Current as of: July 25, 2019 - 14:21 Valid for departures: From January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 Self-Guided Walking in Kandersteg Trip Notes Ways to Travel: Self-Guided 6 Days Land only Trip Code: Destinations: Switzerland Min age: 8 Moderate Programmes: Walking & Trekking W05AF Trip Overview 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 area epitomises the 'chocolate-box' Alps: lush green meadows bright with wildflowers, against a backdrop of rugged, wild mountains, topped with glistening glaciers. At a Glance 5 nights at Hotel Alfa Soleil 4 days walking; averaging 5 hours per day Altitude maximum 2322m, average 1100m Countries visited: Switzerland Trip Highlights Breathtaking natural beauty: snow-capped peaks, emerald-green slopes, amazing turquoise lakes, meadows thick with flowers A walker's paradise with thousands of kms of well-marked trails, stunning Alpine flowers, rare birds of prey Friendly, family-run hotel with heated indoor pool, sauna and excellent cuisine Based on our popular 7 night, Classic Swiss Alps Walk Is This Trip for You? Activity Level: 3 (moderate) Average daily distance: 15km (9.3 miles), 5hrs. No. of days walking: 4 Terrain and route: good (though sometimes narrow) paths with occasional steep climbs This is a self-guided tour, as such there will be no group or tour leader and you are free to complete the walks at your own pace and in whichever order you choose. Please bear in mind that although this is a self-guided holiday, the atmosphere in the hotel tends to be quite social and they will sometimes seat guests together at breakfast and dinner. We have suggested that 8yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. A week's stay here uncovers the very best of the region: a huge turquoise lake enclosed by towering cliffs, a hidden valley headed by a glacier, a sheer gorge carved out by glacial meltwaters, an Alpine pass that has been used since Celtic times and an abundance of wildflowers. Did we mention the spectacular views? The impressive white peaks of the 3970m Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau and Matterhorn dominate the skyline with a plethora of other summits and glaciers close at hand. Amazingly, all of this is accessible on well-defined paths directly from the hotel (with excellent signposting) or after a short bus or gondola ride. The walking is of moderate difficulty and includes mountain walking on good (though sometimes narrow) paths with occasional steep climbs. NB: Some gondolas/cable cars do not operate in early/late season when alternative walks will be proposed. Group As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. The hotelier is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest. Route notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain an emergency telephone number. In an emergency, the hotelier is sometimes able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. Adult min age: 13 Child min age: 8 Child max age: 12 Min group size: 1 Max group size: 6 Itinerary Land Only Start City: Kandersteg End City: Kandersteg Land Only Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Kandersteg You arrive in time to settle in and perhaps enjoy an aperitif before dinner. Staying at Hotel Alfa Soleil. Meals included: Dinner Day 2 The Allmenalp and the Alpbach This easy-going walk begins with a spectacular cable car ride (included) up to the Allmenalp, a colourful meadow brimming with rural mountain charm. There are stunning views across the valley to towering cliffs, snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Continue into the pastures of the Alpbach, sheltered by a colossal mountain bowl where marmots 'cohabit' with farmers and their cattle. An afternoon descent of the Alpbach Gorge takes you down to the valley floor for a relaxed stroll along the River Kander to the hotel. Staying at Hotel Alfa Soleil. Optional shorter walk: 3.5 hrs, distance 11km/7mi Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 18 km / 11 miles Activity (hours): 5.5 Day 3 The Gasterntal and Klus Gorge You begin the day with an exhilarating 20-minute minibus ride (fare included) along a narrow road carved out of the rock wall. The UNESCO-recognised Gasterntal is Kandersteg's 'hidden valley', with snow-fed waterfalls splashing down sheer cliff faces. After an optional, loop-extension further up the valley, you meander down the River Kander, through woods and open meadows to the Waldhaus Nature Reserve - look out for lady slippers, fire lilies and more than 25 varieties of orchid. With the mighty rock walls of the Balmhorn, Tatlishore and the Atels towering high, follow the spectacular Klus Gorge where glacial meltwater rushes down over thunderous waterfalls. Staying at Hotel Alfa Soleil. Optional shorter walk: 3.5hrs, distance 13km/8mi Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 19 km / 12 miles Activity (hours): 5.5 Day 4 Oeschinensee 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 gondola (included), 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 Frunden glacier. Staying at Hotel Alfa Soleil. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 15 km / 9.5 miles Activity (hours): 5 Day 5 Blausee and the Nordrampe A gentle hour's stroll takes you down to the Natural Park of Blausee - the Blue Lake (free entry with pass provided). Here you can wander through verdant woodland around the little lake, visit the organic trout farm and enjoy a drink on the lake terrace. Cross the valley at Kandergrund and pick up the Nordrampe Bahnwanderweg - a fabulous walking trail that in part follows the impressive railway as it makes huge loops and swirls through tunnels along the side of the mountain. Enjoy panoramic picnic spots and great views up and down the valley as you stroll past the evocative ruins of the Felsenburg tower. Hillside pastures and shady forest then leads you back to your hotel. Staying at Hotel Alfa Soleil. Optional shorter walks available. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 17 km / 11 miles Activity (hours): 5.5 Day 6 Leave Kandersteg If pre-arranged, return to Zurich via Kandersteg rail. Meals included: Breakfast All ascents, descents and distances listed above have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders. Please note that different GPS measuring devices can give differing results dependent on the barometric pressures at the time. Measurements stated throughout these trips notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Accommodation Hotel Alfa Soleil On arrival at the 3-star Hotel Alfa Soleil, your hosts, the charming Seiler family, will provide you with a Regional Travel Pass giving you unlimited use of cable cars and the regional bus service. They'll also ensure you receive a full introduction to the area, including insider tips on where to spot the best alpine flowers! When you feel like a rest from walking, there's an elegant lounge, swimming pool, sauna, solarium and gym to keep you entertained. In the evening you can relax and enjoy regional dishes and fine wines in Nico's restaurant. All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration. For a solo traveller there is an additional charge to cover transfer costs. Where a single supplement is available, paying for a single only guarantees a room for single use. It does not always mean a twin or double room will be provided for sole occupancy. Single supplement from $131.75 USD Food & Transport Eating & Drinking All meals are included throughout the trip, including picnic lunches. For dinner enjoy regional dishes and fine wines in Nico's restaurant. At the beginning of each set of notes we advise on the lunch situation and suggest good picnic spots. You can obtain supplies daily from the hotel's picnic buffet or you can return to the hotel for a light lunch. We suggest you to carry 1-5 litres water per person, there are often benches for resting and admiring the views. There are also mountain restaurants with sun-trap terraces. With such a mixture of language and tradition co-existing in such a small country, it is no wonder that there are so many regional dishes. In the Bernese Oberland, Austrian and German influences predominate; gastronomic local delicacies include geschnetzeltes Kalbsfleisch (veal in a rich cream sauce), Kandersteger Bratwurst au Mad re-Jus (roast sausage with a Madeira sauce), Lammbraten gefüllt mit Kraütern (herb roasted lamb) and smoked pork with sauerkraut, and a selection of colourful salads. Typical desserts include Caramel-Birne mit Rum-Sabayon (caramelised pear with a rum sabayon) and Aprikosen-Symphonie (apricot gateau). Transportation Buses, trains and gondolas Public transport in this area is frequent and reliable and the route notes advise on times and costs.