Switzerland – Five comfortable panoramic walks in the Bernese Oberland

Like this photo? This is one of the many beautiful views we had in Switzerland, and the best part is that we didn’t have to climb all day, as is often required, to take it… If you want to see amazing vistas like this in Switzerland here is a list of five easy hikes (our Little G, who was almost 4, did all of them) in the Bernese Oberland that offer them. We did these walks during a one week stay in Wengen.

 1. Lake and Mountain Hike: First – Bachalpsee – Waldspitz
After a steep section at the beginning from First, you will eventually arrive at Lake Bachalpsee to enjoy your picnic with the Scherckhorn (the very tall moutain in the picture) as your backdrop. Scherckhorn used to be the mountain theme picture for Gmail…
If you don’t want to come back the same way I suggest you go down to Waldspitz by taking the path starting on the left handside of the lake for better views. This way is not very busy and there is a restaurant in Waldspitz if you want to wait for the bus with a drink.

Access: Take the cablecar from Grindelwald and come back to Grindelwald by bus
Time: 2h30 without a break at the lake. It’s a bit steep at the beginning but it flattens out, going down is much longer but much easier since you are going down.
 Difficulty: easy with a little bit of elevation
 Number on the map: 4

 2. Easy Panoramic Walk: Grutschalp to Murren
A very nice walk in a less touristic area (we didn’t see any of the Japanese/Chinese tour groups there) to see both the nice little village of Murren and the mountains Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. You can stop midway to have lunch in Winteregg, they have an amazing play area for children. Enjoying a peaceful lunch on the terrace. You can walk both ways but this way has better views.

Access: Cablecar from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp. From Murren take the train to return to Grustchalp and go down using the cable car.
Time: about 1h30
Difficulty: very easy, 5km almost totally flat
Number on the map: 52

 3. Amazing Views Wike: Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
This is the hike most tourists do – it’s going downhill and facing the Eiger North Face all the way. We have even seen baby pushchairs there but little A was much more confortable in the hiking bag. I suggest you do a little detour first (this part goes up though…) and go to the top of Mannlinchen: the best panorama in the area, have a look at the video! Just before arriving at Kleine Scheidegg, there are a few restaurants where you can have a drink with a view and recover from this climb.

Access: Cablecar from Wengen. To come back to Wengen or Grindelwald use the train
Time: 1h30
Difficulty: Very easy and going downhill
Number on the map: 33

4. Special Eiger North Face Hike: Eiger Trail (Eigergletscher to Alpiglen)
This is the hike to discover the scary eiger north face. You can see the different climbing routes as well as the windows of the Jungfraujoch train station (yes, there is a train in the cliff!) Keep in mind that it will take you about the same time to do this hike as it took a climber to do the fasted Eiger North Face climb! We did this hike going down because it has a lot of elevation. It belongs to the Suisse list of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland…

Access: Take the train to Eigergletscher or do hike number 5 first. To come back, take the train in Alpiglen towards Grindelwald or Kleine Scheidegg to go back to Wengen
 Time: 2h30
Difficulty: medium to easy on the way down, difficult on the way up
Number on the map: 36

 5. Hiking for a Rosti: Kleine Scheidegg to Eigergletscher
You can do this hike before doing the Eiger trail or you can do a return trip from Kleine Scheidegg and  have lunch on the restaurant terrace in Eigergletscher enjoying the amazing glacier views and a nice rosti. I recommend you to go up by the moraine and go down by the main path. Don’t forget to enjoy a foot bath on the side of the track and have a look at the Eiger exhibition on the way.

Access: by train from Wengen, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald towards Kleine Scheidegg
Time: 1h20 to go, 1h to come back
Difficulty: easy to medium
Number on the map: 37

 When are you going hiking in the bernese oberland? If you have been there what’s your favourite hike?

Voyagista’s Tips

• Don’t forget the hiking map but if you do forget it, do not worry you can find it in every train station

•  Buying a pass is worth it for people (like us…) planning to take transportation everyday. Children below 6 ride for free but the 6 day pass is quite expensive at 250 CHF

•  If you take the train at Kleine Scheidegg, take a seat before the Jungfraujoch train arrives or you will have to stand up.. Given the ticket price you might as well be seated!

• If you hesitate between those 5 hikes, just go for one easy to access for you, they are all truly beautiful!