sansdieu

We're all set to leave in a couple of days.
A few last-minute suggestions will be appreciated:
1. Hikes--other than the Grütschalp/Mürren hike (I read the other post), can you recommend an easy, scenic hike that will take 6-8 hours with an hour for lunch squeezed in the middle?
2. I started packing over the weekend and ran into some problems checking the weather. How cold is it in mid-September atop the Jungfraujoch? What should I wear when hiking in the Bernese Alps?
3. I saw dog-sledding among the offers at Jungfraubahn website. Has anybody tried it? Where/when/how is it done? How long does it take?
Thanks!

enzian

Where do you want your hike to start and end? If you are in Mürren, the hike out to Rotstockhütte and back is a nice long one, and you can have lunch at the hut. I'm not sure it would be classified as "easy", though. Or you could hike from Kleine Sceidegg down to Grindelwald via the Eiger trail, with a lunch stop at Alpiglen. This is "easy" only in that it is all downhill. Perhaps you could clarify what you mean by "easy"?

As for clothing for hiking, the basic outfit would be zip-off pants and a comfortable shirt, with a fleece jacket (or pullover) and a rain/wind jacket carried along. And hiking boots. The weather could be anything from pleasantly warm and sunny to near-winter conditions (rain and/or snow), so you should be prepared for it all. I don't think there's any way to tell from today's weather what it will be like there in mid-September. A few summers ago, I walked from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg on Sept. 2 in shorts and a sleeveless shirt on a warm sunny day. Ten days later my friends struggled through a foot of new snow on the same hike.

kwren

We were all set to try the dog sled ride the end of July, but it was not available because the snow was too soft! The dogs were, however, still up there, lounging under umbrellas and posing for pictures!

We also saw how the dogs arrive...in large wooden crates on the flatbed luggage car at the end of the Jungfraubahn trains. We watched as they were taken out - boy were they excited to arrive.

On the way back down, we say a small house enclosed by a fence and many huskies running around in the yard. Maybe they all live there when not working.

sansdieu

enzian,
I know one person's "easy" is another person's "impossible". If it helps any, I frequently hike on trails designated as "easy" in New Hampshire hiking guides (although, to be fair, I've had quite a few 4 year olds pass me on the trail). I don't always do so well on "moderate", but that all depends on how much climbing is involved. I can walk for hours on end, if the surface is level, even if the terrain is uneven; downhill is fine as well, but I get cranky really fast when I have to climb. But seeing as we'll be in the Alps, I understand that some degree of climbing is inevitable. I don't have any preference of where the hike should start. We'll be based in Interlaken for a few days, so any place easily reachable from there (by train, lift, bus, or car) is fine. Can we do the Kleine Scheidegg hike that you mention on the way back from Jungfraujoch, or is it a very long hike? Actually, to think of it, does it make sense to walk part of that Jungfraubahn journey back to Interlaken? Thanks!

kwren,
where exactly were those dogs unloaded, at which of the stations? I'm still confused as to where the whole thing takes place. My DH is a total husky fanatic; once he spots one, I think he'll forget all about hiking and sightseeing.

Thanks!!

kwren

Bonjour Sansdieu (a French screen name I take it)

The huskies were unloaded at the top of the Jungfrau - the 2 stops between Kleine Scheidigg and the top are just short stops to allow the passengers to look out some large observation windows to see how high up you are getting. You cannot stay at either, nor would you want to, because you cannot go outside. The stops are announced as 5 minutes stops I believe. The top is the destination.

Therefore, the huskies get out at the top too (I saw 3 arriving that day). They are taken out on the glacier less than a 5 minute walk from the exit from the tunnels. I can't say for sure since they were not running that day, but it looked like from the tracks in the snow, they just take the sled on a small circuit in that area for the ride. I could be totally wrong about that - maybe they can go on longer rides - maybe someone here who has seen them pulling the sleds could tell you if some rides involve more. From my perspective, it's not a long ride, but I had really wanted to take the kids on it.

If you would get up early to go to the top of the Jungfrau, you could be back to Kleine Scheidigg for the Panorama Weg hike - it took us 1 hour 10 minutes without rushing. (I read another post where it took someone 45 minutes, but I would say that would be at a pretty good clip.) We spent 3 hours on the Jungfrau this time - we did the zip line and spent a lot of time on the observation deck watching the birds and enjoying the view, spent time in the ice palace, but in the past we have spent less time up there. There is also a discounted rate if you take the first train up, but it's pretty early!

enzian

sansdieu,

for more level walks, the Panorama Weg hike that krwen mentioned, assuming that is along the ridgetop from Kleine Scheidegg to Mannlichen, would be a good one. You could then ride a lift down to Wengen and catch the train back to Interlaken from there. Or you could walk downhill to Wengen--I haven't done this, but I believe it takes about 2 hours on a good path.

The Eiger trail down from Kleine Scheidegg is a steep, rocky trail---a pretty serious hiking trail, even if it is all downhill. But it is indeed a beautiful, long walk through meadows, cows, and across a stream or two, with the north face of the Eiger looming above you. Just be sure to wear proper footwear and watch where you put your feet.

The walk from the top of the First gondola (in Grindelwald) out to the Bachalpsee is mostly level and incredibly scenic. To add a lunch stop, you would have to continue on the the Faulhorn, which involves some climbing. Or you could have lunch at the top lift station after the walk to the lake, and then walk back down to Grindelwald through the sloping meadows. I watched people walking down when I was stuck on the gondola for an hour once---they seemed to be having a fine time. There is a wide path; just watch out for the Trottibikes (mountain scooters).

kwren

I think the Panorama Weg is the one enzian is referring to, but ridgetop might be a bit misleading. When I think of ridgetop I think of going over the tops of mountains. The path actually follows the contours of the side of the mountains with nice views and a serene atmosphere. I agree with the rest of the proposed KS hike enzian mentioned. I'm not familiar with the others.

sansdieu

Bonjour kwren
And thanks to you both! I will try to do that--get a really early start on my Jungfraujoch visit and hike the Panorama Weg from KS and return from Wengen, as you suggest. (As soon as I figure out the train tickets.)

I'm there for a few days, so if the weather cooperates, I should be able to do the other hikes--and then some. And I really hope that my DH gets to go dog-sledding! Thanks again!

padams421

We were there is June 2004. The snow was too soft for the dog sledding so we were not able to go. The dogs were available for photos. The dog sledding appeared to take place in a small area outside the Jungfrau building.

sansdieu

Cool, I'll be hoping for cooler temperatures and firmer snow. If not, even posing for pictures with the huskies sounds good. Leaving tomorrow (now only if someone could pack for me...)

kwren

Bon voyage!