Jungfrau Peaks & Glaciers Walk, Switzerland

This walking holiday explores some of the Alps’ most dramatic scenery. The sheer scale of it is breathtaking: the 4000m peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau cloaked in rolling white glaciers tower magnificently over the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the deepest U-shaped valley in the world, lined with 73 rushing waterfalls.

You’re in for a succession of unique experiences: passing so close to the ice-clad flank of the Mönch you feel you can touch it, rambling through meadows fragrant with wolfsbane, trumpet gentian and purple monkshood, being lulled by the sound of tinkling cowbells and deafened by the thundering power of a corkscrew waterfall, venturing into cool dark gorges and contemplating vast heart-lifting Alpine panoramas.

Where you stay provides some pleasing contrasts: from the disarmingly pretty car-free village of Mürren, to the bustling world-famous resort of Grindelwald with its two glaciers. Our friendly hoteliers all speak English and will happily advise on routes.

The paths and trails are well signposted and waymarked, and nowhere in the Alps is there a better provision of mountain lifts and railways, offering almost unlimited walking choices. On the higher slopes, the lammergeier has recently been re-introduced. Look out too for alpine accentor and golden eagle cruising the thermals.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrive in Wilderswil
We meet you and take you to your hotel in time for dinner.

Day 2 - Wilderswil to Murren 16km/10mi/6hr
A valley path climbs through oak forest (look out for red deer) to the sleepy hamlet of Isenfluh for the first view of the Jungfrau, over 3000m of ice-clad, rocky wilderness! Walking through meadows dotted with golden hawksbeard, you reach our hotel in Murren with great views over the Eiger and Jungfrau.

Day 3 - At Murren
With its pretty pedestrian streets, and stunning views over the Big Three, Murren has inspired famous travellers for centuries. It's easy to laze the day here, or there are various walks, from a fragrant ramble in the Blumental meadow to a hike up Sefinenfurgge pass (2612m). Alternatively, take the cable car to the James Bond revolving restaurant on the Schilthorn for views over Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

Day 4 - Murren to Wengen 18km/11mi/6hr
A long descent past cows munching green meadows (they still cut hay with scythes here) into the Lauterbrunnen valley and the Trummelbach falls, an amazing 'corkscrew' waterfall thundering inside the mountain. Ascending past the Monch, choked with rock and ice, takes you past Agnes and Willi's farm. Why not stop for a cool drink under the shadow of the Jungfrau before arriving in Wengen?

Day 5 - At Wengen
You could relax savouring the view over Lauterbrunnen valley from the hotel terrace complete with whirlpool bath (pay locally), but it's a shame not to take Europe's highest railway to the icebound Jungfraujoch (3454m), for a panorama over the Great Aletsch glacier, Germany's Black Forest and the Italian Alps. Alternatively take the Bira cable car for 360o view over the whole region.

Day 6 - Wengen to Grindelwald 18/km/11mi/6hr
Today's walk over the Kleine Scheidegg Pass follows the footsteps of Goethe, Byron and Tchaikovsky. The ascent enjoys views over the ice walls of the Monch. After lunch, you descend in the shadow of the Eiger's sheer north face - stunning views all round.

Day 7 - At Grindelwald
The most exciting option is to take the cable car to Pfingstegg from where you'll enjoy the most spectacular views of the Grindelwald Valley. You then follow a path hewn out of pink, purple and green marble to the sun trap restaurant terrace at Baregg, an oasis of green in the lower of Grindelwald's twin glaciers. There is a good chance of spotting ibex on the slopes and golden eagles circling overhead.

Day 8 - Grindelwald to Wilderswil 16km/10mi/5hr or 18km/10mi/6hr
Travel by gondola to the start of the one of the Alp's most panoramic walks. First stop, Bachsee Lake, then a climb through rocky high-mountains bright with saxifrage to the Faulhorn (2680m), and a heart-lifting panorama over the Bernese Oberland. After lunch in the restaurant, you descend through grassy marmot country to the railway station at Schynige Platte (2067m) to arrive in Wilderswil and your hotel in the timber-clad houses of the old town.

Day 9 - Return home

Is this trip for you?
This holiday is an independent, upper end of 3 boot walking holiday (See Headwater’s Boot Rating System). A Good level of fitness required, this walking will appeal to serious, fit walkers who enjoy a challenge and dramatic scenery. This holiday has varied walking along the valley bottoms and in the high mountains up to 2700m (8800ft) with ascents of up to 1000m (3300ft) every walking day.

The paths are well-made and well used, with excellent signposting. Day 4 includes a narrow path for a short distance when leaving the valley floor, with cables fixed to the rock to assist. If you are unhappy with this you can walk along the valley and take the train from Lauterbrunnen up to Wengen (pay locally).