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Hiking the Jungfrau
Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train to our meeting point in Murren. There is a train station in both the Zurich and Geneva airports, and transferring to Murren will be an easy introduction to Swiss precision and friendliness. The trip itself is incredibly scenic, and takes about 4 hours. Murren is an idyllic, car-free village, perched atop a sheer 3000-foot cliff above the waterfall-filled Lauterbrunnen valley (picture Yosemite with a Swiss village on top). We'll meet to talk about the tour before settling in for our welcome dinner at the Hotel Jungfrau. (Hotel Jungfrau)


Day 2
One of our favorite hikes starts in town, and gently meanders up the hills to the pastoral setting at Spielboden. Here we cross the Schiltbach stream, and start a steep and invigorating ascent to the local peak of Bryndli. We'll take our lunch enjoying birds-eye views of Murren and the Lauterbrunnen valley, perhaps with a soaring golden eagle for company. From here the trail levels off, and becomes a relaxing stroll through flowery meadows to a quiet alpine hut at Bogangen. The trail back leads over a small ridge for more great views, before dropping back down to Murren. (Hotel Jungfrau)


Day 3
The Upper Lauterbrunnen valley curls back beneath the white-capped Breithorn - considered by many to be the most perfect mountain in the region. It's also a nature preserve, and contains many wonderful hiking trails. One of our favorites takes us to the small farm at Obersteinberg, where the proprietors keep cows and make cheese by the same simple methods that have been used for centuries. This part of the valley also contains some of the area's prettiest waterfalls. (Hotel Jungfrau)

Day 4
We'll start with a morning stroll through the sleepy village of Gimmelwald. From here a wooded trail leads down past impressive waterfalls to the floor of the Lauterbrunnen valley. After a relaxing picnic lunch, a flat hike takes us through the center of this amazing valley. 3000' cliffs tower on either side of us, boasting some of Switzerland's most famous waterfalls. After arriving in the town of Lauterbrunnen, we can transfer by cablecar back to Murren. (Hotel Jungfrau)


Day 5
A morning transfer brings us to the classic resort village of Grindelwald. Fronted by the impressive rock wall of the Bernese Alps, the ridge behind Grindelwald hosts some of the greatest panorama hiking in the Alps. The Bachalpsee, a small glacial lake, provides the perfect mirror for enjoying the surrounding mountain scenery. We'll follow less traveled trails through rocky fields and old pine forests to this lake and other favorite viewpoints. (Hotel Fiescherblick)


Day 6
Another energetic hike takes us right into the heart of the Grindelwald mountains. It starts with a densely wooded climb to the impressive Gletscherschlucht - a steep narrow gorge gouged out by the lower Grindelwald glacier. From here, our path continues up, out of the woods, along an airy trail to Bäregg. This sunny perch sits in a cirque among the mountains, and is a wonderful place to watch birds soar as avalanches crash onto the glacier far below. (Hotel Fiescherblick)


Day 7
After a final breakfast together, we'll say good-bye and head off to our post-trip destinations. Those of us going on to the Matterhorn tour will board the train for Zermatt.

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