Grindelwald Last Week in May
Mar 9th, 2006, 03:37 PM
#21
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Oops---I forgot this part. Budman, I hate to confuse you more, but did you consider the Berner Oberland Pass? We find that a B-O pass combined with a Swiss Transfer ticket works best for us. We use the 3 fully-paid days on the B-O pass for our longest and most expensive days. The Transfer Ticket gets you to and from Grindelwald from the Swiss border or airport. Unfortunately none of the passes covers 100% of the Jungfraujoch trip.
As for blindfolding your wife for the gondolas---some of them (First and Mannlichen) are barely off the ground and not scary at all. The one up to Gimmelwald and the Schilthorn is. . . well, scary, but it's so big and sturdy and Swiss that it feels very safe. Just don't let her look out the front on the descent.
As for blindfolding your wife for the gondolas---some of them (First and Mannlichen) are barely off the ground and not scary at all. The one up to Gimmelwald and the Schilthorn is. . . well, scary, but it's so big and sturdy and Swiss that it feels very safe. Just don't let her look out the front on the descent.
Mar 9th, 2006, 03:44 PM
#22
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By the "hiking pass", I meant unlimited access to all the trains/trams/gondolas ect.. in the entire area. You don't need a pass to going hiking, but the pass is convenient IF you want total and unlimited access to all means of transportation. Mike
Mar 9th, 2006, 04:46 PM
#23
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I looked at the Berner Oberland Pass. I don't think it covers Schlichtorn or the lakes around Spiez/Thun, and the Lucerne area.
I will be arriving & departing by rental car and probably will not be taking any trains in the area, just gondolas, cogs, and the like.
Maybe I'll give it another look.
I will be arriving & departing by rental car and probably will not be taking any trains in the area, just gondolas, cogs, and the like.
Maybe I'll give it another look.
Mar 9th, 2006, 05:40 PM
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Budman, I am leaving for vacation today so don't have time to post suggestions for some drives and restaurants, esp along the lakes (as the mountain passes will be closed) and will repost in a few weeks. Iin the interim, do yourself a favor a buy this book:
Swiss Bernese Oberland: A Travel Guide with Specific Trips to the Mountains, Lakes and Villages, Third Edition
Philip Alspach and Loretta Alspach
Paperback: March, 2004 (Intercon Publishing)
ISBN: 0963223577
You should be able to order it from Amazon, or your local bookstore (if you still have one in your town...) It will describe most of the above walks in a bit more precise detail, including how to get there by public transport, and has maps, estimated waking times and difficulty. It is an invaluable guide.
Also, each of the towns has a tourist office which prints a pamphlet, in English, of walks in the area. This is a good guide as well. You should also check with them before heading out as to what walks are open that day, esp as you are going in May when weather and conditions are changing constantly.
In late May you will find a good bit on snow on trials in the higher elevation walks around Wengen and Murren and may find it even down in Lauterbrunnen, so bring good waterproof shoes, gloves, a hat, a good warm jacket, a sweater and wear layers; long underwear would not be out of order at all, temps can really drop quickly if it becomes cloudy. An umbrella of course will be necessary.
I am not 100% sure that the ferries run on the lakes in May, I thought they started running on June 1 (that is the case in Zurich; perhaps others can give more precise info.
Swiss Bernese Oberland: A Travel Guide with Specific Trips to the Mountains, Lakes and Villages, Third Edition
Philip Alspach and Loretta Alspach
Paperback: March, 2004 (Intercon Publishing)
ISBN: 0963223577
You should be able to order it from Amazon, or your local bookstore (if you still have one in your town...) It will describe most of the above walks in a bit more precise detail, including how to get there by public transport, and has maps, estimated waking times and difficulty. It is an invaluable guide.
Also, each of the towns has a tourist office which prints a pamphlet, in English, of walks in the area. This is a good guide as well. You should also check with them before heading out as to what walks are open that day, esp as you are going in May when weather and conditions are changing constantly.
