We are excited about visiting Grindelwald (3 days) and Murren (3 days) for 6 days toward the end of June. We would like to do a number of day hikes from 3-5 hours. We would love suggestions for easy, moderate or difficult (on the moderate side) day hikes in this area and directions to the starting point. Are there some good rainy day hikes or other fun activities? We will either have a regional Oberland train pass or a Swiss Pass for transit. We will be there for the beginning of summer and wondered if there are any cultural events to celebrate the beginning of summer. We so appreciate your advice.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11337 posts
Rick Steves' Switzerland guidebook lists several great hikes in the Berner Oberland. Beyond that, the TI can help you with many more options. The BO Pass is a great deal, and if you have a Swiss Half-Fare Card for other journeys you are doing in the country, you get an additional discount on the BO Pass. Actually any Swiss Pass gives you half-off most mountain railways and cableways (Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn excepted), but the BO Pass makes it less expensive if you take a lot of lifts. We always come out ahead with the pass on our hiking trips. Since you will be in Grindelwald, the lift at First and the hikes up there are terrific.
Posted by
Alabama, USA
271 posts
Original post.
Posted by
Florida
1443 posts
This guy has a list of solid hikes in both areas. If it's a cloudy day or you are sick of hiking, then biking in the Lauterbrunnen valley is a fun alternative. You can rent your bike in the valley, take it up to Grutschalp on the cable car and then ride it downhill to Gimmelwald, down to the valley on another cable car, and then take the flat route back to Lauterbrunnen.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for the great suggestions for full/half day hikes, best deal with train pass and additional ideas to do if the weather becomes rainy (as I see it might during that time of the year). I will check out these additional resources to focus our time in this area. Since this time will be at the beginning of summer (a popular reason for a celebration in Scandinavia) I thought there might be some local festival in the area for the first day of summer. Is this celebrated in the Swiss Alps? The longest day of the year is reason to celebrate anywhere you are. Your assistance is greatly appreciated in this trip planning process.
Posted by
7 posts
The hikes are great around that area. What i would do first is google hiking in grindelwald, murren and you will be able to print out a map of the area with the names of the chairlifts. From grindelwald there is First, bear to your left as you leave lift area, go to lake , there is a map near lift and signs along the way. Many cows along the way with their bells ringing. There are benches by the lake to rest. Keep going now it is uphill but gradual. It flattens out after you see the hostel. This will be an all day hike if you keep going ,then take train back to grindelwald.
Even if it is raining go hiking , wear waterproof jackets, and cover your daypack .
Posted by
www
20 posts
here is a page on train pricing in Jungfrau area to help with Laurel's suggestion for the BO regional card.
Their site also has hiking trail details times and grade