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COMBINE ANY TWO EUROPE TRIPS FOR A $400 PER PERSON DISCOUNT! 44
We’ve chosen the most spectacular section
of the Via Alpina for this journey. Europe’s
first trans-alpine trail, the Via Alpina links
a network of age-old footpaths along the
backbone of Europe’s greatest mountain
range. Our “hiker’s hike” brings us from
lakeside Lucerne to the alpine village of
Kandersteg. Along the way, we 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 We get our first immersion
into classic Swiss Alps landscapes as we hike
winding trails to Engelberg (3,248'), a picturesque
village set beneath ice-crowned Mt. Titlis.
Following a balcony trail along the Gental Valley,
we descend to beautiful Meiringen, site of
Reichenbach Falls, where Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle’s beloved detective Sherlock Holmes
plunged to his death in The Final Problem . From
the village of 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.
From peaceful Murren (5,413'), the highest village
in the Bernese Oberland, we enjoy a range
of hiking options and our evenings include
incredible sunset views of the world-famous trio
of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.
Days 9-11 Sefinenfurke Pass / Kandersteg
Views are stunning from the very start as we
head through alpine pastures to the dramatic
Sefinenfurke Pass (8,600'), and our spectacular
descent brings us into the hamlet of Griesalp.
From Hohturli Pass (9,120'), we hike past icefalls
to mountain-ringed Oeschinensee (5,250'),
a vast, turquoise-hued glacial lake set in an
amphitheater of sheer cliffs and snow-clad
peaks. Depart on Day 11.
Our journey crosses Switzerland’s Alps on the most spectacular section of
Europe’s Via Alpina. PHOTO: DAN PATITUCCI
JOSÉ FUSTE RAGA
ONE OF THE GREAT HIKES OF THE WORLD
DAN PATITUCCI
HIGHLIGHTS
• Challenging hikes and stunning views of
the North Face of the Alps, including the
mighty Eiger
• Hike 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 23-Aug 2, 2018
Aug 20-30
TRIP COST
$6795 (11-14 members)
$7295 (4-10 members)
Single supplement: $780
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