Berner Oberland
 

When visiting the Berner Oberland area which town do you prefer? We will visit each but wondering about a home base and if you have lodging recommendations that would be a bonus. Gimelwald, Wengen or Murren??

Hi tidy,

In one of your other posts, you say you're travelling in late May/early June -- is that still correct?

And could you tell us your price preference for your hotel? And how many people per room?

Anyway, I strongly prefer Wengen -- its car-free atmosphere and air make it a clear winner. Mürren is also car-free, but Wengen is a bit less remote.

Have fun as you plan!

s

I'll agree with Swandav, Rick Steves mentions, no raves about Gimmelwald, no idea why. Murren I find somewhat remote, it,s the time it takes to get from there to Lauterbrunnen everytime you want to go out. Wengen is lovely and compact and an easy train ride tgo Lauterbrunnen.

Hi,

We stayed 4 nights in Wengen and absolutely loved it. It would be our choice if we go back to the area.

Wengen, but if in late May/early June then it's going to be very quiet (many hotels still closed) and Lauterbrunnen might be the better option. Frankly, at that time of year I'd probably prefer a small town at Lake Thun (Merligen, Gunten, Spiez or so.)

Good thoughts again. So, I will go with Wengen or do as Ingo mentioned and choose one of the other towns if I find not much opened. We will probably be there the very beginning of June. As for price not sure till I hear what is the norm. Location and cleanliness is important.

When we stayed in Wengen it was mid October and it was very quiet. During the afternoon there would be a few small crowds stopping along the Jungfraujoch journey. Early mornings, late afternoons were quiet. The evenings were even more so. We loved it then the most. The most memorable evening we had:

We walked along a paved "road" from Wengen towards the end of the valley. Not another person in sight. We came across a bench facing the other side of the valley (Muerren, etc.) We sat, the valley below us, surrounded by white peaks glowing red and yellow with the setting sun and absolute silence, except for the distant sound of cowbells.

It can be magical even off season.

Wengen is cold in early June - highs about 0 F -

http://www.holiday-weather.com/wengen_ch/averages/june/ but so are all the other hill towns. Interlaken on the other hand has highs in the 60s and lows around 50 F. Wengen at that time will be sparely populated as are other hill towns except Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald which see tour bus groups come thru and hiking groups.

It all depends IME what you are looking for - a quiet remote town like Wengen or a livelier town like Lauterbrunnen and Grindlewald - younger folk will probably enjoy the latter two more - older folk and families with young kids the former two. Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald have much more lively bars, etc.

Grindelwald especially is a great base with many things a short train or gondola ride away. Wengen more isolated.

You can't go wrong - I strongly prefer Grindelwald but many here prefer Wengen.

Gimmelwald is a tiny hamlet out in the middle of nowhere - just a hostel and a hotel and some B&Bs there - very remote and very quiet.

You can't go wrong with any.

At that time of year I'd consider staying in Interlaken and on nice sunny days doing day trips into the hills but on funky days take lake boat trips in the much warmer weather or to places like Bern or Lucerne.

We just returned from a Switzerland/Italy trip two weeks ago. (I'm due to write a short Trip Report and thank the helpful posters on this site).
Anyway we stayed in Lauterbrunnen for 4 nights. We visited Wengen and Grindlewald, Interlaken and did a Lake Thun cruise.
If (no, When!) we go back we would stay at either Grindlewald or Interlaken.
Lauterbrunnen was absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed hiking around the valley floor there, but it was quiet at night. Not that we need a party scene by any means, but during the first week of October it was quiet.
We thought Grindlewald had more going on and seemed to have a few more dinner options.
Wengen was indeed beautiful, we had a lovely autumn walk there one afternoon but I would venture to say it would be very quiet in the evenings. Nothing wrong with that if that's what you are looking for!
I thought Interlaken would be too touristy for us but surprisingly we enjoyed it and would have been happy staying there too.

If looking for true budget hotels or hostels Interlaken has a flock of them.

