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Walking Holidays: The Bear Trail
It can be assumed that bears wandered across these paths long before tourists ever discovered the breathtaking scenery along this trek. The Bear Trail is no picnic – but your efforts will be rewarded with an incomparable alpine adventure. The Bear Trail crosses some of the most spectacular passes anywhere in the Alps , giving one view after another of gigantic glaciers and cliff faces, and then leading down into magnificent valleys and past picturesque homesteads and villages with world famous names. On most days it is possible to use public transport (payable locally) such as post buses or mountain railways to shorten the hiking time or to avoid steep ascents.
Programme
| Day 1: | Arrival Flight or rail from the UK to Switzerland . Train transfer to Meiringen in the Bernese Oberland. Depending on your flight times there is the possibility of an excursion to the Reichenbach falls in the afternoon or a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum . Overnight in Meiringen. |
| Day 2: | Meiringen-Grindelwald Drop off your luggage at the railway station and walk to the Reichbach moutain railway station, taking the train up to Zwirgi. Enjoy the views of the famous Reichenbach falls on the way. From Zwirgi you start the walk on the old pass route that in former days was used by travellers and traders to cross through the wild and romantic Rosenlaui valley from Meiringen to Grindelwald. Ascending in some parts through forest you will soon be be surrounded by mighty mountains and glaciers but also wild streams and wonderful mountain flora. Once you reach the Grosse Scheidegg the postal bus will take you down to Grindelwald. Follow the route Meiringen (595m/1,952ft) – Grosse Scheidegg (1,962m/6,437ft) – Grindelwald (962m/3,156ft). Hiking time: 5 hours. Overnight in Grindelwald. |
| Day 3: | Grindelwald-Lauterbrunnen You can hike from Grindelwald over the Kleine Scheidegg, or you can take the mountain railway (payable locally). The route is from Grindelwald Grund through alpine meadows via Alpiglen through the Arvengarden to the Kleine Scheidegg. This is the most walked upon pass in the Bernese Oberland and offers a great view of high alpine landscape. From the Kleine Scheidegg enjoy the views of the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau before making your descent to Wengen and then down to Lauterbrunnen in the valley. Route: Grindelwald Grund (962m/3,156ft) – Kleine Scheidegg (2,061m/6,761ft) – Lauterbrunnen (795m/2,608ft). Hiking time: 8 hours. Overnight in Lauterbrunnen. |
| Day 4: | Lauterbrunnen–Kiental Take the gondola from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp and the railway on to Mürren. Todays hike leads from Mürren over the Sefinenfurgge. The changing landscape is fascinating but please note that this section cannot be shortened by public transport. From Sefinenfurgge a steep descent (in parts secured by ropes) leads to Griesalp from where you will take the postbus to Kiental. Route: Mürren (1,638m/5374ft) – Sefinenfurgge (2,612m/8,570ft) – Griessalp Gorneren (1,440m/4,724ft). Hiking time: 6 hours. Overnight in Kiental. |
| Day 5: | Kiental–Kandersteg Take the postal bus to Griesalp from where you continue your hike. The high point (literally) of the Bear Trail is todays ascent to the Hohtürli through alpine meadows and eventually high alpine rocky slopes. The view from the top will reward you for the effort. After a steep descent follow the charming path along the beautiful Oeschinensee (lake). You can either take the gondola (payable locally) or walk down to Kandersteg. Route: Griessalp (1,440m/4,724ft) – Hohtürli (2,837m/9,307ft) – Oeschinensee (1,522m/4,993ft) – Kandersteg (1,176m/3,858ft). Hiking time: 7 hours. Overnight in Kandersteg. |
| Day 6: | Kandersteg–Engstligenalp Take the gondola from Kandersteg to Sunnbüel where this classic mountain walk starts today. From here ascent to the mountain hotel Scharenbach, and then go further up through the quiet rock valley of the Roten Chumme. Finally descent through flower strewn alpine meadows down to the Engstilgenalp. Route: Sunnbüel (1,937m/6,355ft) – Schwarenbach (2,060m/6,759ft) – Rote Chumme (2,620m/8,596ft) Engstligenalp (1,964m/6,444ft). Hiking time: 5 hours. Overnight Engstligenalp. |
| Day 7: | Departure Take the gondola from Engstligenalp to Adelboden and from there the postal bus to Chur. Board the train on to Zürich for your return flight or rail to the UK . |
Accommodation
All hotels are small family-run, typically Swiss hotels with a warm welcome. All hotels used are of a 3 star standard and have private facilities. The last nights accommodation on Engstligenalp is in a mountain hotel.
Departures: Sundays from 29 June to 30 September 2008
Price: From £ 721 per person sharing standard twin/double room
(subject to availability at time of booking)
Price includes: Flights, airport taxes, carbon offset contribution (see climate care), 6 nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner, 2nd class rail transfer from and to airport and half fare card, luggage transfers on 5 days, detailed hiking itinerary, maps and suggestions at your first hotel.
Payment by credit card:
A charge of 1% up to a maximum of £ 15 will apply when paying by credit card (Diners Card cannot be accepted). No charge will be made for debit cards.
