Switzerland·3 - 10 August 2023

HIKE THE SWISS ALPS

Join us for a 8-day women-led guided hiking adventure in the Oberland region of the Swiss Alps!

ENQUIRE
AWDolomites1623

Overview

NEW FOR 2023! So there we were in the Dolomites having an amazing time, sad that our trip was coming to an end, and the question came up “where are we going next year?” We asked our guides, Francoise & Karin, where their favorite places to go were and without hesitation they said Oberland. So we have added this trip to our 2023 calendar! Hiking in Oberland means discovering panoramas of striking beauty: green mountain pastures, deep forests, waterfalls, magnificent lakes, famous Bernese mountains, Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau… and many more snow-capped peaks. We will share unforgettable moments, discovering some classic valleys of the Bernese Alps: Grindelwald valley at the foot of the Eiger, Kandersteg Valley and Leukeurbad, Dala Valley above Rhone valley with its famous thermals, all propose very different atmospheres! Plan on hiking 6-7 hrs / 7-1O miles per day. Vertical ascents vary each day with an average of 2,500 ft per day. The trails are well kept, but rocky in places. Boots with ankle support are needed and walking poles will be very useful. As the trip is vehicle supported we are able to enjoy the wonderful scenery with only light day-packs. We will fly in and out of Geneva for this trip.

Highlights

SWITZERLAND BY FOOT

SWITZERLAND BY FOOT

Days are typically 6-7 hours covering 7-10 miles per day through lush valleys and dramatic mountain landscapes. The trails are well kept but rocky in places. The trip is vehicle supported so you are able to enjoy the wonderful scenery with only a light day-pack.

EXPLORE LOCAL CUISINE

EXPLORE LOCAL CUISINE

Plan to eat our way through the Alps! Breakfasts are continental-style buffet with addition of cereals, fruit juices, eggs and meat. Lunches are self made from delicious goodies bought locally. This is carried in your pack and eaten picnic style on the trail. Dinners will be local cuisine. And yes, of course we will find Swiss chocolate!

WHY BERNESE OBERLAND?

WHY BERNESE OBERLAND?

Breathtaking views, magnificent mountains, unspoilt nature, glistening lakes and genuine hospitality – the best of Switzerland! Picturesque landscapes surrounded by countless mountain peaks, more than 800 lakes, world-class events and great experiences, pleasurable moments and feelings of happiness, living traditions and visible customs: the Bernese Oberland is one of Switzerland's most diverse regions.

DEEP CONNECTION

DEEP CONNECTION

Make new friends with similar passions. Disconnect from the everyday stresses of life. Reconnect with the part of yourself that is curious, excited, adventurous, and in love with life. Return to the every day with a deeper connection to yourself and the outdoors, refreshed and empowered with the AdventurUs spirit.

THERMAL BATHS

THERMAL BATHS

About the Baths: Much remains the secret of nature, but we do know a few things. It takes an unbelievable 40 years for the seeping mountain water in the depths to be enriched with valuable minerals, warmed to the optimum temperature of up to 51 ° Celsius, and transformed into thermal water. Only then does it acquire its beneficial quality, to bubble naturally from the floor and flow into the Leukerbad baths. We will experience this phenomenon at one of the public thermal baths on our last day.

Guides & Trip Leaders

Françoise

Françoise

Local Guide
Francoise was born in Lyon and has lived in Chamonix for more than 35 years attracted by mountain life. She is a certified guide as well as a paragliding instructor. Hiking is Francoise’s passion, leading in the mountains allows her to share her passion with others, even in winter through snowshoeing.  Paragliding was her primary activity for 10 years and she loved teaching and flying clients in a tandem! After this small break, she came back to sharing her passion of hiking. In her free time, Francoise like biking, golfing, hiking, cross country skiing, and traveling in the Alps.

