Wengen, Switzerland is one of those picture-perfect villages that you might envision when someone mentions the Swiss Alps. No cars, mountains all around, lush green meadows, and vast expanses of forests are all qualities that Wengen boasts.
Wengen is located in the canton of Bern and is a part of the famous Jungfrau region. Great for hiking all year long and skiing during the winter, this quaint village will serve as your perfect getaway with its fairy-tale backdrop.
Wooden chalets, whitewashed churches, and Belle Époque hotels surrounded by mountain pines are all things you will get to experience here.
With that said, let’s jump right into this travel guide for Wengen in Switzerland and explore all the things you can do here.
About Wengen and best time to visit
Perched high above the Lauterbrunnen valley at an altitude of 1274m, Wengen is a fashionable yet traditional alpine village in the Bernese Oberland. It can only be reached by cogwheel train, making it traffic-free. Thanks to the absence of traffic, the village boasts pure mountain air.
The local scenery of Wengen provides views of the entire Alps including the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains.
There are over 500km of walking trails that are marked for guidance. 15 mountain cableways in the nearby surroundings lead to the most beautiful vantage points of the Jungfrau region.
Apart from its spectacular Alpine scenery, what adds to Wengen’s uniqueness is that it is an entirely car-free village. To reach it, you have to take the Wengeralp railway ascending up the mountain. This characteristic adds to the region’s calming appeal.
When it comes to dining in, there is no shortage of options in Wengen. Most of the restaurants are located within hotels which means you won’t have to look far for quality food.
There is plenty to do in both the winter and summer months.
Wengen in summer
In summers, you can enjoy hikes up and around the mountains at varying difficulty levels. There are many easy day hikes for children, making Wengen a nice family-friendly destination.
While the resort is open for tourists year-round, the best time to visit Wengen is in June to October. The weather hovers around 20°C (64°F), and rain is scarce so you get plenty of sunshine.
Wengen in winter
The most popular months, however, are the snowy months of December to March which attract twice as many tourists as the summer. The weather is freezing which is perfect for snowboarding, skiing, and other winter sports.
During the winter, Wengen is the ideal starting point for the family-friendly ski region of Klein Scheidegg-Männlichen with 110km of easy to medium-difficulty pistes. The neighboring ski areas of the Jungfrau region are also close by.
For many, the world-renowned Word Cup Race down the Lauberhorn to Wengen is the highlight of the FIS ski race season.
Things to do in Wengen
Excursion to the Jungfraujoch
The Jungfraujoch lies between the two peaks of Jungfrau and Monch and connects them at a height of 3464 meters above sea level.
The ascent to the highest train station in Europe at Jungfraujoch, starts at Wengen station and then on to Kleine Scheidegg. Here you board the Jungfraubahn for the final journey to the Top of Europe.
While the ride to the top offers no shortage of breathtaking scenery, the views from the top itself are especially mesmerizing. Get ready to be amazed by the insane snowy views of the 22 km Aletsch Glacier and those of the towering mountain peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
The day tour to Jungfraujoch costs around $170 and takes you to the top of the mountain. From where you can view the UNESCO-listed landscape from the Sphinx Observatory along with other summit attractions, and multiple indoor activities such as the Ice Palace.
Explore the Lauterbrunnen Valley
Often referred to as “Valley of 72 Waterfalls”, Lauterbrunnen is nestled between jagged cliffs and the towering mountains of the Swiss Alps. The famous writer J.R.R. Tolkien found his inspiration for his saga, while hiking through the Swiss Alps and the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Any fan of the Lord of the Rings will immediately feel like they’ve been thrust into Middle-Earth as soon as they make their way through Lauterbrunnen’s steep rock faces.
On your visit, don’t skip visiting the village Lauterbrunnen itself. You will get a truly authentic experience of a typical Swiss village. The town might be small in size, but it’s certainly immense in its beauty. The village streets are lined with charming restaurants, cafés, hotels, varying shops.
Small and large waterfalls alike are visible from Lauterbrunnen. Many of them are easy to reach, like the Staubbach waterfall. Standing tall at 300 meters, it is the third-highest waterfall in Switzerland and one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in all of Europe.
Thanks to a viewing platform built into the rockface, one can get nearer and experience the glory of this waterfall up close.
Skiing in Winter
Skiing is a popular sport in Wengen. Thanks to its elevation of 1274 m above sea level, the chances of finding snow here is high, especially from late December to early March.
