Small Group Experiential Travel
Tour Code
XSW
Start
Zurich (ZRH)
End
Zurich (ZRH)
Tour type
Active
Max Group Size
16
When To Go
Jun, Sep
Activity Level
3 - Active
Overnight in
Zurich, Lucerne, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Grindelwald
- Overview
- Info & Inclusions
- Itinerary
- Map & Hotels
- Photos
- Dates & Prices
Highlights
- Walking in the Engadine - St. Moritz Valley
- Train journey on the famous Glacier Express
- Hikes at the foot of the Matterhorn
- Jungfrau Region, the Bernese Alps and the base of Eiger, the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world
- Exploring medieval Bern and Zurich Old Towns and scenic Interlaken and Lucerne
Description
The Switzerland On Foot Tour is a guided walking tour combining some of Switzerland's medieval historic Old Towns with the top three scenic mountain walks in Switzerland.
We explore the beautiful Engadine Valley in the scenic St. Moritz area in the canton of Graubunden, the land of the mountain goat and Heidi's home.
One of the world's top train journeys, the famous Glacier Express, takes us to Zermatt at the foot of impressive Matterhorn, perhaps the most photographed mountain the world.
Here, surrounded by forty-seven 4000 metre or more high peaks, impressive glaciers and deep gorges, we walk along tranquil paths in the Swiss canton of Valais.
Finally, in the famous Jungfrau Region, surrounded by the beauty of the Bernese Alps, we walk along alpine trails with the famous peak of Eiger beside us.
Additionally, we travel to the medieval Old Towns of Bern and Zurich and visit scenic Interlaken and Lucerne.
We explore the beautiful Engadine Valley in the scenic St. Moritz area in the canton of Graubunden, the land of the mountain goat and Heidi's home.
One of the world's top train journeys, the famous Glacier Express, takes us to Zermatt at the foot of impressive Matterhorn, perhaps the most photographed mountain the world.
Here, surrounded by forty-seven 4000 metre or more high peaks, impressive glaciers and deep gorges, we walk along tranquil paths in the Swiss canton of Valais.
Finally, in the famous Jungfrau Region, surrounded by the beauty of the Bernese Alps, we walk along alpine trails with the famous peak of Eiger beside us.
Additionally, we travel to the medieval Old Towns of Bern and Zurich and visit scenic Interlaken and Lucerne.
Price Includes
- Full-time Tour Leader services and local guides at various locations.
- All accommodation and transport, two meals daily (hotels & local restaurants).
- All sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary.
- Gratuities for driver/s, restaurant staff, porters (if available).
Exclusions
- International airfare to/from the tour.
- Tour Leader gratuities, one meal a day (usually lunch), drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), international air taxes (if applicable), excursions referenced as 'optional'.
- Optional trip cancellation insurance.
- Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on optional meal costs, packing and shopping.
- Zurich is an EXCEPTION to our usual policies governing airport transfers. Because the airport is served by a fast, efficient, and affordable train service from/to city centre, we have found that organizing escorted road transfers (slow, costly) does not provide the usual degree of convenience and comfort that once can usually expect of such of a service. Accordingly, we do not provide or sell transfer services in Zurich, preferring instead to provide instructions on how to easily make your own way on arrival (per person cost approx US$6).
Trip Info
- Seasonality and Weather:
This tour is offered in early summer when temperatures are warm, though rain, mist, showers can still occur any time. Summer's long daylight hours maximize exploration; our fall date will feature cooler temperatures but less chance of rain. - Transport and Travel Conditions:
We will use several forms of transport on this trip - from private bus, local bus, cable car, and various trains. Most of our longer journeys will be accomplished using Switzerland's extensive and efficient public rail service (tickets in 2nd class). To get a clear sense of the nature of our journeys, please refer to the tour itinerary which indicates every day that features a train trip - in short, we will be using a LOT of trains!
