Our Alpine Countries Adventure
Welcome to our travel journal — a heartfelt documentation of an unforgettable 14-day journey through the heart of the Alpine region in the three German-speaking countries: Germany (Day 1-4, 7-9), Switzerland (Day 5, 6) and Austria (Day 10-14).
Day 6 : Excursion to Berner Oberland
We started in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, that fairy-tale stretch of sheer cliffs and 72 waterfalls often called the "Valley of Waterfalls." Our first stop: Trümmelbach Falls, Europe's largest subterranean waterfalls and a UNESCO-linked wonder. These aren't your typical cascades tumbling down a mountainside. No—these are ten roaring glacial torrents born from the melting ice of the Jungfrau glacier, plunging inside the mountain itself at a mind-boggling rate of over 20,000 liters per second.
We rode the lift into the damp, echoing heart of the rock, then climbed tunnels and staircases slick with mist. The power was visceral: thunderous booms, swirling spray that soaked us despite rain jackets, and illuminated torrents crashing through narrow gorges carved over millennia. The twins' eyes were wide—equal parts thrilled and a little awed by nature's raw force.
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We then made our way to Wengen, the postcard-perfect, car-free village clinging to the mountainside high above Lauterbrunnen Valley. Its quiet streets, lined with cozy timber chalets and window boxes bursting with vibrant geraniums, felt like stepping into a timeless Swiss dream.
From the valley station, we boarded the Wengen-Männlichen aerial cable car, affectionately known as the "Royal Ride." These modern, spacious cabins whisk you up 947 meters in under five exhilarating minutes. In summer, thrill-seekers can upgrade for just CHF 5 to the open-air rooftop balcony—a spiral staircase leads to a windswept platform where you stand like royalty, arms outstretched, waving to the Alps below as if greeting your subjects.
But today, because of the rain, no royal balcony for us—we stayed snug inside the enclosed cabin, raindrops streaking the windows like liquid silver. Still, the ascent felt magical: the cabin swaying gently, clouds parting in teasing glimpses, the landscape shifting from misty forests to rugged alpine meadows. Even sheltered, the sense of floating upward toward the giants was unforgettable.
Arriving at Männlichen (2,230–2,343 meters), we made a spontaneous pivot—no quick cable car descent for us. Instead, we laced up our boots and set off on foot toward Grindelwald, embracing the classic alpine adventure of hiking downhill through the heart of the Jungfrau region.
We chose the ever-popular Panorama Trail (also called the Panoramaweg), a gentle, mostly downhill path that starts right from the Männlichen plateau and winds its way toward Kleine Scheidegg. This isn't a grueling climb—it's an easy-to-moderate stroll of about 4–5 km, with only minor elevation loss and wide, well-groomed gravel paths that feel almost like a royal promenade. The trail hugs the contours of the mountain, offering nonstop, front-row views of the legendary Eiger north face looming dramatically close on your left, the steady Mönch, and the graceful Jungfrau straight ahead. Every few steps, the clouds would part further, revealing more of those snow-dusted giants under a brightening sky—as if the mountains themselves were slowly unveiling for us.
The twins, full of post-rain energy, dashed ahead on the open stretches, and racing to be the first to spot the next viewpoint bench. It was one of those perfect family hikes: no real effort required, just pure wonder and the joy of moving through scenery that feels larger than life.
As we descended toward Kleine Scheidegg, the famous saddle between the Eiger and Lauberhorn, the sky fully cleared—sunshine poured over the plateau, turning the wet rocks to glistening gold and making the three peaks pop against the blue. From there, the trail continues gently downhill in the direction of Grindelwald.
The real reward came when we arrived at the base near the Grindelwald valley—right by the train station. There, the twins spotted another fantastic alpine playground tucked nearby, bursting with energy after the hike. They raced to the swings and seesaw, laughing and burning off the last of their boundless enthusiasm while we adults collapsed on a bench with epic views stretching back up toward Männlichen and the peaks we'd just walked beneath. Fresh mountain air, warm sun on our skin, and the simple delight of kids playing freely against that unbeatable backdrop—it was the perfect cooldown after the morning's thunder and the trail's magic.
As the afternoon stretched on, we descended by cable car and train, weaving back through Wengen and Lauterbrunnen before climbing again to our home base in Mürren. This car-free village high on its ledge feels like the edge of the world—quiet streets, wooden chalets overflowing with geraniums, and endless views across the valley to the Jungfrau trio.
Bobby also manged to play at the indoor swimming pool at the Alpine Sports Centre, before we returned to our hotel.
We arrived just in time for an unexpected treat: a pre-dinner performance by two local musicians at our hotel. One played the accordion, coaxing out lively folk melodies, while the other lifted a long, curved alphorn—that iconic Swiss horn—and sent deep, resonant notes echoing across the mountains. The sound was haunting and ancient, carrying stories of shepherds calling across valleys.
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From subterranean thunder to royal cable-car rides, playground giggles to alphorn serenades—this single day captured everything we love about Switzerland: dramatic nature that humbles you, family moments that fill your heart, and those quiet cultural touches that make you feel like you've stepped into a living postcard.
