I’ve been to Switzerland twice before and each time I reveled at how perfectly on time and exceptionally proper the Swiss are. I strolled around Lake Geneva and the Old City and I marveled at the colorful architecture of Montreux and the mysterious grounds of Chateau de Chillon.
I had never hiked however the Swiss Alps and its surreal mountainscape, until this summer. Part of a much-needed two-week vacation with my family, I spent a few nature filled days in Grindelwald, the Eiger village that lies in the Bernese Oberland. An exceptional hiking region at the foot of the ice-capped summits of Eiger, Wetterhorn, Mönch and Jungfrau, makes Grindelwald one of the most popular and cosmopolitan holiday and excursion destinations in Switzerland.
The perfect haven for backpackers, Grindelwald is certainly not “friendly” when it comes to a backpackers budget. Expect to spend an average of 20 francs (equivalent to $20) on a meal, if you’re lucky. The same goes for hotels; unless you are camping, go prepared for some solid prices. We stayed at Eiger Hotel which made our stay truly wonderful. Breakfast was included and consisted of an array of dishes, for every kind of eater. There was a complimentary tea and cake serving from 3 to 5 pm, which exceeded my expectations.
The best feature of the hotel though was the unbelievable view from the windows, a true opener to the gates of heaven.
As you could imagine, Grindelwald is an excellent spot for both summer and winter activities. For all you ski fans, you should know it’s the largest ski resort in the Jungfrau region. But for summer, I found the following to be the highlights of the glacier village.
Grindelwald-First
There are 300 km of walking trails around Grindelwald. The high-altitude walk from Grindelwald-First to the Faulhorn mountain hotel and then on to the Schynige Platte is one of most picturesque hikes of the region. It’s perfect for avid hikers; however, if you are on family trip with kids and grandparents, taking the aerial gondola up from Grindelwald to Bort and hiking down might be a better option. Which is what we did; accompanied by my parents, two toddlers and a stroller, we ventured up to Berghaus Bort, located at 1,600 m (5,250 feet).
The lodging has a generous playground for kids and boasts stunning views of the Bernese Alps and of the Eiger. The kids enjoyed fun activities, while breathing fresh Alpine air, while I toddled along like Heidi along lush pastures and flower-filled meadows.
The hike down can take up a few hours, depending on your pace, but it is a moderate, most pleasant descent that will have you stopping several times along the way, to admire the scenery and photograph the infamous Swiss cows.
Männlichen
On a different day, we stepped it up a notch and took the cable car up to Männlichen, at 2,225m (7,300 feet). After a 30-minute ascent, we arrived on top, to a surreal panorama of the world-famous mountains of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Dressed in sneakers and shorts, it was quite an experience to be surrounded by snow and not be cold.
We were not allowed to hike down as it was still covered with ice and snow, however my brother and I ventured with my four-year-old nephew to the peak of 2,343 m (7,687 feet).
Looking down, I could clearly see the village of Wengen in the valley, as well as Interlaken in the horizon. Looking up, Jungfraujoch was shining bright; snow and ice are always guaranteed on Top of Europe at 3,454 m (11,332 feet).
Europe’s highest railway open-air cog railway (only in summer) has its lower terminus next to the station of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn in Zermatt, from where it climbs the Gornergrat daily every 24 minutes.
Schynige Platte
Going past the lush pastures and inviting woodlands, what sets the Jungfrau region apart is its unequivocal railway system crossing through the Alps, tunnels and bridges unto green meadows and imposing summits.
Perhaps its most distinctive train is the one boarding from Wilderswill unto Schynige Platte, dating from two centuries ago.
Railway romance and mountain majesty, Schynige Platte (1,967 m) with its cog railway, feels as if transported in the “Belle Epoque”. Traversing the seven-kilometer route in 50 minutes on wooden benches and 19 century carriages call for a truly whimsical travel experience, reminiscent of times gone by. The prices are quite steep, so take advantage of their 50% off Schynige Platte tickets by liking them on Facebook. Simply click to get the discount.
Make sure to also stop by The Alpine Garden, where 600 plant species grow.
Have you ever gone hiking through Switzerland? Stay tuned for my next episode, as I explore more of the unrivaled outdoors this country has to offer.
