My husband and I will be staying in Switzerland 5 days during our 22 day first time Europe Trip the end of June / beginning of July (2 nights Interlaken, 3 nights Wengen). We plan on doing tons of hiking, but don't want to be on a trail with a million other people 😁. Is this inevitable to see the most beautiful views this area? Can you suggest any less crowded great hikes? I'm guessing the more strenuous hikes will be less crowded, any good reccomendations? We are 29 and 30 yrs old and in good shape to do some slightly more challenging hikes, but nothing technical.
Thank you!
Posted by
Florida
1443 posts
I've done most all the hikes in the area, both hard and easy, and would never categorize any of them as crowded. The Maennlichen-to-Wengen walk was slightly busy, but that's it. You'll have plenty of alone time with the mountains on most any trail.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Have been on several early morning hikes and saw no one. Try getting up and out before the daytrippers.
PS - this is your first Europe Trip so I'll just tell you what you'll be saying when you leave the area for other destinations..."we should have spent more nights in Wengen and less in Interlaken".
Posted by
OP
Michigan
11 posts
Thanks for the feedback guys! 😊
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Just curious why you are spending two nights in Interlaken. To paraphrase a response I saw on another forum about Zurich, what are you going to do for the other one and a half days?
If you are going to Switzerland for large hotels, large supermarkets, sex shops, casinos, jewelry stores, or a "Paksitani" restaurant (that's what the sign said, like Punxsutawney Phil from Groundhog Day), then stay in Interlaken. Otherwise, spend all your nights in Wengen. You can easily take a half-day trip to Interlaken (that's what I did). A quick walk around town and a visit to the small Museum of Tourism, and I was ready to return to the Berner Oberland.
Posted by
Oak Park
243 posts
the hike to the summit of the Schilthorn should be on the top of your list. It is about 5 miles to the summit with 5000 feet of elevation gain. You will not see a lot of people (except on the very lower portion of the hike) and it is incredible. when you come back down, you can take the hike through the pastures and tiny farms, so you do not have to back track the entire way. Do this on a totally clear day. this hike is perhaps my most memorable in Europe, the US, or Canada! You will need hiking boots and I would recommend at least 3/4 boots. Hiking poles were very helpful to us when we did this.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11315 posts
Last year we hiked from First to Grosse Scheidigg and took the bus back to Grindelwald in time for a late lunch. Saw about 6 people the entire hike. As others have said, it really is not crowded on any of the trails. You'll never be stuck behind anyone.
Posted by
OP
Michigan
11 posts
Ahhhh such good news that it won't be crowded... Thanks everyone! And thanks for all the advice! 😉