In late May you will find a good bit on snow on trials in the higher elevation walks around Wengen and Murren and may find it even down in Lauterbrunnen, so bring good waterproof shoes, gloves, a hat, a good warm jacket, a sweater and wear layers; long underwear would not be out of order at all, temps can really drop quickly if it becomes cloudy. An umbrella of course will be necessary.
I am not 100% sure that the ferries run on the lakes in May, I thought they started running on June 1 (that is the case in Zurich; perhaps others can give more precise info.
Mar 9th, 2006, 08:09 PM
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Budman--no, you're correct; if you are arriving by car you won't get the benefit of the discount on the B-O pass so it's probably not the best one for you.
So--to change subjects a bit---aren't you going to the barrel tasting in Napa/Sonoma/Mendocino? If you like Zins you should go to Martinelli's--they have the best (no, it's not the apple juice company). Their "Jackass Hill" is the top-rated Zin but you can't buy it. However, they have others that are close.
If you need any more info on the hikes anywhere around Grindelwald just shout.
And if you want to ask about Swiss wines just say so. They have different names but are excellent. They don't let most of them out of the country (the locals drink it all) so we are not familiar with them.
So--to change subjects a bit---aren't you going to the barrel tasting in Napa/Sonoma/Mendocino? If you like Zins you should go to Martinelli's--they have the best (no, it's not the apple juice company). Their "Jackass Hill" is the top-rated Zin but you can't buy it. However, they have others that are close.
If you need any more info on the hikes anywhere around Grindelwald just shout.
And if you want to ask about Swiss wines just say so. They have different names but are excellent. They don't let most of them out of the country (the locals drink it all) so we are not familiar with them.
Mar 10th, 2006, 03:45 AM
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marigross, is that tagging or topping, but either way, thank you very much. 
enzian, looking at the map, you have to pay 1/2 fare anyway on a lot of the transports in the area with the dotted lines. http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/halbtax-uebersichtskarte.pdf
Barrel tasting was last weekend. I didn't get to Martinelli's, but got to a bunch of others. Only really had one day for tasting -- that was Saturday. Did the Northern portion of the West Dry Creek Rd, and back down Dry Creek Rd, then hopped over to the Alexander Valley.
enzian, looking at the map, you have to pay 1/2 fare anyway on a lot of the transports in the area with the dotted lines. http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/halbtax-uebersichtskarte.pdf
Barrel tasting was last weekend. I didn't get to Martinelli's, but got to a bunch of others. Only really had one day for tasting -- that was Saturday. Did the Northern portion of the West Dry Creek Rd, and back down Dry Creek Rd, then hopped over to the Alexander Valley.
Mar 10th, 2006, 04:35 AM
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Enzian (or anyone else) - Can you explain how the Swiss Transfer ticket works. If I'm traveling from Austria, for example, wouldn't I buy a ticket to Zurich? Or do I buy a transfer ticket to the border change trains and buy a Swiss Transfer ticket?
Mar 10th, 2006, 04:45 AM
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bd, your question will be buried in this thread. I recommend you start a new thread entitled: "How does a Swiss Transfer Ticket Work" then ask all your relevant questions. You'll get lots of good hits.
Mar 10th, 2006, 07:26 AM
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Hi Budman,
I am envious, that's for sure! ;-)
Of the places you mentioned you can see some in one day/hike (maybe someone mentioned this earlier in this thread, I admit I haven't read everything carefully, sorry):
Gondola from Grindelwald-Grund to Männlichen, hike to Kleine Scheidegg, lunch at that small restaurant BEFORE you reach Kl. Sch. (with the wooden viewing point of the Eiger wall). I had the BEST ever piece of apricot cake there. Go up to Jungfraujoch by cog-train (weather permitting) and hike to Mönchsjochhütte and back. Down via Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald.
Another hike: cog-train to Kleine Scheidegg and down to stop Wengernalp. The hike down to Wengen is much less steep and more knee-friendly if you take a detour: via Mettla and Stalden (great view of Mürren and Schilthorn across on the other side of the Lauterbrunnen valley). Later you'll have a gorgeous view of the Staubbach waterfall. (half day)
Unfortunately the funicular Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp will be in construction this summer - so you'll have to take the cable car up to Mürren. From there up and down by cable car to/from Schilthorn. The hike from Mürren down to Gimmelwald is easy but from there I recommend to take the cable car down to Stechelberg - the path down is steep.
