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Two full days in Berner Oberland

Our home base is Murren this coming October 2 and 3. We are overwhelmed with all the options. What should we not miss doing in our stay? Schilthorn? Jungfraujoch? Trummelback Falls? We are open for suggestions.

Posted by
3145 posts

Too many options!!! But all good ones, so no wrong choices. 😊

Since you will be in Murren, I would go up to Schilthorn. I also really like the downhill walk from Murren to Gimmelwald for the spectacular views. Then you can take the cable car back up. Walking down in Lauterbrunnen and seeing Trummelbach Falls is another great option.

I suggest having a list of options, but be flexible depending on what the weather will be like. You don’t have to book anything in advance.

Have a great trip!!

Posted by
5 posts

I am so envious. You will be in what is probably our favorite place on the planet. I agree with the other response. From Murren, the Schilthorn is logistically so much easier than the Jungfraujoch (we have not done the latter yet for that reason - plus the cost). The hike from Murren down to Gimmelwald is well worth it, and you can either ride back up or ride/hike down to the valley floor and hike the floor (to the falls).

One other thing I would definitely suggest. Given the time of year you will be there, the farmers should be bringing their cows down from the high meadows. This is typically done will fancy cowbells, full regalia, and fanfare. Our hotel had a schedule of the various "cow parades" indicating who, where, and when. I would highly recommend being somewhere to watch one.

Your question did not include your main interests and where you are on the adventure scale (and how many activities is a full day for you). They do a lot of parasailing off the cliffs from Murren (tandem rides). It is a bucket list item if it is within your thrill range.
Up from Lauterbrunnen on the other side of the valley from Murren is Wengen. There is a tram that goes up higher from Wengen (the Wengen-Maennlichen) where you can buy a ticket to ride on the roof of the tram (not inside). Also an experience you don't get everywhere.

My suggestion is to spend one day in the vicinity of Murren. The Schilthorn, parasailing, and the hike to Gimmelwald would be a very full day for us. Spend time at Birg (the halfway station) when you do the Schilthorn as well. If you won't be parasailing, substitute the falls. You can ride or hike down from Gimmelwald, see the falls and ride back up. On day two, venture out. You can go to Wengen and ride the Maennlichen. You can make your way to Grindelwald for shopping if that is your thing. We hiked from Maennlichen to Klein Scheidegg, where you could possibly do the Jungfraujoch if you really wanted to do that (although the Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch both would probably be redundant). Make a big loop out of your day.

And fit a cow parade in where you can if one is happening on your two days.

I would personally prioritize as follows - Schilthorn, parasailing, cow parade, hike to Gimmelwald, Maennlichen, falls.

Enjoy!!

Posted by
272 posts

We stayed in Mürren four years ago. On our first day, we were able to go up the Schilthorn and had brunch there. We stopped at Gimmelwald on the way down and took the RS self guided walking tour. We continued to the valley, took the bus to Trummelback Falls, and did Rick’s walking tour of Lauterbrunnen before heading back up to Mürren. You can fit in quite a bit in a couple days.

Posted by
2556 posts

From Murren, Schilthorn will be fastest. But only go if the weather is clear. Otherwise it is an expensive waste of time. Check the webcams and go early.

I would do a big loop from Murren, starting early: walk down to Gimmelwald, take the cable car to Stechelberg, take the bus through the valley. Stop at Trummelbach Falls. Continue by bus to Lauterbrunnen. Take the train up to Wengen (gorgeous ride!), then the gondola to Mannlichen. Maybe walk to Kleinne Scheidigg, then train to Wengen. Or just return to Wengen via cable car from Mannlichen, then back down to Lauterbrunnen by train. Explore the town. Cable car to Grutschalp, then train to Wengen. Funicular to Allmendhubel, then back down to Murren.

The views are so different from each side of the valley. You’ll find amazing places to stop for lunch or snacks along the way.

Posted by
7 posts

Thank you all for your replies, they were so helpful! We will most likely pull ideas from each of your suggestions and have the best itinerary!

Posted by
21196 posts

Since you will have a Swiss Travel Pass, do the Schilthorn if the weather is clear. Your STP gives you a 50 per cent discount above Muerren. Skip the Jungfraujoch as the STP only gives a 25 percent discount above Wengen and it is a pricier journey to begin with, takes longer from Muerren, and weather even dicier than Schilthorn.

Posted by
1 posts

We’re heading there in a couple weeks and we were disappointed to hear that there’s significant construction at the Schiltorn and the Birg thrill walk is closed temporarily. We’re doing Mannlichen instead.

Posted by
3145 posts

keatamax, männlichen is fabulous!!!!! I think you’ll have a great time. I prefer it over both schilthron and Jungfrau. The cows up on männlichen really make for a unique experience. It was the highlight of my Sept. 2021 trip.

I also returned to männlichen in June 2022 and have another trip planned for June 2024, which of course will include multiple trips up to männlichen.

Have a great trip!!

Posted by
7 posts

Thank you for the heads up about the construction. I would never have thought about going to the website, but now I've learned something new! We will explore your other suggestions. This is our first time to Switzerland and cannot wait to explore its beauty. We so appreciate everyone's suggestions and helpfulness!

Posted by
66 posts

I would do RS’s Murren walk, then up to allmendhubel for north face trail, hiking that down via sprutz waterfall to gimmelwald, rs’ gimmelwald walk, cable car down to stechelberg, bus to trummelbach falls, see them, walk to Lauterbrunnen from there, if you start at 8am you should be able to do all that.

Posted by
32358 posts

Becky,

Since you'll be staying in Mürren, a trip to the famous Schilthorn is a good choice. If your budget will allow, stop for a fine meal in the revolving restaurant. Here are the details on the cable cars - https://schilthorn.swiss/en/pizgloria/Information . It looks like they won't be doing maintenance until after your visit.

I believe the Allmend Hubel funicular will be operating at that time also. If you're so inclined, you could take the trip to the top and then hike back to Mürren through the alpine meadows. I didn't find that too difficult, especially as it's all downhill. You'll have to decide whether to do that based on the weather at the time.

The Jungfraujoch is an option too, however that's a very expensive trip so it's worthwhile to check the webcams and the weather forecast to determine what the weather is like at the top. Also, the facility is at almost 12000 feet, so if you've ever suffered any "altitude-related issues", that's something to consider.

You could also take a walk down to Gimmelwald to have a look at the small village that's a big favourite of RS viewers. If you'd like to have a look at a more posh resort town, head over to Grindelwald.

There are lots of choices in that area, but with only two days you won't have time to do everything.