For my travel itinerary, please click Itinerary Map.
Summary of Attractions/Activities
- Rhine Valley, Bacharach, Germany
- Black Forest, Feldberg, Germany
- Lake Schluchsee, Germany
- Top of Europe, Switzerland
- Schilthorn, Switzerland
- Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland
- Factory Outlet McArthurGlen at Troyes, France
- Le Havre, France
- Etretat, France
- Le Treport, France
- The Rose Granite Coast at Perros Guirec, France
- Mullerthal Trails, Luxembourg
Introduction
The furthest point up in the mountain reachable by car is Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg, and Grindelwald. A single road leads to these destinations from Interlaken, and after reaching Lauterbrunnen, Stechelberg is just a few minutes away by car further up on the same road.
Stechelberg is the access point for cable car lift up to Schilthorn.
Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald both offer you access via train or cable car to visit the Swiss mountains.
Which mountain peaks ?
The 2 most famous peaks are Jungfrau and Schilthorn.
Jungfrau : 4158m
Schilthorn : 2970m
The Swiss train Jungfraubahn will take you up from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station at 3454m.
A cable car lift will take you up from Stechelberg to Schilthorn.
There are also 2 famous peaks beside Jungfrau : Eiger and Monch, which you will see when doing some of the mountain walks.
Jungfrau Travel Pass
If you intend to go up the Swiss mountains from Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald, then it's the only Travel Pass you need. There's 3, 4, 5 or 6 day pass. The 3D Pass alone is already value for money if you want to do only these 2 destinations. If you take up a 4D pass or more, you might have to calculate a bit more, depending on your destination in the Alps.
The Travel Pass can be bought easily at any Tourist Office or at the Lauterbrunnen train station, so buy it on the spot just before you do any of these peaks.
When to go ?
It's not opened throughout the year, and operational from May to Oct if you are not going for skiing. For Oct, the first 2 weeks are pretty safe. It's probably closed from the last week of Oct until the skiing season starts. For the exact dates in May or Oct if you are going, you might have to check with the tourist office.
Checking the weather
The cost of going up is not that cheap, and if the weather is not good ie cloudy or raining, you will not really enjoy these peaks and their beauty. So check the weather forecast daily and attempt these peaks only if it's sunny or mostly sunny.
Parking
At all these 3 destinations, paid parking is easily available. But of course, I went in the off-peak season in October, so I can't say. The parking rates are stated clearly on the website, but you have really no choice but to park your car there.
I chose to park at Lauterbrunnen for both my visits to Top of Europe and Schilthorn. The reason is because I chose to buy the Jungfrau Travel Pass for 3 days, and with it, a discount to go up to Schilthorn via Lauterbrunnen, and also because of the walks at Mannlichen that I've chosen (see those sections).
The multi-storey carpark at Lauterbrunnen is also situated right beside the train station, so it's very convenient.
Choice of Accommodation
Understanding all how it works above helps you to plan where to stay. Interlaken is only 18 mins away from Lauterbrunnen by car, and if you choose the Lakes area, Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, it's also a good choice. So as long as you are not too far away from Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald by car, you can jolly well choose something not too expensive and yet do the Swiss Alps.
There are those who recommend staying at Murren or places further up the mountain above Lauterbrunnen. But for drivers, these points are not accessible by car, so it's moot.
Where we stayed
We chose to stay up in the hills at Aeschi bei Spiez, a 40 min drive from Lauterbrunnen and commanding a good view over the lakes, at about 750m above sea level.
Introduction
The trip up to Top of Europe is best combined with the Royal Walk at Mannlichen and the walk from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg(KS). Why ?
What was perhaps not clear from the Internet is that the Swiss train Jungfraubahn train leaves from KS to Top of Europe and returns to KS.
So when combined with these walks in the morning, you could then have a relaxing time taking the train up to Jungfraujoch to finish up your day in the afternoon, making it a full-day outing.
Mannlichen Royal Walk
Degree of difficulty : medium
Estimated Time : 1hr
This is a loop walk from the Wengen-Mannlichen cable car station to the Mannlichen peak.