The hike First - Bachalpsee - Faulhorn is a must IMO, but it is indeed quite steep in the last part (Faulhorn) at least. You can take a full day time, though. Be prepared that the paths can still be snow covered in late May. They have tons of snow this year at higher elevations.
Spiez has a beautiful castle and a nice Romanesque church. But the walk down from the railway station is quite boring (15 min. at least). I recommend you take the boat from Interlaken to Spiez and get off there - the castle/church are next to the boat stop. Hop on another ferry an hour or two later and go to Thun. I like this town very much, the medieval castle is very nice and the old town well preserved. Schloss Schadau (one boat stop prior to the Thun station) is a hotel/gastronomy museum and has an excellent restaurant. If the weather is fine you can sit on their terrace (if I recall correctly) and enjoy the lake views. Another option for a stop on Lake Thun is castle Oberhofen - a fairy tale castle IMO, right by the lake with beautiful garden.
For bad weather visit the Trummelbach waterfalls or the Ballenberg museum near Brienz. Or do a day trip to Bern and walk under the arcades, do some shopping and sightseeing.
Another short hike would be First - Grosse Scheidegg. Not much elevation difference, up by gondola, down by bus.
Enough for now ;-)
Ingo
I am envious, that's for sure! ;-)
Of the places you mentioned you can see some in one day/hike (maybe someone mentioned this earlier in this thread, I admit I haven't read everything carefully, sorry):
Gondola from Grindelwald-Grund to Männlichen, hike to Kleine Scheidegg, lunch at that small restaurant BEFORE you reach Kl. Sch. (with the wooden viewing point of the Eiger wall). I had the BEST ever piece of apricot cake there. Go up to Jungfraujoch by cog-train (weather permitting) and hike to Mönchsjochhütte and back. Down via Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald.
Another hike: cog-train to Kleine Scheidegg and down to stop Wengernalp. The hike down to Wengen is much less steep and more knee-friendly if you take a detour: via Mettla and Stalden (great view of Mürren and Schilthorn across on the other side of the Lauterbrunnen valley). Later you'll have a gorgeous view of the Staubbach waterfall. (half day)
Unfortunately the funicular Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp will be in construction this summer - so you'll have to take the cable car up to Mürren. From there up and down by cable car to/from Schilthorn. The hike from Mürren down to Gimmelwald is easy but from there I recommend to take the cable car down to Stechelberg - the path down is steep.
The hike First - Bachalpsee - Faulhorn is a must IMO, but it is indeed quite steep in the last part (Faulhorn) at least. You can take a full day time, though. Be prepared that the paths can still be snow covered in late May. They have tons of snow this year at higher elevations.
Spiez has a beautiful castle and a nice Romanesque church. But the walk down from the railway station is quite boring (15 min. at least). I recommend you take the boat from Interlaken to Spiez and get off there - the castle/church are next to the boat stop. Hop on another ferry an hour or two later and go to Thun. I like this town very much, the medieval castle is very nice and the old town well preserved. Schloss Schadau (one boat stop prior to the Thun station) is a hotel/gastronomy museum and has an excellent restaurant. If the weather is fine you can sit on their terrace (if I recall correctly) and enjoy the lake views. Another option for a stop on Lake Thun is castle Oberhofen - a fairy tale castle IMO, right by the lake with beautiful garden.
For bad weather visit the Trummelbach waterfalls or the Ballenberg museum near Brienz. Or do a day trip to Bern and walk under the arcades, do some shopping and sightseeing.
Another short hike would be First - Grosse Scheidegg. Not much elevation difference, up by gondola, down by bus.
