runswithwolves

Hello! I am planning my first trip to Europe and I am trying to finalize my itinerary. I'd like to spend a couple of days (I'm thinking 4) hiking in Switzerland. I am into backpacking/hiking/adventure sports and am looking for the best city/cities to go. I am thinking about Interlaken...I am mostly interested in this area because it seems to have a lot of good hiking nearby so it may be a good place to base my trip. I need a place where both the city itself and the trails are easily accessibility... I am also wondering, do you think it would be best to rent a car for the days I am here so I don't have to rely on trains/buses to get to trail heads? Also, does anyone know if it is possible to tent or backcountry camp in this area either on multi day trails or otherwise or is camping pretty much limited to campgrounds? Any help, suggestions, or insight would be GREATLY appreciated!!

offhegoes03

Switzerland is definitely an amazing place to hike! It's up to what you prefer, but there's a hostel called the Mountain Hostel in Gimmelwald, Switzerland. It is a really small town (I know you said you wanted to be near a city), but there is so much to do. It is about an hour by train+bus+cable car away from Interlaken, but you have access to tons of different hikes. Even though it is a really small town, the hostel attracts tons of awesome people, so you never have a dull time partying with everyone. Mountain Hostel - High in the Alps

Otherwise, you can still do some awesome hikes. The Schilthorn is an amazing one, and gives you a huge sense of accomplishment when you reach the top. I will try to dig up some of the stuff I saved from Europe (unless it's at my parents' house) and see about some other cool hikes.

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micdans

I absolutely love Switzerland. I've spent time in Interlaken and found it to be a great start to outdoorsy activities. My friends and I went on long runs from our hostel (Balmer's - it's ok) and got to see so much of the country around there. As offhegoes said, Gimmelwald is another great city. It's deeper in the mountains so you would likely see fewer people.
We look the train up from Interlaken to Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, but not all the way to Gimmelwald and that area is amazing.

I've also spent time in Luzern, which is an amazing city (my fav, actually), but less hiking is nearby.

If you use Interlaken as the starting point, you would be able to find more than enough places to wander (funny bc wandern in German means hike) for 4 days.
Enjoy
I love CH

runswithwolves

Thank you for the advise! I looked up Gimmelwald and it looks like a really cool place. Plus the Schilthorn hike looks like it would be exactly the type of thing I'm looking for. It isn't far from Interlaken so maybe I could plan a side trip there. Lauterbrunnen is right along the way too and both places just look absolutely gorgeous. I've always thought Switzerland just looked like the most beautiful place in the world...I only wish I had all the time in the world to spend there! Thanks again for the help and if anyone has any more advise, I am very open to suggestions!

frankspins

These guys nailed it. It sounds like the Lauterbrunnen Valley is the place for you runswithwolves. There are so many hiking trails out of the valley connecting with Wengen and all the other mountain towns around there. Gimmelwald is a short bus then cable car ride from Lauterbrunnen. If you make it to the Mountain Hostel make sure to take advantage of their outdoor hottub! Rugenbrau + hottub + Swiss Alps = WOW

micdans

+swiss chick + marriage + swiss citizenship = good life