A small group of us are traveling to Murren from Zurich in late August 2017. We want to spend a week hiking and like the idea of hiring a tour company to plan this for us. We are contemplating hiring a tour company called MAC Adventures. Just wondering if anyone has heard of this company, or used them? Planning it ourselves feels a bit overwhelming. Advice?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17422 posts
Are you talking about day hikes from a village base, or an inn-to-Inn trek with luggage transport?
If the former, you don't need a company to plan it for you, unless you really dislike the process of finding and booking lodging. We nformation on the available hikes is readily available from the local TI offices or from this board. Or any good guidebook. I looked at Mac's Adventure "Best of Bernese Oberland" and it is really not different from the standard trip in the area, and very easy to do on your own.
If the latter, Mac's Adventure has a good reputation for self-guided hiking trips, but honestly I am not impressed with their "Bear Trail" walk from Wengen to Meiringen ( you do not walk the whole way as several legs are by public transport, not included in their price). In particular, Inwas somewhat bothered by the suggestion in the hike description from Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald that on a hot day you should ride the train "from Grindelwald Grund down to Grindelwald town" to avoid a steep descent. They actually mean from Alpiglen down to Grindelwald Grund, which is at the bottom of the valley. It is uphill from there to the town, so if you are going to ride down from Alpiglen, stay on the train to end.
If you actually do want an Inn-to-Inn trek, I find this one, in the same area, far more appealing:
http://alpinehikers.com/self-guided-tours/self-guided-bernese-oberland-traverse-part-a/
It follows much of the same route ( which is a part of the classic Alpine Pass route), but goes farther, and incorporates overnight stays in charming mountain inns (Schwartzwaldalp and Obersteinberg) in addition to village hotels in Grindelwald and Wengen. You end in Mürren.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you so much for the information! We want to do the inn-to-inn option. I'm glad to know about the hiking routes, and that MAC is a decent option. Thank you for the website as well. We will use all of your tips.
What about rail passes? What would be our best option?