The Via Alpina crosses 14 of the most beautiful Alpine passes. Across seven Swiss cantons, the hiker experiences a diverse culture, geology and topography. Quiet oases of relaxation alternate with prosperous tourist resorts. There is no better way to get to know Swiss Alpine culture in all its facets.
Luggage drop-off in Buchs. The hike starts in Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. The River Rhine and the border to Switzerland is crossed at Sevelen. The trail then leads along the foot of the mountain Gonzen through woodlands and meadows, with views over the Rhine Valley.
The wide, steep and remote Weisstannental valley awaits with lovely hamlets such as Vermol and the wonderful Champersee lake. You climb high-level trails on the west flank of the valley towards the stage destination Weisstannen.
Milk from neighbouring alps is piped to Alp Siez. On Alpine pastures are followed by a narrow ridge of black slate. The terraced alp huts on the other side of the Foopass are an architectural rarity.
Elm lies in the GeoPark Sardona (UNESCO World-Heritage) where the Glarner main thrust fault clearly reveals the creation of the Alps. Surrounded by rock bastions, the silted-up Wichlensee lake, resembles an amphitheatre. After the steep Richetlipass, the lonely Durnachtal awaits.
From Linthal via a steep forest path up to the sunny terrain hollow of Braunwald and further over wooded rocky bands to the largest Swiss alp with 1200 cows. Open, flat and wild terrain along the Fätschbach stream to the Urnerboden.
Simple alps and mobile bee boxes on the Klausen pass, fascinating high trail with mountain panorama above the Schächen valley, then steeply down to the valley floor below.
Bus ride to Altdorf. Short hike to Attinghausen and by cable car up to the Brüsti. Continue over the panoramic Alp Grat to the historic Surenenpass. The rock bastions on the Brunnistock and the basin of the Blackenalp are impressive. A varied valley path leads to the monastery village of Engelberg.
The trail leads over two altitude steps up to the spectacularly situated Trübsee lake at the foot of the Titlis, and further over the Jochpass into the Bernese Oberland. The destination is Engstlenalp, an idyllic place of power with a lake, nostalgic hotel and thousands of alpine roses.
Through alpine flora to Tannalp with a cheese dairy, inn and lake. The ridge hike over the Balmeregghorn impresses with magnificent views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Dwarf Muggenstutz and a sculpture garden provide variety on the way to Meiringen.
By bus you get up to Rosenlaui where the first hike starts. You walk up to the “Grosse Scheidegg” from where you have a magnificent view to the mountains “Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau”. From here you continue to Grindelwald.
The trail leads up to the „Kleine Scheidegg“ and continues over a sunny high trail. You soon leave the tourist hustle behind you and continue hiking on easy paths until you arrive to Wengen.
Early in the morning the cable car brings you up to Mürren. In the early months of the summer there is often still snow on the alpine pass “Sefinenfurgge”. You walk past a breathtaking Alpine scenery.
The ascent to the Blüemlisalp is the most spectacular stage on your hiking tour. After a long and step walk up to 2’843 meters you may enjoy an excellent meal at the Swiss mountain pasture “Blüemlisalphütte”. From there the trail leads over the “Hohtürli” and glacier moraines down to Lake Öschinen. Now, Kandersteg is only a short walk away. (easy option: ride with the cable car down into the valley).
By cable car up to “Allmenalp” from where you hike to “Bonderchrinde”. The view on the surrounding peaks is breathtaking. Afterwards, you hike down into the valley to Adelboden.
From the widely-known village of Adelboden you walk towards the Hahnenmoospass. Wonderful views and the peak of mount Wildstrubel guide you down to the valley Simmental. You will spend one last night in the Bernese Oberland.
From Lenk over gentle alpine meadows, up into the lynx territory, through a damp limestone area with a wide horizon. Over the Trüttlisberg Pass and through the long Turbach Valley with its varied history down to sophisticated Gstaad.