This is an ambitious trip with lots of moving around and train journeys and connections. You MUST be able to manage with your own luggage at rail stations and from station to hotels nearby. Hotels are usually located very near stations, which usually have escalators where applicable. Soft-sided wheeled bags, NOT heavy hard-sided baggage, are best as you will likely be transporting your luggage from hotel to/from station. The importance of packing light cannot be overemphasized. Given the nature of this itinerary you will walk with your luggage more than you may expect on a conventional bus tour.
Remember that with train travel you keep your luggage with you throughout the journey; putting it on the racks above your seat, between the seats or at the end of the car. There is usually no separate baggage car. Unlike travelling by air, you do not check your bags in; you can access to your bags throughout the journey. For days on which we have sightseeing en route to our final destination your luggage is kept in storage, to be collected again for our onward journey (such days are indicated in the full itinerary).
Our difficulty rating "Level 3" refers to our walks/hikes that go beyond town/city walking tours on pavement or cobblestones, to hiking on "natural" surfaces (ie gravel) and pathways that feature some elevation gain/loss as opposed to reasonably flat terrain. Such hikes are leisurely with plenty of stops along the way. This activity does not occur every day, but as per our tour itinerary, even when not on a "hike," we will be on foot quite a lot on uneven surfaces and stairs (we're in the Alps!). Please note that some of our hikes feature sections that are downhill for extended distance. While the slopes are not particularly steep, we suggest walking poles to take the pressure off.your knees.
The beauty of hiking in Switzerland, is the myriad options one has to explore according to one's comfort level and ability. Some of the hikes/walks described in the itinerary can be extended/shortened according to preference, ie should you reach a junction, or a place where there is a gondola or a chairlift, your Tour Leader can suggest, for example, that those who have had a enough and want to return to the village, can take this lift down and "we'll see you at dinner." Similarly, if some group members want to extend their day, there may be options to carry on and take another route back down later. Because some hikes can/may be adjusted at the discretion of your Tour Leader depending on things like weather and group interest, the distances/durations of our hikes as indicated in our itinerary should be taken as guidance only. Generally speaking, however, we can advise that our walks are leisurely on well-trodden pathways over undulating terrain (some walks are downhill), 2-5 hours in overall duration with plenty of breaks for refreshment, photos, and taking it all in.
All trip members should have good hiking experience, but there is no technical climbing experience necessary. Most hiking is at altitudes between 1800 and 2500m (6,000 and 8,000 ft). Our day hikes return to our hotel at the end of the day; there is no need to carry/transport our large luggage while hiking. Similarly, for days on which we have sightseeing en route to our final destination, your luggage is kept in storage to be collected again for our onward journey (such days are indicated in the full itinerary).
For daily summary of our hiking activities, please refer to the tour itinerary.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form - Accommodation:
Well-located mid-range, 3-star hotels/inns throughout. Hotels are modern and comfortable; single rooms may be smaller than twins. - Activity Level: 3
These tours are considerably more strenuous than our Level 1 & 2 "cultural" tours and feature walks/hikes on undulating and uneven pathways for 3-7 hours at a leisurely pace. We don't hike every day, but participants should be fit and active and accustomed to trail walking, possibly in remote locations, and be prepared to engage in a conditioning regimen prior to the trip. Altitude may also be a factor on some tours, though none of our hiking tours currently occur above 3000m/10,000 ft. These are hotel-based tours with no camping, and you are required to only carry what you need for the day.
To learn more about the Activity levels, please visit our tour styles page. - Staff and Support:
Full-time Tour Leader, driver/s. - Group Size:
Maximum 16 plus Tour Leader
Download Itinerary
- Day 1:Arrival in ZurichWelcome to Switzerland!
Today we arrive in Zurich and transfer to our hotel.
Dinner if required.
Included Meal(s): Dinner - Day 2:Zurich: City Walking TourThis morning we'll have a guided walking tour of Zurich, where we visit the Old Town, the world famous shopping street Bahnhofstrasse, the Augustinergasse, a beautiful medieval, narrow streets with many colourfully painted oriel windows; the Grossmunster, St. Peter Church with the largest clock face of Europe; and the Lindenhof, which provides a glorious view of the Old Town of Zurich.
