Where to stay to visit Bernese Oberland

Old Jun 27th, 2015, 08:03 PM
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Where to stay to visit Bernese Oberland

Hi,

We will be visiting the Bernese Oberland area in Switzerland hoping to hike, kayak, etc. and very possibly some extreme sports in this beautiful area for about 4 days. Where do you recommend staying? I have looked at Beatenburg and Grindelwald and they seem very nice. Do you have any input regarding these? I heard Interlaken is very touristy and crowded. I think we will be using public transportation.

Thanks!
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Old Jun 27th, 2015, 08:17 PM
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We have stayed twice in Lauterbrunnen and love the location for easy access to this beautiful region. Other prefer Wengen, which is also a lovely town. Public transportation is the only way to go here as most of the towns are inaccessible by car. You will take a variety of trains, trams and cable cars to reach all the upper regions. There are dozens of hikes in the area, everything from short and easy to long and very difficult.
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Old Jun 27th, 2015, 09:02 PM
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Hi AndreaWhyte,

Yes, I'd recommend Wengen, as mentioned by michele_d. I've stayed there twice and stayed in Grindelwald twice, and I far prefer Wengen.

For one thing, Wengen is perched up high on a ridge on the mountain, so your views are down into the valley and across to the other mountains.

For another thing, Wengen is one of the car-free villages of the area, so it is super peaceful and quiet, and the air, of course, is beautifully pristine.

You don't say when you're going, but if you're going in summer, I would advise against Grindelwald. Because that's as high as people can drive, it gets overcrowded with vehicles and tour busses on a day-trip; I've seen the streets so crowded that you can't walk on the sidewalks.

I can't comment on Lauterbrunnen, as I've never stayed there. In fact, I've never gotten off the train to explore the village; I've always been repelled by the tall cliffs that border the village and put much of it into darkness.

Have fun as you plan!

s
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Old Jun 27th, 2015, 09:55 PM
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Depending on the season, your timing, and your budget, you might consider Lauterbrunnen or Wengen.

Away from the train station (which swandav admits she has never left), Lauterbrunnen opens up to a wide valley with views of spectacular waterfalls and distant snowcaps -- at least during the summer, when the sun is high overhead.

The views from Wengen can be sublime, but will cost more than lodging in Lauterbrunnen, and you would have to get from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen and back everyday for most things you would want to do in the area.

Neither is a bad choice, though!
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Old Jun 28th, 2015, 01:47 AM
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I would agree in this instance with your leisure activities lauterbrunnen, is the closest to Interlaken and is the gateway to Wengen and Murren Beatenburg is way out of Interlaken and if you are using public transport there only a bus service which finishes early evening as do the boats which are not very regular.

If you don't want to stay in lauterbrunnen yu might want to consider Wilderswil only five minutes or so from Interlaken Ost station and there are bus connections from Interlaken.
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Old Jun 28th, 2015, 06:26 AM
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I wish I could I meet you guys in person to personally thank you for this important information. I really appreciate your feedback on this question, my questions on other forum topics and other people's questions where I have only read, but gotten valuable information. Thank you!!
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Old Jun 28th, 2015, 08:34 AM
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Grindelwald! We stayed there the last time we were in the BO. It is a great jumping off point. Yes, there may be tour buses and yes there are gonna be a whole bunch of other people there taking the trains up, or down, as well as the cableways. A lot of that "whole bunch of other people" depends on which hotel you are in and if you think Grindelwald is crowded, wait until you get to a few of the other places like Wengen and Murren.

Much depends on the time of year. Grindelwald is not, IMO, the most picturesque location (although the views are pretty memorable)and places like Wengen and Murren are probably going to seem quieter (they will not be deserted, trust me on that one).

Bottom line: would we stay in Grindelwald again? Probably not but we were not in the least bothered by the tour buses (who cares? they park in lots and on the streets...they don't obscure any views of the Eiger) or those groups of camera-toting visitors.
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