You can see more about this trip here.
Day 1:
Meiringen - Schwarzwaldalp
Option 1: Hike from Meiringen village → Schwarzwaldalp (10kms / 1000m up / 150m down)
Option 2 (Recommended): Take the funicular to Reichenbach Falls → Hike to Schwarzwaldalp (7.5kms / 750m up / 150m down)
Option 3: Take the bus to Schwarzwaldalp (skip the first day’s hiking)
Optional side adventures:
* Sherlock Holmes Museum, Meiringen
* Reichenbach Falls Funicular
* Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge
* Schwarzwaldalp Sawmill
Option 1:
For those who want to complete the trek entirely on foot, the trail starts in Meiringen and follows the left side of the Reichenbach Falls up to Zwirgi.
Option 2:
Ride the funicular railway to the Reichenbach Falls, a series of seven cascades dropping a total of 300 meters. The Upper Reichenbach, at 120 meters, is the tallest. The falls are also the famous setting of Conan Doyle’s The Final Problem (1893), where Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty face their dramatic final confrontation.
Options 1 & 2 join at Zwirgi. From here, the route climbs steadily through the forest, weaving along a path beside the road toward Schwarzwaldalp. The landscape opens at the Gschwantenmad, where the Rosenlaui Glacier rises above and the Wellhorn and Wetterhorn dominate the skyline, while a stream cuts through open meadows. At the valley entrance, you will find the historic Rosenlaui Hotel and the Glacier Gorge.
The Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge is 45 minute return detour and approximately 1.2kms with 115m elevation and over 200 steps. Featuring a gorge trail that winds through waterfalls, stone tunnels carved into the mountain and glacier whirlpool potholes formed in alpine limestone.
From here it’s another 35 minutes along the river path to Schwarzwaldalp.
Option 3:
Depending on your arrival schedule, a bus runs directly to Schwarzwaldalp (free with the hotel guest card). This is the best choice if you’re short on time.
Note: The bus makes several stops along the route, so you can choose to ride partway and hike the rest. For example, take the bus from Meiringen to Rosenlaui, visit the historic hotel and glacier gorge, then continue on foot. If hiking from the start, you can also hop on later to shorten the final stretch.
Day 2:
Schwarzwaldalp - Grindelwald
Option 1: Schwarzwaldalp - Grosse Scheidegg - Grindlewald (12.5kms / 550m up / 950m down)
Option 2 (recommended) : Schwarzwaldalp - Grosse Scheidegg - Bachalpsee Lake - Bort Gondola to Grindlewald
(18.5kms / 1000m up / 1000m down)
Optional side adventures:
*First Cliff Walk
*Grindlewald - First - Bort Gondola
*Bachalpsee Lake
Option 1:
Leaving Schwarzwaldalp, the trail climbs gently through forest and meadows, following a quiet path alongside the road toward Grosse Scheidegg Pass. From the top, the panorama opens to your first views of the Mönch and Eiger towering in the distance. The terrace of the Berghaus Grosse Scheidegg is a perfect spot for a drink or snack before continuing. From here, the path descends steadily into the valley, winding its way down to Grindelwald in about 2.5 hours.
Option 2:
From Grosse Scheidegg, turn right following signs towards First. The path leads up a 4x4 gravel path to a small wooden hut. From here you turn off the gravel path to a smaller hiking trail that traverses the mountain up towards the First Gondola station. As you continue on this trail the Schreckhorn starts to reveal itself. Crossing a few streams and cascading waterfalls you will arrive at First. From here follow the signs towards Bachalpsee Lake - this trail is popular with day hikers and tourists visiting Grindlewald as it is accessible by gondola. You can also choose to hike to the lake and return to the gondola and descend from First - Grindlewald (luggage lockers in the Gondola station if you’d like to leave them behind).
Arriving at Bachalpsee Lake, one of the most iconic alpine lakes in Switzerland. Here, the Schreckhorn rises directly above the water, making it an ideal picnic spot. Leaving the lake and the crowds…. the flower trail descends down towards Bort with breathtaking views of the Schreckhorn, Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. It’s a gentle descent down until Gasthaus Waldspitz a great spot for a drink! From here the trail steeply descends towards Bort - take your time and use your poles can be tough on the knees. Once it levels out and opens to a field there is a river with plenty of little pools on the left you can paddle/swim/soak your feet in if the weather is nice! From Bort you can take the gondola down to Grindlewald to save over 500m of descent.
Note: There is also a bus between Schwarzwaldalp and Grindelwald, with stops at Grosse Scheidegg and along the way. For a shorter day, you could take the bus to Grindelwald, then ride the gondola up to First and hike to Bachalpsee.
Day 3:
Grindelwald - Wengen
Option 1: Hike Grindlewald - Klein Schniegg - Wengen (16.5kms / 1150m up / 900m down)
Option 2 (Recommended): Grindlewald - Alpiglen by Train - Hike Eiger Weg - Wengen (16kms / 1200m up / 1500m down)
Optional side adventures
*Jungfraujoch – the “Roof of Europe.” (Consider spending an extra day in Grindelwald for this visit, unless you want to shorten your hiking to make it fit.)
