Hi Everyone,
Does anyone have any recent info on the Lotschberg tunnel? We will be staying in Lauterbrunnen for eight days and would like to make a day trip or overnight down to Zermatt (if you think it is worth it to do so).

My mapping program routes us either east to Gletsch from Lauterbrunnen and then down to Zermatt or west from Lauterbrunnen down through Kanderstagg and through the tunnel. I thought it would be nice to make the loop this way if possible.

Is this a passenger tunnel, where you load your car onto a train or is there permitted times for cars to drive through it? I know there is a similar tunnel in Alaska that we drove through during certain times, alternating with trains. Is this the same kind of setup. Any info would be appreciated. Can't really find to much details about the particulars.

Thank you,
Michele

I believe you either travel through on the train as a passenger or you travel IN YOUR CAR ON A TRAIN....you don't drive through it as I recall.

Thank you Dukey
Michele

You drive from Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken and take the main road west to Spiez. There you turn south to Kandersteg. Watch the tricky turns I might add. I don't remember them in detail because I did not drive the route last summer although I did so 3 years ago.

As you approach Kandersteg stay on the main route and you will be led directly to the train ferry terminal. You drive onto the rail cars after paying your transit fare. Be sure that you pull as far forward as possible and lock your brakes and put the transmission in gear. (Assuming a manual shift.)

The train makes the total trip from Kandersteg to Lötschberg in about 20 minutes. It does so in a very dark tunnel.

You might want to have a light along such as a flashlight.

Otherwise its a dark trip.

Once you leave the train ferry you drive downhill via viaducts to the valley floor. The road itself is fairly steep with switchbacks, but is is well engineered. Once you are down to the level of the Rhone, turn left and drive to Visp where you turn right (south) to Taesch. You park in Taesch and take a shuttle train to Zermatt. Ordinary passenger cars are not allowed to drive to Zermatt.

One in Zermatt, there are two primary attractions higher up.
(Zermatt is down in a hole so to speak.) 1. Take the Gornergrat train to the end station. There is a place to eat and some viewing areas for Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn. 2. Take the series of aerial lifts from Zermatt upwards to the Klein Matterhorn. It will be cold at 12,000 feet, so have a jacket of some type if you go.

The view from the top of the Klein Matterhorn is absolutely incredible. We were there on a day so clear we could see all the way to Mont Blanc to the west and easily to the Mischabel Range which blocks the view to the east. From the viewing building the Matterhorn, spectacular as it is, blended into the backgound against a row of spectacular peaks. I know it is a difficult concept to envisage, but to be truthful about it, from were we stood, the Matterhorn was just one of many!

Of course, viewed from a different angle, it is a singular, dramatic giant of a glaciated horn that stands as a solitary sentinel.

Which one to take? Flip a coin.

Thank you Bob. So much info! How long do you estimate it takes from Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt. My mapping program says three hours. Does that sound about right? Just trying to figure if we do it as a long day trip or stay overnight in Zermatt. Thanks again for the precise info. It's just what I need, someone who has done it before.

Take care,
Michele

michele_d---we haven't done the drive (we went by train) but I think there is so much to do in Zermatt you should stay overnight if you possibly can. In addition to the excustions mentioned by Bob_Brown, you can take the Sunnega lift (an underground funicular) up to a plateau and walk out to the Stellisee, with classic views across the lake ot the Matterhorn. There is a mountain restaurant (Flualp) nearby that serves great lunches.

Also, the Matterhorn is a shy mountain, and your chances of seeing it unshrouded by clouds on any particular day are not great. It's best to spread your time there over 2 days to increase your chances.

Also---if you spread your driving over 2 days, you might have time on the way or return for a short stop in Kandersteg, and a chairlift ride up to beautiful Oeschinensee:

www.oeschinensee.ch

Thanks eznian,
We will be staying in the Berner Oberland for eight days so I thought it would be a nice long day trip to Zermatt, but now we will probably stay over one night.
Thanks for the info,
Michele

well there are now two Lotschberg Tunnels - the older one described above and a brand new and much longer one that now starts at Frutigen (sp?) and comes out at Visp, on the Rhone Valley floor. It is a train only tunnel, just like the older one on top of it - and i do not know if this new train tunnel carries cars like the old one did or does.

