My recommendation for hiking in the area is the lesser-known Faulhorn. Near the summit is an old, isolated hotel where there's little in the way of heating but a view which - especially at dusk and dawn - offers spectacular vistas over the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
The hike up there takes around four hours, giving plenty of time to enjoy a picnic and a beer at the top. The atmosphere during the evening is lovely, as people sit crammed into the small dining room, playing Jass and admiring the stars at such an altitude.
The next day, have the view to yourself, then wander down via one magnificent panorama after another...
I'd also recommend, along the Faulhorn lines, a very nice hike that goes from
Schynige Platte to Grindelwald First: you have the panorama of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau in front of you the whole way. It's not a short hike (5-6 hours), and though it's a 'Höhenwanderung', it's not wholly flat the whole way... But if you have the time, it's well worth it - especially if you have moderately sporting guests you want to show the spendors to.
Best part: at both ends you don't need to hike to get to the valley. Either take the cog-railway up from Wilderswil (just outside Interlaken) to Schnyige Platte and then start walking (towards the Faulhorn) or start from Grindelwald and take the lifts that go up to First, and head the other way. I'd recommend the first one. Take a hat and sunscreen, too, esp. in July.
^^It's very basic but the staff are kind and cheerful. Expect tiny bedrooms with three mattresses and fourteen blankets on each bed. You'll be glad of them in the night!
They have very limited resources and need helicopters to supply them. It's really a glorified hostel / premium hut. They're only open for the Summer months but it's really worth a trip.
Hmmmph, the pics say it all . The only problem is, in everything looks so beautiful and one is spoilt for choice.
It would be great if you guys can now suggest a 2 day itinerary from Zurich because now I am getting a little confused. So if you can suggest some itinerary, it can serve for future reference also.
Suppose I reach Interlaken area around 9 am on Day 1, and want to get back home by late night on Day 2. I could stay overnight at the Faulhorn* hostel (just the kind I love), or Youth Hostel Grindelwald or Interlaken are other options.
* I will only know on Monday whether the Faulhorn is open now, as the website says "Please note: from June to October reservation by telephone only".
Simply call ahead, ask them which station is the best arrival point, and start from there! The hike up the Faulhorn is around four hours or so, depending on your need to see a Teddy Bear Museum or not. The hike down the next day is even better in my opinion; one gets to see glaciers, cable-car stations, beautiful views - all while heading downhill Couldn't be an easier weekend hike!
Is the offer to get the tickets over in COOP shops ? I enquired today at one in Zurich and they said its finished....from above posting i was thinking its valid till Jun14..
Does anyone have any thoughts on taking an active 5-year old boy on any of the above hikes (the shorter ones)? Would they be too much for him do you think?
I arrive in Basel in a couple of weeks so have no experience of the mountains or the difficulty levels!
^^As you write, it is possible but beware there are some 'hairy' sections on scree slopes, but they shouldn't pose too much of a hindrance if you're willing to carry your bike a hundred metres or so once in a while.
Now i have 3 tickets with me - i got it this weekend frm Ricardo for a bit of high price and now i got to know proper terms... I am still not clear - can anyone spend 5 mins to clarify - My understanding is this -
I take the voucher and go to Interlaken Bahnoff - I have to show them the voucher - Pay CHF 64 and they give me a ticket which is valid from Interlaken to Juangruch and back. So my total cost - say frm Zurich will be around CHF110 (Day pass of CHF45). I dont think this is a big offer for me - anyway the tickets are around CHF 120 always frm here.....
Let me know if i m correct that we need to pay CHF 64 at Interlaken or any Juangrauch stations to get the ticket.
I would like to sell 1 ticket - its price is CHF 10 (cost of wht i purchased).
If anyone interested, ping me, i shall get in touch with you.
It is a flatrate fee from anywhere on the BOB line going up to Jungfraujoch.
You will pay SFr. 64.-- at Interlaken Ost, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen to go up to the Jungfraujoch.
The SFr. 64 includes one adult and two children.
Bring your coupon to the Interlaken Ost train station, take a number and wait for your turn. Give the salesman your coupon and the money and you'll get the ticket.
You cannot get the train ticket at any SBB office.
A brief update: I just did the train trip from Zurich and back on Sunday and thought of writing some feedback here for future reference.
Well, since I had a free Mountain Pass, and spent only 45 CHF from-to Zurich, I felt it was worth it. Not otherwise. Too many people out there. Not the tranquil outing I like. Hopefully I will visit again, and then stay in Faulhorn.
That said, it seems to be a good option for visitors/guests who have never seen snow and mountains and don't like sweating too much.
Yes, about 50% were from India. I am a proud Indian myself, but I fail to see the point in people coming from thousands of miles and dash into the Bollywood restaurant . Kind of funny to see people tucking away busily at 3500m @msl, which they could have done at home more effectively.
I did not feel the altitude difference, not any people I could see felt either... people of all ages, shapes and sizes. If one feels lack of oxygen, it is more likely due to too many people crowded inside the buidling and stepping outside was always nicer.
Funny your were told that. The last train down is at 17:45. I came down around 5 pm...
Well, I was truly amazed that it was way back in 1908 that the mountains were drilled. Actually much of the last 1000 m altitude gain is through tunnels, so truly a commendable achievement of man over mountain....drilling dozens of KMs of hard rock at 3000 m heights in those days.
But what's the point? There are trains every half an hour, thousands of people travel up and down daily. Everyone goes up into a smallish building at the top, buys some mundane mementos, eats, uses the loos, and comes back. Mission accomplished. That's what I pretty much did too
ok, as I said this was just a rant, not intended to provoke a discussion on its pros and cons and derail this thread. Back to the thread now