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Joe Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2002 Posts: 819 | TRs | Pics Location: Kent |
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Joe
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Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:10 pm
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Roger and Tom’s trip reports from the last two years were the inspiration for this trip. The trip reports provided most of our hiking itinerary, but we didn’t have as ambitious hiking plans and stuck to easy low mileage hikes. Thank you for answering my numerous questions about the trains, cable cars and the rail passes.
Sept. 3 –Bristol, UK to Murren
This was a 2 plane, 4 trains and one cable car day. The trip started with a flight to Amsterdam, then a second flight to Zurich. At Zurich, we took train #1 to Bern, where we had about 7 minutes to catch train #2 to Interlaken Ost. At Interlaken Ost we boarded train #3 to Lauterbrunnen, then a short walk to the cable car station, where we rode the cable car to Grutschalp. Train #4 to Murren completed the day’s journey.
We must have been missing the Northwest, since we stayed in the Murren Bellevue Hotel.
our-hotel-in-murren
We had great views from our room’s balcony.
our-rooms-balcony-view-pano
Sept. 4 – Rainy day hike in the Lauterbrunnen Valley
The day started with a walking tour of Murren including a trip to the train station to purchase our Berner Oberland regional train pass.
allmendhubel-tram-in-murren rainy-day-in-murren murren-1 murren-2
Finally ready to hike, we took the cable car from Murren, 5400 feet, down to Gimmelwald, and then switched to a second cable car down to Stechelberg, 3000 feet, located on the valley floor. It started to rain, so we felt right at home in the Alps. From Stechelberg, we hiked to Lauterbrunnen with a detour to visit Trummelbachfalle. The falls are interesting, but they cost 11 CHF per person. We opted to take the funicular to the higher starting point, checking out the upper falls/chutes and then walking down to see the lower falls.
trummelbachfallen-1 trummelbachfallen-2
Shortly after the leaving the falls heading toward Lauterbrunnen, the rains finally stopped.
barb-hiking-in-lauterbrunnen-valley lauterbrunnen-valley lauterbrunnen-valley-water-fall-1 lauterbrunnen-valley-water-fall-2 staubbach-falls lauterbrunnen-1 lauterbrunnen-cemetery lauterbrunnen-2
From Lauterbrunnen, we returned to Murren by cable car and train.
post-hike-beer
Trip stats: about 5 miles
Sept. 5 – Day trip to Interlaken and a boat ride
The weather was worse today, so we decided not to hike and took the train into Interlaken to check out the town. Barb found a coo coo clock that had to be purchased. After our walking tour of Interlaken, we took a 3 hour paddeboat ride on Brienzersee.
enjoying-the-boat-ride Brienzersee-views-1 Brienzersee-views-2 Brienzersee-views-3 Brienzersee-views-4 Brienz-and-waterfall maybe-the-weather-will-improve Brienzersee-views-6 Brienzersee-views-8
Sept. 6 – Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe
We woke up to a beautiful day in the Alps, so we headed to Jungfraujoch, which is billed as the top of Europe. The train station is the highest train station in Europe, 11,300 feet. The journey started with a train from Murren to Grutschalp, cable car down to Lauterbrunnen, train from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, and finally the expensive train ride from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch. The train route tunnels through the Eiger with a couple brief stops at view stations along the way.
Eismeer-view-portal
We knocked off a couple of the main tourist attractions, Ice Palace and Plateau view point, but skipped the Sphinx, there was too long of a line at the elevator.
ice-palace-1 ice-palace-2 ice-palace-3 Aletsch-glacier climbers Jungfrau-1 Jungfrau-2 Jungfrau-3
We made our way through the labyrinth to exit on the glacier where there are more tourist attractions: zip line and sledding/tubing areas. Leaving the crowds behind, we hiked to Monchsjoch Hut, 11,900 feet, about 2.5 miles round trip. At the hut we ate lunch. Surprisingly, lunch was cheaper at the hut than the restaurants in the many nearby Swiss towns.
heading-to-monchsjochhutte looking-back-at-jungfrau barb-heading-to-monchsjochhutte-2 almost-to-the-hut monchsjochhutte view-from-hut heading-back hiking-in-the-alps-is-fun post-hike-beer Monch silberhorn zoomed-Sphinx train-heading-to-Jungfrau monch-and-jungfrau view-from-train
Sept. 7 – Schilthorn then Mountain View hike
We started the day with a trip to Schilthorn riding the cable car from Murren to Birg and a second cable car from Birg to Schilthorn, ~ 9750 feet. We first watched the film presentation on the area with clips from the film “On her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Stepping outside, it was pretty windy, so we quickly walked around the viewing platform taking some photos, then headed inside to the revolving restaurant for some coffee.