But i cannot see why most of the car traffic would not be diverted to the new tunnel and train shuttles you drive on - would save drivers and lorries a ton of time - but you also miss the gorgeous scenery of the older route.

anyone know if the new Lotschberg Base Tunnel conveys cars on its trains like the older one does?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%B6...rg_Base_Tunnel

An interesting look at the new base tunnel - now the longest under land tunnel in the world - 31 miles long

and it says Germans can put cars on in Germany and take them off in Italy (after emergin briefly at Visp, Switzerland this rail line then plunges into the Simplon Tunnel to emerge near Domodossola, Italy - this is a major north-south transit way for trucks and a major push for this tunnel was to get big lorries off Swiss roads

that said it does not say if you can put your car on at Frutigen like in Germany - again driving your car onto the flat bed train cars. but if so you journey will be much faster - Visp is at the start of the twisting Alpine road up to Zermatt - but also all in tunnel - missing the very dramatic IMO scenery via the old route.

Thanks Palenque,
I guess we will just have to check it out when we are there. It looks fascinating. I just wish I could out more info, schedules etc ahead of time. Maybe someone in Interlaken will have some info.
Take care,
Michele

I think a one day trip from Lauterbrunnen to to Zermatt is possible. We made such a trip a few years ago.
The trip to Kandersteg was about an hour because the road south of Spiez is not a main highway. From Kandersteg to Visp was at least an hour because we of course were tied to the train schedule. From Visp to Taesch is another 40 minutes or so. Then you need to take the shuttle train to Zermatt.

Yes, both the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa like to play hide and seek. The first time we went there, the day was overcast.

The second time we got off the train at Rotenboden and walked the rest of the way and had a few views of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. Then the clouds started rolling in and before we left the viewing area snow was falling that soon obscured the trail back to Rotenboden. We decided the train would not lose its way and returned via rail.

Once we got to Zermatt the snow had turned to rain.

The 3rd time we went was on a fantastic day.

Last summer we had the same idea in mind, but each time I consulted a weather map, the prediction was not all that inspiring and we did not go.

Hi again Michelle. I got curious. Does the new base tunnel have a train that transports automobiles from Fritigen to Visp. The answer appears to be "NO."

I looked at the BLS train web site at:
http://www.bls.ch/d/bahn/bahn.php

There is a statement which reads as follows:

The fastest route into the Valais by car [Meaning the Loetschberg Tunnel train ferry for cars.]

No matter whether you are about to enjoy the beauty of summer or the pleasures of skiing: car transport is the shortest and fastest way from the Bernese Oberland to the Valais and vice versa.

From Kandersteg and Goppenstein, the car transport train will take you to the other side of the Lötschberg in only 15 minutes.

I can add that trains leave every 30 minutes in both directions.

I fully agree with the others that the drive from Goppenstein to the Rhone itself is spectacular. The road is often on a viaduct with switchbacks. I recall that there are a couple of viewing areas.

Someone asked me once if the road from Visp to Taesch was scary. I said no. The retort after their trip was that I was wrong; it was so scary. I rode over the route after I was "scolded" with my wife driving. She did not blink an eye. Her response was "Scary? Who said that." So I suppose it is a function of who is driving and who is being scared.

I also agree with the others that more than a day in Zermatt could be fruitful. When we were there last we spent two nights and therefore had one day to drive to Saas Fee.

In Saas Grund we rode a spectacular lift up high as it went. From that elevation we had a phenomenal view of the Dom, the highest peak entirely in Switzerland. People often comment on the beauty of the Moench and the Jungfrau, but the Dom is absolutely gorgeous as well. Near the top I could see two almost perfectly formed glacial cirques that helped to define the summit ridges.

In Saas Fee you are close to the base of the mountain. It rises about 10,000 feet seeminly straight up. We rode a lift there to a higher elevation and the mountain looked just as imposing. Two vertical miles is an awesome rise.

