Trails of Grindelwald: Hike & Explore

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London, we change stations in Paris, continuing our journey to Basel, just across the Swiss border. We check into our hotel for the evening located next to the railway station and enjoy our first evening meal together at a local restaurant.

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we will check out of the hotel (our luggage will be transferred to Grindelwald) and walk to the railway station to catch our train to Grindelwald stopping at the charming town of Bern, Switzerland's capital. Here we enjoy a guided tour and stroll through the UNESCO Old Town, marvelling at the Zytglogge clock tower and the Cathedral of Bern, and taking time for lunch before continuing by train to Grindelwald. After checking in to our hotel, there is free time to explore our new surroundings before our evening meal.

DAY 3

After breakfast today, we meet our local hiking guide in the hotel lobby and travel by road to the gondola station to journey up to Männlichen. We will hike from the mountain station to the Männlichen summit where we will see stunning panoramic views across the entire Jungfrau Region including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau Peaks. We continue our hike following the path to Kleine Scheidegg and onwards to the Lauberhorn where the trail then follows the famous ski racetrack offering a spectacular view. We will continue our descent until we reach Wengen before returning to Grindelwald by cog railway and train.

Hiking Activity: Distance: 11.7km - Ascent: 164m - Descent: 950m

DAY 4

Today we join our local hiking guide to complete the Grauseeli Loop. From Mürren we set out on the trail through the stony and steep Kanonenrohr to the Schilthornhütte where we will stop for a refreshment break. We continue on the trail through the Engetal valley towards Grauseeli, descending to Schiltalp which is an intense and demanding section of the trail before the Northface Trail to Suppenalp and finally onto Mürren. We will travel back to Grindelwald by public transport in time of our evening meal in a local restaurant.

Hiking Activity: Distance: 11km - Ascent: 967m - Descent: 967m

DAY 5

After our breakfast in the hotel, the day is free to explore Grindelwald at your own pace. You may wish to take the train to the Harder Kulm which offers fantastic views of Interlaken, take the historic cogwheel railway to the Schynige Platte, discover the top of Europe at Jungfraujoch, or relax at the hotel. Tonight is free to dine at your own leisure.

DAY 6

Today we meet our local hiking guide and take the train to Interlaken before travelling by boat to Böningen where we disembark at start of our hike along the shore to Giessbach Falls through lush forests and along cosy paths. After lunch we continue our lakeshore hike to the Giessbach Falls, a mystical and beautiful waterfall, before returning by cruise across Lake Brienz to Interlaken and travelling by train to Grindelwald for our evening meal.

Hiking Activity: Distance: 18km - Ascent: 466m - Descent: 466m

DAY 7

After breakfast we join our local hiking guide and begin our day taking the Eiger Express up to 3,700m where the Eigergletscher lies. Passing by Fallbodensee, we make our way towards Kleine Scheidegg with the Lauberhorn in sight following the Eiger trail past wild streams and waterfalls to Alpiglen which offers incredible views across the valley. There is a possibility to eat at the mountain hut or enjoy a picnic before finishing our hike back to Grindelwald.

Hiking Activity (Eigergletscher-Alpiglen): Distance: 6km - Ascent: 78m - Descent: 779m
Hiking Activity (Alpiglen-Grindelwald): Distance: 6.4km - Ascent: 96m - Descent: 732m

DAY 8

After breakfast this morning, we are free to explore Grindelwald a little more, visit the local shops, enjoy Swiss pastries at a quaint café, or simply take in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Later, we will check out of the hotel (our luggage will be transferred to Basel) and take the train back to Basel where we have some free time to savour our final afternoon in Switzerland. We can wander the charming streets and admire the contrasting modern and historic architecture, visit the Old Town, or discover hidden gems at the art museums before we enjoy our final evening meal together at a local restaurant.

DAY 9

We bid farewell to Basel and to Switzerland as we travel back through France, changing stations at Paris, for our Eurostar journey to London St Pancras.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner