Looking for constructive feedback on itinerary

I've been based in both Wengen and in Murren. They're incredibly wonderful :)
About your plan for Day 2-
I find going from Murren, (which is up the mountain) and then walking downhill the entire way to Gimmelwald a wonderful alternative to the cable car to Gimmelwald. We've done the walk 2x and it's simply spectacular and easy.

When based in Wengen, we got to the valley, took the cable to Murren, walked to Gimmelwald and then cabled from Stechelberg back to the valley floor.

Those are just my 2 pennies on a small portion of your itinerary :)
ENJOY!

Big picture feedback? You’re trying to fit 3 weeks of activities into 10.5 days. What time of year is this for and are your hotels already set in stone? Assuming that it’s summer and you can’t change

Day 1 - Wengen (store luggage) + Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg (nice, relaxing activity with epic views for your entrance day when you’re tired. Storing luggage in a city is not my favorite arrival day activity personally and your day 2 isn’t realistic)

Day 2 - Wengen > Lauterbrunnen > Grutschalp > Mürren > optional Schilthorn or Allmendhubel for views > Mürren > easy walk down to Gimmelwald (dinner here is better than in Lauterbrunnen) > cable car to Stechelberg > bus to Lauterbrunnen > train to Wengen

Day 3 - Schynige Platte, Lake Brienz and Ballenberg is too much in one day. Personally I found Ballenberg just ok and would skip unless you have a cloudy weather day or just really want to see it. If it’s a non-negotiable, then just do Lake Brienz + Ballenberg, but if you’re into hiking, Schynige Platte has epic views.

Day 4 - Rosenlaui is lovely, but the logistics with the buses make it a very strict schedule and not realistic to do with Bachalpsee/First. And it’s going to be a long commute back to Wengen at the end of the day. Pick one or the other. Or skip both and do Schynige Platte one day and Lake Brienz/Ballenberg the other day.

Day 5 - Montreux + Vevey
Skeptical you’ll have enough time to do all this. It’s 5 hours on the train, so if you plan to also do Chillon and Vevey, you better be leaving Wengen early AM

Day 6 - Lavaux - sounds good

Day 7 - Montreux to Lugano
Stopping in Eggishorn and going via Domodossola is like an 8.5 hour journey not counting stops. It’s 4.5 hours to go the quick way, just do that and give yourself more time for the things already on your list.

Day 8 - Lugano
Morcote is lovely, but I haven’t done some of the other things you’re listing.

Day 9 - Lake Como
TBD

Day 10 - Stoos Ridge + Lucerne
Debatable if this day is realistic, but you can try.
.
Day 11 - Mt Rigi + Lucerne - sounds fine

Day 12 - Departure

It looks like you have really spent time researching the areas you are traveling to - well done!

Some of your days are full, but you seem to be aware of the need to be flexible regarding not enough time, poor weather, etc. and you have built in some alternatives. You can always do your ‘must see’ items at the beginning of each day, adding on to that as time and energy allow.

You don’t need to radically rewrite your itinerary, remember that the majority of what is shared here is opinion and personal preference. Here are my thoughts on your first few days, but as always your holiday should reflect your own preferences, not someone else’s, this is just how I see it:

Day 1 - Looks great! Thun is a beautiful small city the lockers at the train station have recently been redone - there are plenty of them, easy access on track 1, easy to use. There is absolutely no reason that you can’t make a stop there before going to Wengen. If you are arriving on a Wednesday or Saturday you will have the added bonus of it being market day. Great coffee/lunch/treats at Steinmann bakery https://www.confiseriesteinmann.ch/filialen/, you might see people surfing at the wooden bridges, take a walk through the old town and go up into the towers of Schloss Thun.

Day 2 - looks great!

Day 3 definitely full. Note that you have “Take trains to Brienzwiler. Take PostBus #151 to Ballenberg West, Museum.” You will actually take the train just to Brienz main train station where you catch the #151 to Ballenberg. It is also possible to stay on the bus and enter Ballenberg at the Ost entrance.

Day 4 - I love the Rosenlaui valley, as long as you pay attention to the bus schedule (once an hour, except over lunch) and when the final bus runs, you will be fine. The bus stop “Gschwandtenmaad” provides a fantastic view. The section from the Rosenlaui gorge to Gschwandtenmaad is a lovely easy walk along the river, but as with all other days you can just see what time and energy allow. The good thing is that once you arrive in Meiringen you can catch a train back to Wengen until late at night, so it really is just your own energy level that will limit you.

I would say the "alternative" plans are more likely than not due to timing concerns. From what you're seeing, do you think they are the smartest trade-offs or would you swap things around?

Day 2 - Does indeed feel tight but I'm not sure what to do different. Though, SwissNomad seems to be ok with it.

Day 3 - What's the general feeling on the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum? The thinking was that the itinerary is already full of hikes (some which provide repetitive views) so Schynige Platte might be the one to cut and that Ballenberg provides a needed change of pace and some culture.

Day 4 - A full day with Rosenlaui. We'll judge on the day based on energy levels and whether Grindelwald deserves more of our time.

Day 5 - I think it's doable. We'll be leaving Wengen around 8 AM. Worst case we don't make it to Vevey.

Day 7 - This is a travel day but if my research on the train times is right, I think manageable. I don't see it as a wasted day. Parts of the train journey follow the Glacier Express route and the Centovalli Railway is also highly regarded. The Eggishorn stop will be quick but worthwhile for the viewpoint alone? Lugano is still active at night so I think it's ok to arrive there late.

Day 10 - We're staying in Lugano the night before and the station is just a few minutes walk away. The train journey to Stoos is about 2.5 hrs. Assuming we start hiking at around 12 pm and allow 3-4 hrs to complete it, we would comfortably reach Lucerne around 5-6 PM in time for dinner and a night stroll.

Day 7 with sbb.ch confirmed train times:

• Take trains from Montreux to Fiesch (9:10 AM - 2 hr 12 min* - 11:22 AM)
• Drop off luggage at Fiesch station. Take cable cars to Eggishorn via Fiescheralp. Return to Fiesch.
• Take train to Brig (1:55 PM - 45 min - 2:33 PM) OR (2:55 PM - 45 min - 3:33 PM)
• Take trains to Lugano via Domodossola and Locarno (4:44 PM - 3 hr 40 min* - 8:24 PM)

Anyone know if the Brig to Lugano journey requires pre-booking?

Of course, everything you get here is opinions and personal preferences. I gave you my suggestions based on spending my summers living in Murren and having traveled around the country extensively over the last 15 years. You can do whatever you want, of course, but a very common mistake is trying to cram too much into a day to "check off" items on a list instead of leaving space in your days to soak in the ambiance, slow down and truly enjoy a slightly smaller list of things, instead of rushing from one thing to the next.

For example, is Day 2 possible? Of course it is. If you look at train times you'll find that logistically it is possible. But possible and enjoyable are two different things. If you just do your trip by timetables, you're going to miss out on the enjoyment of stopping for a drink with a view, taking your hike slow to stop and just stare at the epicness, etc. You can make your itinerary this packed and go to a lot of places, but whether you truly see them is debatable.

Day 2 - We've given you differing opinions. See my comments above. I stand by mine.

Day 3 - Schynige Platte is not a repetitive view. It's a ridge hike with views of the lakes and mountains simultaneously and the open air cog train is a different experience than other things on your list. I had high expectations of Ballenberg, assuming it would be more like Colonial Williamsburg with authentic costumes, traditional methods, etc. Instead, they were using a giant kitchenaid type mixer to make the bread, the workers were wearing modern Ballenberg branded clothes, they were using trucks and tractors with the animals, yard work, etc. You can see traditional Swiss buildings all over the mountains, so I found it disappointing that you weren't truly immersed in a historical experience, the way they do in Williamsburg. Some people love it, I found it kitchy.

Day 7 - Sounds like you've determined that's the best option for you, so no further comments necessary.

Day 10 - The journey to Stoos is 2.5 hours, but you then have to walk through the village to take multiple chair lifts up to the hiking point, do the hike and then get back down and walk through the village to the funicular, so your timing for this activity should be more like 5-6 hours. SBB doesn't accurately give info on the requirements/costs of getting from Stoos to Klingenstock, etc. and people underestimate this hike.

