Classic Bernese Oberland
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jul 9 - 15, 2025 (sold out) | 7 days - 6 nights |
We’ll run inn-to-inn through the alpine pastures of the Bernese Oberland, with our bags transported for us! Enjoy views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau during the day, and some of our favorite Swiss mountain hotels at night.
Trail running from inn to inn, with our bags transported for us is one of our favorite ways to see the Alps! Run the Alps’ trail running tour of the Bernese Oberland will traverse some of the most famous mountain terrain anywhere in the Alps, if not the world. We’ll run about 8-10 miles each day, taking plenty of time on the uphills, pausing frequently to take photographs, enjoy the scenery, and sample great food and drink en route. We’ll trail run over historic Grosse Scheidegg pass, then cruise along high alp pastures with sweeping views of the Eiger. In the mountain villages of Wengen and Mürren, we’ll finish with several days of trail running past high alp farms (including stops for some great lunches!), within sight of the Jungfrau, one of the most photographed mountains anywhere.
Our typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn – delicious fresh baked bread, local cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice – which gives us the energy needed for a day in the mountains. Soon we’ll be out on the trail, and each day we’ll offer options for an ambitious route, or an easier route that takes advantage of mountain trams and railways. Each morning, we’ll bring out a variety of trail nutrition from which you can choose. Almost all of our runs will include stops at mountain huts or alp farms, where we can sample local cheeses, röstis or a fruit torte.
Our stages can be hiked in a full day or run in half a day, and we plan the itinerary to finish each day with plenty of time to relax. You will have your own bedroom and luggage every night. In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner together at our inn. These are often multi-course feasts, featuring local Swiss specialties, and will definitely be hearty, filling, well-earned and very delicious. We will leave one night in Grindelwald free, where you will have a chance to explore on your own.
Book this tour
$4290 per person
$850 single supplement
Make it privately guided
Prefer to go guided with your own group? Inquire here.
Go self-guided
Run on your own schedule, without a guide, and let us take care of the logistics! See details here.
Itinerary
(Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1
Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train and then Swiss Post bus to Schwarzwaldalp Inn. We’ll then meet for a drink and briefing, and enjoy our first dinner together.
Trail running at Schynige Platte above Interlaken, Switzerland. (Photo:PatitucciPhoto)
Day 2
We’ll run over high Grosse Scheidegg pass and enjoy our first views of the Eiger and of the Grindelwald valley.
Dropping down into forest to reach Grindelwald in the valley below. (Photo Yuji Yanaru)
Day 3
We’ll contour along the scenic ridge 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.
Wildflowers and high peaks near Kleine Scheidegg. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 4
From Grindelwald, we’ll run up to the Kleine Scheidegg pass, directly under the Eiger itself.
Trail running from the Lauterbrunnen Valley to Obersteinberg, Switzerland. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 5
Today features a run between two of the most famous mountain villages in Europe, through one of its most dramatic valleys, and lunch at a high, working alp farm!
Drinks at the Rotstock Hut. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 6
We’ll take a day to enjoy our perch high above the Lauterbrunnen valley, in the car-free mountain town of Mürren, where the trail running possibilities are practically endless.
More cruising through the Bernese Oberland. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 7
Today we say good-bye to the Bernese Oberland and depart for our post-tour destinations.
Regional map
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- Accommodation for six nights at 3 or 4 star hotels
- Buffet breakfasts, food and premium nutrition on the trail, and five multi-course dinners
- All transfers to and from trailheads that are included on our planned itinerary
- Luggage transfers each night, except when staying in the high mountain hut
- A copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains plenty of information and tips from the staff and guide team at Run the Alps
- Flights / transportation to and from the tour
- Transport to and from trailheads if you choose to shorten a run
- One dinner in Grindelwald; recommendations provided
- Drinks with dinners
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Tips for guides
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. 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 the morning day after your tour ends, at the earliest. The closest airports from our finishing point are Geneva and Zurich. Plan on one night at a hotel in your departure city if you have a morning flight. We can assist you with hotel information and Zurich city information, if you like. If you’d like to extend your visit with additional trail running, we can help with self-guided run descriptions for other regions, and review trail racing possibilities, if you’d like to take part in an Alps trail race.
- Why Run the Alps? Learn how Run the Alps compares to other trail running companies and about what sets us apart.
- Want to extend your trip with more running? We can help provide self-guided run descriptions for nearby regions of the Alps, and/or trail race options.
- Concerned about being ready? We’re here to help. Check out our Alps Training Resources or get in touch if you’d like to be put in touch with a coach.
- Can a non-running partner join me on this tour? Yes–read how hiking and sightseeing companions can come too.
- Celebrating a special occasion? Each year we get a number of guests who are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or retirement with a Run the Alps trip. If this is you, let us know!
- 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.
- 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.
- Tour Grants Program: Run the Alps is committed to making our trips more inclusive. If you’d like to join this trip, but don’t think you can afford it, please check out our Tour Grants Program.
- Trip Insurance: Life can sometimes throw us a curveball and wreak havoc upon the best laid plans, which is why Run the Alps requires trip insurance. Learn more here.
- Terms and Conditions: You can read up on them here.
Guides for this Tour
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