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Best of Germany, Switzerland and Austria

Going on the tour this Sept. wondering about hikes and trains in Switzerland. Any helpful hints about this trip? Hikes in Switzerland and getting train tickets? Thanks!

Posted by
14751 posts

Your guide will go over hikes with the group. Many in my group did harder hikes. I and 2 other solo women wanted to do an easier hike from Almendhubel back to Muerren. Carlos got everyone on the funicular and sorted us out at the top.

The other full day I think everyone wanted to do the iconic Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg so we went together although once we got started on the hike we spread out and took our time. We went down to the bus via gondola which was parked at Stechelberg. The bus drove us to Truemmelbach Falls then on to Lauterbrunnen. From there we went up to Wengen and Mannlichen. Coming back down by cog train as a group we took the gondola up and the small train across to Muerren. It’s way easier and seamless to do than to explain!!

No need to buy any gondola or cog train tickets ahead of time. Just wait until the day. I think he might have done a group purchase for the Schilthorn and we paid him back. Anyway you’d not want to do that ahead because if it’s clouded In it’s useless to go up.

Do take a look at some hike suggestions to have some things in mind BUT don’t purchase anything ahead and you’ll want to get your guide’s trail recommendations.

This is an awesome tour!!

Posted by
7072 posts

I see you plan to stay after the tour for a few days. Are you able to arrive a bit early for the tour as well? The Rhine River Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers excellent hiking options. Sadly, it's not part of your tour. But it's right between Frankfurt and Cologne (where your tour starts, right?) with train lines on each side of the river, making trail access very simple. And you might be taking the train right through this area to reach Cologne anyway...

The Rhine Castle trail (Rheinburgenweg in German) connects castles and towns along the left bank; the hiking segment between Oberwesel and St. Goar is particularly nice, with some nice stops on the way, including a scenic overlook for viewing the Loreley cliffs...

https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Rheinburgenweg

http://www.wandern-ohne-auto.de/Rheinburgen/Karte_Rheinburgenweg2.jpg

The Günderodehaus, a film set turned restaurant/museum just off the trail near Oberwesel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jKdtO_hOFc

Map and photos of this hike segment: https://www.komoot.com/tour/458475645

A night or two in St. Goar, maybe with a river cruise, a visit to Rheinfels Castle, and a great hike, could be a real addition to your tour.

Posted by
40 posts

Thank you arriving a day early and adding Budapest at the end. Thank you