Looks good overall. Careful about spellings, or your searches may not work: It’s Montreux, and Gimmelwald, and Trummelbach.

All those mountain-top plans only work out if the weather is clear, of course. That is not guaranteed. But if you wake up and it looks overcast, don’t immediately give up. Either it could clear up shortly, or the low cloud layer may be just that - low, and by the time you get to a mountain top you could be looking down on the cloud layer, which can be fun.

So keep an eye on the forecasts, ask the locals, keep phone numbers of the mountain-top targets (like the summit restaurants etc.) handy and call - ask just what you ask, in jest, of extra tall people: “What’s the weather like up there?” They will tell you.

Aug. 7 - This is a weak plan for the day, a much better way to spend your time on arrival in the region when coming from Montreux is to go up on the Niesen - if the weather is clear, of course. The base station is near the train station of Mülenen - a tiny hamlet a few stops from Spiez.

For example, take the 8:10 train from Montreux to Visp (arr. 9:23), change to the fast train coming from Italy, the Cisalpino that leaves Visp at 9:28 from platform 4/5 and gets to Spiez at 9:53. Stick your bags into a locker (in German: Schliessfach - they come in two sizes) and take the slow train that leaves at 10:12 from track nr. 3 and gets to Mülenen 5 minutes later. (That train goes to Kandersteg-Brig through the old Lötschberg tunnel.)

Walk “back” a couple of hundred yards to the base station and go up - it should be glorious, and not in the full midday glare yet. But bring your sunscreen and sunglasses. Have an early lunch, then backtrack via Spiez, get your things, catch the next train to Interlaken and do your thing as planned.

You can take other trains from Montreux of course, just make sure you stop in Spiez to stash the bags, there is nothing in Mülenen, just a little station hut as I remember.

Not far from the station in Spiez, only a short walk away, is a Migros (grocery chain store) with a pretty nice self-serve (cafeteria) restaurant in case that appeals between trains, there is a nice view from there, too.

Aug. 8: Not sure you can fit in Gimmelwald and the Schilthorn, and I’m not sure that you want to, either - Gimmelwald is a destination, not a place to breeze in and out, because getting there is no picnic, people stock up on food then go stay there overnight to do hikes etc - see www.gimmelwald.com/getthere.html.

The Schilthorn will be plenty impressive for that day.

Aug. 11: Sounds good. Can you make the 7:04 from Interlaken Ost? It only requires one switch, in Hergiswil, and gets to Engelberg by 10:12. The next one like it leaves at 8:04.

Keep the afternoon plans flexible, there are plenty of trains to get you to Zürich. In Luzern you should get off and out and walk the wooden bridge - bring your cameras. It burned down a few years ago and was immediately rebuilt to look as much as possible like before - the city just couldn’t be without it. Use Google maps.

You mention Pilatus - doesn’t fit into your schedule, you’re doing the Titlis on the only day that the Pilatus could be an alternative.

But - no - of course you don’t have to do the Jungfrau and the Schilthorn and the Titlis, the Swiss have no such law - but why not do them if you have the time and money and weather? They are all great, all different - and don’t forget the Niesen, it stands apart from the major massif and provides a great 360 degree overview, whereas the others put you right inside the massif - different ponts of view, all great. Check this one for a great view: http://tinyurl.com/9o2eon

Go to Google, select Images, then search for >Aussicht vom Niesen< (views from Niesen).

Search for Niesen on www.youtube.com. This is a view from below - the Niesen has a pyramid shape that makes it stand out from any angle almost:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAVK_...eature=related

Then look at others - there are awesome helmet-cam videos taken by the paragliders that jump off the top from near where you’ll be! In the distance you’ll see some of the views you’ll enjoy from the Niesen. Try this one for example:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpN89rEKI6E

Aug 11/12: Take a hotel in Kloten for the last night, it is the town that the Zürich airport used to be named after because it is right next to the airport. The hotels there are used to people having to take early flights, they have shuttles or even a taxi is easy from there.

Coming from Luzern you simply get off at the main station in Zürich (Hauptbahnhof, or, for short, Zürich HB) and switch to the suburban light rail line S7.

Google “Kloten hotel” or research this or other sites.

Good luck!

I just saw this thread. I have a couple of comments:

August 8: You can visit Gimmelwald on your way back down from the Schilthorn; it makes a nice loop to go Lauterbrunnen---Grutschalp (by cablecar)---Mürren (by train or walk if you have an hour to spare). Take the cablecar up the Schilthorn and on the way down get off at Mürren. It is a nice walk down to Gimmelwald from there; you rejoin the cablecar and ride down to Stechelberg (this section is dramatic and spectacular). A Postbus takes you the short distance back to Lauterbrunnen, where you catch a train for the 20-minute ride to Interlaken.