The easily accessible Jungfrau region offers more than 250km of pistes, with many of them providing a heightened level of adrenaline rush. There are also toboggan and walking trails. Therefore, everyone has a chance to enjoy the snowy winter here.
On the other side of the valley lies Mürren where in January the Inferno race takes place.
It’s one of the largest ski races in the world with over 1800 participants. The Inferno race spans a distance of almost 9 miles down the mountain – going from Schilthorn to Lauterbrunnen.
There is also an 11km cross-country ski trail in the valley between Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg.
Männlichen
The Männlichen is a mountain located in the heart of the Jungfrau region at an impressive height of 2343m. Visitors can access the roof of the cable car from Wengen, enjoying the 6-minute ride that is known as the “Royal Ride.”
Once off the cable car or gondola, you will have beautiful views of the Jungfrau region and all its major mountains.
Männlichen is the starting point for several easy trails that offer some of the best views. You can hike for 25 minutes to the actual summit of the Männlichen itself. This is called the “Royal Walk.” The summit affords you panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, which seem to tower over you.
You can also hike from Männlichen to Klein Scheidegg. This route is quite easy with only minor ascents and descents. The hike is suitable for families with small children and for people who want to walk high in the mountains with ease.
As the trail is quite beautiful with many alpine flowers in the summers, it is very popular among tourists, making it rather crowded on beautiful sunny days.
To reach Männlichen, you can take the Wengen-Männlichen cable car ride from the Wengen station which lasts 10 minutes. Along the way, you will be treated to magnificent views of the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Kleine Scheidegg
Kleine Scheidegg is located at a high altitude of 2061m. It is a mountain pass that runs between the famous Eiger and the Lauberhorn. It is located above the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys and the two cogwheel railways from these places meet here.
Hiking at Kleine Scheidegg is quite popular in the summer with travelers from all over the world paying this scenic area a visit. It also serves as the final stopping point during the Jungfrau Marathon – a mountain race that occurs every year.
For lovers of hiking, this would be the perfect place to be as they would be surrounded by the superlative vistas of the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys.
Kleine Scheidegg offers its fair share of fun activities and winter sports to its visitors. In December, the skiing season begins. Visitors can ski and snowboard down the graceful slopes of the Kleine Scheidegg.
Challenge yourself at Lauberhorn Crazy Golf
The Lauberhorn Crazy Golf can make for an entertaining afternoon for families and solo travelers alike. It is an 18-hole course that depicts select stories from the ski race in Lauberhorn – a race that is one of the most prominent winter sports in the world.
The Lauberhorn Crazy Golf is especially great for people traveling with kids. You have the option of miniature golf to fill your day in Wengen where all ages are welcome. This is a must-visit spot if you want a fun-filled afternoon in Wengen!
Where to stay in Wengen
Wengen is a popular destination with people seeking peace and quiet in the Alps. Being a fairly small town, most of the hotels in Wengen are within walking distance from the train station from where most day trips start.
Of course, there are some hotels with locations that are more central than others. If you happen to stay in a hotel that is farther away, the hotel staff can pick you up and your luggage from the station.
Below, we have mentioned a few stay options, from budget-friendly to luxury.
Wengen, Aparthotel Residence Bernerhof
An affordable option, Residence Bernerhof is the aparthotel of the Hotel Bernerhof. It offers apartments that boast private kitchenettes and bathrooms. If you want to stay in the center of Wengen without going heavy on the wallet, this is a great option. It is also close to all modes of transportation including the railway and the cableway.
Wengen, Swiss Lodge Hotel Bernerhof
Hotel Bernerhof is another great budget option that offers basic rooms in the center of Wengen. All facilities, such as stores, the cableway, and the railway station are within a few minutes of walk from the hotel.
Wengen, Hotel & Spa Silberhorn
Hotel Silberhorn is located next to the Wengen railway station, making it a convenient spot to stay in. The hotel offers a number of amenities. It has a fabulous restaurant, a spa and wellness area, a jewelry shop, fitness facilities, and, most important of all, rooms that afford you spectacular views of the Jungfrau region.
Summary & Final Thoughts
Wengen, Switzerland serves as the ideal starting point for exploring the Bernese Oberland. It is a fantastic destination with plenty of mountain scenery and peaceful hikes.
Along with the calming atmosphere of the village, the adventurous side of Wengen includes plenty of skiing and fast-paced sports options, giving visitors the best of both worlds.
With so much to experience, Wengen is a one-stop shop for explorers, adventurers, and thrill-seekers alike.
