I am looking for a self-guided trek in the Alps in September, meaning a tour company makes the logistical arrangements, but you don't hike with a guide. I'm interested mostly in some form of hut-to-hut trip. I've made some inquiries with some different companies, but it's difficult to find reviews of them online. Can anyone make a recommendation?
Thank you!
Sorry, I don't know of any staff here with that personal experience.
We are independent hikers in Switzerland but I have looked at the self-guided inn-to-inn hikes offered by Alpine Hikers and they seem well planned and reasonably priced. They offer treks on the Alpine Pass route of varying lengths.
http://www.alpinehikers.com/switzerland_bernese_oberland_selfguided.html
Starting in Mürren and hiking to the Gasterntal would appeal to me. We have done much of that as day hikes and the scenery is grand. The hike starting from Meiringen might be good too, although I do not know that section at all.
Thank you, Lola. I appreciate your reply. That firm is much (much!) more expensive than others, but I will keep them in mind.
You might look at the offers by various Swiss community tourist boards on www.wanderland.ch
Or try the UK company, http://www.sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk/countries/switzerland.asp
If you post a link to one you have found attractive (pricewise) I will have a look at the itinerary to see if there are any red flags.
Ryan,
We had a good experience with Ryder-Walker a few years ago.
http://www.ryderwalker.com/selfguided.html
They supplied very good hiking notes and made all of the lodging arrangements.
Late September could have some significant snow. We were snowed out of the hike from First to Grindalwald in late September 2009.
Jay
I should add, Switzerland is an expensive destination.
None of the companies you find will appear to be reasonably priced.
We are planning our own mountain hut to mountain hut hike in the Appenzell area. It has taken a bit of time but does save some money and the internet searches have shown a lot of options.
If you want to hike through the Berner Oberland you could use Kev Reynolds' guidebook titled Alpine Pass Route and plan it yourself. Note that much of the lodging suggestions are mountain inns, not true alpine huts. That is because many of the huts are positioned for climbers, not for through hikers. There is one, the Blumlisalphütte Hütte, and maybe a few others, but mostly you will stay in rustic mountain inns. The tour companies will likely book you into private rooms in these places. Booking on your own you could stay more cheaply in Matratzenlager ( dorms).
