Grindelwald or Lauterbrunen
Jun 12th, 2004 | 03:03 PM
#1
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Grindelwald or Lauterbrunen
Hi, all. I have booked a week-long hiking trip to the Swiss/French Alps in August. I will be staying 2 days in Geneva before the trip, and I appreciate all of the good suggestions I have received from this board for lodging and sightseeing there. Now I need your help deciding what to do in the 3 days or so I have after the hiking trip ends.
Before reading about the Bernese Oberland on this board I had decided to spend that time in Zermatt. However, I have read so much about BO that I am now pretty sure I will go there instead. So here's my question: Do you recommend Grindelwald or Lauterbrunen as my home base? or somewhere else? I want a place where I can not only enjoy the town, but do easy day trips to any place of interest. One thing I really enjoy is taking a cable car up the mountain and hiking around at the mountaintop. Also if you know of any decent hotels that aren't too expensive in those towns I would be most grateful. Thanks to all in advance.
Before reading about the Bernese Oberland on this board I had decided to spend that time in Zermatt. However, I have read so much about BO that I am now pretty sure I will go there instead. So here's my question: Do you recommend Grindelwald or Lauterbrunen as my home base? or somewhere else? I want a place where I can not only enjoy the town, but do easy day trips to any place of interest. One thing I really enjoy is taking a cable car up the mountain and hiking around at the mountaintop. Also if you know of any decent hotels that aren't too expensive in those towns I would be most grateful. Thanks to all in advance.
Jun 12th, 2004 | 03:34 PM
#2
Joined: Dec 2003
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Wengen for me - get up there in the hills - with the big three mountains dominating your view. While the views from Lauterbrunnen are OK, you are in a valley and a long way from the atmosphere. Similarly Grindlewald is a resort a bit out of the hiking scene. You might also want to go to Murren and Gimmelwald and hike up to Piz Gloria. Have a look at a map to get a perspective of it.
Jun 12th, 2004 | 03:53 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
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Grindelwald is much more lively than Lauterbrunnen because it is larger by several sizes. The main street of Grindelwald is much longer and has many more shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Lauterbrunnen on the other hand is on the floor of the valley with transportation links to Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfraujoch on the east side, and other links to Mürren on the west. At the end of the valley in Stechelberg there is a trail that goes deeper and higher into the main range of the Berner Oberland.
The immediate destination is the Oberhornsee; the ultimate is a shelter cabin high on the side of the Jungfrau.
From both Wengen and Mürren other trails lead deeper into the hills.
The premier hike in the whole area is the First to Schynige Platte hike, particularly if you detour by the top of the Faulhorn.
First is a gondola station high above Grindelwald. Schynige Platte is a ridge that separates the Grindelwald area from the lake east of Interlaken.
It is reached by a mountain train from a village called Wilderswil that is about a mile south of Interlaken.
One can ride up to Schynige Platte and head for First. The problem is walking fast enough to reach First before the last Gondola goes down. An experienced hiker can make it without much trouble, but a novice would have time difficulties.
The last gondola down is about 6:30 pm,which relative to the setting of the sun in the summer is quite early. But, that is the way it is.
There are other hikes in the area, but those two are long and should keep you occupied most of the day.
Lauterbrunnen on the other hand is on the floor of the valley with transportation links to Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfraujoch on the east side, and other links to Mürren on the west. At the end of the valley in Stechelberg there is a trail that goes deeper and higher into the main range of the Berner Oberland.
The immediate destination is the Oberhornsee; the ultimate is a shelter cabin high on the side of the Jungfrau.
From both Wengen and Mürren other trails lead deeper into the hills.
The premier hike in the whole area is the First to Schynige Platte hike, particularly if you detour by the top of the Faulhorn.
First is a gondola station high above Grindelwald. Schynige Platte is a ridge that separates the Grindelwald area from the lake east of Interlaken.
It is reached by a mountain train from a village called Wilderswil that is about a mile south of Interlaken.
One can ride up to Schynige Platte and head for First. The problem is walking fast enough to reach First before the last Gondola goes down. An experienced hiker can make it without much trouble, but a novice would have time difficulties.
The last gondola down is about 6:30 pm,which relative to the setting of the sun in the summer is quite early. But, that is the way it is.
There are other hikes in the area, but those two are long and should keep you occupied most of the day.
Jun 12th, 2004 | 06:16 PM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
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P_M -
Normally I'd suggest either Wengen or Murren, but because you're looking for a base where you can do easy day trips, you might want to consider Lauterbrunnen.
Having said that, Wengen and Murren are only a short train ride or funicular/train ride from Lauterbrunnen. The scenery in Wengen and Murren is more spectacular than in Lauterbrunnen, and many great hikes originate from these areas.
From Wengen you can take the cable car to Mannlichen, then walk to Kleine Scheidegg, or walk down to Grindelwald.
From Wengen you can also take the train to Wengernalp then walk back to Wengen, or if you're really adventurous you can walk from here back to Lauterbrunnen via the upper Trummelbach Falls (this one's a doosy).
No matter what you decide, you'll have many hikes to choose from.
I've never stayed in Lauterbrunnen, so can't suggest hotels there. We like the Bellevue in Wengen and the Alpenruh in Murren - both three star.
Have fun.
Normally I'd suggest either Wengen or Murren, but because you're looking for a base where you can do easy day trips, you might want to consider Lauterbrunnen.
Having said that, Wengen and Murren are only a short train ride or funicular/train ride from Lauterbrunnen. The scenery in Wengen and Murren is more spectacular than in Lauterbrunnen, and many great hikes originate from these areas.
From Wengen you can take the cable car to Mannlichen, then walk to Kleine Scheidegg, or walk down to Grindelwald.
From Wengen you can also take the train to Wengernalp then walk back to Wengen, or if you're really adventurous you can walk from here back to Lauterbrunnen via the upper Trummelbach Falls (this one's a doosy).
No matter what you decide, you'll have many hikes to choose from.
I've never stayed in Lauterbrunnen, so can't suggest hotels there. We like the Bellevue in Wengen and the Alpenruh in Murren - both three star.
Have fun.
Jun 12th, 2004 | 07:46 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
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I should have added that I don't know the hotels in that area because I have always rented an apartment by the week.
If you are traveling strictly by train, the connections between Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are not good at night after 6:20 PM. Even though it is not very far from one place to the other, the timing becomes poor.
To travel between Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, you must change trains at a little village called Zweilütschinen. The waiting time after the 6:20 pm train becomes at best 51 minutes. The station is tiny, and I am not sure there is a cafe nearby where you could wait. (I have never had to make the long wait; I always got back on the 6:20. I think a fast walker could beat the train schedule but if you are tired from a day on the slopes the last thing I would want is to blunder along a strange trail in the dark.)
You could just as easily vist Interlaken for the evening and get back to Lauterbrunnen at 11:57 pm on the last train. (There earlier ones.)
If you are traveling strictly by train, the connections between Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are not good at night after 6:20 PM. Even though it is not very far from one place to the other, the timing becomes poor.
To travel between Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, you must change trains at a little village called Zweilütschinen. The waiting time after the 6:20 pm train becomes at best 51 minutes. The station is tiny, and I am not sure there is a cafe nearby where you could wait. (I have never had to make the long wait; I always got back on the 6:20. I think a fast walker could beat the train schedule but if you are tired from a day on the slopes the last thing I would want is to blunder along a strange trail in the dark.)
You could just as easily vist Interlaken for the evening and get back to Lauterbrunnen at 11:57 pm on the last train. (There earlier ones.)