From Lauterbrunnen, we took a train to Wengen. There, once we left the station, we could see the cable car lift opposite so we walked across the road and headed for the direction sign Mannlichen.
The cable car ride is short and takes about 5-6 mins. Exit the station and walk towards the left and you can see a golden crown beckoning you, hence the name "Royal Walk".
Although it's indicated on the signboard 20 mins, it's uphill all the way with a steep ascent towards the end...so going slowly would take you about 30 mins.
Once at the Crown, the view is superbe all round and of course you can see the 3 peaks of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.
The descent was definitely faster.
Mannlichen to KS walk
Degree of difficulty : easy
Estimated Time : 2 hrs
This is a really easy walk as it descends gradually and winds down into the valley. So if you begin this walk in the morning, you could make it around lunch time at KS, and then proceed to Top of Europe.
Once you come down from the Royal Crown walk, look towards the right and you will not fail to see the other cable car station (Mannlichen-Grindelwald). Just follow directional signs for KS.
On a bright day, at about 15°C, with beautiful views of the 3 peaks, Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau...well...what more could one ask for ?
There is a toilet stop along the way, a restaurant 10 mins away from Kleine Scheidegg and of course 1 or 2 more restaurants right at KS itself.
Jungfrau
At KS station, look out for the sign Jungfraujoch either in yellow or green. Follow yellow queue if you have no seat reservation, otherwise follow green. It was a bit crowded even in Oct but we were fortunate to have seats.
The Jungfraubahn train is a bright red train with some horizontal yellow stripes painted on its sides.
The train journey takes about 50 mins, and that's also because it stops 1 to 5 mins at each of the 3 train stations before Jungfraujoch, for travellers to get down and take photos through high glass windows. It is because the upper part of the railway is constructed in a tunnel, so the train stops allow us to take photos.
At the top, follow the direction of the Tour sign in blue. There is an elevator to go up to the Sphinx, the viewing platform over Europe. Here it can get crowded if you run into tour groups.
To get away from the crowds, follow sign 6 or Monchsjoch Hut. We stepped out into the open, right onto the snow and walked along this trail to enjoy the scenery and the peaceful serenity. It's quite a long walk to the Hut - café, so we didn't attempt it.
Words cannot describe simply being on Top of the world, at 3454m.
Finally, we had the Jungfrau Travel Pass, so we only needed to top up 59CHF per person.
NB : Due to the length of the train journey and the waiting time at the KS station, you will need to start your ascent around 2 pm. The last train from Jungfraujoch is at 5.30 pm in Oct, so that will give you an idea of the time you have up there.
Introduction
Going up to Schilthorn is via 1 single cable car. The starting point is at Stechelberg, and you keep changing cars firstly at Murren, later at Birg, before finally reaching the top. The single cable car also means a maximum number of passengers can be lifted at any one time. This means that you will spend time waiting for the transfer, and it also depends on the crowd.
Jungfrau Travel Pass holders
However for holders of the Jungfrau Travel Pass, your starting point is at Lauterbrunnen. The Pass will enable you to go up for free until Murren. You then pay to top up the section Murren to Schilthorn. It's a 25% discount off, ie you pay 60CHF per person for this section. You pay this ticket only when you reach the Murren-Schilthorn cable car station.
At Lauterbrunnen train station, you cross the road to a blue building to take the cable car to Grutschalp. A 1-wagon train then took us up to Murren.
We then had to follow direction sign for Schilthornbahn : we turned towards the left from the Murren station and literally walked across almost the entire village to the cable car station.
Schilthorn
The lift stops at Birg, for the Skyline walk, and then you transfer to another cable car for Schilthorn. We went up first to Schilthorn, where there is an outside viewing platform all round to admire the Alps.
The view is absolutely stunning and every picture, every view is postcard perfect, on a beautiful day !
We then descended to Birg, and tried the Skyline Walk and Thrill Walk. This is not for those who are afraid of heights as you can see literally the landscape under your feet , either thru the stairs, the metallic floor or glass floor. The Skyline Walk is built all around the station, whereas for the Thrill Walk, you are walking over a tight rope with a see-through glass right beneath the rope.
