SWITZERLAND - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1557

LauterbrunnenValley (betweenStechelbergandLauterbrunnentown):Thisdelightful,
easy bike path features plenty of diversions along the way (several listed under “Activities
in and near Lauterbrunnen” on here ) .
Mürren to Winteregg to Grütschalp and Back: This fairly level route takes you
through high country, with awesome mountain views.
Mürren to Winteregg to Lauterbrunnen: This scenic descent, on a service road with
loose gravel, takes you to the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor.
Mürren-Gimmelwald-Sefinen Valley-Stechelberg-Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp-
Mürren: This is the best ride, but it's demanding—with one very difficult stretch where
you'll likely walk your bike down a steep gulley for 500 yards. While you'll be on your
bike most of the time, to complete the loop take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen up to
Grütschalp and then bike back to Mürren.
More in the Berner Oberland
I'd sleep in Gimmelwald, Mürren, or Lauterbrunnen. But you could also consider the fol-
lowing places.
Sleeping and Eating at or near Kleine Scheidegg
(6,762 feet)
ThishighsettlementabovethetimberlineiswhereyoucatchthetrainuptotheJungfraujoch.
All of these places serve meals. Confirm prices and availability before ascending. Note that
the last train down to Wengen leaves Kleine Scheidegg at 18:30.
$$$ Hotel Bellevue des Alpes, lovingly maintaining a 1930s elegance, is a worthwhile
splurge. Since the 1840s, five generations of von Allmens have run this classic old alpine
hotel (subsidized by the family income from Trümmelbach Falls). The hallway is like a
museum, with old photos (Sb-220-260 SF, Db-370-540 SF, includes breakfast and sumptu-
ousfour-coursedinner,openonlymid-June-mid-Sept,tel.[phone],fax[phone],
www.scheidegg-hotels.ch , [e-mail] ) .
$$ Restaurant Bahnhof invites you to sleep face-to-face with the Eiger (dorm bed-53
SF with breakfast, 73 SF also includes dinner; D-135 SF with breakfast, D-170 SF with
breakfastanddinner;inthetrainstationbuilding,tel.[phone], www.bahnhof-scheide-
gg.ch , [e-mail] ) .
$RestaurantGrindelwaldblick, a10-minutehikefromthetrainstation,ismorecharm-
ing, romantic, and remote than Restaurant Bahnhof (40 SF/bed in 6- to 20-bed rooms, in-
cludes sheets and breakfast, closed Nov and May, tel. [phone], fax [phone],