We are the 1st time visiter to the Berner Oberland area and wish someone advises us for the base location. We hope to visit Jungfrau, Schilthorn and lake areas. We know many people suggest Wengen or Murren but that may not be suitable for exploring the lake area. Is Lauterbrunnen the best compromise? Thank you

I will be returning this summer for my 4th week in the Berner Oberland. So far I have opted to stay in Lauterbrunnen, but in full realization of its drawbacks. Usully, I have a rental car, which I can park for free near the door of my apartment. With a car, it is easy to get out of Lauterbrunnen and drive to Grindelwald or to Interlaken. By train or cable lift it is easy to reach Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg and M&uuml;rren. By bus, Stechelberg and Isenfluh are a short ride away. In a sentence:<BR>Lauterbrunnen is a transportation hub.<BR>M&uuml;rren offers stunning views, perhaps unrivaled, in the Berner Oberland.<BR>Wengen, also has a gorgeous setting.<BR><BR>I think it depends on what you want to do and what you want to see and how mobile you intend to be. I looked at the various pros and cons, and for me the mobility issue was high on the list.<BR><BR>Also we have found an apartment that meets our needs and the owner is flexible in that she does not adhere slavishly to the Saturday to Saturday rental period. Many of the apartment owners do, particularly if you go through an intermediary. In my case, I pick up the telephone, call and ask.<BR><BR>I think you could also consider Wilderwil and Zweil&uuml;tschinen as bases.<BR>Either one would maximize mobility, but both of these locations are fully hidden from the peaks like the Jungfrau and the Schreckhorn. At least from Lauterbrunnen, there is a view of the Jungfrau and Staubach Falls. <BR><BR>Of the four, Grindelwald is by far the largest with the most hotels, restaurants and shops. It is also the most crowded. <BR><BR>Lauterbrunnen is essentially a village of one main street, with one food store that sells vegetables, plus bakeries, a meat market, dairy products store, and various other shops. <BR><BR>M&uuml;rren is mostly hotels, restaurants, and apartments with a few stores and shops. It is supplied by cable lift and train and you reach it the same way.<BR><BR>Wengen is also perched up on the mountain side and is accessible only by train or foot or helicopter.<BR><BR>I think the final choice is up to you.<BR>All of the four major mountain towns have their positive features and their drawbacks. I think it depends on what is important to you. <BR><BR>Were I going for 3 days, I would choose M&uuml;rren because of the views of the Alps.<BR>For a week, I have stayed with my choice. I admit there is more action in Grindelwald, but usually I arrive there after a few days in Paris, so "action" is now taking a backseat to other aspects of my reason for being there.

I think Bob would agree with me here that Lauterbrunnen is more of a transportation hub to the Jungfrau area more than anything else.<BR><BR>As Bob pointed out, those that drive in rented cars can park in Lauterbrunnen. Even for those that use the trains would find it more convenient.<BR><BR>Since there is not too terribly much going on in Lauterbrunnen, it would make a great place to stay if you want to snip off some of those extra travel times that it takes from transferring from Wengen or Murren.<BR><BR>"On a sailing ship to nowhere, leaving anyplace. If the summer changed to winter, your's is no disgrace"<BR><BR>Yes, 1971

Thank you for your advise, I think we will pick Lauterbrunne as Bob indicaated as we will spend one day to Schilthorn, 2nd day to Jungfrau, then 3rd day to the lakes. Murren is not good for Jungfrau and Wengen is not convenient to Shilhorn, and both are not suitable for the lake trip. So we have to compromise by picking the middle point. Decisions & decisions...

Excellent advice already given. Those are big shoes (of our dearly departed Ed) to fill, Bob, but you're doing a yeoman's job.<BR><BR>And lest we forget.<BR><BR>www.twenj.net<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Well, now I am confused. Up until now a lot of people have recommended Murren or Wengen for this area. I see that there are 2 funiculars/4 trains to Murren from Lauterbrunnen every hour. Is that route really that difficult or inconvenient? Or just take a little extra time?

Ronda, I stayed in Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Muerren. IMO Lauterbrunnen is indeed a transportation hub. Wengen and Muerren have better views, better accommodation, Muerren is a beautiful small village in Berner Oberland style. It is just the little extra time … <BR><BR>Ingo<BR>

Ronda, Jumping around from village to village is not all that time consuming.<BR><BR>I'm staying in Wengen later this summer. For me, getting around to other towns and villages in this area is as easy as pie. <BR><BR>I don't have the SBB web site at hand, but as memory serves, I think it takes a whopping 15-20 minutes to get to Wengen from Lauterbrunnen. It is not all that much time consuming. I told someone who wanted to stay in Lucern to move in closer, but staying in Wengen or Murren will not hurt anything at all if you want to explore he lake areas.<BR><BR>If you want to snip off that extra 20-30 minutes that it takes to get back to Lauterbrunnen from Wengen or Murren, then staying in Lauterbrunnen is perfect.<BR><BR>I stayed in Grindlewald in 2000 and I found plenty of time to take a lake cruise over to Thun one day. Then another day, I went to Brienz.<BR><BR>Stay in Wengen, Murren or Grindlewald. There, I've said it and you know what? I'm not sorry I said it either.

I have no intention of trying to fill anyone's shoes. As far as I know, Ed took his shoes with him when he left.<BR>I have, however, written extensively in these pages on the subject of the Berner Oberland long before Ed left us. And I do feel that I know the area relatively well for someone who goes there only in the summer for a week. <BR><BR> I just happen to like the area and try to fit it in when I can. I missed it last year when we went for a week to the &Ouml;tztal south and west of Innsbruck. I would like to get back there, too, but there is only so much time. <BR><BR>As for the Berner Oberland, I have my point of view, and can express it as fully as anyone who writes here.<BR>After 3 visits of one week each, I have learned a little about the area. And I think I have walked as many miles of trail around the area as the average 69 year old. <BR><BR>My decision to stay in Lauterbrunnen, at least overnight, is based on convenience for me personally. <BR>But as I have emphasized, during the day, I am rarely in Lauterbrunnen. Don't knock my door at lunch time and expect to find me in unless it is pouring rain.<BR><BR>The one point of view I have not advanced here is that of staying in one of the mountain hotels that can be reached only by walking a few miles. I believe everyone would agree that this audience is not heavily into hiking.<BR><BR>I have been temped, however, to stay at Berghotel Obersteinberg, complete with candlelight. Come to think of it, I don't know why I haven't, given my treks to Twin Falls Chalet in Yoho NP with excusions into the upper reaches of Waterfall Valley.<BR><BR>

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