My partner and I are spending five days hiking and exploring the Berner Oberland area, including the Northface and Panoramaweg hikes. We are staying in Wengen and planning our hikes from there. How rugged can we expect the hiking to be? We are experienced hikers in our late 50s, and are wondering if we will need a solid, stable hiking shoe or if will we be OK with a lighter trail running shoe? We are trying to pack light and don't want to bring a hefty hiking shoe along if we don't have to. Thanks!
Posted by
Schaumburg, IL
320 posts
Running shoe fine on most trails…
Posted by
NorCal
503 posts
Can speak to Panoramaweg hike, it's not rugged at all. Just a beautiful walk from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg where tennis shoes will suffice just fine. If the weather is cooperative, be sure to stop at Grindelwaldblick (15+/- minutes before you reach KS) for a celebratory beverage on their deck.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1355 posts
We do intense, difficult hikes in the Berner Oberland, as well as the ones you've mentioned, all in trail runners. We use hiking poles for the more intense hikes, but you don't need them on the Northface unless you prefer them. The Panorama from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg isn't a hike. It's a downhill scenic walk on a perfectly manicured trail. If you have other trails you're considering, I can speak to those.
Posted by
Chicago
4293 posts
You can check out the panorama walk from Mannlichen here:
Posted by
37 posts
When I visited and hiked on trails in the Berner Oberland for multiple days, I brought my low hiking shoes. I was happy that I made that decision because it made the hikes more comfortable. Parts of some trails were rocky. I wouldn’t say, however, that they are a must-have. I like the advice that if you wear hiking shoes for hikes back home, then wear them for hikes abroad.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1984 posts
It really depends on the trail you pick and what type of ankle support you need. As others have mentioned, the trail or basically an atv wide path from Mannlichen to Kleins Scheidegg is an easy walk down the mountain and very popular whereas some of the other trails are actual hikes. The Wengen TI had trail maps or you can go online to something like Alltrails.com to get an idea of what trails there are and at what level.
Posted by
OP
HTX
17 posts
Thanks for the suggestions! I think we will stick with trail runners (I find myself using them more frequently for hiking), but I would also like to hear any recommendations for other scenic hikes in the Berner Oberland.
Posted by
Chicago
4293 posts
Forum member shoe put this guide together--Hiking in the Lauterbrunnen/Berner Oberland Area.
Posted by
Switzerland
418 posts
I really enjoyed this hike—there’s a steep uphill climb right at the start, but it’s absolutely worth it for the views at the top. The route is about 5.1 km (3.2 miles), with 520 m (1,706 ft) of ascent and 110 m (361 ft) of descent, and takes roughly 2 hours, plus extra time if you want to relax and take in the scenery.
I’ve seen some people recommend doing it in the opposite direction, but for me, the joy of hiking is in the climb itself—earning those views, working up a bit of a sweat, and then taking a well-deserved break at the top. Taking a gondola up and then walking down the steepest sections just doesn’t feel the same. You end up focusing more on your footing and straining your knees, rather than enjoying the landscape. It’s just not quite “hiking” in the way I like it.
Mountain View Trail - I like using Switzerland Mobility app, it is updated regularly with any trail closures/info that you need to know. You can take a look at the route and photos of exact locations along the way and see if it appeals to you.