The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +/- 1000 m approximately per day.
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours per day.
Type of trek: mountain route on well-marked paths. A few airy sections that do not present any particular technical difficulty. The high cols are equipped with wooden steps. The difference in altitude and the length of some of the stages require a good level of mountain walking experience.

Good physical preparation is essential if you are to enjoy these beautiful ‘haute randonnée’ routes.
Practise an endurance sport regularly, such as walking, running or cycling, 6 to 8 hours a week. Your physical preparation will make your stay easier and help you to appreciate it even more.
Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: levels of difficulty

The route in general is well indicated, and the Roadbook provided sufficiently complete to allow you to hike in complete safety. However, it is essential to be able to read an 1:25,000 map and to be sufficiently autonomous in the mountains to be able to tackle the itinerary with confidence, whatever the weather (fog, snow, etc.).
You will be crossing areas with no telephone network. For your own safety, you may wish to bring along a radio or the latest generation telephone with a satellite connection.

Please note: some névés will be present on the paths until beginning of July as a minimum, in particular on the North slopes. High mountain boots, gaiters and walking poles are essential. Be prepared!

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing: 
- IGN maps with the route highlighted. 
- 1 road-book containing all the necessary information for the trek. 
- 1 waterproof map holder.
- Accommodation list.

ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC
4 nights in gite or refuge in dormitory
2 nights in gite or hotel, in a 2 to 6 people bedroom
COMFORT
6 nights in a 2 to 3 people bedroom.
All accommodations is equipped with hot showers however, due to increasingly recurrent periods of drought, access to showers is not guaranteed.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be ordered the day before in each accommodation. You can also buy supplies in small local shops.

Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking.
We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.

MAPS

Vanderkarte 1/50000^ème Berner Oberlans 5004
Et Gstaad – Adelboden 1/50000^ème 5009

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPATURE POINT

Start of the hike in Unter dem Birg, Adelboden. Plan for the first night without luggage.

BY TRAIN
Visit the Swiss Railways website: www.cff.ch
Ticket purchase: sbb.ch/en/home.html
Outward journey: Paris - Bern - Spiez- Frutigen, then bus to Adelboden.
Return journey: Grindelwald - Interlaken - Bern - Paris

BY CAR
Refer to the itinerary on www.viamichelin.fr
From the north: access by Basel, Lucerne From the west: access by Frasnes, Neuchâtel, Bern From the south: access by Geneva, Lausanne, Bern. Please note the mandatory sticker on Swiss motorways, to be bought at the border and at petrol stations.
Where to park your vehicle? Paying parkings in Frutigen (25CHF per week). Then bus to Adelboden, then Unter dem Birg (no free long-term parking in Adelboden).
In Grindelwald, Grindelwald Terminal car park: approx. CHF 245 per week or Wilderswil Park and Ride: approx. CHF 35 (30-minute train transfer from Grindelwald)

Please note that the vignette is compulsory on Swiss motorways, and can be purchased at the border and at petrol stations (€53.94).

End of the hike in Grindelwald around 3pm.

RETURN TO DEPARTURE POINT

Return from Grindelwald to Frutigen or Adelboden: train from Grindelwald to Frutigen via Interlaken (1h40 journey) then very regular bus to Adelboden (30 min journey). Another solution if you are by car, is to park on the way to Thun, then take the train to Frutigen, and the bus to Adelboden (very regular, 1h ride). On the way back, train line from Grindelwald to Thun (very regular, 1h journey). Transfer in taxi approx €250 (up to 8 people)

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Swiss National Tourism Office: +41 800 100 200 29
Do not hesitate to contact us if you want us to reserve accommodation for you.

INSURANCE

In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. Under no circumstances, we can replace your personal civil liability.
The repatriation insurance EUROP ASSISTANCE that we offer is dedicated to French speaking people living in Europe. If it is not your case, we advise you to subscribe to another travel insurance which will cover you in case of injury and repatriation during your trek.

If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.

Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.

CONTACT US

If you are late, contact the agency: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
• 1 change of clothes for the evening
• A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

• Toilet bag
• Quick drying towel
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
• Plastic cup for coffee
• Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
• Survival blanket
• Head torch or hand torch
• Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
• Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
• Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT

You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported daily between accommodation except days 1, 4 and 6 by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy.
Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs! 

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHTS WITHOUT LUGGAGE

On nights 1, 4 and 6, your luggage won't be dropped off at your accommodation (you will get it back the day after). Here are the things to bring with you (about 2 kilos are enough!):

• small toiletries bag
• sleeping bag liner sheet
• change of clothes for the day after (bare necessities!) and comfortable for the evening.