Alpine Flower Adventure in Switzerland

SUMMARY

Dates: Wednesday 19th July to Sunday 23rd July

Guide: Sabine – local english speaking guide

Walking Grade: 2 Goats with the opportunity to swim in the clear blue lakes of Brienzersee and Thunersee in the nearby Interlaken and maybe others as we walk.

Base: Hotel Alpenblick, Wilderswil near Interlaken. An award winning alpine hotel run by Yvonne Stockli, Sommeliere Gault Millau and her Michelin starred and Gault Millau chef husband Richard. You will experience the warm hospitality typical of this Bernese Highlands region. Staying in the charming rooms and eating in the bistro restaurant serving local food and wine. Yvonne has a passion for Swiss wines and highly recommends and offers a large variety of them. In Wilderswil we are situated in the heart of the Bernese highlands with amazing mountains and wonderful walks all around.At this time of year with alpine flowers all around.

WalkingWomen will meet guests who are flying to Zurich – meet up will be at Zurich Airport.We will meet arrivals at  14.00 ish and aim to get trains to Wilderswil shortly afterwards.

It is easy to travel by train to Wilderswil so we can provide information if you prefer to fly at a different time or come by train or car.

We recommend arriving at the hotel early evening on Wednesday with time to settle in before your welcome briefing at 18.00.

Price: £1285 per person for this fully inclusive holiday including:

• Ensuite accommodation in solo occupancy rooms. There is a discount if you bring a friend/partner and you are sharing a room. Price £1194  per person in a shared room.
• All breakfasts and dinners at the hotel restaurant
• Packed lunches
• Local transport if required to and from walks
• English speaking experienced mountain  guide

Not included:

• Travel to Wilderswil
• Additional drinks from the bar and any evening teas/coffees

We can help you extend your trip to have a few more days to explore Interlaken, Zurich or any other destination you are interested in Switzerland. Or to help you if you are spending time travelling in Europe. There are so many incredible train journeys around Switzerland and this area has access to so many which we highly recommend.

DETAILS

We choose Wilderswil near Interlaken, in the heart of the Bernese Highlands, to be our base to explore this spectacular region of Switzerland. The hotel Alpenblick in Wilderswil we use is run by a family who have owned this traditional alpine hotel for over 50 years. The chalet house was built in the 17th century and in 1957 was acquired by Adelheid Stockli who created the hotel that we have today. She passed it on to her son Richard and his wife Yvonne and together they have been running the hotel since 1980. They are looking forward to welcoming WalkingWomen and giving us a taste of the history and culture of their much loved home.

Our hotel is situated in the village of Wilderswil a short walk away from the famous Interlaken which lies between the impressive lakes of Thun and Brienz. Also in the shadows of the most mighty mountains Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. In Winter this is a very popular ski region with over 45 mountain railways, aerial cable cars and ski lifts. All can be used to access mountain paths to walk amongst this fabulous landscape.

We will walk amongst this incredible scenery and find more hidden routes. There are also options to use the historic railway and the various cable car routes to rise higher and walk amongst these giants.

The area we stay in was one of the birthplaces of tourism in Switzerland and was always popular with tourists from across the world. Interlaken grew up around a convent of Augustinian monks (1130-1528). It’s one of Switzerland’s oldest and most frequented summer tourist resorts.

We believe this is an important destination for WalkingWomen to bring guests to one of the most wonderful places in the world and this time to experience stunning landscape and alpine flowers in bloom. To walk amongst wild flowers, mighty mountains and clear lakes is one of those beautifully reviving experiences. Last year we managed to take dips in mountain lakes and streams every day so welcome during our walks.

ITINERARY

Wednesday Arrival: WalkingWomen will meet guests arriving at Zurich Airport          from 14.00 for those wanting to travel together by train to Interlaken and on to Wilderswil.

18.00 Welcome at the hotel and dinner at 19.00

Thursday : Exploring around Interlaken with a Lake swim. A day out with minimal ascent and descent 

A walk to explore the local area to include a walk on the Swiss flower and panorama trail(Schynige Platte) and a visit to the Lakes. Swimming for those interested.

Friday: Mountains and Lakes – maybe even a dip! 5 hours. Ascent 600m and descent 960m. 11km. 

We walk 10 minutes to Wilderswil Train Station to catch the train up the mountains to Grindelwald. From there we catch a Gondola to First(2184m) We hike to the Bachalp lake with a spectacular view over the mountains. We ascend to the pass of Gassenboden and climb to the Faulhorn (2680m) to enjoy the view the view on the Thuner Lake. We descend to Oberlager and Bussalp where we will catch a bus back to Wildersvill.

Saturday: Forest and Meadows 4.5 hours. Ascent 600m and descent 630m. 10km. 

We take the small gondola from Isenfluh to Sulwald at 1528m. We walk through the forest and over mountain meadows until we reach the small Lake Sulseewli at 1921m. The hilly plateau takes you to the Lobhornhutte with breathtaking views of the Eiger,Monch and JungFrau. On our way back we descend through lovely forests until we reach Grutschalp. We have a stunning view into the narrow Lauterbrunnental. We return from there by Gondola and train back to Wilderswill.

Sunday – departure after breakfast