This is a really fun and exciting walk around Schilthorn's peak.
Kudos to the Swiss !
The last part of the Skyline walk is on gravel and slightly steep to go back to the cable car station, so take time to return.
Conclusion
For holders of the Jungfrau Travel Pass, it's a good outing, as you get to visit Murren, either on the way to or returning from Schilthorn, and you get 25% off the ticket price from Murren. You need to plan for more time due to the train and cable car transfers and the crowd. You will need easily half a day or more for the entire outing.
Staubbach Falls was our destination for our morning cum afternoon walk in the Lauterbrunnen valley. We stopped by the tourist office at Lauterbrunnen, got us a map and drove to the Stechelberg parking.
Find a parking lot immediately after entry. You could hear the river flowing on your right if you face the Stechelberg ticketing office. Make your way to the middle of the parking towards the river and cross a tiny bridge over to the left bank of the river to begin the walk.
This is a really easy walk, beside the river and along a road that is rarely used by vehicles and shared amongst walkers, cyclists and cars. It's very gradual and little ups and downs.
We started about 1035am and reached the falls at about 12 noon.
The path to the fall is a ground track cut into shallow wide steps and is fairly steep, but not a long path. Walking sticks are provided at the beginning for those who need.
After a man made tunnel, we started climbing stairs to reach the top. The whole way is a bit wet due to water dripping.
At the top, we found ourselves behind the falls and it's literally "raining over our heads", but we didn't get wet. We spent some time up in the falls and then returned to our base.
The path is well-signposted and you could reach Trummelbach falls or even Lauterbrunnen.
It was such a beautiful day and we enjoyed the wonderful scenery provided for us by Lauterbrunnen valley and Mother Nature.
The cliffs of Etretat are very famous, the walks right on top of the cliffs are great and they stretch for miles, really wonderful for a good stroll. It's only 30 mins away from Le Havre by car.
This is our 2nd time here, not surprisingly, just to feel the greatness again but at sunset this time.
We came here around 5.45 pm. Like many said, the parking right next to the beach is pretty small. But it was relatively empty perhaps due to the late hour and low season now.
A TripAdvisor member mentioned about free parking up north in a church for drivers, so that's a 2nd alternative parking.
The paid parking here is from 7am to 7pm. The first 30 mins is free.
For those who intend to walk up on the cliffs either north or south and return, it's good to anticipate an easy 3 to 4 hours. Once you climb up, the rest is flat and easy, and you just enjoy the view and the scenery.
Just don't stray off the path. We saw a tourist taking a selfie on an overhanging cliff rock off the path and she was alone...Well...
We came to see the sunset this time and we are still awed by its beauty.
Many local French men could be seen fishing off the stone beach, catching mackerel, garfish or bream.
Don't miss this eternal and majestic wonder of nature !
The cliffs at Le Tréport are not so famous as Etretat, but the town boasts a free funicular ride, wonderful views over the town and bay, cliff walks and a seafood covered market. It's about 2h drive away from Le Havre.
Where else in the world do you get to ride in a free funicular lift ? Only right here at Le Treport in France.
2ndly, you get to operate it yourself : Press Monter to go up or Descendre to go down. The lift can probably fit about 8 people and the lift ride takes only a few seconds.
3rdly, you get a wonderful view over Treport, the bay and the cliffs at the other side.
4thly, you also get to walk on the cliffs. It's flat, on grass and great to feel the breeze and enjoy the sunlight as you walk.
Finally, for those who drive, just park for free at the big parking outside the seafood covered market and stroll over to the funicular.
For those adventurous people, walk up 365 steps to the top. The starting point is at the left end of the road when you face the funicular.
La Poissonnerie Municipale (Seafood covered market)
100 Quai François 1er, 76470 Le Tréport, France
Closed Tue, everyday from 9h to 18h30
NB : This market's seafood is not as fresh and cheap as the one we prefer in Le Havre.
