Route: Wengen to Wengernalp
Area: Lauterbrunnental, Switzerland
Date of walk: 14th June 2024
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 4.8 miles
Ascent: 2,100 feet
Weather: Light rain at first, gradually improving
It’s been 5 years since we were last in Switzerland and we’ve been looking forward to returning here ever since. I had several walks planned but thanks to heavy snow last week many of the paths were closed. No matter, as this is a walking paradise with infinite possibilities. Today’s route would take us along the Mendelssohn Trail, which was created based on diary entries made by the composer Felix Mendelssohn. The trail is closed in winter due to the danger of avalanches and ice, but was open today
We set off from Wengen in light rain, following a narrow lane out of the village which took us through meadows and small settlements with occasional views across the Lauterbrunnen valley to its spectacular waterfalls on the other side. The lane gradually petered out, becoming a dirt track and then a footpath as we continued gently uphill. We entered into woodland and there followed a lengthy climb up a zig zagging path until we eventually emerged onto Wengernalp, which is an alpine meadow at an altitude of 1,874m and commands views of the Jungfrau massif. We’d timed our visit to coincide with the meadows and our timing was good – yellow rattle, cranesbill, orchid, bird’s foot trefoil, globe flower and numerous other species were flowering in abundance
We continued to climb, sometimes up narrow paths and sometimes along wide tracks. The route is well waymarked and there’s little or no danger of going astray. The weather began to clear along this section of the route and we had some wonderful views of the Jungfrau and Mönch along the way. Wengernalp came into view above us and we climbed up through the meadows to the railway station, set in an improbable situation, where the train passes through every 30 minutes. Making use of our Jungfrau Travel Pass we caught the next train back to Wengen to end a wonderful walk during the course of which we’d only seen a couple of other walkers
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The view over the Lauterbrunnen Valley from Wengen yesterday, the day of our arrival
Next day, and the start of the walk from the alpine village of Wengen as we follow the waymarked Mendelssohn Trail
Yellow rattle in the meadows as we follow the lane out of Wengen...
We pass by a traditional wooden chalet at the edge of the village
Looking down to the Staubbach Falls which plunge 300m into the Lauterbrunnen Valley below
We pass by a slightly less spectacular waterfall
Looking along the Lauterbrunnen Valley
We pass through some lovingly maintained settlements beyond Wengen
Looking back along the valley
The Lauterbrunnen Wall...
We continue to follow the Mendelssohn Trail, which steers well clear of the sheer cliffs on our right
Looking back along the alpine meadows
A woodland section follows....
Dramatic views from the edge of the wood - the far side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley
Looking down to Lauterbrunnen, which we'll walk to later today, and the Stubbach Falls which we'll pass on tomorrow's walk
Mürren perched on the edge of a cliff
A view back as we leave the woodland and climb up through meadows at Mettlenalp
We head west in the direction of Mönch and the Jungfrau
Mönch (4,107m) and Jungfrau (4,158m)
Silberhorn (3,695m) to the right of the Jungfrau
Looking back along the Mendelssohn Trail
The Jungfrau on our right...
We pass by an old barn...
The weather had been fairly uninspiring so far, but the clouds started to clear as we approached Wengernalp
We leave the track to follow a narrow path uphill
Alpine flowers
Wild flowers in the meadows as we continue to climb up to Wengernalp...
Wengernalp (1,873m)
The Jungfrau from Wengernalp
Looking back towards Mürren and the Lauterbrunnen Valley
We head to the railway station
Views of the Mönch and the Jungfrau as we await the Wengernalp cog railway...
We board the train back to Wengen to end our first walk of the week
