tailsock

do you have a suggestion?

scrb11

Well not really original but very stunning to go from Lauterbrunnen to up to Grutschlap on the gondola.

Then either walk all the way to Murren or take the train about half the way to Winteregg.

The whole path from Grutschlap to Murren is very scenic, as you look at the peaks across the valley. Murren end also looks down at Gimmewald below. Many places in Murren to dine out on a terrace with views across the valley.

Then you can either go up to Schilthorn for more views or take the cable card down to Stechelberg I believe and then take the bus down there back to Lauterbrunnen.

Also saw on a travel show (Places to Love) where you can rent a bike at Launterbrunnen and ride in the valley all the way to Stechelberg or beyond. Then there is apparently a place with vending machines to buy Swiss cheese and maybe wine too?


Another possibility, which I haven't done myself, is to hike along the shores of Brienzersee. Obviously not a hike in the alps but you get views of the alps there as well as the beautiful lake. The Brienz side is especially stunning. You can either take the ferry or the train back from Brienz back to Interlaken and then back to Grindlewald. I've only done the cruise and the train back. Train is faster, cheaper and also has good views. Buy you definitely want something like the Swiss Half Fare card.

Another possibility is the Berner Oberland pass:

https://www.regionalpass-berneroberl...rices-tickets/

Really only worth it if you're just traveling all the time. Long hikes would reduce the time you'd have to take advantage of the pass obviously. Plus you can never be sure how much sun and clear skies you will have there.

One of the most scenic spots in the region is Harder Klum. It's not as high up as other places in the BO but you see both lakes and the peaks between and around them. I think you can either hike up or down. Of course the funicular is faster.

Schyinge Platte is also very beautiful. Takes a long time to reach and there are hikes there but they were a little too long for me to undertake.

You can also take train up to Eigergletscher station, which is the last station before you have to pay for Jungfrau. I walked down from there back to Kleine Scheidegg, took about 60-90 minutes, all downhill.

Also pretty sure you can take the cable car from Grindlewald up to Mannlichen and hike down to either Wengen or Grindlewald. But there's also hiking around Mannlichen as well. There is a viewing platform north of the cable car stations. Takes about 30-45 minutes. You get panoramic views all over. Just watch all the cows, especially where you step.

tailsock

Thanks a lot for those suggestions. I remember seeing a travel blog featuring Grutschlap to Murren and the views did look amazing. Gonna look at that one closer.

Also can someone tell me what the most POPULAR hike would be in this region? (Besides Jungfrau) I'm talking about the hike/walk most likely to be crowded. We'll want to avoid that.

kappa1

You mean you want to know which are the most popular so that you will avoid them? Männlichen - Kleinescheidegg is certainly one as this one is very easy yet scenic. It seems many tour groups do this. Also First - Bachalpsee lake although possibly not as crowded as the first one.

tailsock

Great thanks. These are things I have to know. Since the principal purpose of my trip is photography the less people hiking along the same path the better. Is there another lake one of you would recommend that would provide equal beauty?

neckervd

Trails where you usually meet a lot of people of all ages (kids and dogs included) in August:

Maennlichen - Kleine Scheidegg
First - Grosse Scheidegg
First - Bachalpsee
Bachalpsee - Waldspitz
Bachalpsee - Faulhorn
Faulhorn Schynige platte
Grindelwald - Eigergletscher (Eiger Trail)
Wengen - Wengernalp - Kleine Scheidegg
Gruetschalp - Muerren
Allmendhubel - Suppenboden - Muerren
Muerren - Rotstock Hut - Sefinenfurgga - Griesalp

Lakes:
Unless in other areas of the Swiss alps, there is only one really nice lake in the Bernese Jungfrau area: Bachalpsee.
Other lakes:
Hagelseeli (45 min from Bachalpsee)
Hexenseeli (45 min from Hagelseeli)
Saegistalsee (2 hrs from Bachalpsee)
Untergrindelwaldgletschersee (below Baeregg, no acces trail)
Sulsseeli (45 min from Sulwald gondola station)
Upper Sulsseeli (below Lower Sulegg, no trail but easy access in 30 min from Sulsegg for experrienced hikers who know how to read maps)
Grauseeli (30 min from Birg, middle station of the Schilthorn gondola).

For really nice mountain lakes where you seldom find more than 3-4 people, go to Grimsel Pass (far away from Grindelwald) sleep there twice and hike to Totensee, Truebtenseeli, Jostsee, Laengsee, Rundsee, Uelisee, Obersts Seeli, Truetzisee.....