The base tunnel is for high-speed passenger trains and trains carrying trucks (NOT cars) from SW Germany to Northern Italy. The latter is the result of the former Swiss law that only trucks up to 28 tons were allowed in Switzerland, and not 40 tons as in the European Union. Since the EU forced CH to adjust their max weight for trucks to EU standards it's more an incentive for trucking companies to use the transit train, and not a legal requirement.

Cars (on train) still only use the old tunnel.

However, you do it, the rewards on a clear day are beyond belief. (At least beyond mine.) You can always find something in the Berner Oberland that will be fantastic, or you can shuttle off to Zermatt for a long day of it.

One of the best hikes begins with a ride on short cable lift to Pfingstegg. Once there head west through the pig pen and walk the trail to Stieregg. (The hogs sleeping in the mud will not bother you. Just be sure to shut the gate.)

Once you reach the edge of the glacial gorge the trail takes a 90 degree turn left (south) to Stieregg. Beyond Stieregg the going gets a little tougher and there is a gully to traverse. In a couple of thousand meters you get to the base of the Cliffs of the Rots Gufer. That ascent is more than most casual hikers want to tackle. (Including me. Unfortunately I went there first when I was past 65.) The trail becomes very steep and requires a distinct confidence and little fear of heights. (You use ladders and cables to ascend.)

Even so from along the trail to Stieregg you get incredible views of the inner mountain world of glaciers, peaks, snow fields, ice fields, and cliffs. In the summer you are sometimes treated to the sight of collapsing ice dams with a flood of water and ice tumbling down.

The Fiescherhorn dominates the view to the west.
It is a glaciated ridge that looms large and dominant.
On a clear day it is beautiful; on a dark day it is gloomy and mysterious particularly with clouds passing over the peak and fully obscuring the scene from time to time.

I have photographs of it both ways. Unfortunately my ignominious computer ignorance prevents me from having a web site.

If you decide against going to Zermatt, a good substitute is to drive to the crest of the Grimsel Pass. The views from the top are very good. We hiked there one day in brilliant sunshine that was so hot I was perspiring even though I was walking on snow in short sleeves and hiking shorts.

Occasionally I would bog up to my knees and the sensation of cold snow on my bare legs was quite a thrill. (I live in the south. Therefore knee deep snow is very rare.)

As we returned, a man drove up in a van with a big Bernese Mountain dog. The dog was about to burst a gasket wanting to get to the snow. The man let him out and he headed for his element - a snow bank. He rolled over on his back and wriggled around for all he was worth. Then he took off across the snow barking for joy. He was one happy dog.

Then he came back to his human and rewarded him by giving himself a good shake sending snow and water flying everywhere. It was like he was saying "I'm enjoying the snow; so should you." Then he took off again for more wallowing. To dog lovers I am sure the scene was funny, particularly the snow shower bit.

Another rewarding trip is to take the 3 pass loop drive. Drive first to Innertkirchen to the east of Meiringen. From there you can take the road over the Grimsel then to the Furka Pass and then to the Sustern Pass which takes you back to Innertkirchen. Or you can take the left fork of the road from Innertkirchen and start with the Sustern Pass and drive the loop clockwise. I suggest starting with the Grimsel so that the somewhat gentler terrain of the Sustern comes last rather than first.

Either way, the Furka is a twisting route. I recommend that the driver not do very much looking!!

The contrast between the forested slopes around the Sustern Pass and the stark, bare rocky terrain of the Grimsel Pass is almost startling. The two are close together, yet their landscape is totally different to my eye.

Bob,
Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. I am at work right now but will look up the suggestions on my map when I get home. I think we might just throw some overnight things in our car for the day trip to Zermat and if we decide to stay we can.

We're having our hiking boots shipped to us while over there so we will be like mountain goats on our hikes. The 3 pass loop drive sounds great also. That would be a great day trip during our 8 days in the Berner Oberland. I'm excited for our stay at Chalet Horner.

My husband will be driving, no fear of heights etc...me, well that's another story. He's very used to driving HWY 1 on the California coast. After five years of planning we leave in less than two weeks...so excited! I hope your health is doing better.

Take care,
Michele