Karine

Karine

Local Guide
Karine was born in Guerande in southern Brittany by the sea; however she was soon attracted by the mountains! She has always favored jobs that involve working with people and is grateful to have the chance to earn a living from her passions. Karine has passed various training courses and earned numerous sports diplomas including: outdoor multi-sport, horse riding, ski instructor for children, and since 2001 mountain guiding. Her base camp is Chamonix for more than 25 years. She guides snowshoeing in winter and trekking in summer and loves sharing her passions with others! For her leisure time you can find Karine hiking, but also climbing, biking, mountaineering, ski touring, and cross country skiing… and she travels the world as much as she can!

Saveria

Saveria

AW Trip Leader
Saveria Tilden (she/her) is the brains behind AdventurUs Women! She has lots of outdoor experience, both professionally and personally. As an educator in a variety of fields over the past twenty years, Saveria has experienced first-hand the magic that happens when women come together to learn about and explore the outdoors! She is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Master Educator. Saveria lives in Bend, OR with her adventure pup @BettyBooInTheWild.  Saveria will be your main point of contact leading up the trip and will host group calls, 1:1 calls, and provide pre-trip information to make sure you, and the group, is ready for our adventure.

Schedule

Previous

Next

Day1Grindelwald

DAY 1

August 3 - You have arrived!

We will all meet at the Geneva International Airport (GVA) around 1:00pm. We will then be transferred by van to Grindelwald where you will settle into our hotel. The drive is about 3 hours.

Grindelwald, a famous village in the Bernese Alps, is nestled at the bottom of the Lutschine valley at 1000m at the foot of the famous north face of the Eiger. We will stay there for 3 nights at the hotel Gletschergarten.

We will gather together at 6:00 pm for our orientation meeting and welcome dinner.


Included

Transfer from Geneva International Airport (GVA) to Grindelwald.

Dinner

Lodging

Not Included

Alcohol

Day2GROSSESCHEIDEGG

DAY 2

August 4 - Our adventure begins

From the hotel to the gondola. Our hiking day starts following a large easy trail to the famous Baschalp Lake at 7,470ft. From here the panoramic views over Grindelwald and the surrounding mountains is worth a look. Following a spectacular balcony, crossing between meadows and mountain pastures, our panoramic trail takes us to the mountain pass of Grosse Scheidegg 6,450ft. Return to Grindelwald with the typical yellow Postal Bus.


Included

All transfers

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging

Not Included

Alcohol

Day3EigerTrail

DAY 3

August 5 - A day at the infamous Eiger mountain

The Eiger trail, crossing at the foot of the north face of the Eiger, is breathtaking. This spectacular journey begins as we ride a classic gondola to Holenstein (5,340ft). From here an easy trail leads us directly towards the famous Eiger Nordwand to the saddle of Kleine Scheidegg (6.557ft). From this lively and bustling pass, we continue up to a little lake to view the spectacular famous trio of mountain peaks; Eiger, Munch, Jungfrau.  From here starts the unforgettable Eiger trail!  At the end of the hike, a zigzag path descends to Alpiglen station (1620m). Return by train to Grindelwald. Dinner will be on our own so we can explore this quaint town.

Included

All transfers

Breakfast, Lunch

Lodging

Not Included

Dinner

Alcohol

Day4kanderstegValley

DAY 4

August 6 - Exploring the Kandersteg Valley

Today we will explore a different valley. A 45 minute private van transfer along the beautiful mountain road from Bernese Oberland to Kandersteg brings us to our new base camp: Kandersteg. After an impressive trip by cable car along the Allmifluh, we arrive in the heart of the Allmenalp (5,730ft), our starting point. This leisurely and pastoral hike leads from Allmenalp past exquisite alpine huts, as well as alpine farms and forests, to the Usser Üschene, where the trail branches off towards Kandersteg. This is a very pleasant and panoramic circular route back to the village.

Included

All transfers

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging

Not Included

Alcohol

Day5oeschinenLake

DAY 5

August 7 - Oeschinen Lake

After a gondola ride (5,550ft) we will enjoy a nice crossing in the forest, then the mountain pastures, and we will arrive at the panoramic point on the edge of the splendid lake of Oeschinen with turquoise waters. Surrounded by steep cliffs flooded with waterfalls, this lake is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Swiss Alps. The lake is even listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. This loop can be vigorous in some parts. Following the upper bank (6,000ft), a plan B can be proposed offering an easier way down. We will return to the gondola and descend to Kandersteg.

