Oberland Traverse

Overview

Book now »

Introduction

This glaciated trek takes you on a journey into the heart of the Bernese Oberland, crossing high passes and staying in some superb mountain huts along the way.

The week commences at our hotel in Grindelwald on Saturday evening, in order to check gear and arrange equipment hire. On Sunday morning we climb the SW ridge of the Scharzwhorn (2,928m) by a Via Ferrata before returning to Grindelwald for the night. The following morning we take the Jungfraujoch mountain railway and walk to the Monchjoch hut at 3,656m. Over the next two days we head into the heart of the range, following glaciers and spending nights at the Konkordia Hut (2,850m) and Finsteraarhorn hut (3,048m). From here, you descend rejoining the Fieschergletscher, before heading east and over the Oberraarjoch 3,205m via the Galmigletscher to the Oberaarjoch hut (3,258) before exiting the mountains the following day at the Grimsel Pass.

The Oberland Traverse is suitable for those with previous British winter mountain walking experience, who would like to visit one of the wildest mountain ranges of the Alps. Team members need to be fit as there are some long days. The programme is designed to be progressive, with each day becoming more challenging.

Start point: Grindelwald, Switzerland

Share this on Facebook

Typical Programme

Day 1:	Saturday. Course participants meet at the hotel at 7 p.m. Briefing on the week's activities in the evening plus gear check.
Day 2:	Sunday. SW ridge of the Scharzwhorn (2,928m) by a Via Ferrata. Overnight hotel.
Day 2:	Sunday. Ascend to the Jungfraujoch on the train. Traverse to Monchjoch hut (3,656m). Afternoon skills refresher.
Day 4:	Tuesday. Descend to the Jungfraufirn and the glacial junction of Konkordiaplatz at 2,600m. Ascend to Konkordia Hut (2,850m).
Day 5:	Wednesday. Ascend to the Gruneggfirn col called Grunhornlucke, then descend to Finsteraarhorn hut (3,048m).
Day 6:	Thursday. Rejoin the Fieschergletscher, before heading east and over the Oberraarjoch 3,205m via the Galmigletscher to the Oberaarjoch hut (3,258).
Day 7:	Friday. Follow the Oberraargletscher to a dammed glacial lake, the Oberraarsee. Trail to Grimsel Pass and return to hotel.
Day 8:	Saturday. Dispersal. Breakfast is provided on the last morning before climbers leave the course.

Further Information

Find out more about our Guides and Ratios, Alpine Grading and Equipment... read more

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the course or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	Meeting in		Availability
Sat 27 Jun – Sat 4 Jul 2026	Grindelwald		Available Book now »
	£2,495
Sat 26 Jun – Sat 3 Jul 2027	Grindelwald		Available Book now »
	£2,495

This course is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
Click to Change currency for prices on this site.

Group size: 2 – 8 people.

For comparison, this course starts from £356 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

What the price includes

• 3 nights' hotel accommodation in Grindelwald on a twin-sharing, half-board basis
• 4 nights' mountain hut accommodation in a shared dormitory bunk, half-board basis
• 6 days guiding with a qualified IFMGA Mountain Guide. Ratio 1:4 maximum
• Group mountaineering equipment such as ropes and other technical equipment
• Ice axes, crampons, harnesses & helmets, when booked in advance

What the price does not include

• Travel to/from Grindelwald
• Jungfrau Railway ticket or train/bus ticket
• Travel back to Grindelwald from the Grimsel Pass
• Lunch
• Cable cars, mountain railways and mechanical uplift
• Any taxis that may be used
• Personal equipment and clothing
• Mountaineering and travel Insurance

Photos & Videos

• 
• 

Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

There are currently no team member reviews for this trip.

Travel & Venue

Fly to Geneva or Zurich. For Grindelwald, you can travel from the airport using the efficient Swiss Rail and coach network (travel time from Zurich is 3 hours, Geneva is 3.5 hours). Plan you journey at www.sbb.ch.

Valley accommodation is in Hotel Residence. The accommodation is provided on a twin-share, half-board basis. A single room supplement is payable should you want to have a room to yourself.