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Self-Guided Walking Holidays Swiss Pass Route

   Overview  
 Swiss Pass Route  7 Days / 6 Nights  Grade D: High Mountains
The majestic Swiss Alps - is there any more that needs to be said? There is indeed! This walking holiday in the Swiss Alps takes in the central section of the famed Alpine Pass Route and passes through the legendary Bernese Oberland.

The walk is dominated by the the majestic chain of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. But of course in addition to these wondrous mountains you have the joy of small picturesque villages nestled amongst the alpine slopes or spread out on the valley floors carved by age old glaciers. Steep slopes covered in forest lead to high mountainsides that in summer are awash with light affording views of towering white peaks and glistening lakes. Add to this the comfort and welcome of Swiss chalet hotels and you have the essence of the Bernese Oberland.

This walk follows sections of the Alpine Pass Route which crosses Switzerland from Sargans in the east, to Montreux in the west. As the name suggests the hiking moves laterally from valley to valley by crossing over a number of spectacular and historically-important mountain passes including the Jochpass and Kleine Scheidegg. Most of the passes exceed 2000m with some exceeding 2500m so there is a lot of ascent and descent each day. This route is only for the fit and experienced walker. That said, this walking holiday is worth every step!
Church in Kendersteg Oct 2005
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   Itinerary  
Looking back down the ascent to Surenenpass Oct 2005

Day 1 (Arrival)
Arrive in Engelberg at our base for the next two days. This is a lovely small town frequented mainly by the Swiss themselves and sitting at the foot of the spectacular Mt Titlis. Relax for the evening by exploring the local countryside and the town itself before a welcome dinner in our chalet hotel.

Day 2 (20km Attinghausen to Engelberg)
Our transport brings you to the small cable car at Attinghausen where you can either walk or take the cable car to Brüsti (we recommend the latter). From Brüsti you follow a tricky path up towards Grat and Angistock before pushing onto the Surenenpass (2,291m). Your route down is initially steep but then follows pastures nestling under towering cliffs and rushing waterfalls. Reaching the valley you follow easy paths through forest back down to our base in Engelberg again.

Day 3 (19km Engelberg to Meiringen)
Once again we start with a cable car ascent, this time up to the clear waters of Trübsee. Passing the lake you then follow a fairly direct line to the Jochpass (2,207m) before turning to head down to the sparkling Engstlensee and the Hotel Engstlenalp. You continue then to descend via the narrow path to Baumgartenalp and the onward via rolling alps to the valley floor and Meiringen.

Eiger west face from Mürren Oct 2005

Day 4 (21km Meiringen to Grindelwald)
Today's walk will bring you over the Grosse Scheidegg (interestingly the lower of the two Scheidegg's at 1,962m). Starting from Meiringen you follow an easy track out of town climbing gradually to reach Zwirgi. Alternating gradients bring you along under the shadow of the imposing Wetterhorn before the final push up to the pass where you are rewarded with your first views of the Eiger and the Jungfrau region. An easy enough descent then brings you past the Obere Grindelwaldgletscher and on to your destination in Grindelwald.

Day 5 (20km Grindelwald to Wengen )
Today is a mixed day in that you are rewarded with spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau - but you still meet the trainloads of tourists at the Kleine Scheidegg (2,061m). Your route today takes you via Brandegg and Alpiglen to the stunning views at the Kleine Scheidegg. From here we take the longer, but more rewarding route under the ramparts of the Mönch and Jungfrau via Biglenalp and Mettlenalp. On your way down through the forests to Wengen you have the awesome sight of the valley floor to your left - down almost sheer 800m cliffs (note - this is not your route down)!

Day 6 (10km Wengen to Murren)
A deliberately short day in that you can have the morning to take the train all the way back up to the Jungfraujoch (top of Europe). You can return to Wengen or Lauterbrunnen and either walk or cable car your way to Murren. If walking it is a reversal of our normal sequence today in that it is descent followed by ascent for once! Leaving Wengen you follow winding forest paths to the valley floor at Lauterbrunnen. From here you follow a steady climbing path up via Grütschalp and Wintereggalp to Murren itself.

Day 7 (Departure)
The tour is completed following your breakfast in Murren.

Included The Engstlensee from the Jochpass Oct 2005
6 nights accommodation, based on two adults sharing, in our approved partner hotels (normally with en-suite facilities).

Meals consist of a full breakfast each day, packed lunch and a two/three course meal each evening. Drinks are not included.

Luggage transfer each day, route description and maps. Swiss Card provided which allows for a return ticket from the Swiss border or one of Switzerland’s airports to your arrival and destination hotels. It also provides travel by train, bus, boat and many privately owned mountain railways for half the normal price.

Dates
You can start your self-guided tour on any day that you wish throughout the season (July through September). Although the route can be attempted in June and October there is the risk of snowfall preventing you from walking the higher passes.

For more information on Switzerland visit the Swiss Tourism website at www.myswitzerland.com.
Flight schedules and information on Zurich Airport.
Flight schedules and information on Geneva Airport.
For information on trains to and within Switzerland, visit the Swiss Rail site.

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   Prices  

Prices and options
The price for the Swiss Alpine Pass self-guided tour is £795 Sterling (approx $1,175 US Dollars or €925 Euro) per person sharing.

  • 6 nights accommodation, based on two adults sharing, in our approved partner hotels (normally with en-suite facilities).
  • Meals consist of a full breakfast each day, packed lunch and a two/three course meal each evening. Drinks are not included.
  • Luggage transfer each day, route description and maps.
  • Swiss Transfer Ticket provided which allows for a return ticket for rail travel from the Swiss border or one of Switzerland’s airports to your arrival and destination hotels. It also provides travel by train, bus, boat and many privately owned mountain railways for half the normal price.

Single supplement - Single occupancy (if accompanying a party) at £100
Lone traveller supplement - Travelling alone (not with a party) at £125. Note that this is in place of the single supplement (not in addition to it).

You can start your self-guided tour on any day that you wish throughout the season (July through September). Although the route can be attempted in June and October there is the risk of snowfall preventing you from walking the higher passes. Please complete a booking form, or contact us to arrange.

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