Included

All transfers

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging

Not Included

Alcohol

Day6KanderSecretVally

DAY 6

August 8 - Hiking into a secret valley...

This secluded alpine valley is notable for its flora, waterfalls, and impressive mountains. A pretty bucolic stopover to enjoy the atmosphere of the Swiss mountain pastures river.

Included

All transfers

Breakfast, Lunch

Lodging

Not Included

Alcohol

Dinner

Day7GemmiPass

DAY 7

August 9 - An epic last day of hiking and thermal baths

From Kandersteg we travel by tram up to Sunnbüel and begin hiking past the serene Daubensee toward the historic Gemmi Pass (7,616ft) which is thought to have been used as far back as the Bronze Age. From here we take time to enjoy the views of some of the major peaks in the Valais (Pennine) Alps, such as the Dom, Matterhorn, Weisshorn and Dent Blanche. The descent takes us on an impressive trail carved in the cliffs overlooking the town of Leukerbad at the head of the lovely Dala Valley. To finish off this unique day and week of hiking, we will spend a good time at the well known thermal baths of Leukerbad!


Included

All transfers

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging

Not Included

Alcohol

ArriveGeneva

DAY 8

August 10 - All good things must come to an end

After a good breakfast, we will say goodbye. Transfer to the Geneva International Airport (GVA) arriving back to the airport around 2pm.

Included

Transfers back to the Geneva International Airport (GVA)

Breakfast

What's Included

What's Included

6 days of women-led hiking with local guides and an AdventurUs Women trip leader.

All transfers, including to and from the Geneva International airport, to and from trailheads, and cable car tickets.

7-nights lodging at 3 star hotels

Group Zoom calls leading up to the trip

1 on 1 planning call and check-ins prior to trip to help prepare for your adventure

All meals, except 2 dinners to give us the opportunity to explore on our own

Airfare

Trip insurance with medical & repatriation coverage (required). Cancellation insurance recommended.

2 dinners

Alcoholic beverages

Personal expenses

Guide gratuities

THE BERNESE OBERLAND

Where Our Adventures Will Take Us

The Bernese Oberland (German: Berner Oberland; Alemannic German: Bärner Oberland; French: Oberland bernois; fully translated as "Bernese Highlands") is the highest and southernmost part of the canton of Bern, and one of the canton's five administrative regions (in which context it is referred to as Oberland without further specification). It constitutes the Alpine region of the canton and the northern side of the Bernese Alps, including many of its highest peaks, among which the Finsteraarhorn (4,274 m (14,022 ft)), the highest in both range and canton.

The numerous side valleys of the Bernese Oberland include a large number of Alpine villages, many of them being tourist resorts and connected by mountain railways to Spiez and Interlaken. 

The Swiss German dialects spoken in the Bernese Oberland are Highest Alemannic German, contrasting with the High Alemannic Bernese German spoken in Bern and the northern parts of the canton.  Source: Wikipedia

THE BERNESE OBERLAND

Trip Tips

Required Trip Insurance

Required Trip Insurance

Trip insurance with medical and repatriation coverage is required for our international trips. Cancellation insurance is also recommended. Our travel partner, JennyMac Travel Adventures, is happy to book travel insurance for you at competitive rates. Contact Jen@jennymactravel.com! (You are also welcome to book insurance on your own... please be aware we will require proof of insurance prior to the trip.)

