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I was considering a hike to Schynige Platte to get this view – https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/0c/ea/13/cb/interlaken-thuner-brienzersee.jpg
but I went on their website and it shows that the Schynige Platte railway only runs until October 23rd. http://www.jungfrau.ch/en/tou rism/travel-information/operating-information/hours-of-operation/
However, there are other railways running throughout the year, so would I still be able to get to Schynige Platte’s panoramic trail? How would I be able to?
If I cannot, are there other hikes that offer a view like the picture I provided? I will be in Switzerland from November 20th through the 26th.
Thanks!
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Hi chachacha,
Hiking options for November have been discussed in your previous topic. Were you able to select some low elevation hikes from the page I mentioned there in my last post? The Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys, plus hiking paths along Lakes Thun and Lake Brienz, should work. Winter hiking routes higher up in the mountains probably won’t be prepared yet. It really depends on weather conditions though, and these can’t be predicted yet. I suggest you also ask the local tourist office once you’re there: they’ll be able to inform you about current circumstances and tell you which routes are accessible.
The Schynige Platte train won’t run indeed and the hiking paths up there won’t be accessible. Unfortunately this also goes for quite some viewing points which would allow for similar views, e.g. Harder Kulm, Niederhorn, Niesen and Brienzer Rothorn. Most of them shut down by mid-November. Here are some alternatives:
- Kleine Scheidegg offers stunning views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, but not so much of the lakes;
- the roundabout views from Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch do include parts of the lakes, from a distance though;
- hiking along the lakes, or making a boat trip on either Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, allows you to enjoy the lakes from a different perspective;
- visiting towns like Mürren, Grindelwald and Wengen will allow you to enjoy great scenery if weather cooperates.
Hi Arno,
I decided to go with the trail along Lake Brienz, from Giessbach to Iseltwald http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/giessbach-iseltwald/route hike. Can you tell me where in Iseltwald does the hike end?
Also, I don’t see the Brienz – Giessbach schedule for the winter – http://www.bls.ch/e/schifffah rt/fahrplan.php
Does the boat not run in the winter / past 23 Oct?
Hi chachacha,
You’re right, boat services aren’t available at Lake Brienz in fall and winter. Boat rides over Lake Thun are available though, with a somewhat limited schedule.
As for the hike you selected: this particular one poses a problem, as Giessbach can’t be reached that well in fall. You could start off in Brienz though, and walk along the eastern and southern shore towards Iseltwald via Giessbach. You’d best end your hike at the bus stop “Iseltwald Dorfplatz” and catch the bus to Interlaken West there. If you enter this in the timetable and select one of the connections, you can open a map showing the exact location of the bus stop.
Where in Brienz would I be starting this hike?
I also want to do the Bauen – Seelisberg http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/bauen-seelisberg/route on a separate day. Do you know if it’s the same as the Swiss Path section B – http://www.weg-der-schweiz.ch/en/the-swiss-path/en-sections/en-sectionseelisbergbauen but just going backwards?
Thank you for your help!!
Hi chachacha,
You can start at the railway station of Brienz. You’ll find hiking signposts right there.
Yes, the hike Bauen-Seelisberg should be (nearly) the same as the Swiss Path section.
Thanks Annika. Do you know if this part of the Swiss Path would be open at the end of November?
http://www.weg-der-schweiz.ch/en/the-swiss-path/en-sections/en-sectionseelisbergbauen
And will the boat to/from Bauen be running?
Also, if i am interpreting correctly , the furnicular station is the starting point of the hike, what is the name of the furnicular station?
Many thanks!
You can start/end the hike at either the funicular (simply called “Seelisberg” in the timetable) or the bus stop for the bus from/to Stans (called “Seelisberg Bahnhof”). I expect this section of the Swiss Path to be accesible in November, but snow at lower altitudes may change the circumstances. In case of doubt, just contact the local tourist office once you’re there. Boat services will be available, but connections may be a bit limited due to low season:
- myswissalps.com/timeta ble (enter “Flüelen” and “Bauen (See)”)
- myswissalps.com/boatla kelucerne/gettingthere (you’ll find links to a specific Lake Lucerne boat timetable here)
Hi Chachacha –
Take a look here for a lot of details –
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/the-swiss-path-and-southern-lake-lucerne
As noted in the comments, you can pick up sections of the Swiss Path (der Weg der Schweiz) at various points. Including the funicular from Treib to Seelisberg.
