Weggis and Wengen

Flight from the UK to Zurich airport with rail travel to Lucerne (approximately 1 hour 10 minutes) and boat connection along the lake to Weggis (around 50 minutes).

Check in to your hotel and enjoy your first look around Weggis, the charming village on the shore of Lake Lucerne. A walk along the water's edge will give you a wonderful view of this most scenic location, with the water ringed by mountains. The climate is here is generally always mild, thanks to the warm 'föhn' wind and it is a pleasure to sit in a café and watch the world going by. 

Helpful links 

Weggis resort page & hotels

Central Switzerland excursions

Mount Rigi is known as the 'Queen of the Mountains' and is a constant presence when you are staying in Weggis. One of the region's most beautiful and most visited mountains, even Queen Victoria made a trip up on the Rigi. You can take a quick bus ride to Vitznau, where the historic cogwheel railway - Europe's oldest - will transport you slowly up the mountain. The 1,800m summit is known as Rigi Kulm and here you have a magnificent view. On the Rigi there are plenty of scenic walking trails to enjoy, many with sweeping views over the water. Along the way you'll find picnic and barbecue spots for an al fresco lunch in idyllic surroundings. At Rigi Kaltbad there are a number of boutiques, mountain restaurants and even a mineral spa. At the end of your day, a cable car transports you gently back down to Weggis.

With such a beautiful sight on your doorstep, you will probably want to take a day to explore the lake. There are regular departures throughout the day. The fleet is made up of modern cruisers, a sleek yacht and some beautifully restored paddlesteamers which have been carrying sightseers on the lake for over 100 years. We recommend buying a day ticket, which allows you to travel the full length of the lake and take time to go ashore wherever you fancy. The boats call at some delightful villages around the lake - maybe you could take a wander around Beckenried. As you sail out further from Weggis, the mountains become higher and the views spectacular. You could connect with one of the funiculars which travel up from the shore and enjoy the views from Seelisberg for example. Or why not alight at one of the stops on the Swiss Trail route - enjoy a scenic walk and then take the boat home again.

Today you transfer from the lake to the mountains, a journey of around 3½ hours. As you make your way, you will marvel at the changing scenery. First it's a boat ride to Lucerne and a change to the railway. The journey from Lucerne to Interlaken carries you up and across the Brünig Pass and then down to Lake Brienz. At Interlaken it's an easy change to mountain train which climbs firstly to Lauterbrunnen and then on to Wengen itself. Step out into the alpine air at 1,274m enjoy the sight of the Jungfrau mountains. The car-free resort is an idyllic village, typically Swiss and very welcoming. 

Helpful links 

Wengen resort page & hotels

Bernese Oberland excursions

In the centre of the village you will find the cable car station for the Männlichen. Step in to the large modern cabin and prepare for you ride covering 1,000m as you slowly ascend. You can even pay a small extra fee to enjoy the ride in the VIP open air section at the top of the cabin! When you arrive on the mountain, you'll have a sweeping view of the landscape from 2,230m. You may wish to head straight for the restaurant for lunch on the sun terrace, or to embark upon a walk along one of the hiking trails. If you want a short stroll, try the Royal Walk which takes around 30 minutes up to a higher vantage point at 2,345m, with information boards along the way.

This is one of the most famous excursions in the whole of Switzerland! Take the train up to Kleine Scheidegg, where you join the Jungfraubahn. The famous red train carries you up to the station at the Eiger and then through a mountain tunnel to Europe's highest railway station on the Jungfraujoch. How to spend your time here? In the summer you can visit the snowpark for some fun or walk across the thrilling glacier suspension bridge. All year round there is an Ice Palace to explore, complete with intricate carvings, and the Alpine Sensation detailing the history of the Jungfrau railway, which at the opening in 1912 was a pioneering feat of engineering. There are restaurants, souvenir shops and a Lindt exhibition and shop. Probably the highlight of your visit will be to the Sphinx viewing platform at 3,571m. From here you can gaze out over the Jungfrau Aletsch glacier - an awesome natural wonder of the world and a sight which you will remember forever. 

Your last full day - maybe you would like to make the short rail journey to Kleine Scheidegg in the morning and enjoy the lively meeting point for hikers (and skiers in the winter). The region has delightful meadows, wonderfully fresh alpine air and a fantastic view of the Jungfau, Eiger and Mönch mountains. Enjoy a morning coffee in the restaurant and then embark upon a scenic round trip on the trail to the Lauberhorn. Maybe you would prefer to to follow the trail which goes all the way back down to Wengen (around 2 hours). 

The afternoon could be spent visiting the Trümmelbach Falls - take the train to Lauterbrunnen, then a 10 minute bus ride. The falls carry the meltwater from the Jungfrau glacier and make a thundering noise - a magnificent spectacle. They are the world's only glacier falls which can be viewed underground as well, via a series of lifts, paths and platforms.