I gave you my suggestions based on spending my summers living in
Murren and having traveled around the country extensively over the
last 15 years

Double that for me — I’ve been married to a Swiss for 33 years and have been visiting regularly ever since. I've lived here permanently for over a decade now, year-round, and know the country well from everyday life, not just travel.

But ultimately, who cares how long anyone has been here? Saying “I like Coke” vs. “I like Pepsi” doesn’t become more valid just because someone’s been drinking one for 33 years — it’s still just personal preference.

Wanderweg and I often have different opinions, and that’s actually great — it gives travelers a wider range of perspectives to consider.

For context: I'm in my early 60s, hike and cycle regularly, consider myself moderately fit, and enjoy day trips across Switzerland. I’ll happily travel up to four hours one way on the train — whether it's to enjoy a hike in Appenzell or have a birthday lunch in Locarno. I have done this many times, it just means a later, somewhat sleepy train ride home in the evening.

So from my perspective, you can fit a lot into a day if that’s your style. As long as you’re aware of the last bus, boat, or train back, I don’t see the harm in taking a bit of a risk and seeing how much you can enjoy — but that’s just me.

Thoughts on Ballenberg - for sure it doesn't interest everyone, but I love it. I really enjoy history as well as learning more about Switzerland.

Ballenberg does a great job of showcasing traditional Swiss crafts like weaving, basket-making, cheese-making — and yes, baking bread in a Holzofen (wood-fired oven). Maybe they do use a modern mixer behind the scenes — I’ve never noticed — but the focus of the demonstration is the oven house itself and how bread was once baked communally in villages.

There’s a lot that’s hands-on, and you can go into all the buildings. They are from nearly every region of Switzerland, so you really get a sense of the country’s architectural diversity.

The farm animals are all rare Swiss breeds, part of ongoing efforts to preserve Switzerland’s agricultural heritage — a detail I really appreciate.

As for the clothing: I’ve seen many people in traditional Swiss attire. It may not always stand out to everyone — for instance, the man making cheese often wears the typical blue shirt still worn by farmers today. Just because it’s still in everyday use (and sold at the Ballenberg shop or around Switzerland, thanks to a company in Meiringen) doesn’t make it any less traditional.

Yep, it’s great to have various perspectives to get a good idea of what’s personally best for you. I’m in my late 30s and my husband and I hike and travel extensively. We’ve done hustle trips and slow travel, so there can be value in either, but I would say the overarching theme I hear in talking to fellow travelers is that they tried to do too much, move too much and wish they had slowed down a bit. Of course that’s not 100% of people, but it is a lot, and I happen to agree that when we focus on flexible, slow travel we often have the best experiences.

For example, we were in Meiringen biking over the Grosse Scheidegg pass last week and had a leisurely no rushed plan for the day. When we got to the train station to head home to Mürren, I happened to see an old open air steam train that said it was going to Interlaken, so I started taking photos of it because it was so cute. The conductor ended up asking us if we’d like to ride along, he put my bike in the car with the metal buckets of coal and we got to ride on an authentic 1800s steam train that only operates 5 times a year. All the employees were in traditional costume and we were served beers while hanging out the window enjoying the scenery and seeing people along the route smiling and waving at the steam whistle greeting. It was such a fun experience that we got because we were open, flexible and not rushed.

Anyway, in regard to Ballenberg, my experience is based on my visit from last month. They had the giant modern mixer out front next to the demonstration table and were using it for mixing, the soup being made in the demonstration kitchen had soup powder cans next to the stove, I didn’t see a single person in even traditional Swiss farming shirts that are still worn today (I’m used to those in Mürren and would have definitely found those to be traditional if they’d been worn) and around the animal yard they were using a gas weed wacker, an ATV and a truck to do farm chores. Many people love it, I just wish I would have known not to expect a fully immersed historical experience like at Colonial Williamsburg. The buildings are lovely and the property in general is lovely, so I’m sure it’s still a hit with many people.

@ Wanderweg, sounds like you had a very unique experience with the train - how fun!

@ devu1224 sorry to derail your post, I now see this question and will try to answer it

Day 2 - Does indeed feel tight but I'm not sure what to do different.

