Classic Swiss Alps Walk

Kandersteg is in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, where the great arc of the Alps culminates in some of its highest and most spectacular peaks. This is “chocolate-box” Alps: lush green meadows bright with wildflowers against a backdrop of rugged, wild and beautiful mountains, topped by glistening glaciers. A weeks’ stay here will allow you to discover the very best of the region: a huge turquoise lake enclosed by towering cliffs, a “hidden” valley headed by a glacier you can touch, a sheer gorge carved out by glacial meltwaters, an Alpine pass that has been used since Celtic times and more wild flowers than you even knew existed. And what views! The 4,000-metre Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and Matterhorn all display their white peaks proudly, and a plethora of other summits and glaciers is closer to hand. Amazingly, all of this is accessible on well-defined paths directly from the hotel or after a short bus or cable car ride.

The excellent Swiss signposting and path marking, together with the Headwater notes, makes all of the walking accessible even for people with little, or no, experience of walking in the high Alps, and the hotel will loan you a pedometer (free of charge) to use during your stay. You do, however, need to be a confident walker.

Having based our Swiss cross-country skiing holidays here since 1996, the Hotel Alfa Soleil is now a firm Headwater favourite. There’s an elegant lounge, lively bar, traditional restaurant, swimming pool, sauna, solarium and gym.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrive in Kandersteg
You arrive in time to settle in and perhaps enjoy an aperitif before dinner.

Day 2 - Allmenalp 11km/7mi/3hr or 16km/10mi/4.5hr
A gentle start to your walking week begins with a spectacular cable car ride (small cost, pay locally) to ascend to the Allmenalp (1725m), a colourful meadow brimming with rural mountain charm. Stunning views across the valley to the Oeschinensee with its magnificent turquoise-coloured waters and towering cliffs adorned with waterfalls. From the summit the 360o view is nothing less than spectacular, with 12 mountain peaks above 3000m in close proximity, and occasionally eagles frequent the adjoining peaks.

Day 3 - The Gasterntal and Kanderfirn Glacier 13km/8mi/5hr
This is a day full of thrilling experiences, starting with an exciting 20-minute minibus ride along a narrow road literally hacked out of the rock wall. The Gasterntal is Kandersteg's 'hidden valley', dozens of snowfed waterfalls thundering down the sheer rock faces carved out by a gigantic glaciers 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, you meander through woods and open meadows: look out for lady slippers, fire lilies and more than 25 varieties of orchid!

Day 4 - Oeschinensee 15km/9mi/5hr
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 Nostalgia Chairlift (pay locally), you climb to the viewpoint at Heuberg: nothing can prepare you 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 Fruden glacier.

Day 5 - Free day
It's less than an hour on the mountain railway to the fascinating and colourful town of Interlaken. From here, you can take a picturesque steamer ride, or catch the funicular to the town of St Harderkulm (1322m). Perhaps take the 'rack and pinion' rail route to Schynige Platte and explore its Alpine Gardens (top tip: magnificent panorama of the famous Eiger -Monch-Jungfrau trio from here!)

Day 6 - Uschinengrat and the Gemmi Pass 15km/10mi/4hr or 20km/12mi/5.5hr
The Sunnbuel cable car (pay locally) whisks you up to nearly 2,000m, from where you climb to a fantastic ridge walk along the Uschinengrat (2200m). If you're lucky, you'll spot wild deer on the upper slopes. You might fancy lunch at the renowned Schwarenbach Hotel, where Lenin and Picasso have signed the visitors' book. On past 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.

Day 7 - The Sud Rampe 12km/7mi/3.5hr or 18km/11mi/5.5hr
Today starts with a 25 minute rail ride through the mountains up to the village of Hohtenn where your route takes you high above the Rhone Valley, and through a landscape of gorges, plunging waterfalls and small colourful villages hemmed in by vineyards on the edge of the fertile Rhone Valley.

Day 8 - Leave Kandersteg

Is this trip for you?
This is a 2 boot (See Headwater’s Boot Rating System) independent walking holiday based in Kandersteg, in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. The walking is on well-made and maintained paths, with excellent signposting. This holiday offers a good range of walks, including a couple of fairly easy ones- where you take a train through a tunnel and walk above the Rhone valley. Chairlifts and cable cars used to gain height but there is the occasional steep climb. This holiday will appeal to couples, moderately fit walkers and people who seeking a quiet getaway.