[Anonymous]

7 November 2022 at 1:18:00 #828599

We will be travelling as a group of 4 during May 2023. We have 4 nights in Lauterbrunnen. One of our party is a reluctant cable car rider so I am keen to minimise these while not wanting to compromise our trip too much while we explore the region. I would appreciate any tips for how we might maximise the use of trains, buses, walking (we are all in our 60’s but happy to walk – particularly downhill!). We plan to include a day from Interlaken within the 4 days so will fit in a boat ride too.

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[Anna]

Reply 1 of 8 • 7 November 2022 at 8:19:33 #948168

Hi Terrismith67,

No worries, there are plenty of easy hikes and sightseeing you can do from Lauterbrunnen without having to take the cable cars. Some suggestions below:

• Take the cogwheel train to Kleine Scheidegg and hike down to Wengen
• Take the train to Grindelwald and bus to any of the local mountain destinations
• Take a train to Interlaken Ost and plan boat trips on Lake Brienz
• Take a train to Interlaken West and plan boat trips on Lake Thun

You can find more options here: http://www.myswissalps.com/lauterbrunnen/activities

Let us know if you need more info.

regards,

Anna

[User]

Reply 2 of 8 • 8 November 2022 at 0:11:00 #948169

Ever since mass tourism arrived in the Jungfrau region in the 19th century, brought to Switzerland by my compatriots, the way uphill was normally by rack railway. Cable cars are a more recent invention. All the original tourist railways still run daily. The main network in the immediate ‘Jungfrau area’ comprises:

The ‘all railway’ (traditional – see below*) route from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch is all on narrow gauge railways:

From Interlaken you can go either way round a loop, ie via Lauterbrunnen – Wengen – Kleine Scheidegg (west side of circle) or Grindelwald – Kleine Scheidegg (east side of circle)

so you either go (a) Interlaken – Grindelwald (BOB railway Blue and yellow trains) => Grindelwald – Kleine Scheidegg (Wengernalpbahn green and yellow trains)

OR

(b) Interlaken – Lauterbrunnen (BOB railway) => Lauterbrunnen – Wengen – Kleine Scheidegg (Wengernalpbahn green and yellow trains)

Stage 2: Kleine Scheidegg – Jungfraujoch (Jungfraubahn orange/brown trains)

* The above traditional route is the ‘romantic’ aka ‘proper’ way to reach Jungfraujoch. There is a new alternative which is arguably more about ‘herding people up quickly’ than true ‘Swiss mountain climbing’ – This is the new Eiger Express cable car (British English) from Grindelwald Terminal .

Which way you go is your choice and there is a proportion of public opinion that Jungfraujoch is too much like a theme park in this day and age, but you can make a judgement on these aspect by reading reviews

The other ‘section’ of the area is Murren – my favourite of the three ‘Jungfrau’ villages. For those wanting to avoid cable cars, this is where the problem lies. There used to be a ‘ground level’ way of getting to Murren a funicular from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp, connecting with the railway along the ‘ledge’ of the mountainside to Murren. Sadly this was converted to a cable car a few years ago because the ground is very unstable on the mountainside and the track shifted so much over the years that it was deemed too costly to keep repairing, so they replaced it with a cable car because that only needs a few pilons to keep a check on for shifting.

[User]

Reply 3 of 8 • 8 November 2022 at 0:13:20 #948170

Depending on what time in May your tri is, you may be able to ride on the superb Schynige Platte railway.

[Anna]

Reply 4 of 8 • 8 November 2022 at 9:32:34 #948171

Hi again,

To add to 1960man’s suggestion, here is a link to help you plan a one day train trip in the Jungfrau region: http://www.myswissalps.com/onedayjungfrauregion

Regards,

Anna

[User]

Reply 5 of 8 • 8 November 2022 at 20:14:55 #948172

Thanks for both this and your earlier reply Anna. It is really helpful. Great to have your local n=knowledge.

[User]

Reply 6 of 8 • 8 November 2022 at 20:17:58 #948173

Hi 1960man – thanks for the great information. It will really help with our trip. Personally I will be keen to jump on any available cable car but will use the options as well to make sure friend can enjoy his trip without too much stress.

[User]

Reply 7 of 8 • 8 November 2022 at 22:46:28 #948174

My late mum was very against going on cable cars for most of her life, but became quite used to them after many whole family visits to Zermatt where we all went together in cable cars . The small cabin gondola type are the least ‘scary’ for most people as they are usually closer to the ground

[User]

Reply 8 of 8 • 10 November 2022 at 3:20:08 #948175

Thanks for the additional advice – I’m hoping we can start him with small steps and see how he goes.