Using the trains, buses, and boats all around the lake gives a lot of flexibility.
Also, see:
http://www.weg-der-schweiz.ch/en/
My experience over several years suggests that all sections will be open in November, because of the relatively low altitude. But, as Annika notes, watch out for snow.
A really good source of up to date information is the Tourist Info office by track #1 in Luzern main station.
Here is a list of interesting hikes in the area. Note that altitude profiles are available.
http://www.wanderland.ch/en/h iking-in.html?phrase=Seelisberg+%28U R%29&sname=&sid=643
Switzerland has a few hills……
Slowpoke
Hi chachacha-
For hiking in Switzerland, there are many useful websites.
The ones I use are:
1.- Mapsearch.ch
map.search.ch/?pos=685376,202240&z=4& poi=bergbahn,haltestel le,zug
In that link, under points of Interst on the menu, I have turned on “Traffic” and seletec public transport stops.
2.- Switzerland Mobility – useful for altitude profiles, as long as your hike is in the index.
http://www.schweizmobil.ch/en /schweizmobil.html
Search by town name. The maps are very detailed. I gave you a link to that before. The section on hikes is “wanderland.ch"
3.- The best and most complex map of all – Swisstopo
In that link I have turned on hiking trails.
Yellow are easy; red need boots and hiking staffs, and can be rocky; blue are technical climbing or otrehr exotic features best done with a guide.
The yellow/red/blur trails match the trail signs:
http://www.alpenwild.com/stat icpage/trail-signs-in-the-swiss-alps/
Altitudes are useful, as are topographic features.
The Swiss are a nation of hikers, and their definition of a level trail can include slopes up to plus or minus 20 degrees. ;-). Just kidding, but there are a lot of ups and downs.
Slowpoke
Thank you all for your responses thus far. I am almost done planning thanks to you guys!
Does anyone have any idea where exactly was this picture of the Oberhofen castle taken? previews.123rf.com/ima ges/swisshippo/swisshi ppo1311/swisshippo1311 00212/23931460-Oberhofen-castle-on-the-lake-Thun-Switzerland-Stock-Photo.jpg
I plan to do a boat ride in Lake Thun. Looking at the winter schedule (http://www.bls.ch/d/schifffah rt/fahrplan-thun-winter-16.pdf), does this mean there will only be a boat leaving from Thun at 9:40 and 11:40?
I believe I read that there are free bike rentals in Thun. Can anyone tell me where the stations are?
Hi chachacha
The photograph would have been taken from the boat as it approached Oberhofen from Thun. In Winter the 9.40 boat only goes as far as Spiez. The only full cruise to Interlaken West is the 11.40.
Not sure about the bike rentals though I would guess they are available from near the railway station – there is a tourist office inside the station just past the ticket desks – they are very helpful and usually there is someone who can speak English!
Enjoy your trip.
Maggie
I believe the free bikes are from Thun Rollt? On the Bern Rollt website, I was only able to find the rental locations in Bern, but not Thun.
Hi Chachacha-
Often, there are rentals at the station, a service of Switzerland Mobility.
Here are marked bike routes. Switzerland mobility helps a lot:
map.wanderland.ch/?lang=de&route=all&bgLa yer=pk&resolution=50&X =607700&Y=170450&layer s=Veloland
Here are rentals-
http://www.veloland.ch/de/ser vices/miete-velo-und-e-bike-e913.html
gotten by selecting a route that passes by Thun Station then getting more information about that route.
That’s in German.
Here it is in English.
http://www.veloland.ch/en/rou tes/etappe-0913.html
Look down the list of available services on the right.
Slowpoke
Hello Chachacha
You can certainly rent a bike at the railway station in Thun. Ask at the ticket counter in the station. Opening hours 9 a.m. to 18 p.m. Not sure about “free” bikes.
Maggie
@Slowpoke, Is http://www.veloland.ch/de/ser vices/miete-velo-und-e-bike-e913.html the free rentals? I was referring to the Bern rollt – http://www.bernrollt.ch/ I know these you can borrow for free.
I don’t know about where to rent for free
How much do you save, and what are your choices if you find the free place?
Slowpoke
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