This June we will be in Lauterbrunnen/Murren for 5 day trip. During this time, we will be mainly doing Jungfrau, Schilthorn, Village strolling. We will NOT be doing trekking, just light walks. I was looking for advice to what kind of shoes do I need to carry. Along with Switzerland I will be spending 6 days in Paris and 4 days in Amsterdam. Do I need to carry to two different kinds of shoes one each for Alpine and non-Alpine areas?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
If you only plan light walks, the same shoes you wear in Paris and Amsterdam should be OK. Many of the paths around the villages are paved or packed gravel. Only on rougher trails would you need good ankle support.
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
I've always worn my most comfortable shoes for these trails, which for me are tennis shoes. Yes, almost all are packed gravel. The only one where I might want ankle support boots is the Schynigge Platt to First trail, but I've still done it twice in tennis shoes.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7803 posts
My husband wore an Adidas light weight hiking shoe and I wore Keen's Rose Sandal for our whole trip when we were there and down into Italian cities.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
218 posts
I'd suggest that a firm sole with a good tread is more important than a boot with ankle support. I spent a week in Lauterbrunnen in June two years ago, and hiked most of the popular trails in a pair of Merrell walking shoes with vibram soles. I've use the same shoes to walk around in all the big cities. In fact, aside from a pair of sandals for the beaches or an evening stroll, they're the only shoes I take when I travel to Europe.