Wengen is a fashionable and well-equipped mountain resort in the Bernese Oberland. Accessible only by cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen – it is traffic free and well known for its pure mountain air. The village of Wengen in Switzerland is situated on a shoulder of Alpine pastures and forests from where you will see the dazzling Jungfrau, one of the most spectacular mountains in the Swiss Alps. Or look out along the Lauterbrunnen rift from a unique point of view or enjoy the delight of walking along perfectly kept paths – regularly cleared of snow even in winter. In the skiing season your time in the Wengen ski resort can be divided between sport and rest, using the railway service to Kleine Scheidegg (or the Eigergletscher resort in the spring) and the cable car to the Männlichen. The best-known international skiing competition is the Lauberhorn race, the well-known Wengen downhill, which takes place in early January every year.
Not that Wengen's skiing is bland – far from it. Nearly 100 miles (160 km) of slopes, shared with neighboring Grindelwald, are lift-linked from the village, with a further 40 km (25 miles) also on the Jungfrau Top Ski Lift pass across the valley at Murren. The main Wengen ski area (shared with Grindelwald) is the Kleine Scheidegg.
Things to do in Wengen
Discover Wengen
Wengen stays busy with skiers well into April. Once the snows have receded, Wengen sits amidst ideal hiking country, overlooked by the Jungfrau and the distinctive creamy cone of the Silberhorn. We are presenting you just a few of the many possible things to do in Wengen and its surroundings. You will be fascinated by the beauty of the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland.
Mountain Excursions from Wengen
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe (3454m/11333ft)
Travel up from Wengen to Jungfraujoch by direct train. Snow and ice 100% guaranteed! The Sphinx observation hall, impressive Ice Palace and hiking plateau – these are the year-round attractions up on the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. Summer attractions include a skilift, husky-drawn sledging and adventure activities.
Schilthorn – Piz Gloria (2970m/9744ft)
The most spectacular 360° panorama in the Alps! Dine-and-wine in the world's first revolving restaurant at an altitude of nearly 3000 metres. Impressive views embrace some 200 snow-capped peaks, ranging from the Bernese Alps to Mont Blanc in France and Germany's Black Forest.
Kleine Scheidegg (2061m/6760 ft)
This remarkable round-trip by modern cogwheel railway has long been one of Europe's top holiday attractions. The Kleine Scheidegg Railway Station is situated right at the foot of the notorious Eiger North Face.
City Excursions from Wengen
Bern – Switzerland's Captivating Capital
Beautiful Bern is only a two-hour rail trip from Wengen. This is a city of medieval magic, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Attractions include the famous clock tower, the bearpits – home to Berne's heraldic animals – and excellent shopping arcades.
Lucerne – City of Lights
One of Switzerland's most popular excursion destinations, lovely Lucerne is only 2.5 hours' travelling time from Wengen. The city is renowned for its attractive townscape, historic Chapel Bridge and excellent shopping facilities.
Take the Brunig-Railway via Interlaken Ost.
Rail Excursions in Wengen
Montreux – on Lake Geneva
Full-day excursion by rail. This attractive excursion crosses the "border" between German and French-speaking Switzerland. The trip runs via Interlaken along Lake Thun to Zweisimmen, and then by Crystal Panoramic Express to Montreux on Lake Geneva. Can be combined with wine-tasting in Switzerland's largest wine-growing region.
Other Excursions in Wengen
Cruises on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz
April – October. (included with some Swiss Rail Passes!)
Half-day or evening excursions. Boats are operated on both of these beautiful lakes. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on a modern motorship or one of the renovated stately steamers. Excellent catering and banquet facilities. Theme events and club, company and family festivities. Paddle steamer with Children's Club. Evening cruises with entertainment. Cruises depart from Interlaken Ost for Lake Brienz or Interlaken West for Lake Thun.
Summer Sports to do in Wengen
Hiking
Wengen is in the middle of a hiking paradise! The greater region features more than 500 km (310 miles) of summer Hiking paths. Free brochures with suggestions for walks and various detailed hiking maps are available at the local tourist offices.
Rafting
On the Lütschine River in the valley below Wengen, you will find exciting white water rafting on this Class 4 river. Other rivers include Saane, Simme and Aare. Alpin Raft is a local operator from Interlaken and offering several different itineraries.
Winter Sports to do in Wengen
Skiing/Snowboarding
Wengen ski resort is linked to the rest of the Jungfrau skiing region, with 98 km of slopes in the resort itself and 213 km in the entire region. The longest run in the Jungfrau area is 16 km– delightfully challenging for even seasoned long-distance skiers. The resort’s slopes are linked by 23 lifts, and there are 42 lifts in the entire Jungfrau region, with a cumulative uplift capacity of 42,000 skiers per hour. Skiing is offered at Wengen between December and April, with excellent snow guaranteed virtually throughout, due to the high elevation of the resort. Night skiing in Wengen is also available.
Other Winter Sports
Things to do in Wengen are not just limited to skiing. Visitors are invited to participate in a range of other winter pastimes, both indoor and outdoor. The Wengen ski resort provides opportunities for natural ice-skating, mountaineering, snowshoeing, paragliding and tobogganing.
Entertainment in Wengen
Nightly entertainment in Wengen is laid-back and consisting of musical concerts, folklore evenings, fine dining at the resort restaurants, or socialising at the small selection of bars and discos in at the resort.
Shopping in Wengen
Despite its proximity to the wide, open spaces of the big-sky Alps, don't be disappointed by the distinctly non-alpine-looking shops in Wengen. You will find sports stores, boutiques for souvenirs and the local grocery stores.
Events in Wengen
Lauberhorn – Wengen downhill
The Lauberhornrennen takes place annually in Wengen in January and is the longest downhill run in the world. Additionally, the downhill run is said to be the most beautiful in the world as it is embedded in a uniqe landscape – surrounded by the massive mountains of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. The Lauberhorn ski races (downhill and slalom) are one of the biggest snow events in the world, attracting around 30'000 spectators each year.
Jungfrau Marathon
Said to be the toughest marathon in the world – the Jungfrau marathon takes place every year in September. Starting in Interlaken, the course is set amid the Switzerland's supereb Alpine setting of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, and ranges from the idyllic Lake Brienz to the foot of the Eiger North Face.
Location and Map
Wengen is located in Bernese Oberland, 190 km (118 miles) from Zurich, the nearest international airport. Travel time from Zurich to Wengen is 2.5 hours by car and 3.5 hours by train. The Wengen ski resort is 200 km (124 miles) from Geneva and 70 km (43 miles) from Berne.
By train, take international train connections to Interlaken Ost (SBB), then the Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) to Lauterbrunnen. In Lauterbrunnen change on the same platform to the Wengernalp Railway (WAB) to Wengen. The journey from Interlaken Ost to Wengen takes 45 minutes.
