Current as of: December 11, 2019 - 15:51 Valid for departures: From October 4, 2019 to December 31, 2030 Classic Swiss Alps Self-Guided Walk Trip Notes Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays 8 Days Land only Trip Code: Destinations: Switzerland Min age: 8 W07AF Moderate Programmes: Walking & Trekking 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 wildowers, against a backdrop of rugged, wild mountains, topped with glistening glaciers. At a Glance 7 nights at Hotel Alfa Soleil 6 days walking; averaging 5 hours per day Altitude maximum 2322m, average 1100m Trip Highlights Have spectacular views of the region: Eiger, Jungfrau, Matterhorn, Monch Hike along well-marked trails amongst stunning Alpine owers Relax in a friendly, family-run hotel with heated indoor pool, sauna and excellent cuisine Is This Trip for You? Activity Level: 3 (Moderate) Average daily distance: 15km (9.3 miles), 5hrs. No. of days walking: 6 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 wildowers. 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-dened paths directly from the hotel (with excellent signposting) or after a short bus or gondola ride. The walking is of moderate difculty and includes mountain walking on good (though sometimes narrow) paths with occasional steep climbs. Note: 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: 16 Child min age: 8 Child max age: 15 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 Arrive at the 3 star Hotel Alfa Soleil, well known locally for its excellent cuisine and enjoy a welcome drink before dinner which is included all week along with picnics or light restaurant lunches. Below is a suggested itinerary for the week but you are free to pick and choose when and where you walk each day. Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Allenalp This easy-going walk to start your week 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 oor for a relaxed stroll along the River Kander to the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 11 km / 7 miles Activity (hours): 5.5 Day 3 The Gasterntal and the Klus Gorge This super walk begins 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, re 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. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 13 km / 8 miles Activity (hours): 6 Day 4 Oeschinensee Widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of the Bernese Oberland, Oeschinensee is one of the most beautiful Alpine lakes in Switzerland. After a short ride up on the gondola lift (included), follow a marvellous mountain path up to the Heuberg Viewpoint and picnic spot. The cobalt blue water of the lake, surrounded by the snow-capped, razor-edged peaks of the Doldenhorn (3,638m) and the Bluemlisalphorn (3,663m) towering 2,000m above, will be a lasting memory. Call in at the mountain chalets at Obberbargli and Underbargli for refreshments and soak up this unforgettable scenery as bell-toting cows munch at the grass in the pastures below, while dainty waterfalls trickle down from the Frunden Glacier. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 15 km / 9 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 (entry included with short boat ride). 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. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 17 km / 11 miles Activity (hours): 5 Day 6 Daubensee and Gemmi Pass The Sunnbuel cable car (included) whisks you up to nearly 2,000m to begin today's walk. Enjoy refreshments at the renowned Schwarenbach Hotel, where Lenin and Picasso have signed the visitors' book. It's then on to the Daubensee and the famous high Gemmi Pass (2,322m), a major Transalpine route rst used by the Celts. The extraordinary panorama of the Valais Alps to the south includes the Weisshorn (4,506m) and the Matterhorn (4,478m). Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 15 km / 9.5 miles Activity (hours): 6 Day 7 The Sudrampe Today starts with a 25-minute train ride (payable locally) through the Lotschberg mountain rail tunnel (14km long) to Hohtenn. The walk takes you high above a youthful River Rhone, through a landscape of gorges and hidden side valleys - and small hillside villages boasting traditional wooden chalets built on the upper edges of this fertile, vineyard-adorned valley. You follow part of the Lotschberger-Sudrampe railway trail - superb railway engineering, viaducts, tunnels and bridges - but you don't need to be a train buff to enjoy this great little hike. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 10 km / 6.5 miles Activity (hours): 5.5 Day 8 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 owers! 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 ne 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 will only guarantee a room for single use. It does not necessarily mean a twin or double room will be provided for sole occupancy.