lexie

Has anyone hiked from First mountain down to Wengen, and if so, is it a fairly easy hike? [meaning not too steep or rocky!]We've been looking to do that hike next but would like to what to expect as far as level of difficulty. Thanks.

brookwood

I think you need to check your geography.
First to Wengen? No compute.
The First gondola station overlooks Grindelwald.
First is a word that means ridge; it has nothing to do with second or third.

kappa

Brookwood is right. When I saw the title "hiking down from First", I thought you were asking about hiking down to Grindelwald, which I sort of did a few summer ago. Wengen is on other area, close to Lausterbrunnen and facing Muerren. On the day of Lauberhorn downhill ski race, beautiful day of 15 Jan, I walked/sldged down from Kleineshcidegg to Wengen. Maybe you meant this route?

brookwood

Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen is fairly easy.
The trail follows along the railroad line for a great deal of the way.
The gradient is not severe as I recall.

I enjoyed the walk. The time of year was early September and the weather was mild.

lexie

Hi everybody-- thanks for re-orienting me. It's been a while... Yes , the First gondola certainly does overlook Grindelwald!! Truly, I knew the word First didn't have anything to do with the order of things but didn't know it meant "ridge".Don't know how I wound up putting Wengen in that location-I have been to Wengen,Lauterbrunnen and Murren and have now unscrambled the locations in my head--as I said it's been a while!! Good thing I asked the question... And yes, to kappa and brookwood, the hike I was thinking of was obviously the Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen route-- glad to hear it's not a tough one . Thank you both for your input!

lexie

kappa, if you're there, I forgot to ask you how was the hike from First to Grindelwald ? I know you said you sort of did it - what did you think, difficult, moderate or you could do it in your sleep? Would like to look into doing that one also --we love that area. Thanks!

kappa

Hi lexie, as brookwood correctly said, Kleinescheidegg-Wengen route would be a easy (yet with a gorgeous view) hike. I walked and sledged over snow and even then it was not hard.

I said I SORT of did First-Grindelwald because I actually hiked down to Bort (mid staion)then took a cabine to the Grindelwald bottom station. The road was sometimes steeple and rough but generally was not hard. It only got less and less interesting view-wise as I got lower and that's why I took the cabine down finally. Before starting down, I took the route First-Bachalpsee which was quite scenic, rather flat and not difficult.

I'm not a real hiker so there are many routes I have not done (I hear Manlichen-K.Scheidegg and Schinge Platte are nice.)but I find the view from the First is super. Also I love Muerren area, the view over Eiger-Moench-Jungfrau, etc is superb when you walk down from Allmendhubel (level easy to moderate). The same weekend I walked/sledged down KLS to Wengen, I did snowblading (the first time!) Allmendhubel-Muerren course for a few times. That was SUPERB mainly due to the bright & sunny wheather. That really makes me want to return there again. Happy planning!

lexie

Hi Kappa--thanks for your response! If you can ,definately do the Mannliechen to K. Scheidegg hike. It's an easy one -- just sort of walking "around " the mountain. Scenery of course, spectacular. And at the finish, there are great cheese omlettes to be had! My husband and I also LOVE Murren's location--where else can you be nose to nose with the Eiger, Monch And Jungfrau?! Great omlettes there too. Sorry, I'm obsessed. We hiked from Murren down to Gimmelwald--gorgeous views of the Steckleburg Valley. Felt that one in my calves for days though. Anyway, thanks again for your generous input!

brookwood

First to Grindelwald is a steep descent.
I don't suggest it if you are one to have sore knees! Or shin splints.
You drop more than a lot quickly. First is 2168 meters über Mehr (above sea level); Grindelwald is 1034.
Net difference is 1134 meters or 3392 feet. But the trail down undulates, so you climb a little then lose a lot, climb a little, lose a lot.

If I recall correctly, the trail does not go directly, you make a diversion to the north which causes you to climb some. Then you drop again. Before you get there, you end up losing about 4,000 feet.

I guess you could take a paraglider up and jump off and glide down. (I wouldn't but I see people do it on a clear day.)

lexie

Wow brookwood--glad ya came back!Loosing about 4,000 feet-good grief. Think I'll pass on the First to Grindelwald--my right knee isn't so great anymore. Don't want to run into trouble. I'm a little afraid of the paraglide thing--my husband would probably attempt it, but he's on his own!Think I'll go back up to Murren for that omlette. Honestly brookwood-- glad you came back because I probably would have attemped the hike.Thanks!!

bob_brown

Actually there is a miscalculation in the descent figure. If the net difference is 1134, that multiplies ut to 3720.
3.2808 * 1134 is the basis.

But who is counting? I have not done it, but you can figure that the gondola goes down at a steep angle and you can look at the landscape below as it descends. The side of the ridge from First is quite steep, so the initial descent is at a sharp angle.

A young hiker with strong knees could do it, but I shy away from those kinds of things. My wife has had surgery in both knees, so she is nearly bone on bone in the critical knee area. That kind of descent is not easy on those types of joints.

If you want to sample the route walk up above the Bachalpsee a little ways, and then descend. You will get a good feeling for the severity of the descent.

Again, a young hiker with strong knees might not feel it at all. Some of those guys and gals are incredible! I have watched them fly down the mountain slopes like they were on skis.

lexie

Hi bob brown--your're right, when thinking back that ridge is quite steep. Gonna check some old photo's! Definately can't do it with my right knee--has not been the same since a bad fall.[In France no less!] I sympathise with your wife!

Queenie

I have done this hike and would not recommend it. It is so steep as to be unenjoyable. First to Bort is not too bad, but down from there you are simply braking the entire time.

On any hiking trail many Swiss will hike UP, then take the gondola DOWN. This is much easier on the knees, and better exercise too.

elaine

I have no idea what any of you are talking about, but I congratulate lexie on posting an unusual inquiry, makes a change from the usual questions.
-

mr_go

I am a big fan of the First - Bachalpsee hike. On a nice day, you are rewarded with one of the best photo ops in the world. Take a look:

http://image12.webshots.com/12/2/84/...2XPWrXu_fs.jpg

lexie

Hi Queenie! Hiking up gondala down-- sounds good to me! With my knee giving out ,downhill has been more of a problem .

Hi m go! Thanks for the tip .
We will absolutely check this one out!!!


Hi Elaine! THANKS!