Tomorrow we enjoy our first rail experience -- most of our longer journeys will be accomplished using Switzerland's extensive and efficient public rail service. While the trip overall is not "strenuous" per se, this is an ambitious trip with lots of moving around and train journeys and connections. You MUST be able to manage with your own luggage at rail stations and from station to hotels nearby.
Overnight in Zurich.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 3:Zurich - Train to St. MoritzToday we travel by train to St. Moritz, one of the world's most famous ski resorts.* Chic, elegant and exclusive with a cosmopolitan ambiance, the town is located at 1,856 metres (6,100 ft) above sea level in the midst of the stunning landscape of the of the Upper Engadine lakes. The dry, sparkling "champagne" climate here is legendary and the celebrated St. Moritz sun shines for an average of 322 days a year.
We have the evening free to unwind and explore this scenic playground of the rich and famous.
* TRAIN TRAVEL: Most of our longer journeys will be accomplished using Switzerland's extensive and efficient public rail service. This is an ambitious trip with lots of moving around and train journeys and connections. You MUST be able to manage with your own luggage at rail stations and from station to hotels nearby. Hotels are usually located very near stations, which usually have escalators where applicable.
Overnight in St. Moritz.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 4:Walking in the Engadine ValleyIt takes us just a few minutes by funicular to travel up to Muottas Muragl. As well as featuring a panoramic viewpoint platform, the area is hiker's paradise! The 7 km/4.35 mile long panorama trail between Muottas Muragl and Alp Languard is worth a special mention, as it is undulating and features the charming Munt da la Bes-cha mountain restaurant mid-way. We return to St. Moritz in the afternoon. From the terrace of the Restaurant Alp Languard, there are fantastic views over the Bernina area. Our guide will point out interesting species of birds, marmots as well as ibex, all of which can be regularly seen.
Some of us may choose to extend today's walk by descending to the Pontresina cable car station before taking the bus back to St. Moritz.
Today's hike is +/- 7km with slight decline and only one small uphill section towards the end Duration +/-3 hours with plenty of time for photo stops.
Our hikes: Because some hikes can/may be adjusted at the discretion of your Tour Leader depending on things like weather and group interest, the final distances/durations of our hikes as indicated in our itinerary should be taken as guidance only. In the meantime, however, we can advise that, generally-speaking, our walks are leisurely on well-trodden pathways over undulating terrain (some walks are downhill), 2-5 hours in overall duration with plenty of breaks for refreshment, photos, and taking it all in.
Overnight in St Moritz.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 5:St Moritz - Glacier Express Train - ZermattToday we take the spectacular Glacier Express train ride. Around every corner are mountains and more mountains, small villages, cows with clanking bells, glaciers, lakes and rushing rivers. The fairytale landscape is a magical carpet of flowers in spring and a splendid tapestry of colours in autumn. The full length of the Glacier Express route from St Moritz to Zermatt passes over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels. For much of its journey, it also passes along and through the World Heritage Site known as the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes.
The train is not an "express" in the sense of being a high-speed train, but rather in the sense that it provides a one-seat ride for a long duration travel. In fact it has the reputation of being the slowest express train in the world. The entire line is metre gauge, and large portions of it use a rack-and-pinion system both for ascending steep grades and to control the descent of the train on the back side of those grades. We have lunch on board with a view of the magnificent scenery going past the large picture windows (dinner on your own this evening).
We arrive in the car free village of Zermatt and transfer to our hotel at the foot of famous Matterhorn.
Overnight in Zermatt.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch - Day 6:Hiking at the foot of MatterhornThis morning, we take the famous Gornergrat cog railway from Zermatt across stunning bridges, through galleries and tunnels, idyllic forests, past gorges and mountain lakes with the Matterhorn continually in the field of vision (weather-permitting!), to Gornergrat located at a height of 3089 metres. Surrounded by 29 four-thousand metre high peaks, by the highest Swiss mountain (Dufourspitz in Swiss, better known as Monte Rosa) and by the third-largest glacier in the Alps (Gorner Glacier), the location offers a mountain panorama that couldn't be more overwhelming. We have several hours of walking in this setting that has few rivals in the world - this is mountain walking at its best!
