Tour of the Jungfrau Region. Kev Reynolds

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      Traditional dormitory at the Rotstock Hut

      Stage 1 Schynige Platte to First (assuming Schynige Platte is reached on the day of travel from home; otherwise see Alternative Stage 1) – 5½hr

      Alternative Stage 1 If you miss the last train to Schynige Platte on the day of travel, stay overnight in Wilderswil, then trek Schynige Platte to Berghotel Faulhorn – 4hr

      Stage 2 First (or Berghotel Faulhorn) to Hotel Wetterhorn via Grosse Scheidegg (this gives time to visit Grindelwald after booking a bed at the hotel) – 3hr (or 4–4½hr+)

      Alternative Stage 2 A highly recommended diversion starts about 2hr from First and climbs to the Gleckstein Hut set high on the slopes of the Wetterhorn (strong walkers only) – 5hr

      Alternative Stage 2a Gleckstein Hut to Hotel Wetterhorn (a short but steep descent which gives time to visit Grindelwald) – 2½hr+

      Stage 3 Hotel Wetterhorn to Alpiglen – 5hr

      Alternative Stage 3 Hotel Wetterhorn to Berghaus Bäregg – 2½–3hr (this option could be combined with Alt. Stage 2a to make a splendid 5–5½hr trek)

      Alternative Stage 3a Berghaus Bäregg to Alpiglen – 4–4½hr

      Stage 4 Alpiglen to Kleine Scheidegg (Grindelwaldblick) via the Eiger Trail (after checking in at the Grindelwaldblick there should be sufficient time to visit the Männlichen summit viewpoint, or take the train to the Jungfraujoch) – 3½–4hr+

      A FASTER ITINERARY?

      Fit and experienced walkers with limited time at their disposal could double-up some of these stages to make a shorter trek, although this is a route that deserves to be taken at a leisurely pace with time allowed to savour the whole experience and absorb the views.

      Stage 1 Schynige Platte to Grosse Scheidegg – 6hr 15mins

      Stage 2 Grosse Scheidegg to Kleine Scheidegg/Grindelwaldblick – 9hr

      Stage 3 Kleine Scheidegg to Obersteinberg – 7–7½hr

      Stage 4 Obersteinberg to Rotstock Hut – 4hr

      Stage 5 Rotstock Hut to the Blumental – 4½–5hr

      Stage 6 Blumental to Wilderswil – 7½–8hr

      Stage 5 Kleine Scheidegg (Grindel-waldblick) to Stechelberg by way of Mettlenalp and the Trümmelbach Falls – 4½–5hr

      Stage 6 Stechelberg to Obersteinberg via the Schmadri Falls and upper Lauterbrunnen Valley – 5–5½hr

      Alternative Stage 6 Stechelberg to Obersteinberg direct route (with time to visit the Oberhornsee tarn at the head of the Lauterbrunnen Valley) – 2½hr+

      Stage 7 Obersteinberg to the Rotstock Hut, via the Busengrat (with a diversion to the Tanzbödeli viewpoint) and the deep Sefinental – 4½–5hr+

      Stage 8 Rotstock Hut to the Blumental via a traverse of the Schilthorn (strong walkers with a good head for heights only) – 4½–5hr

      Alternative Stage 8 Rotstock Hut to the Blumental by way of the Wasenegg Ridge and Schiltalp – 2hr

      Stage 9 Blumental to the Suls-Lobhorn Hut via the Soustal – 3½hr+

      Stage 10 Suls-Lobhorn Hut to Wilderswil via Saxeten – 4hr 15mins

      On most stages it’s possible to take an alternative route should the weather or conditions on the mountains suggest it would be unwise to follow the standard itinerary. These alternative options are described where they occur within the main route text.