Hiking the Alps

I recommend Rick's book Switzerland, which gives details on hikes in the Berner Oberland. This is hard to summarize in the space we have here. You mentioned hikes with less than 2000ft elevation gain - if you're experienced high mountain hikers you'll already know this, but if not, a critical physiological factor is whether the hike starts at 3,000 ft or 12,000 feet, not just how much elevation gain there is. In the Berner Oberland, hikes can start on the valley floor or at various higher locations reached by the cog railway. Why don't you buy Rick's or other book and get back to us with more specifics so we can give answers that are more applicable to your situation.

We do have his book and have been reading it. I thought some other hikers out there might have some good input.

Lola, thanks so much for sharing your insights. I'll look into the hikes and websites you mentioned. We are going to be there for about two weeks so hopefully we can get in some awesome hikes and other sightseeing. Marcia

We have done four hiking trips in Switzerland in the last few years; one of them included a week in Chamonix as well. The Berner Oberland offers many hikes of the type you describe and you could spend a week there and not do them all. But it is not the only such place. Another area we always include in our trips is the Valais, specifically Bettmeralp, a small car-free village with spectacular hiking to views of the Aletschgletscher. Look at www.bettmeralp.ch for photos. And then there are places like the Lotschental and Kandertal which offer a few really nice hikes but not a weeks worth. And we haven't yet made it to the Engadine area; that is on the list for next time. . . .How much time do you have for this trip? Mid-July is fine for avoiding snow on all but the very highest trails, and you might even find some wildflowers.

Good hiking guides for Switzerland are the Cicerone series, which are organized by region. And there are lots of good websites that list hikes and give trail information. Try www.wonderland.ch, jungfrau.ch (look under summer activietes or use the search for "trails"). The Gimmelwald websites, gimmelwald.ch and gimmelwald.com, also have hiking suggestions. . . . Here are a few of our favorites: from Grindelwald or nearby, the Panoramaweg is a standout, but is a bit longer than ten miles (but with little elevation gain or loss). Also from First to the Faulhorn and First to Grosse Scheidegg, and the Eiger Northface trail (take the train to Eigergletscher and hike down if you prefer that). from winged, hike up to Kleine Scheidegg and along the trail to Mannlichen; ride the cable car back down.Hikes from Gimmelwald or Muerren are on the Gimmelwald websites so I won't repeat those.

With two weeks, you could spend a full week in the Berner Oberland (which is good if you would like to rent an apartment) and 3 or 4 nights each in Bettmeralp and Chamonix. I,d add one night at the rustic inn at Oeschinensee, a beautiful lake near Kandersteg. that is pretty similar to war we have done on several trips. check out www,oeschinensee.ch for photos. you can see the train schedules for travel between bases at rail.ch. travel to Chamonix is covered if you have a Swiss pass.

Hiking in Berner Oberland area is the best allow lots of time. Chamonix is also wonderful where you can hike from Chamonix to Italy and bus it back if you want. Lucky you! July 2009 we wanted to but it snowed-go figure so we used the gondolas and enjoyed the stunnning views.