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Switzerland Multi-Adventure Tour

Adventures in the Bernese Oberland of the Swiss Alps

The grass really is greener in Switzerland. Just ask the grazing cows. Or come see for yourself while hiking and biking between ice-rimed peaks and electric-blue lakes. Experience the best of Switzerland’s mountain playgrounds.

6 days, 5 nights

Luxury Hotels

Activity Levels 2-4

Couples, Friends & Solos

Also Available for:

From $6,499 - $6,699/person

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Bikes Reviews

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Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Breathe in fresh Alpine air as you traverse stunning routes by day, then relax in the plush amenities of charming spa hotels by night
Stroll Swiss lanes where flower boxes adorn each chalet window—don’t forget to greet any friendly village cows with a scratch on the head!
Zoom down glorious descents with Alpine views
Savor raclette, fondue and apple strudel, just some of Switzerland’s unparalleled comfort foods
From the streets of Interlaken to the North Face’s iconic skyline, experience the Bernese Oberland’s iconic mountain playgrounds

Hike/Walk

Bike

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start Kandersteg Airport & Travel Details

Savor breathtaking Alpine scenery as you commute the Swiss way: by gondola!
Hike on a ridge above deep-blue Lake Oeschinen, surrounded by limestone cliffs, snowy peaks and hanging ice
Meander through Alpine meadows and pine forests that give way to superb views of the Blüemlisalp and Hohtürli Passes
Say hello to friendly cows who graze freely beside the trail
Enjoy pools, cold plunges and scented saunas at our hotel’s extravagantly whimsical spa
Dine beneath the ancient beams and ticking cuckoo clocks of a 250-year-old chalet.

Waldhotel Doldenhorn

(Deluxe Hotel, 1 night)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior view of the Waldhotel Doldenhorn

Exterior view of a wooden-style cabin, surrounded by trees and a tall mountain in the background

Indoor cabin dining hall, with antique clocks on the wall

Wooden bar counter top, with bottle of wine and alcohol on the wall

Wooden cabin lounge with red and gray chairs, with a wooden piano in the center

Night 1

Waldhotel Doldenhorn

Kandersteg

Deluxe Hotel

A family-run Alpine retreat surrounded by verdant forests and soaring snowcapped mountains. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Ride past the turquoise waters of Lake Thun en route to Interlaken
Easy cycling leads past cheery wooden chalets to lakeside Thun
Hop aboard a cogwheel train bound for Grindelwald
An alphorn serenade—music to a cow’s ears and perhaps yours too
Dig into local comfort food paired with regional wines
Admire the iconic Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau towering above the emerald-green landscape
Hike from Bussalp to Bachalpsee, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes
Let loose on an exhilarating descent by Trotti bikes into Grindelwald Valley.

Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof

(Luxury Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior view of large brown and beige hotel building, with a grass area and small trees in front

Bar and lounge with an illuminated bar and beige stools in front

Restaurant with a painted ceiling of flowers, and green tables around tables with white cloths

Nights 2-3

Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof

Grindelwald

Luxury Hotel

Catch stunning views of Eiger’s north face from this luxurious chalet-style hotel. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Bike a world-class route down the Grindelwald Valley along winding rural roads
Cycle alongside the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz and past countless waterfalls
Journey from the pastoral Bernese Alps to the rugged Uri Alps, where narrow valleys are lined by towering spires of rock
Enjoy the many amenities of our stunning resort
Relax off the beaten path in the quaint village of Engelberg
Take a final morning stroll up to Gershni Alp and say farewell to Switzerland with a picnic cheese tasting.

Kempinski Palace Engelberg

(Luxury Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior view of Kempinski Palace Engelberg

large hotel next to a snow capped mountain

hotel lobby with chairs and large chandelier

Nights 4-5

Kempinski Palace Engelberg

Engelberg

Luxury Hotel

Built in 1904 but featuring tasteful modern updates, with serene mountain views out the window but a charming village center on the doorstep, this luxe property lets you have your torte and eat it too. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

End Engelberg Airport & Travel Details

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This trip has an activity level range of 2-4

Route & Terrain Notes

The hiking routes on this trip include dirt paths through Alpine forest and meadows, paved and gravel roads and some mountain trails with rocky sections. Most of our hikes take place at elevations of 4,000 to 7,000 feet, which can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest. The biking routes vary from level to rolling with a few steeper climbs. Some of our rides are on bike paths, which include several short gravel sections of less than a mile each. These unpaved segments allow us to avoid traffic and connect to quieter roads. Other parts of our rides are on roads frequented by European town traffic, including roundabouts. While these are not busy thoroughfares, a basic level of comfort sharing the road with cars as a cyclist is recommended for this trip.

Day 1

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

4 miles

900 ft. gain

Level 3

6 miles

1600 ft. gain

Day 2

Biking

Level 2

27 miles

800 ft. gain

Level 4

43 miles

1700 ft. gain

Day 3

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

5 miles

1200 ft. gain

Level 3

6 miles

1200 ft. gain

Level 4

9 miles

2500 ft. gain

Other

Trotti Biking (1 hour)

Day 4

Biking

Level 1

16 miles

600 ft. gain

Level 2

27 miles

1500 ft. gain

Level 3

36 miles

2300 ft. gain

Day 5

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

4 miles

1400 ft. gain

Level 3

6 miles

400 ft. gain; 3000 ft. loss

Level 4

6 miles

2600 ft. gain

Level 5

12 miles

2900 ft. gain; 3100 ft. loss

Day 6

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

2 miles

100 ft. gain

View Dates & Prices From $6,499/person

What to Know

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Seasonal Weather Considerations

Visitors to the Swiss Alps can expect a variety of conditions. During the summer, while warm sunny days are the norm, keep in mind that mountain weather is always variable, with the possibility of rain and even snowfall along our routes. From October onward, snow-covered landscapes, icy trails and temperatures that dip below freezing are more of a possibility. We’ve specially designed our late fall departures around routes which are accessible year-round, some of which differ from our summer activities.

Terrain & Shuttles

For the best riding in Switzerland, we’ve chosen a combination of small quiet roads and some unpaved bike paths with short stretches of limited van support. There are also some sections of urban cycling on busier roads at the end of most rides; you can always hop in the shuttle to skip these.

Air-Conditioning

While the hotels on this trip offer outstanding service and amenities, please note that they are not equipped with air-conditioning. Despite the region’s temperate climate and cool nights, guest rooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.

FAQs

This trip is best suited for adults who enjoy multi-adventure travel with moderate to more active options each day. It's ideal for those who want to experience the Swiss Alps by bike and on foot while exploring alpine meadows, mountain valleys, turquoise lakes and villages in the Bernese Oberland. E-bikes available.

This is a Level 2–4 Multi-Adventure trip, with hikes of roughly 2–12 miles and up to 2,900 feet of gain, plus bike rides of roughly 15–45 miles and up to 2,300 feet. A typical day includes multiple flexible route choices—see this trip’s Activity Options & Terrain in the itinerary for day-by-day details or learn more about Backroads’ activity levels.

The trip combines biking and hiking through the Swiss Alps. Guests hike through alpine meadows and mountain landscapes and bike through valleys and alongside turquoise lakes, with opportunities to explore mountain villages along the way.

Biking takes place on a mix of paved roads, bike paths and some gravel or packed-dirt sections, with generally level to rolling terrain and some steeper climbs. Hiking follows well-maintained mountain trails through forests and alpine meadows, with varied elevation and some rocky sections.

Trains and gondolas are woven into the itinerary as both practical transportation and part of the Swiss Alps experience, connecting destinations and providing access to mountain routes.

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