Hikes in the Wengen area

When is this trip? that makes a difference.

in the early September

You'll probably be able to get some good tips from this book - https://www.amazon.ca/Walking-Switzerlands-Berner-Oberland-Jungfrau/dp/B0DS2473XB . I believe it's updated on a regular basis.

Not looking for anything too challenging and really just want to wander around and enjoy the views, eat cheese out of a hut and hear the cowbells.

Not sure what you will find to be challenging. If you start with an easy one you can then compare it with the others on your list. In AllTrails look at the overall ascent/descent as well as the elevation profile so that you can see what the steepest sections will be like.

Arrival Day - Panorama Trail: Mannlichen-Kleine Scheidegg. You can extend the hike by continuing on to Wengernalp (where you catch the train back to Wengen - not fully covered by STP), and purchase cheese from the farm stand on your way.

If you find this hike to be just right then try out Grütschalp - Mürren (transportation covered by STP) and for sure the easiest walk on your list Stechelberg - Lauterbrunnen.

At Schynige Platte you can take an easier trail, explore the Alpine Gardens for example, or you can up your game, be prepared to work harder than the previous hikes and do Schynige Platte Panoramic trail: Daube-Oberberghorn. For this one I wear hiking boots and use my hiking poles. Doesn’t have to be actual boots, but footwear made for hiking is essential so that you have proper traction.

I am sending you some links with photos that may help, as well as one for the North Face trail and Bachalpsee, but you will basically know after day one which of the hikes will be the most enjoyable for you.

Thank you so much for your help!

We will be arriving in Wengen in early September and I bought the book linked above. It’s very informative and it will help us choose which hikes will be best for us. I’m definitely taking it with us.

Thank you!

With 2.5 days, I’d recommend this below, but you’re never going to get away with not paying for transportation.

The Flex Pass is not the best option in Wengen, as it does not ever include mountain transportation to uninhabited places (Kleine Scheidegg, Allmendhubel, Schynige Platte or Grindelwald First), so if you want to do any of that, you just have to pay and you’re not going to like the full price tickets, which is why other pass/discount card options are better for this area. However, if you've already bought the Flex Pass, then you'll just have to swallow the costs in order to enjoy the place you're visiting.

1/2 day - Cable car to Mannlichen > walk to Kleine Scheidegg > train back to Wengen

1 day - Wengen > train to Lauterbrunnen > walk to Stechelberg > cable car up to Murren > funicular to Allmendhubel > Northface hike counterclockwise > Murren train to Grutschalp > cable car to Lauterbrunnen > train to Wengen

1 day - Wengen > train to Lauterbrunnen > train to Wilderswil > cog train to Schynige Platte > Panorama trail Oberberghorn Loucherhorn > SP to Wilderswil > train to Lauterbrunnen > train to Wengen

I'll also say thank you, Wanderweg - Your detailed post about how to use the three days will come in very handy for me on a future trip.

One other thought occurred to me.... if you just want to "wander around and enjoy the views, eat cheese out of a hut and hear the cowbells" you might have a look a hike starting in Mürren. Take the Allmend-Hubel funicular to the top and then take the trail that goes down into the valley. If I remember correctly, if you're standing at the top and looking downhill, the trail is to your right. There used to be one or two hotels there, where you can stop for a break (I haven't checked to see if they're currently open). As you continue downhill back to Mürren, you should be able to hear cowbells as there were lots of them when I hiked that way several years ago. The funicular railway operates in summer from mid-June to mid-October.

One place you might be able to get cheese form a hut is Gimmelwald, which is just downhill from Mürren. It's an easy walk down a paved path and you could also stop at the Pensione or the Mountain Hostel for a "cool one" to recuperate from your hike.

Thank you so much - everyone is so helpful on this site! I appreciate it!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. We will also be in Wengen for 2 plus days in mid September. The suggested hikes look great. We will not have a vehicle and will rely on public transportation. Wanderweg- you mentioned the Swiss Travel Flex Pass may not be optimal in order to reach some of the destinations outlined. What travel pass would you recommend for similar time frame (2.5 days) and similar itinerary? Lastly should such travel pass be purchased in advance of travel (online) or when we arrive (TI center)? Many thanks.

Recommending a pass requires knowing your full Switzerland itinerary (entry/exit/bases and planned activities)

Wanderweg - Thanks for the note re travel passes. We will be staying in Wengen the second week of September and have around 2.5 days to sightsee. Your itinerary that you provided earlier on Aug 16 is likely what we would follow. I hope that is enough info to help with guidance on which travel pass is suitable.

In addition, do you recommend we get the travel passes in advance of our travels (online) or upon arrival in Wengen (at TI ?) ?
Thank you and everyone for your suggestions !!

I was just browsing Rick at lunch and he has many suggested BO walking tours, mostly around Murren

September is a great time for the Bernese Oberland.
But 2 1/2 days is on the short side.

Remember. No trip plan survives contact with Mountain Weather. We currently had about 48 hours of continuous rain. That is not common, but it happens. With such a short visit you have no margin to plan around the weather.

Anway. All trails should be open, and all railways and cable cars as well.

Just to repeat: The flex pass may not be the best option, especially if you expect to use it to get discounts on mountain railways.

Kevin - I recommend purchasing your pass(es) the night before your travel. There is no benefit to buying in person and it just takes up unnecessary time. Plus, if you're getting the half fare card and/or regional passes, you want to be able to use them immediately once you land.

Thanks for all the tips - we purchased the flex pass to cover not just Wengen.....we are traveling Switzerland to Italy - for a total of nine extra days

I have not yet been to this area, but its on the list so I have been collecting information. Here is some hike information from one of the posters on this site.

https://lauterbrunnenhiking.wordpress.com/lauterbrunnen-hiking/murren-hikes/

Tammy, thanks for sharing.

Your welcome Andrea!