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Switzerland

Bernese Oberland Sampler

Dates
Difficulty
Guests
1 - 7
Type
Guided
CO2
147kg
On this slower-paced tour, we’ll run alpine trails under the iconic Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, stopping to rest at mountain cafes, and using Switzerland’s famous transport system to minimize climbs and descents.

This level 1 trail running tour of Switzerland’s scenic Bernese Oberland traverses some of the most famous mountain terrain in the world. We’ll take plenty of breaks, support each other along the trail and the stoke factor will be high. An important feature of our level 1 tours is that they have a higher ratio of guides to guests. We’ll run about 4 – 8 miles each day, and make the most of Swiss mountain trains and gondolas. There will be plenty of time for photographs, to enjoy the scenery, and sample great food and drink en route. And if you want a break, you can take a rest day on any of the days during the trip.

If you’d like a bit more distance and vertical each day, please see our Classic Berner Oberland Tour. To make sure you are on a trip suitable to your interests and abilities, please always check to see which tour level is best for you. 

Beautiful trails and beautiful view in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland. (Photo: Sam Hill)

On this sampler tour, we’ll trail run over historic Grosse Scheidegg pass, then cruise smooth single track through high alp pastures with striking views of the Eiger’s famous North Face. In the alps villages of Wengen and Mürren, we’ll take in working alp farms and stop at mountain restaurants. We’ll run alongside waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen valley, just beneath the Jungfrau, one of the most photographed mountains in the world.

Our typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast of fresh baked breads, local cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice. Once on the trail, we’ll ease into a steady pace and take advantage of mountain trams and railways. Most days, there are options for either a shorter or a more ambitious route. Each morning, we’ll offer a variety of trail nutrition from which you can choose to keep you fueled during the day. Almost all of our runs will include stops at mountain huts or alp farms, where we can sample local cheeses, röstis, or a fruit tarte.

You will have your bags every night. In the evenings, we’ll enjoy dinner together at our hotel. These are multi-course meals featuring local Swiss specialties, and will be hearty, filling, well-earned and delicious. We will leave one night in Grindelwald unscheduled, so you will have a chance to explore to your heart’s content.

Book this tour

Cost
$4,390/person
Single Supplement: $850
Dates
Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025
Guides for selected date:
Make it private guided
Your companions, your dates, your tour– we do the rest. Inquire here.

Itinerary

Hallo! Happy to meet you. (Photo: Sam Hill)

Day 1

Travel by train and then Swiss Post bus to Schwarzwaldalp Inn. We’ll meet before dinner to discuss the week ahead and get to know each other.

Accommodations: Chalet Hotel Schwarzwaldalp

Running above Grindelwald. (Photo: Sam Hill)

Day 2

We’ll fast hike up to the historic Grosse Scheidegg pass for our first views of the Eiger and of the Grindelwald valley. From here, we traverse the upper reaches of the valley to the gondola station of First, with an optional out-and-back jog to Bachsee Lake.

Accommodations: Hotel Gletschergarten

Treat break. (Photo: Sam Hill)

Day 3

Today we’ll visit the Gletscherschlucht, or glacier gorge, just above Grindelwald. Forested single track takes us to a viewing point into this deep gorge. Dinner will be on your own tonight, giving you a chance to explore the town.

Accommodations: Hotel Gletschergarten

Running views in the Bernese Oberland. (Photo: Sam Hill)

Day 4

We’ll leave Grindelwald, and run to the quaint car-free mountain village of Wengen via the Kleine Scheidegg pass, literally under the Eiger North Face. We’ll use gondolas or trains to shorten both climbing and descending.

Accommodations: Hotel Schönegg

Cable cars help with getting around in the Alps. (Photo: Sam Hill)

Day 5

We’ll take the train down to the glacier-carved and steep-walled Lauterbrunnen valley, and then run alongside the river beneath 10 glacier-fed waterfalls to the quiet hamlet of Stechelberg. From here, we’ll fast hike up through forest into the beautiful Sefinental valley and then through alpine meadows up to Mürren.

Accommodations: Hotel Edelweiss
A female trail runner on a flowery trail with a mountain backdrop in the Bernese Oberland

Running through the meadows above Mürren. (Photo: Kim Strom)

Day 6

We’ll enjoy our perch high above the Lauterbrunnen valley, in the car-free mountain town of Mürren. The trail running possibilities here are excellent, including runs through high pastures with views of the Jungfrau mountain. Or, you might choose to simply relax for the day with Mürren’s unparalleled cliffside views.

Accommodations: Hotel Edelweiss

Happy trails. (Photo: Sam Hill)

Day 7

Today we say good-bye to the Bernese Oberland and depart for our post-tour destinations.

Meals: Breakfast

Regional map

What's included

Six nights at three- and four-star hotels; all breakfasts, trail nutrition and snacks, five dinners; daily runs with certified guides; all transfers to and from trailheads; mountain trains or gondolas when part of the planned run route; luggage transfers, license-free photography, Run the Alps' Guide to Trail Running in the Alps and other supporting materials.

Plan to arrive the day your tour starts, at the latest. Flights from the US usually depart the day before. The closest airport is Zurich, which is a little over three hours away by train and bus. Geneva is four hours, forty-five minutes away. There are train stations in each airport, making for convenient transport to the region. Your tour package will include detailed information about traveling on the Swiss rail system to the start of the tour in Schwarzwaldalp.

Plan to depart late morning after your tour ends on June 28 at the earliest. The closest airports from our finishing point are Zurich, then Geneva. Plan for one night at a hotel in your departure city if you have a morning flight. We can assist you with hotel information, and Zurich and Geneva city information.

Not Included: Flights, transport by train and bus to and from the tour, transport to and from trailheads if you choose not to finish a run, drinks with dinners, extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry, tips for guides

All Run the Alps guests receive a copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps to assist in preparing for their trip.

Is this trip right for me? Learn about our Level 1 tours from a previous guest. 

Alumni Discount: We love welcoming our alumni back to the Alps and offer a 10% discount on all standard Run the Alps trips. Simply check the Alumni box on the registration form and we’ll apply the discount when we invoice you.

Terms and Conditions: Read up on Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions and travel insurance.

Tour Balance: Your tour balance is due 90 days before your tour starts. We will send you an invoice about a month before that due date. However, you can pay your balance at any time. If you’d like the simplicity of paying in full sooner, or would like to pay in installments, please contact us.

Guides for this Tour

Tour dates: Jun 22 - 28, 2025
Becki Penrose, Run the Alps Guide
Run the Alps guide David Williams
Lead guide: Becki Penrose
Assistant guide: David Williams

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Need a hand preparing?

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We offer pre-trip coaching as a benefit to our guests for a reasonable fee. Spaces are limited.