Good base for a variety of day hikes in Switzerland

Muerren, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Grindlewald, or Gimmelwald are great hiking bases in the Bernese Oberland. There are many other great hiking regions in the country but I'd start your research there.

I have loved staying in Murren, but should also note that part of the reason I love it is because of the easy-to-moderate hike options there for when I want an easy-ish hike with gorgeous scenery. However, there are several harder hikes right in Murren (thinking of the hike up to Schilthorn which is very difficult) and many others a train ride away.

Lauterbrunnen is my 1st choice (central for transportation), then Murren (several hikes start there), then Grindelwald (close to First, several hikes from there). I've sent a map and our fav hikes in the area to your private forum mail. Click on your name in upper right of this page.

Of all the places we’ve stayed in Switzerland so far, the Jungfrau Region is the best for hiking overall. So many options and such great transportation. We like to stay in Lauterbrunnen so we can easily access both sides of the valley. Rick Steves outline smany hikes in his guidebook and online you can find many many more. Try www.myswitzerland.com.

Mürren & The Berner Oberland are fantastic for hiking. My fiance and I got engaged on a hike above Mürren, with nothing but craggy peaks and clanging cows surrounding us.

For me, Lauterbrunnen, without question. Easier access to hikes on both sides of the valley. In Murren and Wengen, getting to the other side of the Lauterbrunnen valley adds some logistics and time. Grindelwald even more so. We stayed in Lauterbrunnen for 5 days earlier this month and hiked every day on different sides of the valley. I also prefer the atmosphere in Lauterbrunnen, it's more of an outdoors feel, Wengen and Murren seemed more "touristy." In Lauterbrunnen, almost everyone on the streets was wearing real, well-worn hiking boots. However, restaurant options are limited and the town rolls up and closes pretty early.

Another vote for Lauterbrunnen. As others have mentioned, it's the transportation hub for that area so easy to get to both sides of the valley. You may want to look at one of the Swiss passes as that will reduce your transportation costs somewhat. This is one that you could consider - https://www.regionalpass-berneroberland.ch/en/ .

You may find this website helpful in figuring out the passes - https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/switzerland-rail-passes .

As this is your first visit to Switzerland, be sure to budget accordingly as it's expensive. I'd suggest getting a hotel booked soon as I'm sure August will be busy. This website may help - https://www.myswissalps.com/lauterbrunnen/hotels (or check the RS Switzerland guidebook). You might want to pack a copy of the book along, as it will be good reference for finding hikes, etc. while you're there.

Just to agree with everyone else that the Berner Oberland is where you want to be. There is a huge variety of hikes there, from easy to very difficult, and from long to short. Plus, there are lots of options of lifts, buses, and cogwheel trains, if you want or need motorized transit at the beginning or end of a hike, or if you're just tired.

Which of the towns to stay in? Everyone has their favorite, but for me they're all good, with pluses and minuses to each. You really can't go wrong with whichever one you end up in. I personally wouldn't stay in Gimmelwald, as it's very small with very few eating options and no supermarket, but I'd stay in any of the others (Lauterbrunnen, Muerren, or Wengen) in a heartbeat!

Thank you to everyone for your help and suggestions. We're taking this trip quite last minute so I didn't have much time to do a lot of research. I now have a good idea where we want to spend the hiking portion of our 8 days in Switzerland.