The Grand Bernese Oberland Traverse

Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train and then Swiss Post bus to Schwarzwaldalp Inn. We’ll have the option of a short trail run after arriving. Later, we’ll meet for a drink and trip briefing, and enjoy our first dinner together. Waterfalls and imposing mountains tower over us in this relaxing corner of the Alps. We’ll stay in a friendly, rustic inn with private rooms and shared bathrooms.

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll complete the run over the Grosse Scheidegg pass and enjoy our first views of the Eiger and of the Grindelwald valley. With 10,000 vertical feet separating it from the Eiger summit, Grindelwald sits at the base of one of the most impressive vertical mountain walls in the world. After reaching the pass, we’ll traverse the upper reaches of the valley to the postcard-perfect Bachsee Lake before winding down on quiet trails to the glacier village of Grindelwald and our lovely three-star hotel in town.

Taking in the views at Bachsee lake (Photo: Yuji Yanaru)

Today, we’ll kick things off with a trail run high above Grindelwald. We’ll contour along the scenic ridge of Schynige Platte opposite the Eiger, where huge mountain views to the south are balanced by stunning views down to the Thun and Brienz lakes just north of us. We’ll then return to Grindelwald for a second night. Dinner will be on our own tonight, giving each of us a chance to roam the town and explore.

Guests will have the option of making today a full rest day, if you’d like to ease into the trip.

From Grindelwald, we’ll run up to the Kleine Scheidegg pass, directly under the Eiger. The Eiger’s massive North Face dominates a landscape that includes many stunning peaks and glaciers. We’ll take lesser-known trails through meadows and quiet alp farms as we run to the quaint car-free mountain village of Wengen.

Dropping down into forest to reach Grindelwald in the valley below (Photo Yuji Yanaru).

Our day features a run through one of the Alps’ most dramatic valleys, to our overnight destination at the beautiful Obersteinberg mountain hut. Starting high in Wengen, we’ll choose our route down to the end of Lauterbrunnen valley, running some of the Jungfrau Marathon course, and taking in the 10 glacier-fed waterfalls that make up Trümmelbach Falls. We’ll stop for a break at Stechelberg, as we watch paragliders descend from the cliffs above. From there, we’ll run up to the working alp farm of Obersteinberg, one of our favorite spots in all the Alps, where we spend the night. There is no baggage delivery tonight, so we’ll carry a few extra items with us to make for a comfortable overnight.

Today, we’ll run from our mountain hut to the car-free town of Mürren, perched above the Lauterbrunnen valley. We’ll have the option of a run through woods and past waterfalls, or over the peak known as Tanzbedeli, or “The Ballroom.” It’s also possible to descend in a cable car that takes us up to our comfortable three-star hotel in Mürren.

Leaving Obersteinberg, running high above the Lauterbrunnen valley (Patitucci Photo).

Today we’ll run through traditional farming landscapes and pass several high-altitude farms, as well as plenty of sheep, goats and cows! We’ll take a break at the Swiss Alpine Club’s stone-built Rotstockhutte before climbing to the 2611m high Sefinafurgga Pass. Here, we leave the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau behind, and enter the wild Kiental valley where we spend the night in the quiet hamlet of Golderli. 

We continue through working farmland with plenty of cows roaming the pastures on the way up one of our big climbs of the trip, to Hohtürli pass. It’s a long and steep effort, but when you reach the top, the close-up views of the glaciers are incredible, plus we will savor the high point of the tour by hanging out at Blüemlisalphütte, a classic mountain hut used by alpinists, enjoying a snack at just under 3000m. Our descent to Kandersteg will take us past an iconic Swiss treasure, the azure lake of Oeschinensee.

Starting today and for the rest of the trip, we’ll be running on wilder, less frequented trails. Our route from Kandersteg to Adelboden starts with a gentle warmup alongside the Kander river, before a steep climb up through forest, culminating at the Bundergrat. It’s also possible to take the Allme gondola up from the valley floor and skip the first steep part of the climb – a good option if you want to take it easy!

Enjoying the colorful alpine pastures (Photo: Yuji Yanaru).

Rolling meadows, smaller mountains and patches of forest are the order of the day as we head over the 1936m high Hahnenmoos pass to Lenk. This small town sits in the Simmental valley with the Wildstrubel mountain range above. Rather than following the Via Alpina route, we take a more interesting variation after Adelboden, following the ridgeline over Nassberg which gives incredible panoramic views.

Our last day of running goes through an intricate agricultural landscape of rolling pastures, rocky crags and forest patches, as we leave the Simmental valley. The high point of the Wasserngrat ridgeline is an exciting finale to the tour – but a less exposed descent to Gstaad is also possible. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner together.

Today we say good-bye to the Bernese Oberland and depart for our post-tour destinations. Run the Alps can assist with Geneva or Zurich accommodations if your departure times require a night in town.