Oberland 4000ers

Overview

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Introduction

The Oberland 4,000ers course is based around a trio of ascents on the sought after Bernese Oberland peaks; the Mönch (4,107m), the Jungfrau (4,158m) and the Finsteraarhorn (4,274m). These alpine summits offer a choice of superb and coveted routes, many of which follow airy and exposed ridges and require sure-footedness and solid crampon technique.

You will spend your first night in the Alpine resort of Grindelwald where you’ll meet your Mountain Guides before taking the Jungfraujoch Railway into the mountains on Sunday morning. From 3,454m you’ll descend to the Koncordia Hut (2,850m) to refresh your alpine mountaineering skills in the afternoon. You will be based in mountain huts for the duration of the week, with the plan being to climb the Gross Grünhorn (4,044m) as part of a mountaineering circuit, which takes in the main climbing objectives listed earlier, thereby offering the potential of climbing 4 x 4,000m peaks in six days.

To provide you with the flexibility to fulfil this ambitious programme, the course is organised at a 1:2 guiding ratio. For those looking for a step up from either our Saas 4,000ers or Zermatt 4,000ers courses, this is a physically tough expedition into a superb and remote mountain range.

Start point: Grindelwald, Switzerland

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Possible mountain routes

The Oberland 4,000ers course differs from our other 4,000ers courses, in that you are based in huts throughout the week and follow a planned circuit. The following peaks are typically climbed in order:

Gross Grünhorn (4,044m) - by SW Ridge (PD+)
Sandwiched between the Aletsch and Fiescher Glaciers, the Gross Grünhorn is well-positioned as our first climb on the Oberland 4,000ers course. It is a fine looking peak and an excellent objective. From the Koncordia Hut (2,850m), the South West Ridge is an enjoyable and varied outing at the upper end of the grade. After reaching the summit, you descend via the South-East flank to the Finsteraarhorn Hut.

Finsteraarhorn (4,274m) - by SW flank and NW ridge (PD)
The South-West Flank and North-West Ridge (PD) is the most straightforward route on the mountain. From the Finsteraarhorn Hut, the route climbs a steep snow slope and crosses a saddle before reaching the NW ridge. From here, the climb is mainly on rock to the summit. Though graded PD, the consensus from our regular guides is that the mixed climbing on the final ridge should be guided at no less than a 1:2 ratio. You descend via the same route back to the Finsteraarhorn Hut.

Jungfrau (4,158m) - by the SE Ridge (PD)
The third highest peak in the range is undoubtedly one of the highlights of this week and should not be missed! The South East Ridge (PD) from the Monchsjoch Hut is the normal route. You cross the Jungfraufirn, and climb steep mixed snow and rock to the Rottalsattel, at the base of the summit tower. From here, you traverse a steep snow and ice slope which leads to the easy but exposed summit ridge. Descent is by the same route, back to the Mönchsjoch Hut.

Mönch (4,107m) - by the SE Ridge (PD+)
The 'monk' has four angular ridges, each of which can be climbed from the Mönchsjoch Hut. We chose the standard route via the SE Ridge. Situated directly above the hut, this a fine climb up an exposed snow ridge with several easy rock steps. After your ascent, you return to the valley via Jungfraujoch Railway.

Typical Programme

Day 1:	Saturday. Course participants meet at the course base at 7pm. Briefing on the week's activities in the evening.
Day 2:	Sunday. Ascend to the Jungfraujoch on the train. Drop down to Koncordia Hut (2,850m). Afternoon skills refresher.
Day 3:	Monday. Ascent of Gross Grünhorn (4,044m) by SW Ridge (PD) 4-5 hrs from hut. Descend to Finsteraarhorn Hut.
Day 4:	Tuesday. Climb Finsteraarhorn (4,274m) by SW flank and NW ridge (PD) 4-5 hrs. Descend to Finsteraarhorn Hut.
Day 5:	Wednesday. Glacier trek round to the Mönchsjoch Hut via the Grünhornlücke col (3,286m). Due to the crevassed nature of the upper Fieschergletscher and unstable hanging seracs below the Gross Fiescherhorn (4,049m), it is currently unsafe to attempt this peak from the Finsteraarhorn Hut. If conditions change, it might be possible to climb the Gross Fiescherhorn (4,049m) and continue to the Mönchsjoch Hut.
Day 6:	Thursday. Climb the normal route on the Jungfrau (4,158m). Descend to Monchsjoch hut.
Day 7:	Friday. Climb the normal (SE) route on the Mönch (4,107m) and descend via Jungfraujoch Railway.
Day 8:	Saturday. Dispersal. Breakfast is provided on the last morning before climbers leave the course.

Further Information

Find out more about our Guides and Ratios, Alpine Grading and Equipment... read more

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the course or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	Meeting in		Availability
Sat 27 Jun – Sat 4 Jul 2026	Grindelwald		Trip Guaranteed Book now »
Head of Course Catalin Dobre Course Guide/Instructor Richard Dupont 1 place left	£2,895
Sat 4 Jul – Sat 11 Jul 2026	Grindelwald		Trip Guaranteed Book now »
Head of Course Pierre Beuscar Course Guide/Instructor Pascal Hansson 1 place left	£2,895
Sat 26 Jun – Sat 3 Jul 2027	Grindelwald		Available Book now »
	£2,995
Sat 3 Jul – Sat 10 Jul 2027	Grindelwald		Available Book now »
	£2,995

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Group size: 2 – 12 people.

For comparison, this course starts from £414 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

What the price includes

• 2 nights' hotel accommodation in Grindelwald on a twin-sharing, bed and breakfast basis
• 5 nights' mountain hut accommodation in a shared dormitory bunk, half-board basis
• 6 days guiding with a qualified IFMGA Mountain Guide. Ratio 1:2 maximum
• Transport (by public means, private hire vehicle, minibus or guides' cars) to fulfil the course programme
• Group mountaineering equipment such as ropes and other technical equipment
• Ice axes, crampons, harnesses & helmets, when booked in advance

What the price does not include

• Travel to/from Grindelwald
• Evening meals in Grindelwald
• Lunch
• Cable cars, mountain railways and mechanical uplift
• Personal climbing equipment and clothing (including boots, which can be hired locally)
• Mountaineering and travel Insurance

Please note that the costs for mechanical up-lift are not included in the overall course cost because these can vary, depending on the weather and routes selected. This means that we are not restricted by a budget. Also, if we spend less on up-lift than expected, you make the saving rather than us.

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Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• ‘Great that Paul offered a post trip analysis of our personal performance, it was great to get some constructive comments on performance and how to go about getting more training experience.’ SB, Oberland 4000ers 2013

Leader Reports

• Oberland 4000ers - 20 to 27 July 2019
  “Big mountains: Gathering in Grindelwald with Guides Hannah Burrows-Smith and Richard Dupont, we primed our group of Raija, Pip, Julie, Mark, Ralf and Jonathan for the week ahead. With the promise of stable weather, we knew high...”
  report added 26/Jul/19

Travel & Venue

Fly to Geneva or Zurich. For Grindelwald, you can travel from the airport using the efficient Swiss Rail and coach network (travel time from Zurich is 3 hours, Geneva is 3.5 hours). Plan you journey at www.sbb.ch.

Valley accommodation is in Hotel Residence. The accommodation is provided on a twin-share, bed and breakfast basis. A single room supplement is payable should you want to have a room to yourself.