Explore Geneva

Explore Geneva

Geneva, in French Genève, is the capital of Genève canton, in the far southwestern corner of Switzerland that juts into France. One of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, Geneva has served as a model for republican government and owes its preeminence to the triumph of human, rather than geographic, factors. It developed its unique character from the 16th century, when, as the center of the Calvinist Reformation, it became the “Protestant Rome.” The canton of Genève has a total area of 109 square miles (282 square kilometres), of which seven square miles constitute the city proper. Source: https://www.britannica.com/place/Geneva-Switzerland

Fitness Plan

Fitness Plan

We will be enjoying our days of hiking, eating and taking a million pictures and will not be rushed. That being said - we encourage participant to be in good hiking shape prior to the trip for a more enjoyable experience. We will work with each participant to make sure they have a training plan to make sure the trip is enjoyable!

Deposits & Cancellations

Deposits & Cancellations

Our international trips require a deposit of 50%. 10% of the full trip price is non-refundable. If the Participant cancels 91 or more days before the Activity, they shall receive a full refund minus a cancellation fee of 15% of the full trip amount; Within 61-90 days before the Activity, a 50% refund will be given; Within 60 days of the Activity, there are no refunds given, no exceptions. To ensure your experience is unforgettable much of our planning is finalized in the months leading up to the trip. Scheduling of guides, permits, accommodations, food planning, goodie bags, and all the little things that make our events great get finalized manually. Cancellations within the 90-day window incur costs that we cannot recoup. Last minute cancellations within 60 days are even harder as we often cannot fill the vacated spot on short notice. Our cancellation policy ensures the best possible experience for everyone. We strongly recommend purchasing "cancel for any reason" trip insurance.

Add Ons

Single Occupancy Supplement

There are a limited number of single room upgrades available.

PRICE$700.00/pp

You'll Be Staying Here

Hotels

Hotels

We will split our time between the villages of Grindelwald and the Kandersteg Valley. Staying in two hotels for the entire trip allows us to focus on the hiking and touring, not packing and repacking!

FAQs

We will be meeting at the Geneva International Airport on August 3rd. Our shuttle will meet us there and we will leave at 1pm. We highly recommend arriving in Geneva on the 2nd and joining everyone for our group dinner. We will share lodging recommendations with confirmed participants. 

We are proud to partner with JennyMac Travel Adventures for all of your travel needs! Whether it’s booking airfare, lodging, or a rental car for your next AdventurUs Women trip, Jen is committed to making your next adventure as fun as can be. Let Jen do the planning so you can focus on the adventure! 

Explore travel options at www.jennymactravel.com or contact Jen@jennymactravel.com!


Please check that your passport does NOT expire within 6 months of our trip dates. Their is a funny story behind how we know this that may be shared over a glass of wine! 

Insurance is mandatory for our international adventures. Therefore this trip requires that we all have trip insurance that includes medical evacuation and repatriation insurance, which covers medical costs and the cost to get home if needed. Our travel partner, JennyMac Travel Adventures, is happy to book travel insurance for you at competitive rates. Contact Jen@jennymactravel.com! (You are also welcome to book insurance on your own... please be aware we will require proof of insurance prior to the trip.)

Please note: Our international trips require a deposit of 50%. 10% of the full trip price is non-refundable.


If the Participant cancels 91 or more days before the Activity, they shall receive a full refund minus a cancellation fee of 15% of the full trip amount; Within 61-90 days before the Activity, a 50% refund will be given; Within 60 days of the Activity, there are no refunds given, no exceptions.

To ensure your experience is unforgettable much of our planning is finalized in the months leading up to the trip. Scheduling of guides, permits, accommodations, food planning, goodie bags, and all the little things that make our events great get finalized manually. Cancellations within the 90-day window incur costs that we cannot recoup. Last minute cancellations within 60 days are even harder as we often cannot fill the vacated spot on short notice. Our cancellation policy ensures the best possible experience for everyone. 


All participants must show proof of vaccination and should be prepared to follow all government and international travel requirements. Current info can be found here.

Face coverings may be required when physical distancing cannot be maintained, if traveling in shared vehicles, and in any location where use is mandated.

We want each experience to feel intimate and special and as such, keep our adventure trips small. This trip requires a minimum of 7 participants to run and may have up to 9.

HIKE THE SWISS ALPS

Switzerland· 3 - 10 August 2023· 7 nights

FREE