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Good Home Base for BO when you want to hike the "greatest hits" of the area.

Hello all! I know there are hundreds of posts on this topic (& I've read most of them :), but is Wengen a better home base for a first timer like me? Husband and I will be in BO for 4 nights in mid-September and my focus is hiking. I am a moderate to challenging hiker and he is easy to moderate (we've both done big hikes at Glacier Nat'l Park and Yosemite). Since it is our 1st time and not sure when we'll be back, I want to do: Schynige Platte panorama trail; Grindlewald First to to Bachalpsee; Mannlichen to KS; maybe part of Eiger Trial; Northface Trail; Murren to Gimmedwald; and the valley floor to Trummelbach Falls. Here is my issue, my first choice would be Murren b'c I love the more "in your face" mountain views of Murren, BUT I'm concerned w/time up and down the mountain especially if I am chasing good weather and b'c lots of stuff I want in on the Wengen side. Second, I'm concerned about the amount of sunlight in Murren in September and what time the sun dips behind the mountains, is it much earlier than in Wengen? Ultimately, I think I will be happy w/Wengen and it will give me an excuse to come back someday to stay in Murren! Thank you for any thoughts! (PS, I think I've settled on a 4 day Jungfrau Pass as we won't be moving beyond the BO bubble and we are not doing Jungfraujoch or top of Schilthorn).

Posted by
2375 posts

I stayed in Lauterbrunnen on my first trip (August 2022). I visited Murren and Wengen. Now I'm planning to go back and I will choose Wengen.

Posted by
6231 posts

I'm team Murren, ( I know Carrie.....) The golden sunsets are beautiful, and going up and down the valleys in the gondolas is part of the scenic adventure.
You basically have no bad decisions here. I would avoid Lauterbrunnen because of the long early shadows from the surrounding mountains.
You'll be in the BO at a wonderful time, but decide and book asap, as lodging could already be limited.
Enjoy this incredible area. Safe travels!

Posted by
618 posts

Wengen for the win. Incredible views down the valley, accessible and tourist amenities.