Schilthorn-tram Schilthorn-view-1 Schilthorn-view-2 Schilthorn-view-3 Birg-station Schilthorn-view-4 Schilthorn
Returning to Murren, we rode the funicular to Allmendhubel, 6300 feet, to start our hike on the Mountain View trail from Allmendhubel to Grutschalp, 4900 feet, total distance about 3.5 miles. We returned to Murren on the train.
Allmendhubel barb-taking-photos Mountain-View-trail-view-1 which-way too-many-choices barb-hiking-1 trail-marker moo Mountain-View-trail-view-2 view-toward-Wengen barb-hiking-2 trail-turnstile hiking view-toward-Eiger,-Monch-and Jungfrau eiger-closeup cloudy-monch cloudless-monch jungfrau murren-goats
Sept. 8 - Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg hike
Trip logistics: Train and cable car to Lauterbrunnen, train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen and then a cable car to Mannlichen 7300 feet.
From the cable car station, we first hiked the half mile to Mannlichen summit, 7700 feet.
Mannlichen-tram barb-ascending-Mannlichen bench-with-a-view view-from-mannlichen
Returning to the station, we hiked the trail to Kleine Scheidegg, 6760 feet. This is very popular trail with great views as you march toward the north face of the Eiger.
Looking-back-at-the-route-from-mannlichen danger view-from-the-trail Barb-hiking mannlichen-trail the-eiger-is-my-friend barb-descending train-approaching-Kleine-Scheidegg large-hiking-group
On the return to Murren, we made a brief stops at Wengen and Lauterbrunnen to check out the towns.
Wengen-1 Wengen-2 looking-for-coffee-in-Lauterbrunnen
Back at Murren, we took the funicular to Allmendhubal and walked the short .4 mile Flower trail.
Flower-trail-companion Flower-trail-companion-2
Total hiking mileage for the day: 4.5 miles.
Sept. 9 – Bachalpsee hike
Travel logistics: train and cable car to Lauterbrunnen, train from Lauterbrunnen to Zweiltschinen, train from Zweiltschinen to Grindelwald, ten minute walk to the gondola, and finally a long gondola ride to First, 7100 feet.
Our after hike return trip was: First gondola to Grindelwald, train Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg, train Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen and the cable car and train to Murren.
This is a short hike to very pretty Lake Bachalpsee, 7400 feet. There are great views the entire trip.
zoomed-mountain-views views-from-trail view-toward-Faulhorn Lower-lake view-across-lower-lake upper-lake happy-hikers hut zoomed-mountain-views-2 hiking hiking-with-cows cow-enjoying-the-view hiking-2 Grindelwald post-hike-beer swiss-alphorns murren-views
Trip stats: 4 miles
Sept 10 – Northface trail
We took the funicular from Murren to Allmendhubal to start this hike. The hike heads in the opposite direction of our earlier Mountain View hike that started in Allmendhubel. The trail is dotted with numerous eating establishments and ends in Murren. The trail has about a dozen information panels with history of the various mountains seen along the route. The information includes photos showing climbing routes and details about first ascent and other significant routes.
taking-a-break-along-the-trail trail-view-1 looking-down-on-murren watch-your-step barb-among-her-swiss-friend hiking enjoying-the-view tram-arriving-at-Birg arriving-at-Schlitalp I-like-the-alps taking-photos working-the-fields trail-view-2 returning-to-murren
Trip Stats: 4.5 miles
Sept. 11 - Eigergletscher to Wengen hike
Trip Logistics: Train and cable car to Lauterbrunnen, train Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, train Kleine Scheidegg to Eigergletscher.
For our last hike in Switzerland, we decided to get a close up view of the Eigergletscher. The trail leaves the train station, 7600 feet, and heads directly to the moraine edge of retreating Eigergletscher. The trail then descends along the moraine before returning to Kleine Scheidegg where we ate lunch. After lunch we hiked the trail to Wengen, 4200 feet.
silberhorn Monch Eigergletscher checking-out-Eiger On-the-moraine-trail barb-on-moraine-trail eiger barb-enjoying-the-views view-toward-murren kleine-scheidegg almost-to-kleine-scheidegg lunch-time glacier-closeup on-the-way-to-Wengen eiger-and-monch wengen
Trip Stats: 6.5 miles
Sept. 12 - Murren to Bristol, UK
Sadly it was time to return to our UK home. We had a great trip and we loved Switzerland. It rained a couple days, but we had great weather the other days. This was another 4 trains, 1 cable car and 2 plane day.
heading-home-on-the-train-to-Bern
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Nasty Nate Member
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 58 | TRs | Pics
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I was only in Switzerland for a few hours, on a long drive from Milan to Munich, but it was one of the most awe-inspiring places I've ever been to. Those Swiss live in a fantasy land. Thanks for the photos.
