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Seeking Alternative Suggestions for Closed Harder Kulm During Visit

Hi all,

I found on the Jungfrau website that Harder Kulm in Interlaken will be closed during our visit. We’ll be in the area from December 16-19 and have only two days to explore the Bernese Oberland. We prefer not to do any hiking.

Here’s our initial itinerary:

Day 1: Half-day in Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Iseltwald (with the morning originally planned for Harder Kulm)

Day 2: Grindelwald and Mürren

Could anyone suggest an alternative to Harder Kulm? I would really appreciate any recommendations!

Posted by
614 posts

You wouldn’t be doing any hiking in December, even if you wanted to :)
Mannlichen, Grindelwald First or Birg above Murren would be good alternatives.

I don’t know where you’re staying, but try this (Lauterbrunnen is better done with Murren and Grindelwald separate, based on how you get to each place)….

Day 1: Morning in Grindelwald & Grindelwald First OR Mannlichen + afternoon on Lake Brienz

Day 2: Lauterbrunnen + Murren + Birg

Posted by
2 posts

Hello, thank you for the fantastic information.Our stay is in Interlaken, as many have suggested it’s a better base for exploring the Oberland region.

Posted by
163 posts

You wouldn’t be doing any hiking in December, even if you wanted to :)

@Wanderweg - just so you are aware, winter hiking is extremely popular in Switzerland. Some of the summer favourites such as First - Bachalpsee or Männlichen - Kleine Scheidegg are well groomed winter hiking trails. Maybe sometime you can come for a visit in the winter and experience it!

https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/winter-hiking/#filter=r-fullyTranslatedLangus-&zc=12,7.97298,46.60912

Mirna, note that “afternoon on Lake Brienz” does not work, boats do not run in the winter on this lake. You will need to get to Iseltwald by bus from Interlaken.

Posted by
77 posts

Harder Kulm is a nice view point of Interlaken and how the two lakes are connected and reasonable food. The area has so much more to see that is equal or better. St. Beatus Cave is a short bus ride from Interlaken. Tour the towns of Thun and Spiez. I am not sure if the Sigriswil suspension bridge open in December. Aareschlucht may be another option if the mountains are fogged in.

Posted by
614 posts

I am well aware that you can walk in the winter on a few of the trails with winter boots & gear or snowshoes, but in general "hiking" is not what you would come to the area for in December. Maybe some, but I think we can agree no one would be recommending a "hiking trip" to Switzerland in December.

And when I said "afternoon on Lake Brienz" I never said they should be on a boat. I just meant that area, since they mentioned Iseltwald. Excuse my generalization.