[Anonymous]

23 April 2017 at 10:28:38 #811517

Hi,

We are visiting Lauterbrunnen on May 21-22 this year.

We are planning 6-7 hours of Grindlewald area. First is definitely on the list. Want to cover both Grosse Scheidegg and Bachalpsee – but looks like we are being a bit ambitious.

Some queries to help us decide which one to select:

1) Will the hike from First to Bachalpsee be open on 21 / 22 may

2) Is there a bus to come back from Bachalpsee or somewhere nearby rather than returning to First

3) Which way is it is better to hike : From First to Grosse Scheidegg or the other way round.

4) Which hike is better, or, what type of views do we cover ?

5) Does this look as a good plan that can be done in 6-7 hrs : Take the Gondola to First, Do First Cliff Walk, Hike to Bachalpsee, Take the first flyer to Schreckfeld and then hike to Grosse Scheidegg. From Grosse Scheidegg take bus to Grindlewald. Last bus is at 5:43 pm.

Regards

Namrata

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[kim11]

Reply 1 of 13 • 23 April 2017 at 17:31:02 #862025

1. No

2. No transport to/from Bachalpsee other than on foot

3. Either way is fine, same views

5. Looks good

[User]

Reply 2 of 13 • 24 April 2017 at 4:22:43 #862026

Thanks.

Will Grosse Scheidegg hike be open on 21 or 22 may.

Regards

Namrata

[kim11]

Reply 3 of 13 • 24 April 2017 at 4:32:15 #862027

Good question.

Not possible to know now. All depends on weather and snow pack.

You are doing really well understanding the area (from a distance!), good for you. Unfortunately there is really no way to know if the areas you want to travel will be accessible until a few days before your journey. So suggest that you devise a “Plan B” in case the First/Grosse Scheideggwalk is not available

[User]

Reply 4 of 13 • 24 April 2017 at 5:41:33 #862028

Responding to this thread because it is close to what we are planning. We are avid backpackers and are looking to spend 18 May in First, hike 19 May to Alpiglen, 20 May to Berggasthaus Trachsellauenen. We are avoiding Schynige Platte as we were told that it will not be passable on 18 May. Is there any information on trail conditions/ snow pack/ avalanche risk so that we can plan on bringing the correct gear with us from overseas? Any suggestions?

[User]

Reply 5 of 13 • 24 April 2017 at 13:45:55 #862029

Thanks Kim11,

The more I plan, the more I realize that it all depends on weather when we reach there.. So just compiling alternatives.

Is there any site which gives inputs on hikes opening eg all season hike, opens in may generally, etc. That can help a bit on planning.

Regards

Namrata

[User]

Reply 6 of 13 • 24 April 2017 at 13:49:16 #862030

Hi

When I was planning our stay in Jungfrau, I found that there are a few routes which open on 20th may and some even later.

Dont remember the site name, but had got the details while reading on Jungfrau travel pass and what it covers.

[kim11]

Reply 7 of 13 • 24 April 2017 at 15:47:44 #862031

Akiehl: it is too early to predict what the trail conditions for hiking will be like on May 18 – 20. (Other than to say for sure that SP will be closed.) However, unless there is a late snow fall you should be okay on these routes on those dates. Of course you will need sturdy hiking boots and lots of layers, culminating in water proof. Hiking sticks would be very helpful. And I am assuming you are using some public transport assists along the way? It is quite a long way from Alpiglen to Trachsellauenen and the route from Alpiglen up and over the Kleine Scheidegg might well be closed (although you can take the train). Finally, it would be helpful for you to cut/paste and post this in a separate thread so as not to confuse the two topics.

Namrata, Unfortunately there is not such a site, at least that I have found. Also unfortunately it is not possible to predict very far in advance. Route openings are entirely dependent on weather — how much snow has accumulated over the winter, late snow storms, etc. I have seen the high routes open as early as first week in June and as late as the first of July.

The routes that you saw as open May 20 are likely transport routes (bus, gondola, ski lift, etc) and not hiking routes. For example, you can get to First via ski gondola and enjoy the adventures there as early as 6 May but typically cannot hike the route from there to Bachalpsee until mid June.

I have used various sources to compile a list of operating dates for transports in the Jungfrau region which you may find helpful. Please note that all scheduled operating dates are weather-dependent

Wengernalpbahn (Lauterbrunnen to/from Kleine Scheidegg via Wengen train) runs year round.

Jungfrau Railway (between Kleine Scheidegg and Jungfraujoch) operates year round.

SchynigePlatte Bahn (train Wilderswil to Schynige Platte): operations resume 24 May 2017 and run until 26 October 2017 (note: the Schynige Platte to First hike is often closed until mid-June due to snow then closes again when the snow begins to fall)

Lauterbrunnen to Mürren via Grütschalp train and gondola: operates year round except 1 May to 5 May 2017, and a few dates in October and November. During these dates public transport to Mürren is available via the Schilthorn gondola only.

Schilthorn gondola (Stechelberg to Schilthorn via Gimmelwald and Mürren): operates year round except 24 April to 28 April 2017 and 13 November to 8 December 2017.

Männlichen gondola (from Wengen) until 2 April 2017 then reopens 20 May 2017. The gondola then runs until 22 October 2017. The lifts from Grindelwald Grund operate until 2 April then reopen 25 May until 22 October. 2017 (Note: the Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg walk is possible during summer but is usually closed until mid-June due to snow)

Allmendhubel cog train (Mürren to Allmendhubel): operates year round except 18 April 2017 to 9 June 2017 and 16 October until 8 December 2017

First gondola (Grindelwald to First via Bort): operates until 17 April 2017, closed until 6 May 2017 then runs until mid to late October 2017

(Note: the First to Bachalpsee walk, accessible during summer season, is typically closed until mid-June due to snow)

Harder Kulm funicular operates from April to November. The only way to ascertain exact dates is to enter a query at http://www.sbb.ch: Interlaken Ost to Harder Kulm, insert your travel dates and see if you get a result. In 2017 it appears to start running 14 April.

