The Bernese Oberland lies at the heart of the Swiss Alps, home to some of the most iconic mountain scenery in Europe. Towering above deep glacial valleys and turquoise lakes are legendary peaks such as the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, backed by higher summits including the Finsteraarhorn and Schreckhorn. Well-engineered mountain paths cross high passes, circle glacier-clad massifs and link welcoming huts and traditional alpine villages, making this region one of the finest trekking destinations in the Alps.

This guidebook brings together five outstanding multi-day treks in the Bernese Oberland, offering over a month of walking in total. Routes range from classic circuits beneath the great north faces to quieter western ranges and remote high passes. Accommodation options are plentiful, from remote hütten and characterful mountain inns to small valley hotels, while Switzerland’s excellent network of trains, buses and cable cars makes access straightforward. Most treks are achievable in under a week, though they can be combined or adapted to suit longer adventures.

The Treks:

• Tour of the Jungfrau Region (TJR) – 119km, 9 stages, ±8250m – A classic hut-to-hut circuit around Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Mürren beneath the mighty Jungfrau massif. Starting and finishing in Grindelwald, under the Wetterhorn and Eiger, this varied route offers superb mountain views, flexible stage options and plentiful accommodation.
• The Bärentrek (Via Alpina, National Route 1) – 82km, 5 stages, +6120m / -5550m – The central section of Switzerland’s Via Alpina, linking Meiringen to Kandersteg beneath the Wetterhorn, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Long but straightforward early stages lead to more challenging crossings of the Sefinenfurgga and Hohtürli passes. A tough and rewarding high-level traverse.
• Via Berna (Alpine Section) – 122km, 9 stages, +8280m / -6920m – A linear trek from lakeside Spiez to the remote Sustenpass, using sections of the Via Alpina and sharing stages with the TJR. This mountain-focused section explores the Oberland from Lake Thun through Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Meiringen.
• Tour of the Wildstrubel – 127km, 6 stages, ±7500m – A circuit of the glaciated Wildstrubel massif from Kandersteg via Adelboden and Lenk, crossing the Rawilpass into Valais. Return options include the Gemmipass or the quieter Lötschental and Lötschenpass.
• Tour of the Wildhorn – 61km, 4 stages, ±4550m – A shorter but wild trek in the western Bernese Alps, beginning at Iffigenalp near Lenk. Crossing high terrain towards the Diablerets and into Valais, this compact route includes a pass at nearly 2900m.

Across all five routes, trekkers encounter classic high passes such as the Hohtürli, Sefinenfurgga and Grosse Scheidegg; tranquil valleys including the upper Lauterbrunnen, Kiental and Kandertal; and beautiful alpine lakes such as Oeschinensee and Bachsee.

The trekking season typically runs from mid-June to late September, with September often offering stable weather and quieter trails, though some accommodation closes at the end of the month.

This guidebook includes:

• Full stage-by-stage route descriptions for all five Bernese Oberland treks, with clear daily distances, ascent and descent figures, route highlights and practical notes to help you plan realistic itineraries
• Detailed mapping and route guidance, enabling confident navigation across high passes, mountain trails and valley approaches, with options for shortening, extending or linking stages
• Comprehensive accommodation listings for huts, mountain inns and valley hotels, including booking advice and guidance on planning overnight stops during the busy summer season
• Extensive planning information covering transport and access, including Switzerland’s integrated rail, bus and cable-car network, discount travel passes and advice on reaching start and finish points
• Seasonal and safety advice for trekking in the Bernese Oberland, including guidance on snow conditions, high-pass crossings, fitness requirements and adapting plans to weather or time constraints

From the celebrated peaks of the central Oberland to the quieter western massifs, Trekking in the Bernese Oberland offers a diverse collection of classic Alpine journeys. Whether you are planning a first Swiss hut-to-hut adventure or seeking more challenging high-pass crossings, this guide provides everything you need to explore one of the Alps’ most spectacular trekking regions with confidence.

Trekking in the Bernese Oberland – Quick Facts

Guide name: Trekking in the Bernese Oberland – Jungfrau, Bärentrek, Via Berna, Wildstrubel & Wildhorn
Location: Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
Routes covered: 5 multi-day alpine treks
Distance: 61–127 km per trek
Typical duration: 4–9 days per route
Route format: Hut-to-hut alpine circuits and traverses
Terrain: High passes, glacier views, alpine lakes, mountain trails and deep valleys
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (sustained ascents and long days)
Best season: Mid-June to late September
Accommodation: Mountain huts, alpine inns and valley hotels

Author Highlight

“Some of the best walking in the Alps can be found along well-signed trails taking in high passes, both straightforward and challenging. The region contains some of the most impressive mountains – the Wetterhorn, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – in the central part of the range, with higher peaks such as the Finsteraarhorn and Schreckhorn hidden behind and the slightly lower but more approachable peaks lying to the west.”

