Hiking in the Berner Oberland

Lauterbrunnen is between Wengen and Murren. It is lovely with views of both sides of the valley, up the mountains. You will get many responses on the two routes to Murren and the cog rail to Wengen and admonitions to stay in the heights, particularly Murren. Rick's Switzerland book gives details on many hikes including times and degrees of difficulty.

Hi Ken- we have stayed in both villages and like them both, but there are more varied hiking opportunities right from your door at Mürren. On the other hand, Wengen puts you a bit closer to the hikes in the Grindelwald area, and there are some nice ones there. To transfer from Wengen to Mürren, or reverse, you go down to Lauterbrunnen and up the other side. Not difficult. I did not check the time but it is around 30 minutes. There is a great list of hikes from Muürren on the Gimmelwald website. Amon the ones we like at the hike to Rotstockhütte, to Tanzbodli, and to Oberhornsee. We keep hoping to hike the Schilthorn, but the weather has never cooperated. From Wengen, a nice hike is to walk up to Kleine Scheidegg and then that the ridge path along Mannlichen, riding the cable car down. Or do it in reverse if you would rather hike downhill ( we prefer uphill). Or you can use the steep narrow trail( the Gemseweg or goat path) that goes up the cliff under the cable car via switchbackes. At Kleine Scheidegg you can connect to the Eiger Northface. Trail which is a great hike, passing below the face of the Eiger. You can end at Alpiglen, a train stop, and retune to your village via either Kleine Scheidegg or Grindelwald. A hike from Grindelwald we really like is First to the hut on the Faulhorn. Google Faulhorn.ch for a photo. Another favorite is the Panoramaweg from Schynigi Platte to First, along the ridge that divides the lake (Brienzersee) from the Grindelwald Valley. This is a bit more than ten miles, but there is not much elevation gain or loss so not all that tough. Have fun: it is a lovely place. We didn't go this summer, but I am in Glacier NP right now so cannot complain!

Lola how is GNP right now? Hot and crowded or are the hikers less of a factor? Will be there early September. Last year the "Going-to-the-sun" was shut down too early and this year opened very late do to excess snowfall. But hopefully we'll ride it and hike many a trail before old man winter descends.

To answer your question Ken I'd say you can't go wrong no matter where you stay. A FANTASTIC and beautiful piece of our planet is the Wengen/Murren area. Have a blast and enjoy Europe.

Jerry---it is gorgeous weather ( sunny but not hot) but I can' t tell about the crowds.I just arrived last night and am waiting for the rest of the family, so I haven't been out and about in the park yet. They are keeping GTTS road open till Sept.18 so that will be good fornyou.

That website has an interactive hiking map: http://www.muerren.ch/wanderplan/index_e.html

Thank you all for the helpful replies. We have never been to Switzerland, but have been to Italy. I have a a general idea of the geography of the Berner Oberland, but never having been there I thought some advice from those that have experience in the area would be really helpful. Thanks again.

Ken, we were in Murren last summer for 4 days during the same time an old high school buddy was in Wengen. We hike together one day and on our own the other 2 days. I was spectacular!!! Talking with my buddy after he said he enjoyed hiking on the Murren side a little better. There were many trails and all were very well marked. Denise, our host at Chalet Fontana, gave us good directions on a hike where we went by an old Farmhouse which is also a restaurant. We had never been to a restaurant only accessible by foot before, it was an awesome experience. The Murren area is one of our favorite travel experiences. Have a great time..

Hi Ken the hikes are some of the best in the country and right in the middle of the range of medium dificulty. Can be easy options or harder ones. I hiked from Murren to Wengen on the Eiger Trail - was great. I used this company who is great - i go back every summer if i can on one of thier tours www.alpinehikers.com - but you can also do them on your own. Well marked. my favorite guide books are CICERONE from UK for that area.
In Wengen - the BAEREN is the best family B&B, and in Murren the Jungfrau or Edelweiss is great too! both so affordable vs big city places!