Hello,
I am spending four nights in Murren in late August and am looking for some hikes to do. Can anyone recommend a go-to website so I can plan what hikes I want to do in advance? My hotel said they would discuss when I arrive, but I would like to start planning now. Thank you!
My Switzerland is good. Also, do not overlook the Rick Steves Switzerland guide. He outlines several good hikes. This has also been discussed here on the Forum lately, so you might search for similar topics.
We will be heading back to the B.O area again later this month and found this blog/site helpful:
http://www.momstotszurich.com/category/region/jungfrau-region/
Switzerland does excellent maps showing all hiking routes ("Wanderwegen") at scales of 1:50,000 or 1:60,000. You can buy these at "all good bookshops" in Switzerland.
You can also get the maps online.
1) Go to: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/
2) Click the green "hiking in Switzerland" box on the left.
3) Zoom to your desired part of Switzerland
4) Click on "Print" and generate a PDF amp at your desired scale.
You can print this PDF or download it to your phone for later use.
For example: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=en&bgLayer=pk&resolution=10&E=2634640&N=1155830&layers=Wanderland
The green lines are "Wanderweg". The solid lines are normal paths, the dotted ones are harder mountain paths.
In addition to online resources there are also lots of printed/kindle guidebooks specific to hiking in CH like this one:
One of our favorite day hikes is from Murren to the Rotstock mountain hut. This hike is about 12 kilometers, round-trip, with wonderful views all the way. It has one steep climb and a few rocky descents, but nothing technical or too strenuous, and the views looking out from the Wasenegg ridge across the beautifully desolate valley toward the Schilthorn are worth it. On the trial out, stop at the cheesemakers hut at Schiltap. Then have a leisurely lunch at Rotstock hut before you head back to Murren via the ridge trail that descends to Spielbodenalp and Gimmeln, where you can have an afternoon coffee and kuchen. General hiking maps are available locally. More detailed maps are available from Schweizer Wanderwege. Maps #254T and #264T cover the whole area on both sides of the valley. http://www.swisstopo.admin.ch/internet/swisstopo/de/home/products/maps/leisure/hiking/hiking_50.html
For hiking choices get a copy of Kev Reynolds book "The Bernese Alps: A Walker's Guide" http://www.amazon.com/bernese-alps-walkers-guide/dp/1852844515. It contains all the information you will need for hiking in the Lauterbrunnental area.
Thank you all for the feedback!