Depends on time of year, but assuming it will be summer:

• 8:15 gondola up Männlichen, look around, take photos, enjoy the view
• 9:00 start hike 4.5 km, 1hr 20 minutes of hiking time. Round up to 2 hours for photos, snack break, enjoying the view

https://www.maennlichen.ch/en/summer/experiences/panorama-trail.html

• 11:00 arrive at Kleine Scheidegg

Decide:

• Train to Wengen immediately
• Or walk down to Wengernalp. 2.3 km, 34 minutes (add time to enjoy the view)

Catch train to Wengen. Lunch in Wengen, rest.

• 14:12 train to Lauterbrunnen

There are a lot of ways you can do this part of your day. Here is one option that includes all things on your list. I can’t give times for everything here because it depends on what you choose to do.

Travel directly to Grütschalp, arrive 14:40

Decide:

• Want to hike - do Grütschalp to Winteregg (best part of his hike, best views). 2km, 33 min walking time. Catch train at Winteregg.
• Or happy to see the view out the train window. Train Grütschalp to Mürren. Arrive 14:54

Walk through Mürren.

Decide:

• Walk down to Gimmelwald as @ Trippleblessings suggested. 2.9 km, 1 hour
• Or gondola down to Gimmelwald. Walk the village (very small - to go to the bench with panorama map of mountains = 490m, 8 min.), catch the next gondola back to Stechelberg.
• Or skip Gimmelwald and take the new Schilthornbahn from Mürren to Stechelberg - travel time 4 min.

Decide:

• Walk the valley to Lauterbrunnen 5km, 1hr 10 min
• Or catch the bus to the Trümmelbach falls stop. Cross the street to the walking path and start your walk to Lauterbrunnen from there. 3.3km, 47 min.
• Catch the bus right at the gondola station in Stechelberg and bus to Lauterbrunnen. Explore Lauterbrunnen and Staubbachfalls.

Have dinner. Return to Wengen.

The afternoon will require choices along the way regarding doing any hikes. You will certainly be able to see all of these areas, especially if you just make use of the train and cablecars, but in my opinion you can do at least one of the hiking options as well.

Hope that this makes sense, probably could have formatted it better... :-)

No travel plan survives contact with the Swiss Weather.

Plan in advance where you will be staying, book your hotels and leave everything else for when you are here. You do not know how fit or tired you will arrive here. You do now know what the weather will be. You do not know about that thing you didn't know about that your hotel receptionist just told you that you absolutely must visit.

Thanks for the follow ups. To answer the question, this trip is for the beginning of October.

SwissNomad, your Day 2 suggestion is essentially what I had in mind, except that we would do Lauterbrunnen - Grütschalp - Murren/Gimmelwald - Lauterbrunnen Valley in reverse sequence. Since Trümmelbach Falls closes at 5 PM, I think it makes sense to head there first. Any added advantage to doing the route the way you suggested? This is what I had in mind (slight revisions from the original post), with rough times added:

• Take cable car to Männlichen (8:30 AM)
• Hike Männlichen - Kleine Scheidegg (Start hike at 9 AM, finish by 11:30 AM)
• Return to Wengen by train. Rest at the hotel. (Say 12 PM to 1:30 PM)
• Take train to Lauterbrunnen and explore the valley (Take about 1.5 hrs to explore the valley. Start Trummelbach Falls around 3 PM, finish by 4 PM)
• Take cable cars from Stechelberg to Gimmelwald to Murren. Explore along the way. No real plan besides to soak everything in. (4 PM until we're ready to head back)
• Hike Murren - Grütschalp OR take train. Return to Wengen.

Thoughts on the above?

I hear the concern about weather. The first 3-4 days are mostly interchangeable. I like to do a lot of research/planning up front so I have a good feel for the area and can make informed decisions on the day. Having a rough plan in place as a guide makes things less stressful and you lose less time to on the spot decision making and logistic inefficiencies.

Since Trümmelbach Falls closes at 5 PM, I think it makes sense to head there first.

Yes, absolutely! I think I wasn't aware you wanted to go there - but great choice! Here's hoping that you have awesome weather, and of course a great holiday either way.