Enough for now ;-)
Ingo
Mar 10th, 2006, 08:51 AM
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BD--in case you come back and check for an answer. The Swiss Transfer ticket isn't something you buy at the border---it is for foreigners to use, and I believe you have to buy it outside the country. It gets you one "round trip", from the airport (or border) to your first destination in Switzerland, and from your last stop in Switzerland back to the airport (or border). It is only a good deal if (1) you will travel some distance (more than $45 worth), particularly with train changes, on each of those days, and/or (2) you will be buying another pass, such as the Berner-Oberland Pass, which offers a discount to holders of the Transfer ticket.
If you are going from the Austrian border to, say Wengen or Mürren (all in one day), it might be a good deal. If you are only going as far as Zürich, I don't think it would be of any benefit.
If you are going from the Austrian border to, say Wengen or Mürren (all in one day), it might be a good deal. If you are only going as far as Zürich, I don't think it would be of any benefit.
Mar 10th, 2006, 11:33 AM
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Budman, you're probably right, but as long as I got an answer I'd like to ask Enzian one more question, if you don't mind...
Thanks enzian, but if I buy both those tickets ahead of time, what do I buy in Austria? I am planning on going from Innsbruck to Wengen and eventually flying out of Zurich. I assume I can't get on the train in Austria with just a Swiss Transfer ticket, and I also assume I can't buy a ticket to "the border." So what would I purchase in Austria?
Thanks enzian, but if I buy both those tickets ahead of time, what do I buy in Austria? I am planning on going from Innsbruck to Wengen and eventually flying out of Zurich. I assume I can't get on the train in Austria with just a Swiss Transfer ticket, and I also assume I can't buy a ticket to "the border." So what would I purchase in Austria?
Mar 10th, 2006, 12:17 PM
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IF you are using a transfer ticket (and I'm not sure it's cost effective for going from the border to Wengen and from Wengen back to Zürich), you would buy a ticket in Innsbruck to either Feldkirch (in Austria) or Buchs (in Switzerland)---I'm not sure which but the ticket agent would know. Many of the Swiss passes cover one or more stops beyond the border---for example, last summer ours got us beyond the Swiss border to Chamonix. So that suggests the coverage starts at Feldkirch. But the rail map you get with the pass shows the actual coverage; also the ticket agent in Innsbruck would be able to tell you for sure. You should check the prices both ways and see if the Transfer Ticket is cheaper than just simple point-to-point tickets. If using those, you just buy a ticket all the way to Wengen before boarding at Innsbruck.
Mar 10th, 2006, 01:00 PM
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Thanks again for your assistance, Enzian. Border crossings confuse me with all the various regional passes. When I get closer to my trip, I'm sure I'll post again with more questions.
Thanks for letting me hijack your thread, Budman.
Thanks for letting me hijack your thread, Budman.
Mar 10th, 2006, 05:36 PM
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Please read my response to Jenski under Trekking in the Alps. We are hut to hut hiking between towns but staying two nights in both Grindewald and Kandersteg to avoid the hassles of rechecking in and the handling of our baggage. Hotel suggestions listed under my posting. Lonely Planet and Rick Steves also have helpful guidebooks.
Mar 10th, 2006, 05:55 PM
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Budman, I think I've thanked you before for posting "my" questions in advance of our September trip but I just wanted to give you another nod of appreciation.
If the NY/NJ GTG is ever at a time when we can attend (assuming folks from CT are OK), I'll buy you a drink to say thanks for all of the great info I'm accumulating in your wake. Cheers!
If the NY/NJ GTG is ever at a time when we can attend (assuming folks from CT are OK), I'll buy you a drink to say thanks for all of the great info I'm accumulating in your wake. Cheers!
Mar 11th, 2006, 05:45 AM
#39
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mvor, have you gotten your Cuddle Duds yet? - it will be cold in September in the higher elevations.
The next NJ/NY GTG is on 3 June. I will be getting back on 30 May, so information should be fresh. Hope you can make it. It's a BYOB, and there will be plenty of wine. Auntgrapes comes from CT and has made all three that we've had.
The next NJ/NY GTG is on 3 June. I will be getting back on 30 May, so information should be fresh. Hope you can make it. It's a BYOB, and there will be plenty of wine. Auntgrapes comes from CT and has made all three that we've had.
