Valley Hostel (Lauterbrunnen)

If there were a list of the most beautiful lakes in Europe, Oeschinensee, or Lake Oeschinen, would rank high. Sure, there is Lago di Braies, Lake Bled or Lac Blanc, but there is something very special about this marvelous spot in Switzerland. And UNESCO agrees because the Oeschinensee is a World Heritage site. We are not here to tell you which is the most beautiful lake in the Alps but the Swiss would probably tell you it’s the Oeschinensee. Lake Oeschinen is not just a pretty picture for Instagram, it is also a top destination for hiking, rowing, and in winter even ice skating. Part of our beloved Bärentrek, we also have designed a mini hut-to-hut trek, including a stay at the Doldenhornhütte. Let's go!

The Via Alpina 1, also known as the Swiss Alpine Pass Route, is the section of the Via Alpina that runs through the Swiss Alps. The Via Alpina is actually a network of five long-distance hiking routes through the alpine regions of Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco. The Swiss portion of the Via Alpina is 390 kilometers long and is divided into 20 stages. Looking for walking holidays in Switzerland? You can choose to hike the entire route or just part of it. The most popular part in Switzerland is the Bear Trek or in German the Bärentrek. In this blog we will tell you everything you need to know about the route of the Via Alpina in Switzerland, the stages, the best season, equipment for the Bärentrek, and much more! Despite being a very scenic trail and one of the most popular tours in Switzerland, the Via Alpina 1 requires a dose of respect. This is a tough trek that traverses a number of challenging passes in the Swiss Alps and is not recommended without experience. However, if you are looking for a challenging adventure in the Alps, the Via Alpina 1 is a great choice!