Trek the Swiss Alps in the Jungfrau Region

The Jungfrau-Aletsch region of the Bernese Alps in south-central Switzerland contains some of the highest peaks (8 peaks over 4000m) and the largest area of glacier ice in western Eurasia.  The mighty rock massif of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau forms a massive wall overlooking the Bernese Oberland and the towns of Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken.  The area was designated as the first alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 for its scenic beauty, its historical and scientific significance, and its ecological and geological diversity.

Hundreds of miles of developed trails, well-appointed mountain huts and hotels, an extensive transport system and easily accessed villages and resort towns with genuine Swiss hospitality and culture make this a very popular area for trekking.  Still, the very scale of the landscape and the intense physical challenge of some of the trails mean that strong hikers can find solitude along with the exhilaration of challenging themselves among some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on the planet.  Because of the frequency of huts and hotels with food service, one need only to carry a daypack even for multi-day journeys.  It is also possible to use a town in the area as a base for extended periods of day hiking.

Two well known trail systems - the Alpine Pass Route or Via Alpina and the Tour of the Jungfrau Region, pass through the area as well as many shorter trails that can be connected for weeks to months of trekking.

 

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking, Global Adventures
• Seasons: Year-round, June, July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Strenuous/Very Strenuous
• High Point: 9,700 ft

• Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
• Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 16
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12