Best day hikes for Interlaken weekend trip?

I'd love to visit the Alps and do some day hikes this weekend, but I'm not sure where to go. I'm already near Switzerland and I have a Global Eurail Pass, so it's just a matter of choosing somewhere. I'm hoping to see breathtaking views, and strenuousness isn't really an issue so long as it doesn't require any special equipment.

Does anyone have some suggestions for where I could go to get the most out of the short amount of time I have? (it'd be great if I could do 2 hikes, which may be possible because I can arrive Friday morning)

or a simpler question:Which trails have the most breathtaking views that can be accessed with just one day's hike?

<<"Does anyone have some suggestions for where I could go to get the most out of the short amount of time I have? (it'd be great if I could do 2 hikes, which may be possible because I can arrive Friday morning)">>

Jeremy -

Here are sources of ideas.

Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg fits the bill perfectly, but it is too short. Easy walk. Totally stunning views, IF the weather is clear. Check on webcams or at the rail station in Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, etc.Altiude is about 2000 meters. Modestly downhill in that direction.

There are further trails to consider from Kleine Scheidegg onward. To Wengen or the Eiger Trail. Both have significant descents which may annoy your knees if you are not used to downhill hiking..

Look in -

www.myswissalps.com/hi king

www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/tips-about-wengen-and-the-jungfrau-region-by-kim

Slowpoke

Youe Eurrail pass may be of little help on the mountain railways in the Jungfrau region. Keep it in mind....I don't recall the details, just the generalities.

Here are some ideas -

www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/trip-report-first-time-in-wengen

Slowpoke

Slowpoke, thank you so much for the advice! It's definitely been helpful.

I'm thinking on one day, I'd like to do Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg as you suggested.Weather permitting, I'd also like to do another, and I'm debating between these two:

The First to Schynige Platte trail: www.myswissalps.com/hi king/first-schynigeplatte

Bettmerhorn via Märjelensee to Fiescheralp: www.myswissalps.com/hi king/bettmerhorn-marjelensee-fiescheralp

Any suggestions?

Also, is there any resource to find out when trails/trains are going to be closing? If I do a second trip, would a going in mid/late October be too late?

<<"The First to Schynige Platte trail: www.myswissalps.com/hi king/first-schynigeplatte">>

That is one tough trail. Plan on all day and a lot of hard work with signicant elevation changes. It is written up in the link I gave you. What with transit time between hike locations, you cannot fit them in the same day. Last train/lift down is not very late, so you could get stuck, and it might be getting dark toward the end.

Check the sunset time.

Are you experienced at high altitude hiking? Are you equipped?

<<"Bettmerhorn via Märjelensee to Fiescheralp: www.myswissalps.com/hi king/bettmerhorn-marjelensee-fiescheralp">>

I've been in that area but not done that specific hike. Some good views.

You probably cannot combine it with Männlichen Kleine- Scheidegg because of transit time fro one side of the Alps to the other.

Look in the timetable or do a map search/drive time. I recall Bettmeralp is car free.

This will help-

www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

Any suggestions?

I gave two that I would consider once you reach Kleine Scheidegg.

<<"Also,is there any resource to find out when trails/trains are going to beclosing? If I do a second trip, would a going in mid/late October be toolate?">>

Trains don't close. For them and lifts, check the timetable for specific dates. Lifts may close, but Novemebr is more likely for that.. Look in the timetable. A map can help.. Trails - probably still OK but there is a greater chance of snow as October progresses.

A map-

map.search.ch/

I prefer the option for the"old" or "classic" version. Your choice.

If you want a really good topo, use the Swiss topo web site and work through the menus to get to the map.

map.geo.admin.ch/?X=161260.00&Y=639320.0 0&zoom=5&topic=swissto po&lang=en&bgLayer=ch. swisstopo.pixelkarte-farbe&layers_opacity=0 .65

Switzerland mobility is full of hikes. Pick by region or name o f town on route.

www.wanderland.ch/en/h iking-in-switzerland.html

Arno or Annika can suggest resources for more info on closings. They exist, in addition to the timetable, just not in my memory at the moment.

Slowpoke

Slowpoke, thank you so much for all your advice. I had an amazing weekend trip thanks to your help!

For anyone else who stumbles across this looking for info, here's what I ended up doing:

I stayed in Valley Hostel in Lauterbrunnen. It was a good price, clean, and the staff was friendly. If you're planning on staying overnight in the area, I would *definitely* recommend staying in a hostel or hotel in one of the valleys as opposed to staying in Interlaken iteself. The setting is just so much more beautiful, and I didn't find Interlaken itself to be all that interesting.

Day 1

I arrived in Lauterbrunnen ~9.00 Friday, dropped some of my stuff off at the hostel (it was too early to check in, but I was allowed to use the storeroom), and then took a short train to Wengen. From there I hiked up to Maennlichen (this uphill hike was fairly strenuous, but everything afterwards is easy in comparison). From Maennlichen I continued on to Kleine Scheidegg, ate, and then went up to Eigergletscher. From there, I hiked west back down to Lauterbrunnen. This route took me all day, but it's definitely doable, and the views were incredible.

Day 2

I left around 10.00 Saturday morning, took a train to Grendelwald then a lift up to First. From First, I hiked to Bachalpsee, and then to the top of Faulhorn. If I had arrived earlier, I would have definitely tried to go to Schynige Platte, but instead I just hiked back down to Bussalp and ate. From there I took a bus to Grindelwald and a train back to Lauterbrunnen. I got back to Lauterbrunnen perhaps a couple hours before sunset, and I hiked at a pretty leisurely pace.

Day 3

I walked from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, stopping at the Trummelbach falls along the way. The Trummelbach falls were neat, but maybe not worth the price (~10 euros I think). From there, I took a bus back to Lauterbrunnen and then trains back home.

My advice to anyone who only has a little bit of time to spend in the area is go to the top of Faulhorn, or even stay at the berghotel up there. I saw so many people going no further than Bachalpsee, but trust me, the view at Faulhorn is worth it.

Also, here's a helpful map of the main trails in the area with rough time estimates for how long they take. You can pick up a similar printed version at the information centers at any of the main train stations.

www.swissholidayco.com /Public/Assets/User/fi les/Map-of-Jungfrauregion1.jpg

<<":Slowpoke, thank you so much for all your advice. I had an amazing weekend trip thanks to your help!">>

Jeremy -

Glad I could help.

You are better at hiking at high altitude than I am, and perhaps I would have tempered my caution a bit if I had realized it.

Sraight up from Wengen to Männlichen is a pretty strenous clinb, as you note.

It is clear that, once you were there, you could find a large number of scenic hikes of varying difficulty near the Jungfrau.

Slowpoke