Thank you this great info. I will consider Interlaken as it will provide more choice for day outings and evenings depending on the weather. I sure hope it is not that cold in Wengen because we are really looking forward to some hikes. I still think I will wait and either make a reservation a few days before or when we arrive. This gives us flexibility with our schedule. Again thank you.

That weather report says of June for Wengen - chance of sunny day is 7%! chance of rain 61% - wow and as those are averages for the month early June would be even colder than the month average! One reason there may be so few folks in Wengen then.

I loved Lauterbrunnen. I think Wengen could be a good choice, but perhaps not as good if you are looking low end, as the views simply won't be as good. Murren is stunning, but in truth, I was glad I opted against staying there -- I found it a bit too touristy and would have hated the time I lost to getting there and away each day. JMO.

In Lauterbrunnen, I was VERY pleased with the Hotel Staubbach.

Hi again,

Well, if you like hikes . . . again, I'd head to Wengen -- unless you like hiking along valley floors/around lakes (which of course is fine and something I like to do these days). But if you want to hike along the mountain ridges with views over to the other peaks and stunning views down the valleys, then I'd stay up among the peaks. You won't waste so much time getting to/from the trails.

I'm not sure why you think you won't be hiking if it's chilly -- ? There are always some cleared & maintained trails, and of course all you'd need is the right layers to make it enjoyable.

Have fun!

s

"... if you want to hike along the mountain ridges with views over to the other peaks and stunning views down the valleys, then I'd stay up among the peaks. You won't waste so much time getting to/from the trails."

I would think that would depend on WHICH trails are hiked -- if hiking to both sides of the valley -- which is something that I wanted to do -- then staying on EITHER side would seem to me to be less efficient than staying in Lauterbrunnen -- which is to say, IN the valley. JMO. And if one is planning to visit anything outside the area -- places such as the Schynige Platte or Thun or Brienz -- well then again, I think the most efficient option would seem to me to be Lauterbrunnen.

To be clear, I am not saying you shouldn't stay in Wengen if doing so suits your needs and interests. But the views that many people treasure, and that many seek when staying there, aren't necessarily available at every price point - even if hotel web-sites show only the very best of the best views they offer. So as I tried to say above, if your budget can ensure great views, and if Ingo's upstream cautionary notes don't dissuade you, and if the things you want to do can be done even with the extra time it will take you to do them, well then go for it! LOTS of people have found Wengen to be the best option for their interests, and with good reason!

tidy, you don't say how long you will staying in Berner Oberland, but if your time is limited you should stay in the mountains, either Wengen or Murren. We prefer Murren with so many excellent choices for hiking leaving from the village. It also has a good choice of restaurants and accommodations. Check with Denise Fussell at Chalet Fontana for accommodations.(http://www.ferntree.ch/chalet/fontana.htm) It is a wonderful place to stay and Denise is a terrific source of information to make your stay special. Even though you are going early in the season the better accommodations will book up early. By the way, I would not recommend staying in Interlaken. It is just a big tourist town with none of the views or charm of the mountain villages

I'm going to spend a week in Wengen next June (middle of the month). There are a lot of rental properties in Wengen and Lauterbrunnen, and a few in Murren. If you are planning to stay 5 days or more, I would consider renting an apartment rather than staying at a hotel.

<<It can be magical even off season.>>

IMO it's magical because it IS off season. High season is seriously overrated.

Good point Melnq8.

I would not stay in Interlaken , rather stay in the mountains. We liked Grindelwald with more options for dining at night and spectacular views from our balcony. There have posts about lots of tourist buses and crowds there but it wasn't the case when we visited.We visited Murren and Wengen, both lovely, bit we prefer a larger town.

There have posts about lots of tourist buses and crowds there but it wasn't the case when we visited.>

I've never seen a parade of tour buses either right in town that some say is routine but I've seen it crowded in summer as are Wengen and Murren on their own scale. Grindelwald has a pulse at night - Wengen and Murren are much more quiet and that's what some prefer.

