Help Needed! 4 day itinerary for Bernese Oberland in April 2009
 

Hi!

My husband and I will be flying into Geneva from Amsterdam on 23 April 2009. It's our first time to Switzerland and we would really appreciate some help with our itinerary. We're planning to stay in Lauterbrunnen for 4 days. So far I've got my eyes fixed on the Schilthorn (and / or Jungfraujoch - which is better?). We may consider a cruise on the Lake Brienz and maybe sightseeing around Interlaken if it is worth it and if we have the time. We've no experience in hiking, so any 'hikes' suggested will probably have to be the easy - moderate ones (would the Mannlichen - Klein Scheidegg be a good one to do at this time of the year, and how long will it take?). We're also considering renting a car as we will be touring other neighbouring countries after we leave Switzerland.

Thanks! :)

Hi asherelon,

Suggest that you wait until you are ready to leave Switzerland before you pick up your car. The entire Oberland region is better seen by train and cable car -- the best spots don't even allow cars. There's a train station next to the airport, so it's seamless transportation.

Sorry, though, I usually ski when I'm in the region so don't know much about hikes. But you can find all you need to know at this site

www.myjungfrau.ch

And here's the specific page for winter hiking:

http://www.myjungfrau.ch/en.cfm/wint...=Winterwandern

(trails are kept open all winter long, and even late April may have some snowy conditions).

Have fun!

s

Hi. I was planning a short trip myself but for September... In April, I'm not sure what lifts are open or walking trails... the websites above should help you figure that out.

There is also one for Schilthorn (www.schilthorn.ch)

We were going to go up to Schilthorn one day, taking the gondola and train via Grutschalp upward, then on the way down get off at Murren and walk to Gimmelwald before continuing down the mountain (bus back to Lauterbrunnen). The next day the plan was to take the train to Brienz, then bus to Ballenberg (outdoor museum), then the lake cruise from Brienz back to Interlaken.

With those plans, plus the train from Lucerne to Interlaken, and departing train Interlaken to Zurich, I had priced out that a 4-day Swiss Pass would meet our needs. It would have been about 25chf less than buying all the tickets at full price, easier to use, and included all the above travel except Murren<->Schiltorn portion, and that would be at 50% off (with the Pass).

Our plans have changed due to family circumstances, so we're putting this trip on 'hold' until everyone can go together (maybe next year!), but I hope these notes provide some help.

Hi ash,

>We're also considering renting a car as we will be touring other neighbouring countries after we leave Switzerland.<

If you don't return the car in Switzerland, there will be a very large drop off fee (usually).

What's the rest of your itinerary?

((I))

Hi all,

Firstly, thank you so much for your replies! :)

swandav2000 - In fact I was planning to travel by train and only get the car after we exit Switzerland. It's just that hubby feels that it's more 'flexible' if we can drive around ourselves (i.e. our schedule is not restricted to following train timetables etc.). He's used to driving in Europe (Switzerland excluded) himself.

Travelnut - I'm not quite sure if I will be able to go up via Grutschalp because the Lauterbrunnen BLM - Murren BLM line is apparently going to be closed from 20th - 24th. We might go up on the 24th to Schilthorn (assuming the weather is clear) via Luftseilbahn Stechelberg-Mürren-Schilthorn (LSMS) - see itinerary below. Thanks for your tip on Lake Brienz. Will do that leg if we do not go up to Jungfraujoch the very next day (oh, I know I'm sounding too ambitious :D). Will work out the Swiss Pass requirements once hubby okays the train rides. All the best in getting everyone together for your trip to Switzerland!

Ira - My proposed itinerary is as follows:

23 Apr - Arrive in Geneva at 10am. Head to Lauterbrunnen. Rest of day not yet planned.

24 Apr - Schilthorn / Jungfraujoch. If Schilthorn, will take early ride up to have breakfast at Piz Gloria, and come down in the afternoon, stop over at Trummelbach Falls. This is dependent on the weather up in the mountains.

25 Apr - Schilthorn / Jungfraujoch. An alternative would be to do the Mannlichen - Klein Scheidegg walk.

26 Apr - We will probably head to Lake Brienz for a cruise and then to Interlaken for sightseeing before leaving Switzerland in the late afternoon for Fussen / Munich.

Is the above workable? Are there any other places we should visit instead? I really don't have any idea especially since it's our first time there!

Thanks once again! :D

Hi again,

That's too bad! I always considered the trains part of my whole European experience. I love sitting and spending my time people-watching (fashionistas coming back from a spending trip or matrons home with pictures of the new baby or a gaggle of school kids on a field trip) or enjoying a luscious picnic while the scenery slips by.

The train schedules are so convenient, you really ultimately could not be more flexible. Yes, you may *have* to wait maybe 15 minutes -- but that's enough time to strike up a conversation, have an ice cream, or wander down a winding street that is calling you.

I suspect you'll be sorry and will opt for the trains next time.

s

I'm also visiting in April and most gondolas and cable cars will close after Easter, including the Mannlichen, which will prevent the walk from Mannlichen to Klein Scheidegg (which often closes in winter anyway due to avalanche danger).

I got an e-mail from the Grindelwald Tourist office today that said the Schilthorn is only open until April 26 (closing for maintenance I assume). I've been led astray by the tourist office before though, telling me something would be open then finding they decided to close a few days early, so suggest you do some research on closures so you're not disappointed.

Thanks Melnq8 for that bit of advise. Yikes, a trip to the mountains doesn't really sound like fun after Easter! Will certainly take all factors into consideration before heading there.

Don't get too discouraged, as there's still plenty to do in the off season, but you do need to be prepared for closures and be a bit flexible (and creative).