This afternoon is free to wander the well signposted trails leading out of Zermatt. We suggest the scenic trail through larch forests and highland villages to Furi at 1865 m (6,119 feet) with cable car ride back to Zermatt. For the more adventurous, a gondola ride takes you to the plateau below Matterhorn where there is a small lake called the Schwarzsee. In this area you can walk a path around the lake drinking in the mountain vistas and savouring the fresh mountain air. There is a beautiful spot for a picnic near an old chapel by the lake. Alternatively, you could spend the afternoon exploring the alpine town of Zermatt and its well known museum on your own.
Hiking time approx 4 hours, mostly downhill (it's not steep but walking sticks are recommended to save your knees!).
Overnight in Zermatt.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 7:Zermatt - Train to Interlaken & GrindelwaldWe leave Zermatt and take the scenic train ride down the narrow valley to Visp and then through the Lotschberg to Spiez, Interlaken and finally, Grindelwald.
We take a break from the train journey in Interlaken and soak in the atmosphere of this famous town for short break before continuing our journey to Grindelwald.* Interlaken lies in the Bernese Oberland on an alluvial plain, sandwiched between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Famous contemporaries such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Felix Mendelssohn travelled in these mountains.
The small alpine town of Grindelwald lies nestled in unspoilt Alpine landscape at the foot of Eiger's famous north face. The amazing backdrop of the peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau sets the scene for Grindelwald. Weather and water level permitting, we may be able to walk a short distance to Trummelbach Falls as part of our day.
* Weather-permitting, we may be able to visit the nearby Lauterbrunnen Valley (the journey is covered by your rail pass). Weather you elect to visit Lauterbrunnen or spend your time at leisire in Interlaken, our luggage will be placed in secure storage.
Overnight in Grindelwald.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 8:Walking the Bernese AlpsA cable car takes us from Grindelwald into a breathtaking panorama. A gentle undulating trail leads us to the Bachalpsee lake, where a world-famous view of the Eiger opens up before our eyes.
In the foreground lies the Bachalpsee, while the majestic Bernese Alps with their eternal ice form the backdrop. A footpath leads between the two Bachalpsee lakes and then turns south as it continues through a wetland zone of national importance, where the Muhlebach River flows through areas of wet ground and moss. A vast variety of flora delights people along the entire walk; blue and purple gentians, pulsatilla, alpine anemone, primulas and many others lining the trail. From Bachlager to Waldspitz, a sea of mountain roses lies at our feet, with their brilliant red making a striking contrast to the green meadows of the valley and the white glaciers behind. From Waldspitz mountain restaurant, a short footpath leads through fields of alpine roses, wild blueberries, and flower-strewn meadows to the Muhlebach waterfall and on to Bort. From here, we return to Grindelwald by cable car (alternatively you can walk all the way back to Grindelwald).
Total hiking time +/- 4 hours mostly downhill; add +/- 3 hours to walk to Grindelwald (downhill, rather steep and 700m loss)
Overnight in Grindelwald.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 9:Grindelwald: Mannlichen, Kleine Scheidegg & JungfraujochWe travel to Mannlichen at 2222 m/7,300 ft. by cable car and then follow an easy trail in a southerly direction to the east side of the Tschuggen Ridge to reach Honegg. The trail now coils around the slopes of the Lauberhorn and eventually ends at the Rotstocki, from where the Kleine Scheidegg at 2061 m/ 6,760 ft. is within easy reach. The Kleine Scheidegg is the terminus station of the Wengernalp Railway and at the same time, the starting point for ride to Jungfraujoch on the famous Jungfrau Railway.
