price in one case), and even gave us 50% off on our train fare from Gstaadt to Bern at the end of our trip. Overall we really couldn't have been happier with this trip and can't wait to book with Inntravel again.

  • Anon couple, aged 65
    23 June 2023

    Stunning scenery, and a great holiday, our 8th with Inntravel.  Visiting in June/ early July is best, as the wildflowers are amazing, and there aren’t too many tourists, so little queuing for cable cars.  Don’t underestimate the effect of altitude, if, like us, you do most of your walking near sea level.  An extra night or two at the first hotel might help, as the transfer to the second hotel is demanding.  The impending storm prevented us from hiking over the pass to Lauenen, but the SBB app makes it so easy to transfer between hotels using super-efficient trains & buses, all free using the Guest Passes that are provided at each hotel. If you have a 50% train pass, don’t forget to use it on the cable cars.  Three of the four hotels are superb, with great food. 

  • Mrs D
    22 June 2023

    The Bernese Oberland were our most spectacular holiday with Inntravel yet and the wildflowers, the most varied and numerous we've seen, including thousands of orchids. We can highly recommend this holiday and can't wait to go back. I'm still dreaming of the water meadow in front of the last hotel, the Alpenland and the many mountain, lakes and waterfalls. Lauensee is quite magical! I suffer from vertigo and I'd say that the vertigo warnings were about right, especially after the cable car above Lenk. Best to just walk up! Swiss railways and buses are all very punctual and reliable, so you can easily travel between the villages en route.

  • Clare
    21 June 2023

    The Bernese Oberland is a wildflower heaven in June/July.  The terrain is challenging for walkers but rewarded by having superb views and different wildflowers at different altitude.  The holiday combined 4 hotels each with its individual charms.  This is my first Inntravel holiday for alpine walking.  I feel it will be difficult to surpass for wildflowers but I might chose a less challenging level for my next trip.  The view from the restaurant in Hotel Adler was amazing.

  • Mr A Millar
    Castle Douglas
    21 June 2023

    Having used Inntravel for a number of years, this holiday is the jewel in their crown. Every day offered breathtaking, yet diverse, scenery. A highlight for us was visiting the high alp at Adelboden where Simmental cattle roamed freely wearing their cowbells amongst the most incredible alpine flower meadows and snow capped mountain peaks. It is a memory we hope never to forget. A further highlight was on the extension walk to Daubensee where we were fortunate enough to see both a marmot and 2 ibex.

  • Ms W Bisiker
    London
    14 June 2023

    June is a wonderful time to be in the Bernese Oberland. The flowers and meadows were glorious, the air fresh and the walks and cable cars not crowded. All the areas are wonderful in their own way, with the famous Kandersteg UNESCO world heritage site equalled by the walk over the Hahnenmoos Pass and the delightfully pretty and more secluded Lauenen Valley. One of the highlights has to be the cable car up to the high Engstligenalp pasture and exploring this special area where the Simmental cattle graze in summer.

  • Anon
    12 June 2023

    This was one of the best holidays we've had in years. We loved Kandersteg - the Hotel Victoria was excellent and the walks in the valley wonderful. We had already booked an extra night but could easily have stayed another. The alpine flowers were stunning, we've never seen such diverse flora with so many orchids and gentians. The walking notes were very accurate and informative. Thank you very much for all the hard work you do to organise these trips.

  • Mr N Price
    Edinburgh
    23 September 2022

    Hotel Adler and Alpenland, the walk from Adelboden to Lenk (cheated with cable cars!), the walk from Lenk to Lauenen, the food, the people, the scenery were all highlights.

    Look for another hotel in Lenk like Zum Gade, who do a great cheese fondue.

  • George
    06 September 2022

    Was a great holiday. Hotels very good and we really enjoyed the recommended walks! I would use Inntravel again!

  • Mr A Swetman
    Steyning
    30 August 2022

    A good holiday, scenery superb, well organised although some of the train connection times were too tight.  3 of the hotels were good/excellent but Hotel Krone was very disappointing.

  • Anon
    29 August 2022

    Stunning valley and mountain views. Wonderful hotel in Lauenen. Feeling of achievement completing full day walks.

  • Mr P Lloyd
    Hove
    12 August 2022

    We had such a great holiday - thank you so much. Your communication and the holiday guide were outstanding. The walking was challenging but very rewarding and the mountain scenery is stunning every step of the way. We loved hotel Adler and hotel Alpenland (especially the food at the latter, which was superb). Swiss prices for everything are a little eye watering, so be prepared for some extra cost. But the holiday represents excellent value for money. We have returned feeling very fit and happy. The Golden Pass railway from Gstaad at the end of the trip was an unexpected bonus - we've never been on a train like it. 

