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Wengen is a resort town in Switzerland located beneath the Eiger and Jungfrau. It sits above Lauterbrunnen and can be accessed via train, from Lauterbrunnen or from Grindelwald. Both Wengen and Grindelwald are rather upscale resorts, both for skiing in winter and hiking and bicycling in summer.

A view of Wengen from across the valley.

Get in

Wengen is most easily reached by train. Travel on the Berner Oberland-Bahn (BOB) from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen and then change to the Wengernalpbahn (WAB) for the picturesque journey up the mountainside to Wengen.


Get around

Wengen is a car-free village so the only way to get around is by walking. A few of the hotels run electric vehicle transfers to and from the station. This has the added advantage of making it a coach trip free zone, some of the surrounding villages which are accessible by road are not so lucky.

See

  • Every autumn, the cows that have grazed all summer in the alpine meadows are brought down to the valley for the winter. If you're lucky, you might happen to be there on a day when they do this. It's quite an amazing sight and sound.
  • Mendolssohn festival in late August.
  • A really impressive model railway is outside the Belleview hotel, run by the proprietor who puts on demonstrations several times a week.

Do

  • Hiking:
    • Up to the Mannlichen: a nice quiet trek as the less energetic all take a cable car
    • To Wengenalp for some fantastic viewpoints down the Lauterbrunnen valley
    • Down to Lauterbrunnen. You can either take the train or hike down, and once in the valley there are flat trails with waterfalls on either side.
    • Take the train up to Kleine Sheidegg and hike down to Grindelwald.
  • Swimming: The outside swimming pool has amazing views of the Jungfrau and glacier, there is a very friendly bar and cafe there and the water is refreshing!
  • Ice skating and curling: Check out the local ice rink.
  • Shopping: The shops and bakeries are all too tempting.
  • Note that the town is quiet though, especially in summer, and not the best location if you are into wild clubbing.

Buy

There are various tourist shops in the village, including an information center, as well as a small Coop supermarket where you can buy groceries. The Made in Switzerland Shop is a great place to buy presents as you avoid the disappointment of your "authentic" souvenir coming from China. There are several stores selling gear for hiking, climbing, and skiing.

Eat

For gourmet dining, the Hotel Regina has 14 Gault Millau points à la carte restaurants, such as "Chez Meyer's" and "Jack's Brasserie" along with an excellent wine list. Mary's Cafe next to the Lauberhorn finish Line (Innerwengen, next to the Lift) has traditional Swiss food and cheese fondue. There are also a few recommendable restaurants in the town, but most fine dining will take place in the hotels in the area. There is a small coop grocery store in the town.

Drink

  • Hotel Berghaus, Am Wengi 1412 A CH - 3823 Wengen, +41 33 855 21 51. Their restaurant is open to the public, reservations suggested. The chef owner works in a tiny, but f,ully professional, clean and efficient kitchen. Excellent and local food from soups to desserts.


Sleep

Budget

  • The Old Lodge Backpackers (Down the path below Wengen's train station), +41 78 745 58 50. Huge, rambling old lodge, with basic facilities, but it boasts a lively atmosphere and fantastic views. dm Sfr25-40, r Sfr35-60.

Mid-Range

  • Belvédère, Galliweidli, CH-3823, fax: +41 33 856 68 69, . Member of Swiss Quality Hotels International. Three star hotel located 500m from the railway station and the city center away. Bar and terrace with panoramic view of the alps. Single room from 109CHF, double room from 218CHF (as of low season 2009).
  • Alpenrose (a short way up the road from the train station on the outskirts of the town), . A lovely chalet. Their half-board includes a magnificent breakfast spread and multi-course dinner each evening.

Splurge

  • Hotel Regina, Schonegg 1347a, +41 33 856 58 58, fax: +41 33 856 58 50, . Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 12.00. Open since 1894. Guests can see spectacular views of the mountains of the Jungfrau region, the Lauterbrunnen valley, and Wengen from its windows. In 2004 this four-star hotel was honoured as a Swiss Heritage site. It offers rooms with balcony or terrace. The whole Hotel has Public Wireless LAN. With a piano bar, 2 conference rooms, a gym, sauna and steam bath as well as a beauty centre and a gift shop called "Boutique SENS". Room prices from CHF 130,--.

Go next

Wengen is an excellent base for exploration of the Lauterbrunnen area. A very popular trip is the Jungfraubahn which takes you through a tunnel in the mountains above Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch - 3454m above sea level.

A great view can be had from the top of the Schilthorn, home to the highest revolving restaurant in the world! At 2970m, the viewing area offers excellent views of the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau, as well as many other peaks. The Schilthorn may be reached by taking the Schilthornbahn cable car up from Stechelberg, through Gimmelwald, Mürren and Birg.

Trümmelbach Falls is a worthwhile place to visit in the valley. The falls can be reached, as can Stechelberg, by Postautobus from Lauterbrunnen.

The Männlichen cable car leaves from Wengen.


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