Bernese Oberland
 

Hello,
I am considering a 4 to 5 day trip to the Bernese Oberland. I'm going to fly in from Zurich. I want to visit the Schiltorn and see Gimmelwald, Murren, Wengen etc; basically to get as close up into the alps and see the scenery as I can. I don't ski and plan to do general hiking/walking. The places I've mentioned are just those I've read about but hope they cover the best of what this area offers. I'm also thinking of going in September and was wondering if this is a particularly good time to go. I just need some help with piecing this together i.e. where to stay/base myself and where to start. Money is not no object! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Sept should be good for walking and hiking except at the highest peaks - which will still be snow covered.

I'm not a hiker so can't comment on specific walks - but if you search there will be plenty of info in posts here.

Just remember that Switz is VERY expensive - for everything - so look into a train pas to save some money.

Hi ProEU -

We've stayed in Lauterbrunnen a few times, once for a week - it's a good base as it's a transportation hub of sorts, which is both good and bad - good for getting around, bad for crowds - mostly folks on their way up to the Jungfrau. We've been to the BO many times in the off season (the most recent right before Christmas) and we're always amazed at how busy it can get. We've been in September - the weather was great, but the crowds were a bit off-putting, for us anyway.

I'm still working on the most current trip report, but you might want to take a look at this one from our week long stay in Lauterbrunnen in 2009 - lots of details on hikes, etc.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-walkabout.cfm

Good luck with your planning.

Wengen is fine, Gimmelwald, Lauerbrunnen, etc. are more in the shade in September.
The weather in the Alps is always unpredictable, September is rather on the better side, however.
There are tons of hiking trails and bus- cog railway- and cableway (gondola) lines in the whole area.
If the weather is fine, there are always many day trippers along the most popular hiking trails (the connurbation of Berne is less than 1 hr by car away).

BTW: If you really want to go INTO the Alps, you might have a look at mountain Valleys like Saastal, Mattertal, Val d'Anniviers, Engiadina Ota

We went last September and the weather was outstanding; we had three clear days in the Berne Oberland. We based in Interlaken thinking that it would provide more choices for other venues if the mountains were socked in, and it did, but we went into the mountains every day and did not spend much time on the lakes nor did we venture over to Berne. The first day as we arrived from Lucerne at noon, we dashed up to Schynige Platte for our first glimpses of the Eiger, Monk & Jungfrau. Second day headed up to the Schilthorn via Murren and Gimmelwald; third day went up through Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg for its famous Ridge Walk. This was our favorite day. Can still hear the cow bells echoing in my memory. You will have to pay hefty supplements on the Swiss Pass to access these higher villages, but of course they are worth every franc. Another option would be to do the half-fare card instead. We somewhat regret passing on Grindenwald, just ran out of time; in retrospect, wish we gave up a night in Zermatt for a fourth in the BO. Temps in Interlaken reached almost 80 F, with 65-70 F at the peaks. Didnt need our packable down or our rainproof shells! Hope we can back again soon to explore more in the BO and to the East (this trip was Lucerne-Interlaken-Zermatt-Montreux-Geneva)