To me Grindelwald has the finest views of the Jungfrau Massif of any - with Murren a close 2nd and then Wengen and Lauterbrunnen, stuck deep in a gorge which is nice but not panoramic dreamy views as do the others.

And again in June the average temp in Wengen is about freezing - highs of 34 F and lows of about 28 F - too cold for me to hike and there could be ice. I went to Murren one mid-September and there was patches of ice on the sidewalks right in town.

I'm probably the one who posted about the lines & lines of tour busses in Grindelwald and how much it affected my stay there (with my mom). it was not only the tour busses themselves but the off-loaded day-tripping passengers who flooded the town. The town is just not large enough to absorb a few hundred extra shoppers, who congregated at the shop entrances as a rule.

However, I believe the OP is travelling in late May/early June, when that's not a factor. The tour bus problem arises in July and August, maybe early Sep. Other than those times, I think the town would be normal or normally pleasant.

But anyway, for my money, Wengen has better views than Grindelwald, and I've stayed in each town two times (1 week each, each time).

s

I visited these areas in June of 2013. I found Grindelwald unpleasantly packed with other tourists, but I was only there for a few hours. I preferred the views from Wengen, Murren, and Lauterbrunnen. JMO.

Who stays during the day in Grindelwald - it is a base - I'm never there during the day but using it as a watering hole - well-equipped for whatever one wants and day trip away so I don't care what the town looks like during the day nor do most others.

Been there several times and have yet to see the flood of tour buses around (as several others have concurred with) - indeed most of the town has only narrow access lanes - yes the main drag at the entrance to the town may have some buses ejaculating passengers butmost of the guesthouses on IME are narrow lanes with electric carts taking folks baggages. No doubt there is on the main drag some large hotels with tour buses but if tour buses disgust you then there are zillions of places in Europe as or more affected.

Yes, that's true, Pal; there are zillions of places in Europe that are as much or more affected.

The problem is that Grindelwald is tiny. It simply cannot absorb the number of off-loaded day-tripping passengers, who I saw congregating at the shop entrances. I could not even walk on the sidewalk. Daily. The tour busses I saw were lining the main road, parked there. I don't think the people were overnighting there; as I said above and here, these were day-trippers doing their hour in the town. They were probably sleeping in Interlaken.

Not everyone is on a go-go-go schedule. I travel slowly, and I like to do a few things in the day, then go back to my base to soak up the atmosphere and the views and to people-watch. My mother was in her 70s when we visited together, and she wanted to stay in town and just walk the streets. But this, no, she didn't enjoy.

My experiences & comments could be useful to others. If they're not useful to you . . . fine.

I didn't post my comments here for the op since the op is travelling in May/June; I simply responded to a comment by HappyTrvlr about the tour busses to answer any questions.

s

swandav - yes for folks like you and your mom Grindelwald is a poor choice and Wengen a dream - though there are not many street to perambulate there actually but for relaxing on your hotel balcony or sitting outside - thought the avg temp is about freezing in early June, etc. Wengen is neat.

Others who are active in the day like me don't care what happens during the day when we are away and like the more lively atmosphere at night.

Each to their own and who says what is the best for any given person.

Maybe one reason I failed to see the parade of tour buses is that I am out and about during the day. And I admit to kind of enjoying people watching for such scenes too - all the Asians following like ducks their leader who holds an umbrella high whilst leading, etc.and tourist Kitsch kind of appeals to me too.

I don't doubt your experiences but I think that may just be for peak summer season - cheers!

Well, that's what I said, Pal. On 7 Nov, I said:

"However, I believe the OP is travelling in late May/early June, when that's not a factor. The tour bus problem arises in July and August, maybe early Sep. Other than those times, I think the town would be normal or normally pleasant."

s

NOt sure how long we will stay there until we know what the weather will be but tentatively May 30th to June 4th. We are in our mid 60s and from Colorado so hike a fair amount. Hope the weather is warmer than what is described but we will make the best of whatever! We will have hiking boots and of course proper clothing for conditions.Not sure which hikes we will take yet but will appreciate recommendations. Probably will hike the east side of Jungfrau, Mannlichen-Kleine Scheidegg and maybe Schynige Platte to First.Of course we want to go to the top of Jungfraujoch. Any ideas. Also, we are high energy so with long daylight hours we will make the most of time.

