swiss alps

The hike down from the very top of the Schiltorn is for experienced hikers only. Go check out the Bond film Her Majesty's Secret Service to see what I mean:) It's an easier hike from the mid-cable car station Birg but it's still very strenuous. For mostly flat, but still very scenic hikes consider Murren to Grushalp cable car station, or hike down from on the Flower Trail just above Murren.
Here's a trail map of the area: http://www.schilthorn.ch/en/hiking/ You can park your car at the large garage at Lauterbrunnen. I think the grocery stores are closed on Sunday, but all restaurants, train, cable cars, and other tourist attraction will be open.

1. As the previous poster mentioned, the hike up to and down from the summit of the Schilthorn is a "technical climb", not a leisurely stroll down the mountain. If you want to ride a ski lift up, and walk down somewhere, consider the other side of the valley. It's a fairly gentle stroll down from Kleine Scheiddeg to Wengen, Kleine Scheiddeg or Männlichen to Grindelwald, or First to Grindelwald. 2. There's parking lots by the gondola stations. 3. No... I'm not sure about the rest of the year, but at least over the winter, stores are open on Sundays. Most of the mountain restaurants should be open. 4. For the Schilthornbahn, you can only chose between going all the way up and back from the valley, or from Mürren and back. No one way fares. You have more flexibility on the other side of the valley. 5. No, see above. One last note. I would not recommend only a single day in the Alps, if you're planning an outdoor activity. Even though September is one of the drier months, it can still rain and wash out the single day you allotted for the hike. Two full days would lessen that chance considerably.

4. For the Schilthornbahn, you can only chose between going all the way up and back from the valley, or from Mürren and back. No one way fares. One-way fares are available: http://www.schilthorn.ch/en/timetable-tariffs/all-tariffs/

Thanks, Michael and Tom, for such responses. Your information will be really helpful to helping me plan what I hope is a memorable trip. I'm trying to figure out right now whether I can rework our itinerary to include a third night in Switzerland. Thanks again.

Take the train to Top of Europe http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tourism/places-to-visit/ then walk to Mönchsjochhütte we hiked it in July, a mostly flat hike on snow to an amazing mountain hut take the first train in the morning, enjoy a full day on the top and then down to Lauterbrunnen
forget Gimmelwald :-) :-) go into the Jungfrau rather than look at it across the valley

If you can add a 3rd night in Switzerland then by all means do it! It will probably be your favorite destination of the entire trip.

There are cameras at Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch that give a panaramic view of the top. There is no point going all the way up either side if the view is obscured by clouds and fog. You can access the cameras on line at www.feratel.com
There is a tiny British flag on the left that switches the website to English. Also, the RS guide book has excellent instructions on getting around Lauterbrunnen Valley; trains, cable car or walking. And I recommend a visit to Trummelbach Falls.

I'll pile on to say that it is inadvisable to only have one day in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, given weather concerns. Also, usually the weather changes during the day and you plan as you go. If you have a pocket full of Swiss Franken you won't go hungry on a Sunday. Don't think of Gimmelwald as a "town". It is a crossroads. Actually it isn't even that because the roads don't cross anything. It is smaller than a village, a collection of homes and farms, and a couple of cottage shops, and a youth hostel with an ok restaurant. Very small. When RS speaks about the crossroads there he is talking of two footpaths crossing. Parking in the multistory carpark in Lauterbrunnen is easy and quick and convenient for either a daytime or overnight. Parking at the lot at the base of the Schilthorn gondola is also easy. First hour free. Stay longer. Get out of the valley. Stay in Muerren if you can.

Kim, I have a few comments to add as well: 1. The Schilthorn is one of the best options (IMO) as it's slightly cheaper than the Jungfrau trip and provides lots of choices for hiking. As the others have said, the first part of the hike from the Schilthorn is somewhat challenging, but there are numerous other options in that area, including hiking from Almmend-Hubel back to Mürren (more of a relaxing stroll). The Guidebook has lots of information on the hiking options in that area. 2. There's a large car park in Stechelberg near the Cable Car terminal (I don't know what the cost is). Gimmelwald is the first stop and Mürren the second. 3. Yes, you'll be able to get food on a Sunday. 4. The tickets to the Schilthorn are very easy (but not cheap). Having one of the Swiss Passes provides half-fare, but you'll have to do the number crunching to determine whether a Pass will be more cost effective, once the cost of the Pass is included. The normal return fare from Mürren is CHF 77 P.P. which covers all segments of the trip. If you're staying in Mürren, simply walk to the Cable Car terminal, buy a ticket and board the car. It's very easy. 5. I can't remember if it's possible to hike down from Birg (next stop down from the Schilthorn), but that might be a good hike for "two 50 year old adults in OK shape". Be sure to have a fine hot meal in the revolving restaurant at the Schilthorn, or perhaps a "Martini shaken not stirred" in the James Bond Bar (one floor down from the restaurant). I believe there's some kind of James Bond anniversary happening there this year, but I don't know the details. Happy travels!