I was wondering about the RS BestOfEurope trip and the days in Switzerland. Here's the description from the itinerary:
"The day is all yours to enjoy... You may want to join your guide for an optional mountain excursion that a spectacular Alpine walk ...or ride a gondola lift up to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, and hike down" I'm an avid hiker and that sounds wonderful, my question is about my shoes? I'm not planning to bring my hiking boots. I have a pair of Merrell casual shoes that I have used on other RS tours and have used for many hours and miles of city walks, they're comfortable and are versatile enough that I can wear them with dressier pants to a nicer restaurant... BUT they are probably not shoes I would want to wear on a hiking trail. I'm wondering if they'll be ok for the day hiking/walking in Lauterbrunnen. In general, how rigorous or demanding is the hiking/walking on those mountain "excursions" in Lauterbrunen? I realize that everyone's different, and YMMV, and you can usually control how strenous or relaxed you want to walk, but I was just curious what it was like "on average".
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Boat shoes will work.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17442 posts
Lauterbrunnen Valley and Trummelbach Falls are paved paths. Wengen to Gimmelwald, paved. Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidigg, not paved but smooth and nearly level, doable in street shoes (or boat shoes) if you like. Hiking down from the Schilthorn is a serious hike on a narrow, rugged, rocky trail. Although the much-photographed sign at the top warns "no spike heels", I'd say hiking boots would be good to have.
Posted by
Livermore, CA, United States
22 posts
Hi Matt, About 8 years ago, my family hiked down the Schilthorn in our tennis shoes as we did not bring hiking boots. If you are an avid hiker, I am sure you will be fine. What I remember is that it was a little steep at the top for about 1/4 mile but wasn't too bad. My father-in-law who was about 68 years old joined us at the Berg and did not have very great tennis shoes and still made it down the mountain. It was hard for him, but he did it. If this is the only hiking you are going to do, I would chance it, otherwise, I would bring my hiking shoes. We are going back this summer and plan on doing a lot of hiking so I will be wearing hiking shoes and bringing poles. Depends on your age also.
Posted by
Livermore, CA, United States
22 posts
Hi Matt, About 8 years ago, my family hiked down the Schilthorn in our tennis shoes as we did not bring hiking boots. If you are an avid hiker, I am sure you will be fine. What I remember is that it was a little steep at the top for about 1/4 mile but wasn't too bad. My father-in-law who was about 68 years old joined us at the Berg and did not have very great tennis shoes and still made it down the mountain. It was hard for him, but he did it. If this is the only hiking you are going to do, I would chance it, otherwise, I would bring my hiking shoes. We are going back this summer and plan on doing a lot of hiking so I will be wearing hiking shoes and bringing poles. Depends on your age also.