Leave Meiringen on day 5, crossing the River Aare and climbing past the thundering Reichenbach Falls, the dramatic backdrop to Sherlock Holmes’ fabled struggle with Moriarty. Continue through larch and spruce to the flowered pastures of the Rosenlaui valley, where glaciers once carved today’s wide, green bowl, and finish at the timber chalets of Schwarzwaldalp.

The trail blends literature, geology, and alpine farming: rushing torrents, glacially smoothed boulders, and barns weathered by mountain seasons. Take time to pause for photos and reflection at viewpoints along the way, then settle into the valley’s deep quiet as evening bells and cool katabatic breezes drift down from the high peaks.

Choose your line on day 6: either cross the Grosse Scheidegg pass on a steady, scenic route with grand views of the Wetterhorn, or opt for the more elevated balcony path toward First for an airy traverse above the valley. Both options descend to the chalets and church spire of Grindelwald.

Grosse Scheidegg has long linked valleys for cheese and timber trade, while First offers a high vantage across glaciers and serrated ridges. Whichever you choose, expect a rhythm of grazing pastures, water troughs, and cliff-backed vistas, with frequent chances to soak in the alpine atmosphere before the descent into village life.

On day 7, either follow the Via Alpina over Kleine Scheidegg—a saddle famed for its railways and views—or take the Eiger Trail beneath the North Face, tracing the arena of historic climbs and epics. Both routes unveil ever-changing perspectives of the Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau on the way toward the car-free eyrie of Murren.

The Eiger’s dark wall has captivated mountaineers since the 1930s, and waymarks recall scenes of triumph and tragedy. As you transition toward the cliff-top terraces above the Lauterbrunnen valley, the mood softens to village quiet—wood balconies, geraniums, and the sense that you’ve walked into the heart of the Bernese Alps.

Celebrate the end of your walk on day 2 with an included dinner at Hotel Engstlenalp, a storied mountain inn beside Engstlensee. Expect hearty Bernese Oberland flavors—perhaps golden rosti, mountain cheeses and cured meats—served in snug wood-paneled rooms where lamps glow and conversation hums.

Engstlenalp’s pastoral tradition runs deep, with summer herds grazing beneath cirques and waterfalls. Over dinner you can soak in the lakeside atmosphere, listening for distant cowbells and the soft rush of streams, a fitting close to a day that climbed over Jochpass and into a landscape shaped by glaciers and alpine life.

On day 5, your included dinner at Schwarzwaldalp brings the comfort of mountain cooking after a day via Reichenbach Falls and Rosenlaui. Settle into timbered dining rooms for simple, seasonal dishes—think warm, cheese-forward specialties and rustic sides—paired with local wines or herbal teas.

The name Schwarzwaldalp, “black forest alp,” hints at the deep woods surrounding the meadows. As twilight cools the valley and stars emerge above the Wetterhorn, it’s easy to pause for reflection on the contrasts of the day: rushing torrents, quiet pastures, and the hospitality that anchors life in the high Bernese Alps.

On day 4, ride the Brienz Rothorn Bahn, an 1892 cog railway that climbs from lake-level Brienz to Rothorn Kulm behind a puffing steam locomotive. Sit by open windows as meadows give way to crags and the turquoise sheet of Lake Brienz unfurls below.

The chuff of pistons and scent of coal lend a time-capsule feel, while ridgeline panoramas span the Bernese giants. At the summit, step onto the terraces to soak in the high-alpine views. This excursion is at additional cost and bookable locally during the tour.

Make the short trip from Meiringen on day 4 to walk the Aare Gorge (Aareschlucht) along safe galleries and tunnels. The emerald Aare squeezes through a limestone slot scarcely meters wide in places, echoing with the river’s roar and cool air.

Formed by glacial meltwaters at the end of the Ice Age, the gorge reveals sculpted rock walls, dripping ferns, and shafts of light that turn spray to silver. It’s an elemental counterpoint to broad alpine views, offering a close look at the forces that carved the valleys you’ve been walking. Entry is at additional cost and bookable locally during the tour.

On day 4, cruise Lake Brienz aboard a vintage paddle steamer or modern launch. Glide past steep forested slopes, boathouses, and cliff-hung waterfalls, with the alps rising in layered blues beyond the turquoise water.

Many sailings stop at the Giessbach Falls landing, where cascades tumble to the lake beside a historic grand hotel. It’s a serene way to soak in the lakeside atmosphere and rest your legs between walking days. Tickets are at additional cost and bookable locally during the tour.

To tailor the effort on day 2 and day 3, you can use cable cars to reduce ascent or descent. From Engelberg, rides to Trubsee and Jochpass trim the big climb; later, the Planplatten gondola offers a swift descent into the Meiringen valley after the Balmeregghorn ridge.

These lifts let you maximize scenic time on the high trails while managing energy for the week ahead. Tickets are at additional cost and are bookable locally during the tour, weather permitting and subject to operating schedules.

On day 7, the region’s historic lines can help you adjust the day. The Wengernalpbahn links Grindelwald, Kleine Scheidegg, and Wengen, allowing you to shorten approaches or descents before continuing toward Murren.

Riding these cog railways weaves Swiss engineering into your alpine journey, with windows framing the Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau. Tickets are at additional cost and bookable locally during the tour, with timings dependent on seasonal schedules.

On day 3, follow the lakeside to Tannensee and rise onto the ridge over Balmeregghorn. Here, the horizon opens to the snow-clad trio of the Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau, a sweeping balcony above the Hasli valley. A long descent leads toward Meiringen; if preferred, you may take the Planplatten gondola down to shorten the day.

This is classic Bernese Oberland country, where ridgeline trails connect pastoral alps to riverside towns. Meiringen sits on the River Aare and is famed in local lore for the invention of meringue—an atmospheric place to unwind in cafés and tree-lined squares, savoring the big-mountain panoramas from earlier in the day.

Use your free time on day 4 to visit Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, Switzerland’s showcase of rural heritage near Brienz. Wander among more than 100 transplanted farmhouses, barns, and workshops from every canton, set within fields, orchards, and grazing meadows.

Costumed artisans demonstrate woodcarving, cheesemaking, and traditional crafts, while heritage breeds wander fence lines. It’s a living portrait of the country beyond the peaks—how people built, cooked, and celebrated across regions. This experience is at additional cost and bookable locally during the tour.

Begin your walk on day 2 from the Benedictine village of Engelberg, climbing through meadows to the mirror-still Trubsee Lake. Continue to climb to Jochpass, a high saddle beneath Mt Titlis, before descending to the meadows of Engstlenalp. The path traces the shore of Engstlensee, where alpine wildflowers speckle the turf and marmots whistle from the rocks—perfect moments to pause for photos and reflection.

For centuries, Jochpass served as a trading route between valleys, and you’ll sense that old-world rhythm as cowbells carry across the air. The amphitheatre of peaks frames every step, from Engelberg’s monastery pastures to Engstlenalp’s timber inns, immersing you in quiet, high-alpine atmosphere by late afternoon.