Via Alpina: The Bear Trek

Welcome to Switzerland! As you arrive to Meiringen, a charming Alpine village surrounded by majestic peaks, you will immediately feel your connection to nature strengthen. Take the time to settle into your accommodation, go for a stroll or enjoy a delicious dinner to prepare for your hiking adventure.

The first day is an easy warm-up to this trek. You'll hike over the Grosse Scheidegg and past the Reichenbach Falls, made famous by Sherlock Holmes. The route from the pass gently descends through the woods and pastures towards Grindewald, a popular tourist town.

On day two, you will hike below the Eiger North Face – one of the Alps' most famous rock walls. The trek will take you from the tourist crowds into the tranquility of the quiet pastures below this beautiful mountain. At Kleine Scheidegg, you can board the Jungfraujoch train for a short detour to the "Top of Europe". You can also continue the sunny descent down to Wengen, another famous resort in the region.

An easy day takes you into the shade of the woods up to the terrace on which Murren, a car-free town, lies. If you want, you can make this a rest day and shorten the stage by taking the cable car for the ascent.

Today you will tackle a pass that is the second-highest in the Via Alpina, a good warm-up for the next day's highest pass. After climbing past Rotstockhütte, you can rest before continuing to the Sefinenfurgge Pass (2,612 m). The path down will be unusually dark and rocky for Switzerland, but soon the terrain will change to become lush and green. Past waterfalls and pastures, you’ll reach the village of Griesalp.

Prepare for this incredible stage. You’ll hike over Bundalp to the top of Hohtürli Pass (2,778 m), the highest pass on the whole Via Alpina trail. But just above the pass lies the Blüemlisalphütte. This mountain hut is a highlight of the day. You can also stay the night in this hut for an amazing culinary experience with extraordinary views and extend the journey for one day. If not, just enjoy the rest at this hut at the foot of the glacier before descending to Lake Oeschinen, where you can take the cable railway to Kandersteg.

Today’s hike will take you to Bunderchrinde Pass (2,385 m), a rocky window onto the other side of the mountains. It’s a strenuous trail, but worth it for the view. You’ll hike up the river and towards the end of the valley, and ascend the pass. From there, you’ll have a nice view of the path ahead, which will zig-zag down into Adelboden.

The last stage of the Bear Trek is relatively easy, whichever option you choose. You can follow the streams and hike up to higher pastures in the grassy slopes of the mountain on a direct route, or choose to climb up to the ridge for a better view of the surrounding region. Both routes cross the grassy Hahnenmoospass, giving you a chance for a rest. You can finish your trek descending to the Simme waterfalls for a detour or go directly to Lent.

As your adventure concludes, take a final morning to soak in the serene beauty of Lenk. Reflect on the memories of traversed mountain passes, charming Alpine villages, and breathtaking views that defined your journey. When you’re ready, depart from Lenk with a heart full of inspiration and stories of Switzerland’s stunning trails