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Less strenuous hikes/trails for parents in Bernese Oberland area

We are visiting BO area in September (staying in Wengen) with our parents. They are in their early 80s and wanted your recommendations on simple walks. They can walk short distances on relatively level ground, with possibilities of stops to rest a bit, say every 20-30 min. I have read a little about the trails from Mannlichen to Klein Scheidegg, and Murren to Gimmelwald, but was not fully sure about the degree of difficulty any places to sit down if needed. Thank you for your advice!

Posted by
261 posts

Murren to Gimmelwald is an easy slightly downhill paved path with great views
-from Gimmelwald you can take the cable car back up to Murren or down to the
Valley floor in a few minutes...I leave for Lauterbrunnen on Friday!

Posted by
351 posts

They should be able to do the Mannlichen to KS hike as it is mostly level (or ever so slightly downhill) and there are a few resting points with benches at times. The Murren to Gimmelwald is easy enough but too much of a decline for them I would think. Walking the valley floor will be flat and lovely for them though.

Posted by
7130 posts

Another option if the previous replies still seem too much for them - take the train up to Wengen. The views are amazing, and there are paved walks along the edge of this cute town. Later, they could take the train up to Kleine Scheidegg (instead of the Mannlichen gondola and walking across to KS.) There’s a small restaurant/gift shop, etc. in that area with outdoor tables to enjoy the magnificent view.

Posted by
5508 posts

Murren to Gimmelwald would be delightful for them, but I agree that it could be too steep. If you decide its not a possibility, you can still get to Gimmelwald via the gondola to walk around the town for a bit. The main part of the village is flat.

Posted by
285 posts

Plenty of paved walking paths all around the valley, nearly every village has stunning views that will absolutely blow your mind. You don't need unpaved hikes to feel more alive than you can imagine. Most of the actual hikes have a lot of grade, up or down and those could be tough.

On the valley floor the walk from Lauterbrunnen to the other end of the valley is flat and stunning.

Posted by
1216 posts

Very easy route might be to take the train to Mürren, walk through the town and catch the cable car at the other end of town. While there, you could opt to take the Allmendhubel funicular and stroll to the restaurant at the top. Plenty of spaces to sit and view the mountains. When taking the cable car down from Mürren, you could get off at Gimmelwald and visit the town and the hostel/restaurant there. Lovely views.

Posted by
18 posts

Thank you all! As we are staying in Wengen, I think the following recommended should work for them and we can add/take out if they feel tired.
1. Walk around Wengen - paved walks along the edge
2. When(if) we visit Jungfraujoch, on the way down stopp at Klein Scheidegg and enjoy the outdoors at the restaurant/walk around a little
3. On another day we visit Schilthorn, on the way down (or up) stop at Murren, walk around. Believe there is also a good outdoor restaurant there?
4. Take gondola (same as cable car?) down to Gimmelwald. Walk around
5. Go down to Lauterbrunnen, walk around the valley
6. Back to Wengen
This way we experience the mountain tops, views from either side of the mountain villages and also the valley. Can't wait to be there again, ten years after our first visit (that time it was with our kids).

Posted by
1216 posts

Numbers 3 & 4 are both stops on the Schilthorn cableway. Mürren is somewhat larger. There are outdoor and indoor places to eat in each. Wish I were there!

Posted by
1443 posts

The L valley is a good option for them. They can visit the Trummelbach falls to cool off and if they get tired, they can just stop and wait for the bus.