Itinerary
Arrival in Charmey
Today, you’ll hike down to the Lac de Montsalvens reservoir, with its suspension bridge and majestic arch dam. Next, the Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc offers opportunities to try some tempting tid-bits. Later, you’ll visit the Notre-Dame des Marches pilgrimage church, which affords a stunning view of Moléson.
From there, you cross the Saane river on the covered Châtelet bridge within the protected Les Auges d’Estavannens floodplain area, before ascending to the medieval town of Gruyères. A bus ride from Gruyères back to Charmey rounds off the day.
The day begins with a bus ride from Charmey to Jaun. Once at the foot of the rugged Gastlosen mountains – the climbing hotspot known as the ‘Saanenland Dolomites’ – you’ll hike along panoramic trails via Oberi Bire and Venners Chöpfli down to Mittelberg. From this secluded pass, a commanding view stretches across the Bernese Oberland to the Alps. The route continues across wide slopes to Grossi Vorschess, then down through blossoming alpine meadows to the chalet village of Schönried in the Saanenland. From Schönried to Gstaad by train or bus.
From Gstaad, Wispile by cable car up to Höhi Wispile. From the Berghaus Wispile, you’ll then hike along the Höhi Wispile ridge trail, which offers magnificent views of the Saanenland, Vaud and Bernese Alps. Before long, you’ll cross the Chrine Pass to the romantic Lauenensee lake. This nature reserve with its moorland meadows is a true haven for aquatic birds. Alpine meadows and waterfalls escort you as you press on to Lauenen near Gstaad.
Take the train from Gstaad to Lenk. From the Leiterli valley station, continue by gondola to Betelberg, Leiterli. The panoramic trail leads from the mountain station through the Gryden’s lunar-like landscape to the Trütlisberg Pass and along meadow slopes on the Heuberg to the romantic Obere Zwitzeregg alp.
As you press on, you’ll surely agree that the moorland area with its small lake at the Rüwlispass is one-of-a-kind! Take in the magnificent Alpine surroundings on the panoramic trail to the Horneggli mountain lodge. From there, it’s another cable car ride down to Schönried. From Schönried, take the bus or train back to Gstaad.
Departure or Extension
Tour character
Your hiking tour begins in the Alpine foothills, on flat paths that are easy to negotiate. However, the subsequent stages involve a little more elevation gain, requiring a good level of fitness. Sure-footedness is required for the stages to the Gastlosen and from Lenk back to Schönried.
Prices & dates
Category: Hotel Cailler 4* in Charmey & Hotel Gstaaderhof 4* in Gstaad
Services & Information
Enthalten:
- Accommodation as mentioned incl. breakfast
- Luggage transfer from Charmey to Gstaad (1 piece of luggage per person, max. 20 kg)
- Subsidy for arrival by train
- Entrance to Maison Cailler in Broc
- Carefully elaborated route description
- Digital travel documents incl. navigation app
- SwitzerlandMobility-Plus subscription for one year
- Service hotline
Note:
- Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
- Bus ride Gruyère - Charmey (Gruyère) Corbettaz not included in the tour price, approx. CHF 5.- per person (without Half Fare Travelcard)
- Bus ride Charmey (Gruyère) Corbettaz - Jaun not included in the tour price, approx. CHF 5.- per person (without Half Fare Travelcard)
- Cable car ride Jaun - Gastlosen not included in the tour price, approx. CHF 15.- per person (without Half Fare Travelcard)
- Train or bus ride from Schönried - Gstaad not included in the tour price, approx. CHF 5.- per person (without Half Fare Travelcard)
- Cable car ride Gstaad - Höhi Wispile not included in the tour price, approx. CHF 34.- per person (without Half Fare Travelcard)
- Bus ride Lauenen b. Gstaad Moos - Gstaad not included in the tour price, approx. CHF 5.- per person (without Half Fare Travelcard)
- Train ride Gstaad - Lenk i. Simmental not included in the tour price, approx. CHF 19.- per person (without Half Fare Travelcard)
- Cable car ride Lenk i. S. - Betelberg not included in the tour price, approx. CHF 40.- per person (without Half Fare Travelcard)
- Cable car ride Horneggli - Schönried not included in the tour price, approx. CHF 23.- per person (without Half Fare Travelcard)
- Reservation fee of CHF 20.- per adult (incl. legally required customer money protection)
Arrival/Departure:
- Arrival in Charmey using public transport.
- Departure from Schönried using public transport..
Arrival by train
Leave the car at home! For every bike, biking or hiking tour in Switzerland, you will receive an SBB coupon per participant, which you can use to deduct CHF 10.- from the ticket price for traveling by train. The reduction can be obtained in the SBB online store or in the SBB app.
On many trips, we use the luggage counters at the stations at the beginning and at the end to hand over the suitcases. You can conveniently combine this right away when you arrive by train. If you are a GA owner, you can provide this information when booking. We will credit you the amount on the invoice. If you don't need the coupon for the trip itself, you can use it during the year. Unfortunately, a retroactive refund is not possible for administrative reasons.
Travel documents "digital"
We reduce the amount of printed documents. You will receive instructions to help you find your way around using the Eurotrek Travel Guide App. We provide you with further information online.
In advance you will receive a small package of documents with the following contents:
- Your travel program
- Luggage tags
- Description of how to use the app
- Any vouchers
The Eurotrek Travel Guide App will help you find your way around. In addition to your digital map, you will find further information about your booked trip. The app is also available offline, simply download the trip in advance.
For our trips labelled “Naturally Active”, we place particular emphasis on key aspects of sustainability:
- Climate-friendly travel to and from the destination is a priority. These trips are easily accessible by public transport, making environmentally responsible arrival and departure as simple and convenient as possible.
- Transfers and luggage transport are kept to the necessary minimum. Efficient route and transfer planning helps us avoid unnecessary journeys and reduce emissions.
- Our routes deliberately include less frequently visited regions. This allows us to offer authentic experiences of nature and local culture, while easing pressure on heavily visited destinations and supporting local economies.
- We give preference to locally managed accommodation providers that operate sustainably, for example through responsible use of resources, recycling measures or the use of regional products.
You can find more information about Naturally Active here.