My husband and I will be staying in Wengen for 4 days. Our itenary includes: Grinderwald (all the things we can do in a day), Murren, I'd love to hike the Stoos Ridge hike if we get lucky and have great weather, and if possible go hike Lake Oeschinen lake path. Oh and spend some time Lauderbrunnen looking at the falls. If possible add in a few local things around Wengen/Grinderwald. NOW... do I get the Swiss half pass with the Jungfrau pass or???? I don't think we are there long enough to get the Swiss Pass to make it smart financial decision. Any help I'd really appreciate it... This trip planning is a booger. Thank you SO much for any advice.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1000 posts
Are you going anywhere else in Switzerland? Where are you entering/exiting? What time of year?
Not to burst your bubble, but the Stoos Ridge Hike is absolutely not realistic from Wengen. It's over 5 hours each way + the time it takes to hike. That's not at all realistic. But there are plenty of great hikes close to Wengen that you're not giving any time to in your plan.
Oeschinensee is also a really long day trip. With only 4 days I think you need to focus in on all the great things there are to do around Wengen - there are tons!
But to fully decide on a pass, we need to know your full Swiss itinerary with entry/exit. Regardless, the Swiss Travel Pass is never the best option from Wengen, as it doesn't include mountain transport.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Sorry... I meant to put... We will be going in September... Mid month actually. Well durn on the Stoo's ridge hike... What about the Lake hike? You know what.... I'm just jazzed beyond belief to be going at all. I never thought in all of our lives we could pull this off. We are flying into Paris for a few days then going to Strasbourg before going to Wengen. After Switzerland we are going to Milan, Cirque de Terre and then Florence. This is our trip of our lives. It's been a LONG time planned but never came to fruition. After we lost a dear friend recently we both said.... This one is for you Tracy! He will be with us in our hearts.
Posted by
Los Angeles
5100 posts
Re passes ask the Aplins in the Alps for guidance
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1000 posts
Hopefully you’re going to Milan after September 13th. Before that there are major construction works on the train going there that would be frustrating for your move to Milan.
I would plan to get the Half Fare Card and then once you decide on your specific plans in Wengen, it will inform whether the Jungfrau Travel Pass or the Berner Oberland Pass are a good addition for you. The answer depends on what you plan to do. I'll give you some ideas below to consider. The Half Fare card will give you 50% off your train ride from Strasbourg to Wengen, Wengen to Domodossola on the way to Milan and off everything you do while in Wengen.
As I said, Stoos and Oeschinensee need to be out. For 4 nights, I’d recommend something like this….
1 day - Cable car Wengen to Mannlichen > Beautiful walk from Mannlichen > Kleine Scheidegg > Fallbodensee > Kleine Scheidegg > Wengernalp > train back to Wengen
https://swissfamilyfun.com/mannlichen-kleine-scheidegg/
*the added Fallbodensee & Wengernalp is my own addition that adds some extra pizazz to the hike :)
1 day - Exploring Schilthorn/Birg Thrill Walk + Northface hike counterclockwise from Allmendhubel + easy walk down to Gimmelwald to explore the local farming hamlet with lots of self service fridges to buy the local cheese and dinner
https://swissfamilyfun.com/murren-northface-trail-sprutz-waterfall/
1 day - Schynige Platte (Panorama hike Daube Oberberghorn Loucherhorn) — great substitute for the Stoos Ridge hike + possibly a late afternoon boat ride on Lake Brienz or time in the Lauterbrunnen Valley
https://swissfamilyfun.com/schynige-platte-panorama-trail/
1 day - Grindelwald First + hike to Bachalpsee — substitute for Oeschinensee
https://swissfamilyfun.com/grindelwald-first-bachseealp/
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you so much for your reply! I'm bummed about Stoos and the Oeschinensee but I'm still excited to see all that we can see. We actually leave Wengen for Milan on the 14th... I sure hope that the construction doesn't get pushed. How do i find out information on this?
We are super active adults and will be doing all can and seeing all we can. I thank you for your ideas... I'll be looking into those hikes and visits that you mentioned.
If you have any other suggestions I'd love to hear them.