Your kids are old enough to walk a bit and they (and you) will enjoy what the see along the way (like cows), whether you walk from Grutschalp to Mürren or Mürren down to Gimmelwald.

On the Mürren---Gimmelwald path you walk past homes, most bedecked with flowers in the yard and in hanging baskets. Last time we saw a kid's construction play set in one of the yards---a truly Swiss construction set, complete with helicopter.

If weather is an issue it is generally best to go straight up to the Schilthorn while you can, and spend time walking and sightseeing on the way down.

If your kids enjoy chess there is a monster chess board with 2-foot high pieces in Mürren right next to the bakery. It's free to play.

August 9: if you go up the Jungfraujoch this day, consider breaking up the return trip with a walk along Männlichen ridge. There is a level trail from Kleine Scheidegg to Männlichen with spectacular views; often wildflowers and cows as well. From Männlichen you ride a cablecar down to Wengen where you can walk through the village to meet the train down to Lauterbrunnen.

This walk makes a nice break after you spend 45 minutes in the tunnel through the Eiger. I always want to get off the train and outside for a bit at that point. If it is lunchtime, there are some nice restaurants with deck dining just a short walk along the trail (best to get a bit away from the hubbub of Kleine Scheidegg).

Last time we did this walk there was a helicopter ferrying concrete up to a ski lift construction site on the top of the ridge---it was amazing to watch. Or sometimes you will see helicopters delivering supplies to one of the mountain huts, or even carrying a cow.

If the weather is not conducive to the trip up the Jungfraujoch on this day, consider going to Grindelwald and riding the First gondola up to meet the trail for the easy walk to Bachalpsee. This is a classic spot in the Alps, and worth a visit even on cloudy days, (so long as it is not pouring rain.)

Such useful info. What would I do with out this forum!!!

I’ll correct my spelling mistakes and yes, I was confused between Mt. Pilatus and Titlis. Which should I do if any on the 11th before going to Kloten.

And great suggestion from Montreux to see Niesen. I am assuming the 4 day pass would work best for us. Is this the same as the Golden Pass?

Considering that you will be carrying your luggage on your way from Interlaken to Kloten, you might find it burdensome to do either Mt. Titlis or Pilatus.

Consider going into Luzern and stowing your luggage in lockers there (in the train station), then you can head up Pilatus from that side--there is a summer luge near the top, and a ropes course:

http://www.pilatus.ch/content-n136-sE.html

Or you could stroll in Luzern, or take a short ride on a lake boat if you haven't done that earlier in your trip. Possibly take a boat to Weggis and ride a cablecar up to Rigi Kaltbad.

There are lots of fun options around Luzern, and you have all day; no need to get to your airport hotel too early.

On the passes: the 4-day pass is a rail pass; the Golden Pass is a train route, from Luzern to Montreus.

Thanks.

No no no - there is no need to pass up the Engelberg-Titlis trip just because of luggage storage.

The train station in Engelberg has luggage storage, available from 6:30AM til 8:30PM!

Gepäckaufbewahrung is the term, of course.

A quick look at the official Swiss Railways site is all that's needed - http://tinyurl.com/7324rl - don't change your plan, it's a good one!

But should they go up Mt. Titlis if they are also going up the Schilthorn? I know Titlis has the rotating cablecar, but ar the two otherwise very different? Are there activities for the kids up there?

I suggested Pilatus because it would be a bit different (they can take the steep cogwheel train in one direction, up or down), and there is the Rodelbahn up there---apparently one of the longest in Switzerland. Rodelbahn is one of my kids' favorite things (and they are teenagers).

If they do go to Mt. Titlis, wwuld you suggest they carry their luggage to Engelberg, or leave it at Hergiswil when they change trains?

They have figured out the Engelberg-Titlis day to the last minute, obviously they're looking forward to it. And it is a great day! To take the bags with them to Engelberg is a piece of cake, the Hergiswil station is tiny.

Nothing against the Pilatus, but there is no reason for them to switch plans, certainly not on account of luggage. All options are on the table. luggage doesn't get in the way here.

If it helps any, we travel very light-will probably only have 2 small carry-ons and 2 small backpacks for the 4 of us. Although on the website, Pilatus does have slides and rope climbing.

Absolutely no need to switch plans on account of luggage, of course.

The question is which fits in better with their trip as a whole, and offers more fun opportunities for the children. And completes their Swiss experience, as it is their last full day.

I thought they were questioning Titlis vs. Pilatus, at least they mentioned both at one point. That was why I suggested as I did.

I don't see Rodelbahn (summer luge) anywhere else in their itinerary.

we would definitely want to fit some sliding in.

Also in August, are we able to go dogsledding at the top of any of the mountains?

