Traveling in Switzerland

When the Golden Pass train stops in Interlaken stay overnight there, and explore the Berner Oberland region of the Alps: Lauterbrunnen, Murren, Wengen, Gimmelwald, Jungfrau, Schiltorn. Head to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Rick's Switzerland Guidebook for all the details.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xbYCZNmY5k

I agree, except to say that you should stay up in Wengen or Murren in the mountains rather than in Interlaken.

Thanks, I do have the guidebook but find it a bit overwhelming, so I appreciate the suggestions. It will help to "winnow" things down a bit.

Here's a good itinerary detailed in Rick's book: start early in the morning at Wengen. From there take the cable car up to Mannlichen. From there hike to Kliene Scheiddeg. If the weather is clear at the peak, take the train up Jungfrau peak. If it's clouded over take the train down Wengen, and then to Lauterbrunnen, and take the postal bus to Trummelbach Falls.

I took the route RS has in his guidebk that poster M. Schneider posted. It worked great last summer! Jungfrau was rainy or clouded in for the 5 days we were there so we did not take that portion and saved alot of chf. You will not be dispointed or confused when you get there. I too was befuddled by all the detail in RS guidebk but as usual RS itin are practically actually fawless. enjoy.

One last question: traveling from Paris, head to Montreaux (start of Golden Pass train) or to Bern first? It looks like I need to drop one or the other in order to spend two nights up-country in Gimmelwald or Murren.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Deb

Drop Bern. Take a TGV train from Paris that goes to Geneva or preferably Luscanne, instead of Basel. Both places are very near Montreaux along Lake Geneva. If you have time visit the official Olympics Museum in Luscanne.

If you take the TGV to Lausanne, then the local train to Montreux to catch your Golden Pass train, try to schedule for enough time to spend wandering the lake front for the sights and sounds of the Montreux Jazz Festival. It is a great experience to just explore all of the free outdoor venues.

Also, one concept not much discussed here is that if you go up the Jungfrau, you cannot see the Jungfrau. I love the cable trip up to the Schilthorn on a clear day, and the view back to Eiger, Moench, and Jungfrau, is just amazing.

If you start in Stechelberg, you will change lifts in Gimmelwald,and then again in Murren and Birg, before arriving at the top of the Schilthorn. Coming back down, when you stop in Murren to change lifts, wander around the town, if you are not staying there, then walk to Gimmelwald. This is a beautiful walk down the road used by the locals. Once there, you can continue down by cable back to Stechelberg,or take the lift back to Murren.

For a great starting place for hikes with a view of the three peaks, try taking the train up to Schynige Platte from Wilderswil. There are some great mostly level walks along this northern rim of the glacial valley that leads to Grindelwald.

Don't forget to say Greuezi!

Happy Travels
Kevin

If you take the TGV to Lausanne, then the local train to Montreux to catch your Golden Pass train, try to schedule for enough time to spend wandering the lake front for the sights and sounds of the Montreux Jazz Festival. It is a great experience to just explore all of the free outdoor venues.

Also, one concept not much discussed here is that if you go up the Jungfrau, you cannot see the Jungfrau. I love the cable trip up to the Schilthorn on a clear day, and the view back to Eiger, Moench, and Jungfrau, is just amazing.

If you start in Stechelberg, you will change lifts in Gimmelwald,and then again in Murren and Birg, before arriving at the top of the Schilthorn. Coming back down, when you stop in Murren to change lifts, wander around the town, if you are not staying there, then walk to Gimmelwald. This is a beautiful walk down the road used by the locals. Once there, you can continue down by cable back to Stechelberg,or take the lift back to Murren.

For a great starting place for hikes with a view of the three peaks, try taking the train up to Schynige Platte from Wilderswil. There are some great mostly level walks along this northern rim of the glacial valley that leads to Grindelwald.

Don't forget to say Greuezi!

Happy Travels
Kevin

By the way, be sure to take the Brunig Bahn from Interlaken to Luzern when heading to Zuerich. This is very picturesque, even if slower than the route via Thun and Bern.

Kevin

The only time I would spend in Interlaken would be at the train station - head up towards Murren, etc. to really see something beautiful and amazing.