*Wengernalp Railway
*Eiger Weg Trail
Option 1:
Starting in Grindelwald, follow the trail as it gently climbs toward Kleine Scheidegg. The path meanders past alpine chalets, weaving in and out around the mountain railway. Along the way, you’ll hear the soft clang of cowbells and enjoy sweeping views of the Eiger’s north face towering above. At Alpiglen, you can either branch off onto the dramatic Eigerweg trail (Option 2) or continue on the gentler lower valley route up to Kleine Scheidegg.
From here, follow the signs toward Wengen. The trail runs alongside the railway, to the left, towering peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau dominate the horizon. Along the way, you can hop on the train at Wengernalp or Allmend to skip as much or as little of the hike as you like.
Option 2: From Grindlewald take the train to Alpiglen. The Eigerweg trail begins at Alpiglen and follows the base of the famous Eiger North Face. The path winds steadily uphill, offering dramatic close-up views of sheer rock walls and cascading waterfalls. Along the way, you may see climbers tackling the legendary face above, along with the galleries and tunnels carved into the rock. The trail is moderately challenging, with some steeper sections, but the scenery more than rewards the effort.
You will arrive at the Eigergletscher Gondola station, from here you will take moraine trail to Haaregg. This is a steeper, rockier path - but believe us it’s so worth it. The trail descends beneath the Eigergletscher Glacier and directly beneath the Jungfrau and is our favourite part of the whole trip.
From Haaregg, you can head toward Wengernalp and take the train to Wengen, or continue on foot. The trail opens up to breathtaking views of Mürren perched across the valley and the sheer cliffs of the Lauterbrunnen valley. As you continue through the forest, dotted with streams and waterfalls, you’ll pass beautifully maintained chalets and gardens on your approach to Wengen.
Note: You can take the train at several points to skip some of the ascents or descents, including Alpiglen, Kleine Scheidegg, Wengernalp, and Allmend.
Day 4:
Wengen - Murren
Option 1: Via Alpina Trail → Mürren (9kms / 1150m up / 800m down)
Option 2: High Route – Grutschalp Gondola → Allmendhubel → Mürren (10kms / 600m up / 950 m down)
Optional Side Adventures
* Lauterbrunnen – Grutschalp Gondola
* Allmendhubel - Murren Funicular Trian
Option 1:
Leave Wengen and follow the trail down to the Lauterbrunnen valley floor. From the train station, the path climbs steeply through the forest before flattening out a little after 200 meters of elevation. A pretty path continues the ascent near the Louwibach stream and a little later the Staubbach – which soon transforms into a gigantic waterfall. You cross several streams and then pass Mittelberg on a rocky path alongside the railway line, which quickly leads you to Mürren.
Option 2:
Leave Wengen and follow the trail down to the Lauterbrunnen valley floor. Take the gondola to Grutschalp (saves 700m ascent), from here follow signs towards Allmendhubel. This trail #351 Mountain View Trail, is all about the incredible views of the Bernese Oberland’s three giants – the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau – along with the rear Lauterbrunnen Valley. The high trail from Grütschalp winds through lush mountain forests and across open alpine pastures.
Along the way, you’ll be treated to breathtaking sights of sheer rock faces and vast glaciers. The route passes through moorlands, colourful flower-filled fields, blueberry bushes, and alpine roses, eventually reaching Allmendhubel above Mürren. Either hike down or take the funicular train (saves 250m descent).
Note: If it’s been cloudy the last couple of days and you didn’t get to see the mountains, try this route when the skies are clear—you won’t want to miss it!
Day 5:
Murren - Interlaken
Option 1: Mürren → Trümmelbach Falls → Low Route - Valley Floor to Lauterbrunnen. (12kms / 250m up / 1100m down)
Optional Side Adventures
* Trümmelbach Falls (a series of powerful waterfalls inside the mountain, fed by melting glaciers from the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.)
* Mürren - Stechelberg Gondola (the steepest cable car in the world)
* Mürren – Schilthorn Gondola (Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn featured as Blofeld’s lair in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service)
If you’re keen to visit the Schilthorn, this is a great opportunity to do it at the start of the day.
From Mürren, you can either descend on foot (a 750m drop) or take the gondola down to Stechelberg, the gateway to the Lauterbrunnen Valley. From here, the trail follows a gentle riverside path through meadows and forests, with towering cliffs rising dramatically on both sides.
Along the way, you’ll pass some of the valley’s most famous waterfalls — including the Trümmelbach Falls, Buchenbach, Hasenbach, Mürrenbach, Spissbach, and the iconic Staubbach Falls. The path is mostly flat, making this section easy and relaxing while still offering spectacular views.
Reaching Lauterbrunnen, the valley floor feels like a refreshing change after time in the high mountains. Don’t be fooled by the so-called “low route” — it’s every bit as rewarding as the alpine trails above, and a memorable way to close out this stage.
After completing your trek, board the train from Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken. The short journey is as scenic as it is comfortable, with views of waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs and wide green valleys opening up around you. Once in Interlaken, you’ll find yourself in one of Switzerland’s most popular resort towns, perfectly set between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Known as the gateway to the Jungfrau region, Interlaken offers everything from peaceful lake cruises and riverside walks to lively cafés and shops. It’s an ideal place to unwind and enjoy the stunning mountain backdrop.