Am I able to combine Trummelbach falls when I descend one of the mountains. They all seem to put you in the Lauterbrunnen valley or maybe we can scrap this and spend an extra night in Lucerne. We have seen many waterfalls and from what I am reading we’ll see some of the falls as we are going up the mountains.

If I spend an extra night in Lucerne, we can do Pilatus and Titlis and not feel rushed and other activities around Lucerne. My flight is at 9:25 am. Can I leave from Lucerne early to catch the flight or is that too risky?

Thanks.

It is easy to do Trummelbach Falls on the day you do Schiltorn - from Murren hop the cable car to Gimmelwald (or do an easy walk down there) - look around this remote farming hamlet turned tourist mecca for a bit - then take the absolutely thrilling cable car down to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, to Stechelberg, at the end of the valley from where a postal bus will take you to Lauterbrunnen, but you can get off this bus right near Trummelbach Falls, which are really only a mile or so from Lauterbrunnen i believe. All this transit is covered 100% by a Swiss pass (except Murren-Schilthorn 50%) so if have a flexipass use your 3rd flexible day on this jaunt.

Trummelbach Falls does indeed combine well with a trip up the Schilthorn. Get an early start and go straight up from Lauterbrunnen and Mürren via cablecar and train, then stop in Mürren on your way down---it offers some nice choices for lunch. I would still recommend the walk from Mürren down to Gimmelwald (about 30 minutes on a paved, bu fairly steep, path). Then ride the cablecar down to Stechelberg---quite a thrilling ride.

From Stechelberg, you can either walk the riverside path to the falls (you have to walk a short section of road), or ride the Postbus.

Trummelbach Falls, by the way, is unlike the other falls around the area. You don't just look at it; you go into it. The falls have carved a chasm inside the mountainside, and you enter this area by a series of carved paths, catwalks, and tunnels. Most people start with a ride up the lift and walk down. (I like to walk both directions). There is a fee, but it is well worth it---the sight of all that plunging water from many viewpoints is awe-inspiring.

There are sled-dog rides at the Jungfraujoch in August, weather permitting:

http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/deskto.../164_read-603/

Cost for children is only 5 CHF. You might inquire in advance (by e-mail) if reservations are possible. The kids can also slide in the snow on platters up there.

As for Luzern---yes, you can get to the airport from there in the morning, if you don't mind an early departure from the train station.

There is an IR train that departs at 6:35am from Luzern and connects at the main Zürich station with another IR train that arrives in the airport terminal at 7:46. That should be fine for your 9:25 flight. The good thing about the IR to IR connection is that the tracks are close to one another---you come in on Gl 5 and depart on Gl. 9. some of the changes (to the streetcar line) require you to transfer down a level or two to tracks with numbers in the 50's or 60's.

Of course this is the current schedule, and you are going in August. But they do not change it much (if at all). Even if they do, there is certain to be one or more trains that will work to get you from Luzern to the airport.

The big question is whether this will cause you and your family any stress over getting up and to the train station on time, and whether this will be the one time in a thousand or so when the train is delayed. I've never seen it happen, but there is always a slight chance. (Very slight, since this is Switzerland.)

So the choice depends on your travel style. I am not a fan of airport hotels, so we always spend our last night someplace where we actually like to be, and then train in to the airport from there. On the other hand, some people feel more secure being close to the airport, just in case. If that is your preference, you could still spend the whole day in and around Luzern, and then head for your airport hotel in the evening.

Thanks. The falls sound amazing so we will definitely fit that in. I'llhave to see if I can get any reward nights out of any hotels, but we absolutely don't mind getting up early and out.

Thank you so much. Have a wonderful holiday!!!

Trummelbach Falls are amazing! And the surrounding area is so beautiful! There is a gift shop and a restaurant.

can't wait. I am on the phone right now redeeming the tickets. I had them on hold to make sure it all worked. I even reserved the hotel in Interlaken to make sure I get it!Great trip to look forward to in the New Years.

Several years ago we had climbed Dunn's Falls in Jamaica and the kids have been begging us to go back as it was a highlight, so if they get to get wet and play in the falls, they will love it....along with dog sledding and riding the slides.

p67742, we did one tiny portion of what has been suggested (the Interlaken-Lauterbrunen-Wengen-Mannlichen-Kleine Scheidigg-Grindelwald part) when our kids were 11 and 13 and it was absolutely a highlight a long (their first) trip Europe trip. You'll love it.

Thanks. Very excited to go.

They just waived the booking fee for me since the taxes were coming up higher....just saved $50...

I found someone's Smugmug photo album with photos inside the falls:

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/68605...38852427_AG8n5

You can page through and get an idea what it is like.

Bring rain jackets!