hiking in Interlaken/Murren

You may have the names of the mountain villages mixed up?? Are you saying you want to hike from S Platte to Murren? If so, they are on opposite sides of the valley, there really isn't any direct way to hike. Most people go to S. Platte to do the all day "ridge hike" to First. If you want to do that hike, you will definitely need sturdy hiking boots. The terrain is very rocky, and there are some very steep elevations to conquer.

No, I was referring to 2 separate hikes. Sorry if I was not clear. I understand about S. Platte, how about hiking in Murren without the boots Michael? Possible? Thanks!

Yeah you can hike in the Murren area without boots. Most all the popular hikes are on service roads not rugged mountain trails.

The S Platte is not a mountain road-you are on a trail. I actually have done a lot of hiking in this area. There are some roads that go between the towns and you can hike on them, but there are also trails between the valley and Murren and many other hikes have no road access. I have done the S Platte hike, The first part from the S. Platte to Falhorn mountain hut is more rugged than the second part from Falhorn to First. I would check around when I got there and see how "open and dry" everything is. I hiked it in trail runners and had no problem (They do have some traction soles versus tennis shoes with smoother soles) I did the hike in September so can't speak to this time of year. I know around here, it is still a little early for most of the "high" hikes. However, you may be able to do the First to Falhorn part at least. As for hiking to Murren..if you mean Lauterbrunnen valley to Murren that is not my favorite hike. I much prefer riding up to Murren, hiking down to Gimmelwald and then on to Obersteinberg (Similar difficulty as S. Platte hike) Once again, this might not be open right now. Your best bet will be to allow time to check around when you get there about good hikes that are open. One concern I have is that boots and traction are much more important when there are snowy or wet conditions. Here at home,I am still using full hiking boots and microspikes for snow. Have an absolutely great time.

The S Platte is not a mountain road-you are on a trail.

Connie, I specifically said in my first post, that the terrain is rocky and hiking boot are required. Here are my photos of the hike from S. Platte to First:
pictures. You can judge for yourself what kind of footwear to use.

Thanks for all the help!I've read where a sore will allow you to use a new pair of hiking boots on S.Platte w/o any obligation.Anyone done this?

There is indeed a Lowa hiking boot test center up there. Details:

http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-17/164_read-636/

A friend did this when we were up there a few years back. But as we were hiking the Panoramaweg end to end, going to First, she couldn't wear the boots for the hike; she tried them on and then handed them back so she could hike with us.

but it's a fine idea if you just want to do an out-and-back hike starting and ending at Schynige Platte.

I once walked down from Burg to Murren wearing Rockport shoes that were basically black athletic shoes, no problem. This was in June, no snow or ice.

So I would say that if you are of light build and have done some hiking this way that you can walk up and down the Schilthorn at least from Murren to Burg and probably on many other hikes on the mountain as well.

But you may have a different experience--I can only share mine.

Thanks all again!Is it a good walk out-and-back on the S.Platte?I would love to give the boots back.I am athletic and a former marathon runner but have put on weight but can still run/walk for hours depending of course.It seems perhaps just walking for miles in the schwartzwald and route du vin would be a bit less complicated.Plus the euro is plunging!