Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, First and many more day trips...
The Bernese Oberland is rich in culture and natural wonders. Wengen is well positioned for trips out to the villages of the Bernese Oberland and the wonders of the Alps.
Jungfraujoch
Top of EuropeThe Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe is accessed from the highest mountain railway station in Europe at a height of 3454 meters above sea level. This wonder world of ice, snow and rock can be enjoyed from the viewing platforms on the Aletsch Glacier as well as in the Ice Palace.
Features:
-Alpine Sensation: A 250-meter long adventure connects the Sphinx Hall to the Ice Palace and showcases the development of tourism in the Alps and the history of the Jungfrau in a series of experience alcoves. Open 365 days.
-Sphinx – 3571m above sea level: This glass observation hall provides 360-degree panoramic views overlooking the neighbouring countries of France, Germany and Italy as well as over the Alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 22km long Aletsch glacier. Furthermore terraces surrounding this hall offer guests a closer look from outside on good weather days. Open 365 days.
-Jungfrau-Panorama: An audio-visual takes you on a journey through the alps. Experience and explore the beauty of nature and the anomalies of this location.
-Ice Palace: The 1000 square meter hand-made ice palace is reached by a blue staircase with arched rocks which slowly disappears transforming into the ice of the glacier. The carving began in 1930s by two guides with an ice axe and saw. Unfortunately they never finished the carving in its entirety. An everlasting world of ice twinkles before your eyes as you move from long corridors into cavernous rooms and halls filled with niches and ice sculptures. Open all year.
-Snow Fun – Top of Europe: Experience winter sports in summer. Take a trip on the steel cable over crevasses, or ski, snowboard and sledge through the Snow Fun Park.
-Eigerwand: This station is located at a height of 2865 meters and offers an observation point with views over Kleine Scheidegg, Männlichen, and Grindelwald stretching all the way to the Thunersee.
-Dining: Restaurants include: • Crystal with Swiss cuisine and international menus. Open all year. •Aletsch Selfservice with wide variety of food and views of the Aletsch Glacier and surrounding mountains. Open all year. •Restaurant Bollywood offering a buffet with a wide selection of Indian specialities. Open April till October. oClick here for tickets and tours.
Schilthorn
cablecar journey to high vantage pointThe Schilthorn, of James Bond film fame, is crowned by the 360 degree Piz Gloria revolving restaurant at 2970m. Panoramic views of Alpine peaks including Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are spectacular.
Bond World 007 includes an ‘Interactive Bond’ experience, ‘Personal Bond Minutes’ – ‘thrilling BOND moments also beckon in the helicopter simulator’.
In-house cinema ‘shows clips of the movie, in alternation with a panorama video show revealing fascinating insights and views of the Alpine world surrounding the Schilthorn.’ Schilthorn.ch
Open in winter and summer seasons.
Schynige Platte
summer season vantage pointAccessed by the Schynige Platte Cogwheel Railway, the station at Schynige Platte lies at 2076m. A beautiful mountain area with views of celebrity peaks: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Start point for local short trails and longer hikes to Loucherhorn, Faulhorn or First. The Alpine Garden is an added attraction. Only accessible in summer season.
Kleine Scheidegg
land saddle between valleysLocated on a saddle of land between the Eiger and Lauberhorn Mountains, Kleine Scheidegg (2061m) sits astride the valleys of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. Start point of the Jungfraujoch Railway and junction of the Wengernalp Railway, several well placed restaurants and a hotel cater for summer visitors and winter sports enthusiasts. Start point for several skipistes and hiking trails.
Beautiful views across to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Murren and Schilthorn, Grindelwald and Wetterhorn.
Finish line for the famous Jungfrau Marathon.
Accessed by Wengernalp Railway throughout the year, weather permitting.
Kleine Scheidegg in Winter
land saddle at 2061mPart of Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen Ski Area and start point for winter hiking trails (when open) to Fallboden, Wengernalp, Wengen, and Grindelwald. Accessed by Wengernalp Railway all year round weather permitting.
Trummelbach Falls
ten cascades in heart of mountainA series of ten glacier-waterfalls thundering down inside the heart of the mountain. The Trümmelbach drains the glacier defiles of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains. The falls are accessed from the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor by lift and are illuminated. Long summer season opening.
Birg
interim station with views from over-cliff-edge platformBirg, 2677m, is an interim cable car station with exhilarating ‘Skyline Walk’; a platform over a vertical precipice with stunning views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains. In the summer season, a ‘starting point for great walks and hikes to the Bietenhorn or to the Schilt- and Sefinenvalley.’ Schilthorn.ch Open in winter and summer seasons.
