LAUTERBRUNNEN VALLEY
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is known for its waterfalls the most famous of which are the Staubach Falls. “Lauter Brunnen”, by the way, means “lots of fountains” in German. This picturesque valley is the starting point, be it in Summer or Winter, for many of the well-known destinations in the Bernese Oberland Jungfrau region. The best way to reach the valley is by train. We highly recommend obtaining a Swiss Rail Pass to take advantage of all the options it provides.
Can you picture an easily accessible tourist destination without traffic, no large shopping centers, nor fast food places and yet offering excellent facilities? One of these destinations is the village of Wengen. This holiday resort lies on a plateau at the foot of the Jungfrau. To get there from Lauterbrunnen you’ll have the opportunity to ride on the longest cogwheel rack & pinion railway in Switzerland. The green and yellow Wengernalpbahn first opened in 1893. Since Wengen is car-free, it’s perfect for hikers, families, and anyone seeking a quiet & relaxing environment with splendid views over the alps and plenty of sun shine. In winter Wengen is a great starting point for the Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen ski region
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One of the Swiss bucket-list destinations for many tourists visiting the Bernese Oberland is a trip to the top of Europe -The Jungfraujoch. One of the number of ways to reach it is from Wengen where you can catch the train which will take you to the highest altitude railway station in Europe. A note of caution, although you can reach the Jungfraujoch year-round, you’ll want to have nice, clear weather to make the trip which is quite pricey. May through September is preferred by many.
From Lauterbrunnen you can reach the beautiful car-free village of Mûrren which is located on the other side of the valley from Wengen. From Mûrren you will want to take the cable car for the breathtaking ride up to the summit of the Schilthorn. Recognized by tourists as Piz Gloria, this destination really became popular by James Bond in his film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. As you can well imagine, lots of tourists visit it. To enjoy the spectacular 360-degree panoramic view over the Eiger, Mônch, & Jungfrau you will want to make sure that you have clear weather.
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