On your return from the Jungfraujoch trip you can get off at the last station before Kl Scheidegg and hop down on a rocky path to Kl Scheidegg - exhilarating and then walk on a wide track over which mountain bikes whizz all the way to Wengen - I did this hike and it is gently descending with wondrous views over the Lauterbrunnen Valley - also saves some train fare on the most expensive train in the world.

<<thought the avg temp is about freezing in early June, etc. Wengen is neat>>

That doesn't jibe with what I'm finding on weather information. Granted, the closest stations with historic data are Lauterbrunnen and Interlachen, but what I'm finding is that temperatures in this region, though chilly, are not typically around freezing in early June. I'd be interested in seeing any data that sheds more light on the situation.

I'm really surprised that Wengen is that cold in June - since when we ascended the Jungfrau it wasn't that cold even at the top - although it was quite chilly.

I just looked at the weather channel and at the moment it's 40 degrees (F) in Wengen. Why 40 in Nov and zero in June (even if centigrade - so really 32)?

I would check a number of different sites to see what they say for averages - since another site I looked at showed an average much higher and while they anticipated 12 days of rain they also said an average of 6 hours of sun per day.

Seems like checking a number of sites might be a good idea.

Yes avg temp of freezing - 0 C - does seem rather cold for June but Wengen is at a fairly high altitude. If that where accurate it's be a bit too chilly for me - and it could be below average as well as about average. Again I do recall icy street in Murren one mid-September - about the same altitude I think.

If you are moving about every day you may want to check out the Jungfraubahn Pass good on nearly everything that moves in the area - more benefits than a Swiss Pass as it covers more in full. If traveling around Switzerland however the Swiss Pass could be a better deal - not sure you are taking trains however - great info on Swiss trains and transports: www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

So if moving around by public transports a lot there check out the Jungfraubahn Pass! Sold locally - no need to advance order.

PalenQ, I think the temp. confusion started a few posts back when you posted that "Wengen is cold in early June - highs about 0 F"

We stayed in Wengen in October and had pleasant weather. I recall wearing a sweater and light windbreaker during the daytime.

Paul

pja- I posted a link to Wengen weather June - I know nothing - don't shoot the messenger.
http://www.accuweather.com/en/ch/wen...weather/312402

June 2015 had many days in the low 20s!

Hard to believe but a high of 18 F on June 18, 2015? Or is the Celsius?

That may still be ski season? Bring a sled?

PalenQ -- that link is showing temperatures in celsius (see info in the upper right). For temperatures in fahrenheit:
http://www.accuweather.com/en/ch/wen...weather/312402
In June 2015, the average highs -- in degrees fahrenheit -- were mid- to upper 60s and the average lows about 50.

50s and 60s Fahrenheit is more like what I was seeing (which would be consistent with around 20 Celsius. There are some days warmer than that, and some cooler. As far as the temperature difference due to altitude, when flying, the general rule is that temperature drops 3 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) for every 1000 feet gained in elevation, so, while I would expect Wengen to be cooler than the valley floor, unless there is a lot of snowpack influencing the temperature, it shouldn't be a huge difference.

I'm going with the 15 day Swiss Travel Pass (we'll be spending 16 days in Switzerland), but might opt for adding the Jungfraubahnen Pass on top of that (it is discounted if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass). I think we may ride the rails and gondolas enough to make it work economically, but, even if we don't, just having the freedom to get on and off without buying tickets (and knowing it won't cost extra to do something that you are contemplating doing) is worth something.

kja - wow - I could not believe it could be so cold.

kja - if C those temps seem to be very hot - over 90 four straight days and many days in 80s - must have been a really hot June. Be sure you have AC in your hotel!