After a break at Kleine Scheidegg, we board the train for the fantastic ride that takes us to Jungfraujoch or 'Top of Europe', the highest railway station in Europe at 3454m / 11,330 ft. and with views of the Aletsch glacier, the longest in the Alps glacier, also a UNESCO heritage site. All of this adds up to a truly memorable day.
NOTE: In the event of bad weather and poor visibility, we may choose to skip the Jungfraujoch train and spend more in and around Kleine Scheidegg or even in and around Grindelwald. This is not really a hiking day per se, and the difficulty comes mostly from the high elevation. Due to the fullness of our day and likely evening arrival back in Grindevald, we include lunch instead of dinner today.
Hiking time approx. 1.5 hours.
Overnight in Grindelwald.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch - Day 10:Grindewald - Train to LucerneThis morning we take a panoramic train ride to Lucerne and then have a guided tour of this scenic town. The over 600 year old covered bridge in Lucerne is one of the most recognized symbols of Switzerland, which makes the city a major destination for travellers from all over the world. However, Lucerne and the region around Lake Lucerne are also the heart and soul of this country. It was in this region that in 1291 Switzerland was founded by the oath of the representatives of the first three cantons.
Lucerne is situated on both sides of the Reuss River where it exits Lake Lucerne. The old town is charming with narrow streets and buildings in many styles. Lucerne is particularly famous for its covered wooden bridges. The watertower on the restored Kapellbrucke is a well-known landmark. The intact Spreuerbrucke features painted scenes inside illustrating "The Dance of Death". A further landmark of the town is the Museggmauer, a wall which, with the exception only of one of its towers, has been preserved in its original, well-fortified state.
Overnight in Lucerne.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 11:Lucerne & BernA train ride from Lucerne takes us to Bern, Switzerland's capital city with a medieval town centre and a designated a World Heritage Site, dating back to 1191. Bern is the birthplace of Einstein's relativity theory, cradle of Toblerone chocolate and home to the largest Paul Klee collection in the world. The 'old town' is framed by the Aare River and offers spectacular views of the Alps. Not many cities have managed to retain their historic features as successfully as Bern, and the town, with over 6 kms of arcades, (the locals refer to them as 'Lauben'), has one of the longest weather-sheltered shopping promenades in Europe. The elevated Rose Garden above the Bear Pits and the platform of the 101 m high cathedral tower offer the best views of the old town round to the River Aare and beyond. The boutiques, bars and cabaret stages of the old town, many of which are located underground in vaulted cellars, and the small street cafes, attract locals as well as visitors.
A walking tour in Bern will allow us to see some of the town squares and rows of limestone buildings, medieval arcades, the Renaissance period fountains topped with colourful figures, and the beautiful Cathedral surrounded by picturesque rooftops. Bern is truly a gem of medieval architecture.
We travel back to Lucerne by train.
Overnight in Lucerne.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 12:Lucerne & Mt RigiA scenic boat ride on Lake Lucerne takes us to Vitznau where we board Europe's first-ever cog mountain railway up to Mount Rigi. Aware of the scenic location of Mt. Rigi, and driven by his pioneering spirit, 21 year old Swiss engineer Niklaus Riggenbach masterminded the construction of the Vitznau-Rigi Railway in the mid-19th century. In his own words, "I want to take everyone up into the mountains, so they can all enjoy the beauty of our glorious country". Riggenbach's invention, which would guide trains across steep climbs by means of cogwheels and toothed racks, was patented in France in 1863.
From the summit we enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view across the Alps, of 13 lakes and over the entire Swiss Mittelland through to Germany and France. After lunch, we hike along the mountain ridge with great panoramic view to Rigi Kaltbad. From here we take the cable car down to Weggis and then the boat back to Lucerne.
Hiking time approx. 2 hours
Overnight in Lucerne.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 13:Lucerne - Train to Zurich & DepartureWe travel by train (one hour) back to Zurich and the airport to connect with homeward flights.