  • A Golding, London
    25 July 2022

    First of all, we had a wonderful holiday, and I would like to thank you for organising everything so efficiently at the last moment. The Hotel Victoria had an old-world style and spaciousness that made it very special. The staff were particularly friendly, cosmopolitan, helpful and well trained, and we felt we knew them all by the time we left. They were also well prepared for guests with differing dietary needs. The Hotel Adler had a great outlook, spa facilities and helpful staff, but we felt we could have been given more information on arrival. Hotel Alpenland was also a fine hotel with great staff and fine culinary options, although the macaroni and cheese with cubed potato and apple sauce should definitely be reconsidered as a vegetarian main course. The information provided on hikes was very helpful, although some of these were perhaps a bit demanding for us, so occasionally we supplemented them with local recommendations, which was easily done.

  • Anon
    21 July 2022

    Hotels at Adelboden and Lauenen were just fantastic. The walk to Oeschinensee, and resulting view of the lake surrounded by the mountains was awe inspiring and hard to beat. The Bernese Oberland Option allowed us to experience the rich variety of the Alpine countryside, combining intimidating mountains with rolling hills - we loved the walking experience and number of changes in landscape each day. Zermatt itself felt like a means to an end, much more busy and touristy, but the Matterhorn experience was more than worth it!!

  • Mr N Allen
    York
    05 July 2022

    Three of the four hotels were excellent and the walking was great, as always in Switzerland. For others staying a day or two in Bern, there is the opportunity for good swimmers to jump in the river with their clothes in a waterproof bag, and get carried along in the fast flowing and very clean water for about 20 minutes to the point where the river slows down and everyone gets out. 

     

    INNTRAVEL NOTE: Customers added on a 2-night stay at Hotel Kreuz in Bern after their walking trip.

  • Anon
    05 July 2022

    Switzerland is a loverly place to go for a walking holiday. But I am not at all satisfied with the Inntravel organisation. During the booking process I was about to give up several times. The reason I did not was that I wanted to spend some time with my English friends, having not seen them for two years because of the pandemics. And there were problems also during the trip. The notes were not so accurate and some places were incredibly sloppy. In the future I think I will find other ways to meet up with my friends.

    Inntravel
    response

    We're very sorry to hear of your dissatisfaction with booking the holiday, and as indicated in our direct response to your feedback, we are reviewing all of the correspondence for your booking to see where problems occurred.

  • Mr P Markham
    Reading
    03 July 2022

    Inntravel offer the kind of holiday we like - well organised, communicated and enable us to reach those places other holidays fail to reach.

    That first day over the col gave a real sense of exhilaration and achievement whilst the hotels allowed a taste of luxury between walks.

  • Mr M Storey
    Stratford-upon-avon
    29 June 2022

    Many of the walks were challenging but doable though not necessarily enjoyable - too much time looking at our feet! The transfer day from Kandersteg to Adelboden via the Bunderchrinder Pass was tough for us. The terrain towards and over the pass is rather tricky. We cut out the first couple of hours climb from Kandersteg by taking the cable car to Almenalp and picking up the route at the Restaurant Lohner (easy to locate) but it was still a long day.

    Our favourite walk was from Adelboden to Lenk over the Hahnenmoospass along the Blomweg (wildflower walk).

    All the buses and cable cars we used were free using guest passes provided by the hotels in Kandersteg and Adelboden. The hotel in Lauenen provided a pass for the local buses only. The SBB travel app was very useful as was MeteoSwiss to check the local weather forecast.

    We were plagued by flies, some of the biting variety so do bring bug spray.

    The hotels were excellent other than Hotel Krone in Lenk which is not the same standard. All the food was good especially at the Hotel Alpenland - very imaginative.

    The stunning scenery certainly makes up for any (small) shortfalls in this holiday.

     

     

  • EHB, London
    22 June 2022

    A very good introduction to taking a walking holiday on my own. Really enjoyable, and just the right degree of challenge. The best hotels were absolutely excellent, but there was too much variability - I had hoped they would all be good in their own way, and this was not the case. Overall however, an excellent experience - thank you to the team! 

  • Anon
    17 June 2022

    We received timely email update for a necessary diversion. We supplemented the walking notes with the Swisstopo app which we found most useful.

    Scenery surpassed our expectations, particularly going over the passes. The wildflowers were spectacular.

  • C&M London
    17 June 2022

    The landscape seen on these walks is truly magnificent, matched only by the range of wild flowers and butterflies that we passed.

  • Mrs K Wilson
    Millom
    11 June 2022

    Overall the holiday was excellent and didn't disappoint us in anyway, however a lot of the terrain was on rough gravel/stony paths and a lot of straight up and straight back down again and very steep in places. We thoroughly enjoyed the flowers and the scenery was breathtaking too and we were very lucky as we had superb weather a heatwave in June was something different in Switzerland. The free cable car passes we received from the hotels in Kandersteg and Adelboden were absolutely brilliant and enabled to fully explore the area with our extra days.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Switzerland, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official languages are German, spoken in the majority of the country; French, spoken in the south-west; Italian, spoken in the south-east; and Romansch, mostly limited to the Engadine valley. The currency is the Franc. Swiss time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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