Fallboden Reservoir
water mass below EigerThis artificial reservoir is a cool spot to relax in the summer season and serves as a reservoir for snowmaking in the winter season. Church-like building houses an interesting display of Eiger mountaineering ascents. Accessible throughout the year if conditions permit and trail prepared.
Eiger Moraine
geological feature of landscapeAlongside Eigergletscher Station, the glacial moraine of the Eiger Glacier, a grey humped line in summer, forms part of the beautiful hike down to Wengernalp and Biglenalp. A particularly scenic section of the Jungfrau Marathon. Eigergletscher Station accessible throughout the year, weather permitting.
First in Winter
minor summit on slopes of SchwarzhornPart of Grindelwald-First ski area with spectacular views, First Flieger and short, man-made cliff walk. Start of winter hiking trails, (when open) from First to Bachalpsee, Faulhorn, Bussalp; First to Waldspitz, Bort; First to Schreckfeld, Bort. Long toboggan run from Faulhorn to Oberäll. First Aerial Cableway provides easy access from Grindelwald during winter and summer seasons.
First Cliff Walk
short man-made cliff walk at FirstFirst, at 2167m, can be reached by gondola from Grindelwald in the winter and summer seasons and enjoys spectacular views of several peaks of the Bernese Alps, including the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and the valley of Grindelwald. The cliff walk adds a thrill to the already thrilling landscape; First Flieger in addition.
Interlaken
between two lakes-Interlaken sits between two lakes, lake Thun and lake Brienz with views of the world famous icy icons; the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau. Otsu is its twin town in Japan.
Of interest in Matten and Unterseen:
- Bodeli-Bahn – Mini sightseeing train/bus through Interlaken, Matten and Unterseen with commentary. ½ hr
- Bodeli horsedrawn tram tour around Interlaken and Unterseen
- St. Beatus limestone caves above lake Thun with gorges and waterfalls -Jungfrau Region Tourism Museum, Unterseen. A mine of information detailing the growth of tourism in this region
- Bodelibad Indoor and Outdoor Swimming pools.
Thun
Fortified CityThis historic town on the River Aar is well worth a visit with its hallmark 12th century castle. An enviable setting straddling the river banks and interlaced with flower bedecked covered bridges and vistas including the mountaneous outlines of the Jungfrau and Stockhorn.
Thun Castle
castle above Thun with views‘Visit the mighty donjon built around 1200 by the Dukes of Zärigen. Experience the pomp and glory of the medieval Great Hall. Climb up into the towers and enjoy the impressive view of the town, lake and wonderful mountains.’ Schlossthun.ch Open on certain days throughout the year including Christmas.
Lake Thun
CruisesEmbark at Interlaken West, Neuhaus, Beatenbucht, Spiez or Thun for a restful exploration of the blue lake and its lakeside including the town of Thun with its fortress, and Spiez with its vineyards and castle. Breakfast boats, culinary, evening and sunset cruises available in season.
Oberhofen castle
small castle on Lake ThunSmall castle with medieval keep, picturesque turret and various historic rooms giving an impression of noble Bernese lifestyle from 16th-19th century. Summer season opening.
Hünegg Castle
castle-like mansion at Hilterfinger on Lake ThunSmall ‘castle’ and garden, built in 1861-63 for a Prussian Baron, the interior was later renovated in the Art Nouveau Style. Coats, hats and furnishings from around 1900 lend it an air of ‘time having stood still’. Summer season opening.
Mount Niesen
swiss ‘pyramid’ with funicular cablewayIcon of Lake Thun, the pyramidal mountain towers at 2362m. A funicular cableway operates in 2 sections during a long summer season. Mountain restaurant and panoramic views. Regular evening trips and ‘Fullmoon dinners’.
Lake Brienz
CruisesEmbark the boat in season, including the paddle steamer SS Lötschberg (entered service 1914), at several lakeside points including Interlaken Ost on Lake Brienz, Brienz and Giessbach; cruise along the remarkable turquoise blue waters, past picturesque fishing villages and castles steeped in history. Disembark to join the Lucerne train at Brienz and to visit Ballenberg Open Air Museum or ride the Rothorn Steam Railway; Iseltwald and the Grand Hotel at Giessbach are other attractive disembarkation points.
Iseltwald
fishing townIseltwald, a pretty fishing village is situated on the shores of a picturesque bay on Lake Brienz. It is famous for it’s Seeburg centre on the peninsula as well as the small island in front of the bay. This 1654m2 Schnecken insel (“snail island”) with its barbecue sites overlooking the bay of Iseltwald can be hired for special occasions. Iseltwald is also a great starting point for walks along the lake or cruises on board the Belle Epoque steamship, PS Lotschberg.
