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Hi, we plan to drive from Colmar to Lauterbrunnen through Bern (hence to visit Bern prior to reaching Lauterbrunnen). Initially, 3 nights were booked, but now we want to spend more time in Lake Como, so we are wondering if we save 1 entire day to visit Schilthorn then hike our way down to visit other villages is a good idea?
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Hi hapluck2020,
It is certainly possible but would depend on how much time you spend at the top of Schilthorn and visiting each village.
For your information, the ascent to the top of Schilthorn involves taking a series of 4 gondolas starting in the valley in Stechelberg and passing through Gimmelwald, Mürren and Birg. A single journey takes about 45 minutes. Most visitors spend at least an hour at the top visiting the outdoor panorama deck and the James Bond museum, longer if you decide to have lunch or snacks at the restaurant. Most visitors will also visit the “Thrill Walk” one stop down at Birg.
Going back down, you could stop in Mürren and explore this lovely alpine village. And your kids might like to visit Allmendhubel Flower Park, a big adventure playground. This is accessed from a short funicular ride in Mürren that runs every 15 mins.
The gondola runs to the Schilthorn about every 30 mins and the last descent is around 6pm in the summer. The cable cars from Mürren to Stechelberg run much later. From Mürren you can also get back to the valley by taking the cable car and cogwheel train via Grutschalp to Lauterbrunnen.
If you would like to do all these things, best to catch the earliest cable car connection. In the summer especially, the lines can get quite long.
You can use the SBB timetable to plan your journey: http://www.myswissalps.com/timetable
For more details about how to get to Schilthorn, here: http://www.myswissalps.com/schilthorn/gettingthere
You will find the link to the official Schilthorn website on the same pageThese links may also be helpful for your trip:
Lauterbrunnen: http://www.myswissalps.com/lauterbrunnen
Bern: http://www.myswissalps.com/bern
Hope that helps!
Anna
< hike our way down >
That would only be possible in summer (July-September).
Thank you so much!!!
It seems that 2 nights are not enough. We will revert back to 3!
We have a choice of going through Bern or Lucern. Which one should we do?
We have a car (rental rate is cheap, less than 600 for 2 weeks) , Swiss half card sounds like a better deal for us? 2 adults 17 15 12 yo. I want us to do hikes/ Schilthorn, but Not necessarily the boat tours.
Thanks in advance
Hi hapluck2020,
I certainly think 3 nights is better to allow you enough time to explore the beautiful Bernese Oberland!
I would say the route via Lucerne is more scenic.
The Swiss Half Fare card works best if you plan to do a lot of travelling with the train and other public transportation. Don’t forget you can request for the Swiss Family Card (comes complimentary with the railpass) which will alow your children under 16 to travel along for free. Alternatively, you could consider getting the Saver Day Pass. More details in the links below:
Swiss Half Fare Card: http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard
Swiss Family Card: http://www.myswissalps.com/swissfamilycard
Saver Day Pass: http://www.myswissalps.com/saverdaypass
Regards,
Anna
<<” I want us to do hikes/ Schilthorn, but Not necessarily the boat tours.”>>
When?
Slowpoke
Late June, any recommendation is welcome:)
<<“Late June, any recommendation is welcome:)”>>
Hi Haplick2020 –
Many trails don’t open until “late June.”
Can you be more specific? What is your experience level for Alpine hiking?
Slowpoke
If you have time your teenagers likely would enjoy the trottibikes, mountain carts, and zip lines at First. It’s a short train ride from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald where you take the gondola to First.
I would say the higher alpine trails would have a 50/50 chance of being open in June. Of course the later in June the better but it will depend on how much snow pack they have and how warm the weather is in June. Trails like First to Bachalpsee, Mannlichen to KS, Eiger trail, are iffy until early to even mid July.
Mark
>visit Schilthorn then hike our way down to visit other villages is a good idea<
The bit from Mürren to Gimmelwald will likely be open and is a reasonable walk. It should take you about an hour.
The stretch from Schilthorn down to Mürren is incredibly steep in places and is about 3500 feet of descent. Miserable and will take a long time
From Gimmelwald down to Stechelberg is around 3,000 feet descent and steep in many spots. This would take around 2.5 hours.
Hi all , we will be there june 18-21
Murren to Gimmewald hike then 🙂
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