I'm planning on taking a weekend trip to the Bernese Oberland.. this weekend! It's a little bit of a short notice trip, but I decided I was going to take the weekend to go somewhere relatively nearby Munich where I'm living for the summer. The big question is, what's the best way to spend a day and half in the BO?

I know I want to spend a morning to go hang-gliding at least once! And I will probably do that in Interlaken unless there are better places to do it. But as far as hiking goes, what's the best bet to spend a day? I was thinking of Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg with a detour to see the Trummelbach waterfalls, but what else is there? How's the North Face trail? What's the best way to get a taste of the Bernese Oberland in the limited time that I have?

Tentatively I'll come into Interlaken on Friday night, go hang-gliding in the morning (already working on making a reservation), then go hiking for the rest of the day (but where, is the question?) and evening. Then back to Interlaken (do the buses/cable cars run late in the evening??) to spend the night again and then spend some more time hiking before I leave late Sunday afternoon. Does this sound feasible?!

I don't feel the need to see absolutely everything (other than go hang-gliding) because I know I will be back eventually and that I'll spend far more time than just one weekend when I do come back.

Thanks so much in advance =)

Oh! And if it makes any difference, I'm all about photography. If there are any particular places that are worth hiking, especially at sunset for some great color, absolutely let me know! Thanks again.

schwabinger: Have a good quick trip to the gorgeous B.O. Do you mean paragliding or hang-gliding? My husband used to go hang-gliding in his youth...hang-gliding is riskier than para-gliding. We watched the para-gliding in the B.O. and my husband almost decided to go, but we will have to fit that in on our next trip. We watched para-gliding in various spots in the B.O. Looked like the flyers were having fun flying from both Murren and also flying up at the Schilthorn. According to my husband, just gliding down isn't too much fun. Soaring is what is fun...getting some lift.

We spent 11 nights in the B.O. We had 5 nights in Murren and 6 nights in Wengen. My favorite hike was on the north face trail above Murren. It was the end of June, and the wildflowers were blooming like crazy....my husband took loads of photos of the wildflowers. The Alps are also beautiful from the north face trail. We also liked that trail because it wasn't crowded. (Some of the easier trails accessible from Wengen were too crowded.)

The best photos at sunset depends on the light and the weather.

Have fun!

Thanks Melissa! I've decided that hang-gliding is the way to go, but I can see how its a bit riskier. Hopefully the weather conditions cooperate!

I think I'll definitely check out the North Face trail if I can easily get up there (I don't know anything about the costs of the trains to get up to Murren/Lauterbrunnen, etc.) for an entire day's hiking trip.

And I also think I'll head up to Lauterbrunnen to see the Trummelbach Falls, particularly if its a wet day.. are there any other trails that are highly recommended?

Thanks a lot!

Hey
Check out this informative link about places to see in Swiss
http://swissinfourdays.blogspot.com/

Good luck