Giessbach
waterfallsThe Belle Epoque grand hotel is to be found a short funicular ride from the shore alongside the waterfalls of Giessbach.
Brienz
lake villageThis cosy village located at the eastern end of the turquoise coloured Lake Brienz has a long tradition in wood processing and carving. Brienz still to this day has a school for carving and violin making. Visit the many wood carving shops where carpenters demonstrate their skills as well as the museum for wood carving.
Lake promenade: Brienz’s traffic free promenade is beautiful and relaxing and takes you past small boat ports, playgrounds and stunning scenery. Make a stop at the boat rental to take out a pedalo, rowing boat or hydro-cycle onto the turquoise waters or sit back and relax on the historic salon paddle steamer “Lötschberg”.
Ballenberg
open-air museumExperience first hand the old houses and farms of Switzerland here at Ballenberg. The collection of reconstructed farmhouses, stables, bakehouses and barns date from the 16th to the 19th century and were dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt here to preserve and illustrate rural life in Switzerland. Furthermore Ballenberg is brought to life due to the over 250 domestic farm animals, craftsmen and farmer working with traditional tools and the original and authentic cultivation of useful plants.
Bachalpsee
mountain lakeAt 2265m, the Bachalpsee is a walk of around an hour from First. There are beautiful views of Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn and Faulhorn Mountains from here on clear days and a rarefied mountain ambience; a super spot to relax in good weather. The trail is open at certain times during the winter and summer seasons.
Bachalpsee in winter
mountain lake accessed by hiking trailA beautiful atmospheric trail in winter, when prepared, leads from First to Bachalpsee with a surface elevation of 2265m; views of the Wetterhorn , Schreckhorn and highest mountain in the Bernese Alps, the Finsteraarhorn. First can be accessed by First Aerial Cableway during winter and summer seasons.
Faulhorn
vantage pointA magnificent vantage point at 2681m which can be reached in the summer season by hiking from First or Schynige Platte when the trail is open. Faulhorn can also be reached from First at certain times in the winter season when the trail is open for walking and tobogganing. A viewpoint high above Lake Brienz, it offers spectacular panoramic views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains, Kleine Scheidegg and Männlichen areas, the pyramidal Mount Niesen, Lakes Thun and Brienz, Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn and Reeti Summits. Faulhorn Mountain Guest House (opening season limited) offers refreshments and overnight stays to view the sunrise.
Winter on Männlichen
mountain ridge above Wengen at 2343mPart of Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen Ski Area and start point for winter hiking trails (when open) to the summit, Holenstein and Kleine Scheidegg. This latter trail ‘crosses the Arvengarten nature reserve with its ancient and impressive Swiss stone pines’ Maennlichen.ch Accessible by aerial cableway in summer and winter seasons.
Männlichen
summit with viewsMännlichen, a 5-6 minute journey from Wengen by aerial cableway, offers spectacular panoramic views from its summit over Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Faulhorn and Grindelwald, Interlaken and Lake Thun. Good starting point for several worthwhile trails, the short Royal Walk, the Panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg and the Romantic Way to Alpiglen. Check for trail opening. Mountain restaurant offers refreshment in season.
Botanical Alpine Garden, Schynige Platte at 2076m
Alpine Garden’The Alpine Garden displays over 650 labelled species and is easy to reach, situated next to the summit station of the Schynige Platte Mountain Railway (roundwalk about 500 metres, altitude difference about 40m). An exhibition presents several important aspects of Alpine vegetation ecology in relation to geology, fauna and the influence exerted by man. Videos on the work in the garden and its beautiful flora are also on view.’ Schynige Platte Brochure. Schynige Platte open 23rd May – 25th October 2015.
Schynige Platte Cogwheel Railway
scenic historic railwayThis historic cogwheel railway with rolling stock from the 19th century, winds its way up from Wilderswil, through forest and across the Breitlauenen Alp, to the Schynige Platte. On a clear day, views of Interlaken, Lake Brienz and Lake Thun are spectacular. Once through the Grätli Tunnel the beautiful vista of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau opens up, a feature of the plateau itself. Only operates in the summer season.
Spiez Castle
castle and church on Lake ThunCastle stands almost directly on Lake Thun. Built in 933 and rebuilt 15th to 18th centuries. Furnished rooms from 15th to 18th century on view during the season. Early Romanesque castle church.
Spiez on Lake Thun
vineyards and castleEasily accessible by boat or train, the vineyards at Spiez are a scenic place to stroll and the wines can be tasted by arrangement. Museum of viticulture and local history open in season.