
Switzerland Family Multisport
Switzerland's terrain of jagged snowcapped peaks, lush wildflower-speckled valleys and charming alpine villages is a sensory delight. In the Bernese Oberland with Backroads, you and your family savor astonishing landscapes on inspiring hikes and smooth bike rides, all in the shadow of the famed Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains. Delight in traditional cuisine, with favorites such as stübli and rosti. Come evening, inviting accommodations envelop you in an array of Swiss-style comforts.
Day 1 Kandersteg
Meet in Kandersteg
Ascend by chairlift to 5,500 feet
Hike on a ridge above the waters of Lake Oeschinen, where sheer limestone cliffs are capped by snowy peaks and hanging glaciers
Enjoy a snack and cup of cocoa during a well-deserved break at a traditional mountain hut.
Days 2-3 Grindelwald
Easy pedaling leads to the lakeside town of Spiez
Journey aboard a historic paddleboat across turquoise Lake Thun to Interlaken
Consider taking to the skies - paraglide with views of the Eiger
Bike or catch a cog-rail train to Grindelwald at the foot of the Eiger
Enjoy a traditional alphorn concert
Ascend to First Peak via cable car before walking to Bachalpsee, one of Switzerland's beautiful high-alpine lakes
Kids catch a thrilling ride on an alpine toboggan slide.
Days 4-6 Murren
Bid farewell to Grindelwald as you pedal to the lush Lauterbrunnen Valley
Feast on a Backroads picnic by the stunning Lauterbrunnen (or "loud falls"), named for its many glacier-fed waterfalls that drain off nearby mountains
Witness magnificent glacier-fed Trummelbach Falls, located inside a cavern
Take an exhilarating tram cable car ride to the town of Mürren
Hike through fields of wildflowers and by rushing streams, stopping for a tour of the Shiltalp Farm, a classic Swiss dairy farm
Cap off your week with a gorgeous morning hike while the kids enjoy the local adventure playground.
ALPINE AMBIENCE : Casual Inns
Chalet-Hotel Adler (1 night): A family-run Swiss chalet with beautiful views, an indoor pool, sauna and steam bath.
Hotel Spinne (2 nights): Modern accommodations, with a spa, sauna and solarium, set beneath the spectacular north wall of the Eiger.
Eiger Hotel (2 nights): A family-run hotel with cozy guest rooms, a swimming pool, sauna and panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2
3 Route Options Available
- Walking 3.6, 6.1, 6.9 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3
4 Route Options Available
- Biking 16, 21, 27, 34 miles
- 0 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 3
2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 5.3, 8 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 2
3 Route Options Available
- Biking 9, 15, 26 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 2
3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 4.7, 5.5, 6.8 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 1.9 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
On this Family Trip, only one option each day doesn't include any significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.
The majority of biking on this Family Multisport Trip takes place on bike paths, however some routes are on main roads. Hiking routes follow mountains paths with uneven terrain that is gently rolling with a few steeper hills, including challenging ascents and descents. Please note: while distances may appear short, hiking and biking is made more difficult by the altitude.
Trips For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2008 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 7/31-8/5Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/9-14Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
On Day 1 we stay at the Waldhotel Doldenhorn, a Swiss chalet on the outskirts of Kandersteg. - 8/21-26Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
2009 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 7/2-7Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/23-28Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/8-13Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/13-18Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
Recommended minimum age for the trip: 6 yearsMinimum age restrictions:
- Ride own bike: 7 years
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:
- 12+ cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities and route
- 9+ difficulty of activities and route
- 6+ several long adult dinners; parent may not be able to pull a Burley and/or there may be multiple activity restrictions
- 3+ riding is on bike paths, making it great for young kids; Burley and Piccolos are available; there are few or no activity restrictions; and no long dinners (or we offer alternatives)
Trip praise
I loved this trip for the same reasons I loved our first trip. I was NOT in charge, the activities from morning to night were fun for all, the hiking and biking were in beautiful locations, the guides amazing, the other families great, the food great (although the picnics prepared by our leaders beat anything we could find in the hotels.) A perfect trip that exceeded our already high expectations! Thank you!- San Francisco, CA
The Alps offer an astounding variety of scenery and activities, making them an ideal place for an unforgettable family vacation. Bike and hike as the Swiss families do, through small villages, lush green valleys and along the chalky blue lakes that make this region so famous. Highlights of your 6-day Swiss adventure will surely include the scenic train rides, toboggan slides and local guides who bring Swiss history to life and give insight into the culture of this gorgeous country.- Regional Manager, Europe