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2 days in Bernese Oberland help needed

Posted by (California ) on

We will have two days in Bernese Oberland area around October 22, possibly as two day trips from Lucerne, possibly with one overnight in between two days. Of the below, what do you think can be accomplished realistically at a relaxed pace? (I may have things mixed up so please feel free to correct me or make better suggestions to see that beautiful area as much as possible with the limited time.) TIA.

1) Lauterbrunnen to Murren via Grütschalp cable car then hike to Gimmelwald. Can eat at The Pension. Then back to Lauterbrunnen via gondola.

2) Panorama Trail-Lauterbrunnen to Wengen cable car to Mannlichen, walk to Kleine Scheidegg and then train back to Lauterbrunnen.

3) explore Lauterbrunnen and see Staubbachfall andTrummelbachfalls

(Can 1-3 be done in one day?)

4) Interlaken Ost to Harder Kulm via funicular. (Is this worth our time?)

5) Grindelwald First gondola/First cliff walk

6) Brienz Rothorn Bahn train from Lake Brienz up to summit

7) Thun from Lauterbrunnen.

8) Lake Brienz- take boat across the lake, stop at Iseltwald and hike to Giessbach Falls.

Posted by
7575 posts

1-2-3 in a single day starting from Luzern is too much, especially with shorter days in October.
I would do just 2-3, and do check operation dates for the Männlichen cable car (if closed, do 1 & 3).

Harder Kulm is for people who don't have time to go further.

I'm not as familiar with the Grindelwald side & with Lake Brienz, but i'd definitely spend the night in the area rather than doing 2 day trips from Luzern.

Posted by
304 posts

You have some great ideas! Yes, you can do these things as a day trip from Luzern, (obviously not all in just two days) you will need to prioritise, especially if you want to keep a relaxed pace. Here is how you can go about it:

  • Look on SBB for travel times. Luzern - Mürren can take from 2h 48 min - 3h 24 min. depending on the route. Choose the faster (and also more scenic) route - it runs only once an hour, so you do need to plan ahead. Start as early as possible to get the most out of the day.
  • Stick to one area each day, for example combine 1 & 3 or 2 & 3. Possibly 2 & 5 if you have enough time, at Kleine Scheidegg take the train to Grindelwald, then go up First.
  • Check the weather. Even though these places are close together, that doesn’t mean the weather will be the same. Go to the location with the best weather on the day.
  • If raining focus on the water - boat to Giessbach Falls, hike up behind the falls, boat to Interlaken and train to Lauterbrunnen, explore falls there.
  • Combine routes - if you want to include Thun, then journey back to Luzern via Bern, rather than backtracking to Interlaken. Time it so that you can catch the train that takes only one hour Bern - Luzern. No matter if it is dark by now, this route is not especially scenic.
  • Focus on what you want to do the most. What on your list really appeals to you?

Personally I would skip #4, and depending on what you want to do in Thun, I would skip that as well due to the fact that you have so little time.

You will be going before the end of the season, no problem with that. Männlichen and Grindelwald First last day Oct. 26

https://www.maennlichen.ch/en/summer/information/timetable.html

https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/live/operating-info

Posted by
6618 posts

I'd suggest you spend two nights , if possible. Just being in the BO in the mornings and evenings is magical. No one is ever ready to leave. Enjoy!

Posted by
474 posts

October is tricky in the BOB area. Could be snow, high winds can close the lifts, maintenance is being done that month too thus shutting down the lifts. You will need to be flexible regarding your itinerary and two days is not enough. Most importantly is what is the weather doing that day? Then pick what you want to do based on the weather. A ride up to Mannlichen and a hike in the fog is not fun. But a foggy or raining day inside the Trummelbach falls is just fine. J

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