Between Grimsel Pass and Trutzisee

Melnq8

Sorry to hijack your thread tailsock, but I have a question for neckervd -

What town makes a good base for the Grimsel Pass hikes and are these hikes accessible by public transport?

I'm doing some research for my own trip to Switzerland - whenever that might be - and looking for some new places to visit.

ashwinb

You already have a great list here, adding some more:

1. The hike up to the Faulhorn peak above First, near Grindelwald.
2. The hike to Tanzbodeli from Gimmelwald and ending up in Stechelberg in Bernese Oberland, a bit long, but absolutely wonderful, will take up your entire day. You could also start from the bottom of the valley at Stechelberg, but it would be quite an ascent. You can also stay at the lodge there to split the hike. There's a lake further you can head to.
3. The ridge hike from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock. Super easy as well. This is maybe a couple of hours away from Interlaken, worth only if you are planning to go into the area.
4. I also walked from the Eigergletscher hotel to Alpiglen and then took a train back to Grindelwald. This was a great hike, and is part of the Eiger trail.
5. First to Gross Scheidegg is a delightful walk through the meadows. Just make sure you are in time for the last bus from Gross Schedegg to Grindelwald. I nearly missed it, the walk back would have been long.Also, thanks to the members on this forum, I went to various places in Valais, and that was a great decision, I particularly enjoyed Lake Louvie, a long-ish hike split between 2 days. Also, the hikes around Aletsch Glacier are amazong, although a different kind of scenery. Do have a look at my blog for more ideas I might have missed: https://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com...2/switzerland/
6. I would also recommend doing a bit of the Hardergrat, I went for the portion starting from Brienzer station, I would not recommend it, was really difficult and I turned back after some time. I have heard the other end is easier, at least a part of it, starting from Interlaken, but you need to check. The views of the lake and the ridge were unbelievable.

Wekiva

Totally seconding the Schynige Platte hike. Walking along the edge of the mountain with Lake Brienz on one side and the mountains on the other is incredible.

Here are plenty of photos of the area.

neckervd

To melnq:
There are hotels at Grimsel Pass, Grimsel Hospiz and Grimsel Oberaaar.
Postbuses to Grimsel Pass start from Meiringen railway station (Bernese Oberland) and from Oberwald railway station (Valais).
https://www.grimselwelt.ch/en/grimselhotels/oberaar
https://www.hotel-grimselpass.ch/en/
https://www.grimselwelt.ch/en/grimse...grimsel-hospiz
The Postbus Meiringen - Andermatt, connecting Golden Pass with Glacier Express runs via Grimsel Pass too.

Melnq8

Thank you neckervd!

tailsock

WOW that looks amaaaaaazing!!!!! Not far from Grindewald either!

scrb11

You have to really plan for Schynige Platte though. Those trains don't run as often as other mountain trains.

Plan on spending at least half a day if you want to go up, do any kind of lengthy hike and then take the train back down.

But I'm also guessing you can hike all the way back down somehow so maybe only one-way train ride.

neckervd

Trains to Schynige Platte run every 40 minutes from 7.25 until 16.45, until Oct 25th 2020 and from May 29th until October 20th 2021.
The steep trail down to Wilderswil isn't attractive at all.
If you have good knees and are willing to invest 4 hrs, you better take the panoramic trail down to Burglauenen, via Usserlager - Schwand - Innerblatti - Spisblatti - Scharmatta.
The trail continues from Burglauenen along the Luthschine river up to Grindelwald Grund railway and gondola station (another 1 1/2 hrs).

tailsock

May not be going anywhere with the way things are here. Maybe next year.

scrb11

Me too. I was scheduled to go out in mid July.

US isn't expected to be on the list of countries whose tourists are allowed to enter. List may be updated every two weeks but I have to let the hotel know if I can make my reservation soon.

tailsock

Ugh sorry to hear it. Late August here (Aug 19th). There's a little time left for progress but I'm extremely doubtful things will change drastically by then. Did you book non-refundable hotels?

scrb11

Unfortunately no.

tailsock

Ugh what a headache. I have 2 stays that are non-refundable (Hotels.com) I saw that a refund will be given but some hotels can opt out of that and instead issue a voucher for future booking at that same property. My guess is many independent hotels would choose the latter.