I saw similar postings in this or other forums but still would like to ask this question. I have to admit that my thoughts are mixed up (it is supposed to be fun but I am now stressed out..) and so are my questions. Hopefully wise answers from the travel experts and fellow travelers please.
I and my mother will be traveling Switzerland in early June: 3 nights in Wengen/Lauterbrunnen and 3 nights in Luzern, (and 3 nights in Munich). I read Rick's book and he suggests Murren or Lauterbrunnen when it comes to Berner Oberland. However, I ruled out Murren, though appealing, as the transportation seems a bit more complicated (we will be traveling from Montreux). I also got the advice that Wengen would be a good place especially for my elderly mother, when I asked the itinerary questions.
Now I am in between Lauterbrunnen (Hotel Oberland/Crystal annex) and Wengen (Hotel Alpenrose or Hotel Caprice). My questions.. We are not that active people and need to have some flexibility in itinerary. If the weather does not permit, we probably have to visit Wengen and/or Murren, do some mild hiking, and give up going to Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn. Is that a bad idea/plan? If that is the case, Lauterbrunnen would be a better place to stay? If Wengen is still a better/nicer place to stay overall, any recommendation about hotels? Anyone has stayed the hotels listed above? Alpenrose seems nice but the walk to the train station is uphill so maybe not good for my mother. Any advice would be very appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Jessie,
My suggestion would be Lauterbrunnen as it's the most central town to use as a home base in that area. It's the rail hub for the valley and easy to get to either Mürren or Wengen from there. It's relatively flat so it will be easy for walking, and Hotel Oberland is a good choice.
Taking a day trip to have a look at Mürren and the cable car ride to the Schilthorn would be easy, albeit pricey (as with anything else in Switzerland). The cable car rides are spectacular (assuming you don't have a fear of heights).
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
The transportation in the Berner Oberland only seems complicated. Once you get there, it's very clear and easy.
You first get to Lauterbrunner through Interlaken Ost. Then, you go up one side of the valley to Muerren, or up the other side to Wengen. To Wengen, you take a train; to Muerren, you take first a lift and then a train. These forms of transportation are all coordinated and run several times per hour - just hop on the next one leaving.
So, don't overthink this - you really can't lose.
If you're worried about your mother climbing places, make sure your hotel has an elevator. In 2014, I stayed in Muerren at the Hotel Edelweiss. The walk from the Muerren station involved in incline from the station (if you go out the back of the station, you can take the incline instead of stairs), then a level walk through a bit of the town to the hotel, which then had an elevator. In 2017, I stayed in Lauterbrunnen at the Hotel Silberhorn. This involved walking up stairs or a steeper incline to town from the train station, then up a bit of a hill to the hotel, then stairs in the hotel as it had no elevator. Both were fine stays, but I noted that my hotel in Muerren (which people think is "less accessible") was actually easier to access than my hotel in Lauterbrunnen. Lifts did most of the work, and I had less climbing overall.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Murren transportation more complicated than Wengen transportation??? No way. I'm there every year and visit both villages. When people have to use words to describe the connections up into the little villages it can sound daunting. Once you've experienced it you'll realize it was worry over nothing.
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
I agree with the other posters.
Lauterbrunnen is the most level town in the area. It also has the most level path in the area. You can walk south to Trummelbach Falls down the valley floor and in a little less than an hour Trummelbach Falls will be on your left. You won't see it because it is inside the mountain, but you'll likely see the tour buses. Also, the level trail takes a jog to the left as you get close. Worth seeing. You can walk back or take the yellow Postbus back to Laut. for a few dollars.
The other two fairly level trails in that area are
Mannlichen (above Wengen) to Kleine Scheidegg, 1.5 hours. Google image "Mannlichen" to see. This is the best in the region.
Grutschalp (cable car up from Laut.), then walk to Winteregg (cheese making in a building just up the hill from Winteregg, look in the windows), or walk further to Murren and look around. You can take the train back to Grutschalp.
This all makes more sense when you look at a good map. Click on it to magnify:
http://ontheworldmap.com/switzerland/ski/jungfrau/jungfrau-summer-map.jpg