- Jonathan Williams, author of Trekking in the Bernese Oberland

Route summary table
Map key
Mountain safety
Introduction
Why trek in the Bernese Oberland
The treks
Choosing the trek for you
Planning your trek
Using this guide
Preparation
When to go
How to get there
Travel in the region
Accommodation and booking
Cash or card 
Languages
Maps
Apps
Waymarking
Training
Equipment
Mountain safety
Top 10 tips for a first-time Alpine trekker
Oberland region
Valleys and bases
Mountains and geology
Wildlife
Flowers
UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
Jungfraujoch railway
Tour of the Jungfrau Region
Stage 1           Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg
Stage 2           Kleine Scheidegg to Stechelberg
Stage 2A         Kleine Scheidegg to Stechelberg via Wengen and Lauterbrunnen
Stage 3           Stechelberg to Obersteinberg
Stage 4           Obersteinberg to Rotstock Hut
Stage 5           Rotstock Hut to Mürren via the Schilthorn
Stage 6           Mürren to Lobhorn Hut
Stage 7           Lobhorn Hut to Schynige Platte
Stage 7A         Lobhorn Hut to Schynige Platta via Wilderswil (train)
Stage 8           Schynige Platte to First
Stage 9           First to Grindelwald
Stage 9A         First to Grindelwald via Berghaus Bäregg
Bärentrek
Stage 1           Meiringen to Hotel Wetterhorn (Grindelwald)
Stage 2           Hotel Wetterhorn to Wengen
Stage 3           Wengen to Rotstock Hut
Stage 4           Rotstock Hut to Oberi Bundalp (Griesalp)
Stage 5           Oberi Bundalp to Kandersteg
Via Berna (Oberland stages)
Stage 1           Aeschi bei Spiez to Saxeten
Stage 2           Saxeten to Isenfluh
Stage 3           Isenfluh to Schynige Platte
Stage 4           Schynige Platte to First
Stage 5           First to Rosenlaui
Stage 6           Rosenlaui to Reuti
Stage 7           Reuti to Engstlenalp
Stage 8           Engstlenalp to Gadmen
Stage 9           Gadmen to Sustenpass
Tour of the Wildstrubel
Stage 1           Kandersteg to Adelboden
Stage 2           Adelboden to Iffigenalp
Stage 3           Iffigenalp to Crans-Montana
Stage 4           Crans-Montana to Leukerbad
Stage 5           Leukerbad to Lauchernalp
Stage 6           Lauchernalp to Kandersteg
Stage 5/6A      Leukerbad to Kandersteg via the Gemmipass
Tour of the Wildhorn
Stage 1           Iffigenalp to Geltenhütte
Stage 2           Geltenhütte to Hotel du Sanetsch
Stage 3           Hotel du Sanetsch to Cabane des Audannes
Stage 4           Cabane des Audannes to Iffigenalp
Appendix A     Accommodation
Appendix B     Contact information
Appendix C     Further reading 
Appendix D     English–German glossary

Seasons

Summer treks, from mid-June until late September. There could be some early in the season. September generally good time to go but accommodation closes at end of the month.

Centres

Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Kandersteg, Adelboden, Lenk, Iffigenalp, Meiringen, Crans-Montana, Leukerbad, Interlaken, Schilthorn.

Difficulty

Five treks of varying difficulty. The Tour of the Jungfrau region and Via Berna are easy/middle grade while the Baren trek and Tours of the Wildstrubel and Wildhorn are sterner, with longer days and more climbing.

Must See

Peaks of the central Oberland – Wetterhorn, Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau, Schreckhorn, Blümlisalp Great views – the mountains, the Thunersee and Brienzersee, Männlichen Quiet valleys – upper Lauterbrunnen valley, Rychenbach, Kiental, Kandertal Beautiful lakes – Bachsee, Oeschinensee, Oberhornsee Great huts – Lobhornhütte, Berghaus Bäregg, Faulhorn, Obersteinberg, Blümlisalphütte High passes – Hohetürli and Sefinenfurgga, Grosse and Kleine Scheidegg

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