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Tangeman ride the storm
Joined: 24 Oct 2010 Posts: 485 | TRs | Pics Location: Cascadia |
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Tangeman
ride the storm
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Fri Sep 23, 2011 5:40 pm
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I didn't know my jaw could drop that much.
"Civilization is a nice place to visit, although I wouldn't want to live there."
My photos
"Civilization is a nice place to visit, although I wouldn't want to live there."
My photos
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twodogdad Member
Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 846 | TRs | Pics Location: seattle |
Thanks for the wonderful TR, Joe: brought back memories. I hope the UK's treating you well. My dogs enjoy having a drink from your water dish every time we go out (not too often any more: they are getting old; the sofa seems more attractive). N
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TrailPair Member
Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1699 | TRs | Pics
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So is Austria next?
Beautiful photos!
This thing called work is interfering with my play
This thing called work is interfering with my play
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Joe Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2002 Posts: 819 | TRs | Pics Location: Kent |
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Joe
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Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:33 am
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Popcorn Member
Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 151 | TRs | Pics Location: Another Place |
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Popcorn
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Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:41 am
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watch-your-step
Great commercial for "Chik Fillet" (SP?) restaurants. "Eat more chikken."
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Tigerotor77W Member
Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 776 | TRs | Pics Location: Charleston, SC |
We just missed each other -- I was in the Bernese-Oberland region just as you arrived!
You have some really nice photos! A friend and I didn't fully research the hiking in the area before heading into the Alps. The views we saw, while majestic, weren't really optimal for lighting (a lot of strong backlighting the first day, making panoramas a bit difficult). I was going to post a TR for this and for the hike to the Matterhorn's Hörnlihütte up, but I think with this post I'll look at my photos for the latter and see if any will suffice for TR.
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marta wildflower maven
Joined: 07 May 2003 Posts: 1761 | TRs | Pics
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marta
wildflower maven
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Sat Sep 24, 2011 4:19 pm
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Excellent - I keep thinking about doing Switzerland in July but your pictures show the beauty of it in September - yep... a bit unpredictable but I love the clear skies when it does happen.
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aribix Member
Joined: 04 Oct 2009 Posts: 9 | TRs | Pics Location: Washington |
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aribix
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Sat Sep 24, 2011 6:10 pm
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Joe - Awesome trip report and photos! My wife and took a similar trip there last summer and did a bunch of the same hikes. Your write-up brought back a lot of great memories.
Sorry you had a few days of rain, but sounds like an incredible trip overall. Fortunately, the Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of those places that looks as beautiful, if not more beautiful, in overcast or rainy weather.
Passing Storm - Lauterbrunnen Valley
Glad you had a great trip.
Bix
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Hikingqueen Member
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 2946 | TRs | Pics
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You really know how to have a good time! Loved every pic more than the next!
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Aubrey Member
Joined: 29 Aug 2011 Posts: 24 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellingham |
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Aubrey
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Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:36 pm
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Nice job! I'm also reminiscing ... my wife and I did a 60-mile, 8-day, Bernese Oberland trek in 2006. Went Inn to Inn to Inn to hut to .... The signage was wonderful and the train system was awesome. We sent our luggage with clean clothes to towns a few days ahead of us, and then, when we met up with it, we changed dirty clothes with clean clothes and sent it back on its way into the future. Aside from the huts, we lived the life with post-hike beers and hot meals (even on some of the passes). Come to think of it, we even enjoyed beer in the huts.
Looking back, I truly relish the memories from that trip. Thanks for stoking those memories.
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tmatlack Member
Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 2854 | TRs | Pics
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tmatlack
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Sun Sep 25, 2011 4:04 am
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Lucky dogs! we spent the afternoon at Klein Shiddig(sp?) and never even got a whiff of the Eiger...socked in so hard the Japanese tourists hid in the hotel lobby. Truly amazing place. Every turn a postcard and lunch at a small cafe...90 francs for four of us. Ouch. We had to leave.
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Joe Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2002 Posts: 819 | TRs | Pics Location: Kent |
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Joe
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Sun Sep 25, 2011 10:43 am
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Food is expensive in Switzerland. We ordered a focaccia sandwich in Kleine Scheidegg, 24 CHF, yikes. Barb and I shared the sandwich.
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Bernardo Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 2174 | TRs | Pics Location: out and about in the world |
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Bernardo
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Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:53 pm
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Beautiful area. What's the best hike and eat opportunity in the Washington?
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