Bestseller

Via Alpina: The Bear Trek

9 days / 8 nights

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Discover the highlights of the Swiss Via Alpina by hiking the Bear Trek, our favorite section of the classic long-distance trail in the European Alps.

Starting point

Meiringen

Finish point

Lenk

Season

From June to October

Technical level

3/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Inn-to-Inn

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  • Hike below famous Alpine peaks like Eiger, Jungfrau, and Mönch
  • Discover the beauty of the Swiss region of the Bernese Oberland
  • Experience a hassle-free journey on this self-guided trek
  • Sleep in cozy Swiss hotels, inns, and mountain huts

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

8 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer
Hotel upgrades
Luggage transfer
Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

  • Hiking shoes/boots
  • 25 to 45-liter backpack
  • Base layer
  • Sports T-shirts
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking water-repellent pants
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Midlayer
  • Sports socks and underwear
  • Leisurewear for evenings
  • Down jacket
  • Gloves
  • Shade hat/cap
  • Warm headwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Headlamp
  • Hiking poles
  • ID card or passport
  • Snacks
  • Cash
  • Water bottles or hydration pack
  • Sleeping liner
  • Toiletries
  • Toilet paper
  • Small first aid kit

The Bear Trek is one of the most picturesque sections of the Via Alpina Switzerland. It is a perfect choice for those who want to get to know the Swiss Alps but don’t have time to hike the full trail.

The name doesn’t mean that you’ll meet any bears on the trail, so no worries! It is simply a historic trail that was once dominated by bears and wolves that carved the path.

It leads you through the heart of the Bernese Alps, the Swiss region that boasts some of the most famous peaks like Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. And you’ll hike right next to them!

The route will take you across mountain passes, valleys, and along ridges. You’ll explore the Swiss alpine culture and stay in mountain huts, lovely inns, and small hotels, all while tasting delicious food.

We book all of your accommodations, organize luggage transfers, and more, so you can focus on the journey. And a few weeks before setting off, we’ll send you the detailed digital guidebook with the planned GPS route.

All that's left to do is mark the calendar and count the days until your trek begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ideal time for hut-to-hut hiking across Europe generally falls between mid-June and late September. However, this can vary depending on the region and the specific trail you’re considering. Elevations and local climate conditions play a role, particularly for trails that cross higher mountain ranges. Always research the current conditions for your chosen route before setting out, and be aware that many mountain huts operate only within the main hiking season, limiting the feasibility of multi-day excursions outside this timeframe.

We’ve rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.

The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.

Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

You should book your tour as soon as possible, as many accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.

In case of an injury, it is best to call the local emergency services. You might find yourself in the wilderness, unable to continue without worsening your situation.

Do not worry too much, though. You will be hiking along popular trails, so you will not get stranded even if something happens.

On the other hand, if you feel too tired to continue hiking, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to where you want to be.

Most huts along our hut-to-hut hikes are equipped with showers, but they might be a matter of whether there has been any rainfall lately. Do not expect too much, as mountain huts are not luxurious hotels.

No. The huts provide blankets and pillows for comfort. However, you should bring your sleeping liner so they will not have to wash their bed linen every day.

Cell reception is unreliable in the mountains. If you can see a town, you will likely have a reception. The same goes for mountain huts. If you cannot get it inside, try stepping outside. Wifi is available only at select lodges; most do not have it.

If you dress appropriately, most stages can be done even in light rain. However, if a storm is forecasted, do not hike. In that case, you should wait until the storm passes, even if that means spending a day at the hut.

Ratings & Reviews

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5.0 average rating

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Sienna Heath

Verified customer · 2 months ago

I could not recommend Hut to Hut enough. I am a young, solo female traveller and Hut to Hut made the whole experience so easy and comfortable. The instructions, guide and all provided applications are very straightforward and easy to follow, and if there are any issues their customer service is amazing. And the price is incredibly reasonable with my hike including accomodation and some food.

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All available guidance options

Self-guided

Those who like a good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided tour. We prepare the itinerary and book your accommodations while you enjoy the journey without our guide, being fully in charge of all the daily decisions. While you’ll have the full support of our team in case of any emergencies or concerns, a certain level of self-reliance is required.

Hassle-Free

Hassle-Free

We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree hike.

Book with confidence

Book with confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

Tried & Tested Adventures

Tried & Tested Adventures

Only the best hut to hut hikes in Europe, cherry-picked by our local team with an in-depth knowledge of the region.

Unbeatable support

Unbeatable support

Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.

from 1.865 € /person
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