Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL 22
The Via Alpina, Europe’s first trans-Alps
trail, links a network of age-old footpaths
along the backbone of Europe’s greatest
mountain range. We’ve chosen the most
spectacular section—a 75-mile stretch across
Switzerland’s legendary mountains—for a
true “hiker’s hike” from lakeside Lucerne to
the alpine village of Kandersteg. You’ll follow
airy balcony trails below ice-crowned peaks,
stay in welcoming inns in historic hamlets,
savor hearty meals (raclette, anyone?), and
enjoy up-close views of the big massifs of
the Swiss Alps, including the Eiger (13,025'),
the Monch (13,401'), and the Jungfrau
(11,401')—the celebrated North Face of
the Alps.
Days 1-6 Lucerne / Meiringen / Grindelwald /
Kleine Scheidegg Beginning in lakeside
Lucerne, our trails explore classic Swiss Alps as
we hike the slopes of Mt. Rigi and ice-crowned
Mt. Titlis (10,684') and into the picturesque
village of Engelberg. We follow a balcony trail
along the Gental Valley and descend to lovely
Meiringen, home to Reichenbach Falls of Sherlock
Holmes fame. From Grindelwald, set beneath
the Eiger, we head up to the dramatic Eiger
Nordwand trail for amazing views of the Eiger’s
sheer North Face.
Days 7-8 Lauterbrunnen / Murren Our
riverside hike in the otherworldly Lauterbrunnen
Valley, inspiration for Tolkien’s Middle Earth
outpost of Rivendell, takes us past dozens of lacy
waterfalls. In the mountain village of Murren
(5,413'), enjoy a day to explore, with optional
hikes including a route into a beautiful hanging
valley dotted with hay barns and chalets.
Days 9-11 Sefinenfurke Pass / Kandersteg
Views of the rocky ramparts of the Swiss Alps
from Sefinenfurke (8,600'), the highest pass on
the Via Alpina, are breathtaking, and we make
a spectacular descent into the hamlet of Griesalp.
From Hohturli Pass (9,120'), hike past icefalls and
glaciers to mountain-ringed Lake Oeschinensee.
Depart on Day 11.
Oeschinensee is one of the spectacular lakes we hike to on our journey.
PHOTO: DAN HELLER
GIOVANNI SIMEONE
HIGHLIGHTS
• Feast your eyes on stunning views of
the North Face of the Alps, including the
mighty Eiger
• Hike In the sheer-sided Lauterbrunnen
(“Many Fountains”) Valley, with its
72 cascades
• Explore mountain-ringed Swiss villages,
from Engelberg and Murren to
Kandersteg
• Enjoy ancient Swiss mountain culture and
beautiful chalet architecture
• Overnights in lovely hotels, including a
historic inn set right on the pass in Kleine
Scheidegg
DETAILS
• 11-day trip begins in Lucerne and ends in
Kandersteg
• 10 nights hotels and mountain inns
• All meals included except 2 lunches and
2 dinners
DATES
Jul 24-Aug 3, 2017
Aug 20-30
TRIP COST
$6695 (11-14 members)
$7195 (6-10 members)
Single supplement: $860
TRIP LEVEL
1 2 3 4 5+ 6 7
10 hiking days on moderate to steep
trails, 5-8 hours a day, altitudes up to
9,120 feet, van support, team of up to
three Trip Leaders