PLEASE NOTE: Land only passengers must take into account today's train journey when booking flights from Zurich. Trains begin running at 5 am and can take you right to Zurich Airport. Your Tour Leader can assist all passengers in organizing airport transfers at the appropriate time; this ticket is included in the tour price for all participants. Conservatively your departure time from Zurich should be no earlier than 10 am.
BON VOYAGE!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Regions Visited: Western Europe and Central Europe
Countries Visited: Switzerland
Countries Visited: Switzerland
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
Excellent
Overall Rating
4.6
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This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip.
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- Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
- A non-refundable $500 USD deposit is payable at the time of booking
- Optional Single Supplement: $1070 USD (number of singles limited).
This tour may require a mandatory single supplement charge of $540 USD if you join our share program and we are unable to pair you. - Transferring to another tour or tour date is only permissible outside of 120 days prior to departure and is subject to a $100 USD change fee. (Read our cancellation policy for more info.)
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. Get general information on flights to/from the tour.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the maximum number of participants on a trip?Most of our tours carry a maximum of 18 participants; some tours (ie hiking tours) top out at 16. In the event that we do not achieve our minimum complement by our 90-day deadline, we may offer group members the option of paying a "small-group surcharge" as an alternative to cancellation. If all group members agree, we will confirm the trip at existing numbers; this surcharge is refundable in the event that we ultimately achieve our regular minimum. If the small group surcharge is not accepted, we will offer a refund of your deposit or a different trip of your choice.
- Can I extend my tour either at the beginning or end? What about stopovers?Yes, you can extend your tour either at the beginning or the end and we can book accommodation in our tour hotel. Stopovers are often permitted, depending on air routing. Stopovers usually carry a "stopover" fee levied by the airline.
- How do I make a reservation? How and when do I pay?The easiest way to make a reservation is via our website; during office hours, you are also more than welcome to contact us by telephone.
A non-refundable deposit is payable at the time of booking; if a reservation is made within 90 days, full payment is required. Some trips require a larger deposit. If international airline bookings require a non-refundable payment in order to secure space or the lowest available fare, we will require an increase in deposit equal to the cost of the ticket(s).
Early enrolment is always encouraged as group size is limited and some trips require greater preparation time.
Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm your space and send you a confirmation package containing your trip itinerary, any visa/travel permit related documents, invoice, clothing and equipment recommendations, general information on your destination(s), and forms for you to complete, sign and return to us. Your air e-tickets (if applicable), final hotel list, final trip itinerary, and instructions on how to join your tour, will be sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure. - What about cancellations, refunds, and transfers?Please review our cancellation policy page for details.
- I am a single who prefers my own room. What is a single supplement?All of our tours have a single supplement for those who want to be guaranteed their own room at each location.
This supplement is a reflection of the fact that most hotels around the world do not discount the regular twin-share rate for a room by 50% for only one person occupying a room. Most hotels will give a break on the price, but usually in the range of 25-30% of the twin-share rate. This difference, multiplied by each night, amounts to the single supplement.
The conventional amount can also vary from country to country and some destinations are more expensive than others for single occupancy. In order to be "single friendly," the supplements we apply are not a profit centre for us and we do our best to keep them as reasonable as possible.
On most tours we limit the number of singles available, not to be punitive, but rather because many hotels allow for only a limited number of singles; some smaller hotels at remote locations also have a limited number of single rooms available.
Please note that most single rooms around the world are smaller than twin-share rooms and will likely have only one bed. - Do you have a shared accommodation program?Yes! If you are single traveller and are willing to share, we will do our best to pair you with a same-gender roommate. On most of our tours, if we fail to pair you, we will absorb the single supplement fee and you will default to a single room at no extra charge. At some destinations, however, where single rooms are not significantly discounted, or not at all, we may apply a "mandatory" single in the event that we cannot find you a share partner. This is usually 50% of the usual supplement, but can be as much as 100%. If applicable, this proviso will be noted on each tour page on this website, on your invoice, and in our tour date/price book (available for download under "Resources").
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