And for those of you venturing at outing to Oechinensee lake above Kandersteg, the cable car operates on the following dates:

13 May 2017 – 16 June: 9:00 to 17:00

17 June 2017 – 10 September: 8:00 to 18:00

11 September – 22 October 2017: 9:00 to 17:00

Trümmelbach Falls typically opens from early April until November.

Lake cruises:

Lake Thun and Brienz cruises operate from April through mid to late October. Lake Brienz cruises have a limited schedule in spring and fall. To check operating dates and times use the route planner at fahrplan.bls.ch/index. html?travelMode=ship. The site is in German only but easy enough to navigate. For point of departure enter either Interlaken Ost (Lake Brienz) or Interlaken West (Lake Thun). For destination enter Brienz or Thun, respectively. Enter your date and desired time then available cruises will be displayed. You will also see a graphic that indicates stops in between but no information about arrival time is available. The ships are in dock for 5 minutes at most before continuing on to the next port.

[User]

Reply 8 of 13 • 24 April 2017 at 17:19:38 #862032

Thanks Kim for this detailed post 🙂

Much appreciated!

Lucas

[User]

Reply 9 of 13 • 2 May 2017 at 13:00:17 #862033

Thanks Kim11, absolutely useful information there!

We will be in Grindelwald for 7 days from May 18th onwards. We were looking at 2-3 hikes (relatively easier one). As per your post above, First to Bachalpsee walk and Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg will not be possible during our stay duration.

We have a plan to give a day to Lauterbrunnen valley. The plan is:

Grindelwald >> Train>> Lauterbrunnen >> Cableway >> Grutschalp

Would Grutschalp to Murren via Winteregg hike be open?

Have lunch at Murren, go up to Schilthorn, return via cableway to Stechelberg. Visit Trümmelbach Falls. Take a bus to Lauterbrunnen (if not tired, walk). Then further train to Wengen. I want to do the Wengen Mannlichen cableway. From Mannlichen, would there be a way to go to Grindlewald (or closer), maybe a cableway? If not, do we continue on the train further from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg and further to Grindelwald?

Kindly advise.

Many thanks!

Pranav

[kim11]

Reply 10 of 13 • 2 May 2017 at 14:14:36 #862034

Hello Pranav,

>Would Grutschalp to Murren via Winteregg hike be open?<

Yes. It may be a bit muddy but the views are still the same!

>Have lunch at Murren, go up to Schilthorn<

As you no doubt have seen from reviewing other posts, this trip requires a clear day, particularly an ascent up the Schilthorn. Suggest you get a somewhat early start. It is always best to plan to go up the peaks no later than 1:00 pm as clouds often begin to form in the afternoon

>I want to do the Wengen Mannlichen cableway<

Wengen to Männlichen opens from 20 May onwards (weather dependent)

>From Mannlichen, would there be a way to go to Grindlewald (or closer), maybe a cableway?<

Yes, there is a cableway but it does not begin running until 25 May

>If not, do we continue on the train further from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg and further to Grindelwald?<

There is no route from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg during the time of your visit as the walkway will be still closed. Should you wish to visit Männlichen you will take the gondola up from Wengen then return to Wengen the same way. To return to Grindelwald you can take the train from Wengen up to Kleine Scheidegg then over and down to Grindelwald. This is the scenic route but is more expensive than using the route Wengen – Lauterbrunnen – Zweilütschinen – Grindelwald

[User]

Reply 11 of 13 • 2 May 2017 at 16:56:03 #862035

Hi,

I keep on reading that the Jungfrau trip is best done as lauterbrunnen -> kliene schiedegg -> Jungfrau -> Kliene Schiedegg ->Grindelwald.. The last leg being scenic..

We are planning a full day : Grindelwald -> First -> hike to Grosse Schiedegg. So do we cover the same views as kliene Schiedegg..?. From Jungfrau, we plan to come back to Lauterbrunnen and then go to Murren. This will help save some time.. Are we compromising?

[kim11]

Reply 12 of 13 • 2 May 2017 at 19:36:47 #862036

>I keep on reading that the Jungfrau trip is best done as lauterbrunnen -> kliene schiedegg -> Jungfrau -> Kliene Schiedegg ->Grindelwald.. The last leg being scenic<

This is indeed a great route if you have the time. All of it is very scenic and this route you get different views coming and going. Actually the segment from Lauterbrunnen up to Kleine Scheidegg is the most stunning of all.

>We are planning a full day : Grindelwald -> First -> hike to Grosse Schiedegg. So do we cover the same views as kliene Schiedegg..?<

Not at all. You don’t even see Kleine Scheidegg on this route, it is the opposite side from Grindelwald than Kleine Scheidegg.

I don’t fully understand your question. Perhaps you are asking if you go up to Jungfrau using the Lauterbrunnen–Wengen-Kleine Scheidegg route then come back down that route and then go over to Mürren are you missing the views from KS down to Grindelwald? If so, I would say that you are not compromising. Rather you would be taking the best view routes in the region. You would get to see Lauterbrunnen Valley from the Mürren perspective in addition to the Wengen perspective Both are stunning but very very different. And the views from Grindelwald up to First and the scenes from First and Grosse Scheidegg are really stunning as well.

[User]

Reply 13 of 13 • 3 May 2017 at 4:36:09 #862037

Thanks.. Your insights are really helpful.