I’ve been to the Lauterbrunnen Valley 3 times and think it’s the prettiest place I’ve ever been. Will be traveling back to Switzerland in June and wondered if anyone can recommend other areas to visit which may be comparable.
Thanks!.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11776 posts
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is our favorite spot in Switzerland but we always try some new spots on our annual trips. Last year we stayed a few nights in Betmeralp and would go again. We also enjoyed a full week in Pontresina in 2018 and would like to go back. We were in both places in the autumn which is when we always go.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17427 posts
I think Laurel went to Bettmeralp on my recommendation, and I am glad they liked it. It is a car-free village that, like Mürren, is perched high above a valley ( in this case the Rhove River Valley) and accessible by cablecar. From the village you look South into the Italian Alps, and often you can see the Matterhorn off to the west ( but far away and quite small). The real draw is what lies behind the ridge that rises behind the village: the huge Aletschgletscher.
My favorite hike in Switzerland sis from Bettmeralp up to a saddle in that ridge, then east traversing the slope directly above the Glacier for several miles. You reach a low point where you can leave the trail on rocks and reach a poll of meltwater with icebergs ( small ones) alongside the Glacier. At this point, the mass of the Glacier towers about six stories above you, or it did last time I was there. We did not see this when we were there in 2018 -as that trail was closed ( not sure why).
From there you continue to a mountain hut at Marjelensee ( lake) and return to Bettmeralp by hiking through a tunnel ( cold and dimly lit) tonthe south side of the ridge, and back via Kuhboden.
Other trails follow the ridgeline in both directions. Going east you can ascend the Bettmerhorn, or heading west you can either take a lift or hike down to the next village (Riederalp). You have great views of the Glacier all along that ridge.
In June this area has the advantage of facing south so it is likely to be sunnier than the Berner OberlNd.
Peruse this for photos:
https://www.aletscharena.ch/nature-en/the-great-aletsch-glacier/
Posted by
Estero, Florida
57 posts
Have you made it to Zermatt yet? Lovely as well with the Matterhorn.
And if you go that way, I would pop into Chamonix, France. The cable car ride over to Helbronner, Italy, was spectacular.
My post may be of interest. Enjoy!
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/which-alp-is-coolest-1-of-2
Posted by
34 posts
Lichtenstein is beautiful. And largely under-appreciated. You can stay in Vaduz and travel up to quiet Malbun. Plus it’s really easy to dip into Appenzell, Austria and Germany from there.