A panoramic high-altitude trail, past the Berghaus Eggli and the lime-cart area of Wilde Bode to the language border at Col de Jable. Many traditional Alpine huts with large shingle roofs and Chupferchessi (Copper pot) cheese production high above L'Etivaz.
The gently sloping route follows the torrent "La Torneresse" for several kilometres until it reaches the valley of the Gorges du Pissot. Then the landscape offers a view of the large valley of the Pays-d'Enhaut. After Châteaux-d'Oex the descent leads to Rossinière.
From Rossinière over a bridge from 1650 to the Col de Solomon. After the descent into the Hongrin Valley, climb to the Col de Chaude with its fantastic view of Lake Geneva. Continue uphill to the stop of the Rochers de Naye rack railway.
approx. 7.5 h
approx. 19 km
1'900 m
800 m
Day
21
Departure or extension
Tour character
Surefootedness, head for heights and good physical condition for alpine hikes are necessary. Shortcuts by bus/cable car are partly possible.
Costs for luggage pick-up at the station (for direct arrival)
Subsidy for arrival by train
Carefully elaborated route
Travel documents (1 x per room) incl. SwitzerlandMobility Plus subscription
Service hotline
Please note:
Rides on post bus, mountain railways and cable cars approx. CHF 140.- (depending on the rides used)
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
Reservation fee of CHF 15 per adult (incl. legally required customer money protection)
Information
Arrival/Departure:
Arrival by public transport to Buchs. Drop off your luggage at the luggage counter by 10:00 a.m. at the latest.
Departure by public transport from Montreux.
Other important information:
The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance.
Travel cancellation insurance, including travel interruption insurance is recommended.
Travel documents
Travel documents "digital”
In future we will reduce the amount of printed documents. You will receive instructions to help you find your way around using the SwitzerlandMobility app. We will provide you with further information online. In advance you will receive a small package of documents with the following contents:
On the way, you can easily find your way with the SwitzerlandMobility app and other freely accessible aids. Background information and all other documents are delivered electronically and can be downloaded to your mobile phone in advance.
Let us know if you don't want to do without maps. We will send them to you free of charge.
Family Anderegg welcomes you to Meiringen. Located right in the centre of the city, Hotel Victoria is an elegant start destination for your hiking tour to Bärentrek. The excellent restaurant (14 Gault-Millau points) provides the ideal refreshment for the strenuous hiking days ahead of you.
Hotel Victoria Meiringen
★★★★S
A cordeal welcome to Meiringen from the Anderegg-family. Situated directly in the centre, hotel Victoria is a classy arrival hotel for your hiking tour along the ‚bear trek’. Enjoy the distinguished cuisine of the toque-restaurant offering the perfect ‚fuel’ for your forthcoming hiking tours.
A fantastic view onto the ‚Eigernordwand’-rockface awaits in the ‚Private Selection Hotel Kirchbühl’.
Hotel Kirchbühel Grindelwald
★★★★
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Hotel Silberhorn Wengen
★★★★
The car-free village of Wengen offers peace and relaxation in the midst of an enchanting mountainscape to everyone who comes here. A stay at Hotel Silberhorn is especially relaxing. From the Spa-area you will enjoy wonderful views on the peak of Jungfrau.
A small oasis in the middle of the summits of the Bernese Oberland. Hotel Berghaus offers you excellent infrastructure in combination with wonderful panoramic views.
Griesalp Hotels Kiental
A small oasis in the middle of the summits of the Bernese Oberland. Hotel Berghaus of Griesalp Hotels offers you excellent infrastructure in combination with wonderful panoramic views. Relax in the in-house sauna and enjoy regional specialities in the excellent restaurant.
Hotel Victoria Belle Epoque is located in the heart of Kandersteg in the middle of a large park.
Hotel Victoria Belle Epoque Kandersteg
★★★
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Bright rooms, creative cuisine and swimming bliss amidst a charming mountain world.
Parkhotel & Spa Bellevue Adelboden
★★★★S
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