Wengen in summer

Wengen in summer is just as magical a place as it is in winter - but different! The mountain air is as relaxing, the views every bit as magnificent and there are many things to do that just can't be done in the winter. Unlike winter when everything is white, in summer the green of the meadows with their wild flowers transforms the area into a magical garden. Sitting on a balcony in Wengen in the summer it's possible to get a better tan than at the beach!

Just travelling to Wengen in the summer is an experience in itself - a succession of mountains, streams, lakes, woods and waterfalls, getting more impressive as you approach the village.

In Wengen there are many things to do in the Summer - from swimming in the heated pool (only 5 minutes from the aprtment) to playing tennis, hang gliding and parascending from the Mannlichen, mountaineering (on the Eiger if you area really good!) and curling. There is also an ice rink that is open in the summer as well as the winter. There is a cinema, the excellent restaurants and the charming Cafe Grubi. The railway from the village will take you up to Kliene Scheidegg (6762 ft/ 2061m) where you can bask in the sun at the foot of the Eiger.

You can carry on up the railway to the Jungfraujoch - the highest station in Europe (11333ft/3454m). Here you can see the famous Ice Palace - the corridors actually run through solid ice !  You can even have a meal at the restaurant whilst viewing the massive glaciers running away down the mountains. It is said that on a clear day you can see four countries from here - Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany.

There are over 30 km of walks in the village area - through the beautiful woods below the snow covered peaks of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. In the Jungfrau Regions there are over 500km of walks. All are clearly signposted, including timings to tell you how long it takes to get to the different destinations. Many of the walks round Wengen can also be covered using mountain bikes that can be hired in the village. There are some very steep footpaths that can only be travelled on foot, however these do give you some of the finest views. Despite the exertions the views are more than worth it ! Even if the weather is bad the views are still magnificent with clouds rolling down the cliffs and mountains, or forming carpets on different levels above or below the village.

The valley below Wengen has many waterfalls, 72 in all, some of the smaller ones run down beside the rack railway from the village to Lauterbrunnen. In Lauterbrunnen itself is the famous Stubachfalle - nearly 1000ft high, 13th highest waterfall in the world. Visited by many famous people and so awesome that it was painted by Turner.

The larger falls cascade from the cliffs down into the valley 1000ft below. The largest - the Trummelbach - takes all the water from the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau glaciers. This has cut massive caverns in the mountain where the water swirls and rages before falling into the valley below.

At the Trummelbach, there is a funicular into the mountainside that allows you to walk through galleries above the swirling torrent and see the ten waterfalls, three of which are inside the mountain. This is the only place in the world where you can see such glacial waterfalls. The site has been awarded three stars on the "Guide Michelin". You will never forget the sheer power of these falls and being deafened by the roar of the water as you go through the mountian.

The village in the valley, Lauterbrunnen, is the base of the helicopter air tours of the area which can give another perspective on this magnificent scenery.

Lakes Thun and Brienz are just over half an hour by train from Wengen - at Interlaken where lake steamers leave regularly and visit the sights along each lake. A round trip of Lake Thun is a wonderful day out, and the Lake Brienz trip, if you have less time takes a half day. As the steamer sails around the lakes a constantly changing scene of woods, waterfalls and shimmering waters of the lake are mixed with the small villages visited along the route. There are also fine churches and castles. In the summer, part of the service is regularly provided by steam powered paddle steamers adding further to the enjoyment. These are very popular and sitting in the sun with a cold beer listening to the soothing sound of the steam engine as you watch the scenery go by is a good way to relax.

There is also windsurfing and sailing at Nuehaus. Interlaken itself has some good shops and restaurants, there is an 18 hole golf course, riding school and indoor swimming pool. During the Summer there is also a popular music festival. Above Interlaken is the Harder Klum - accessed by a rack railway - a peak from which there are excellent views and a good restaurant. The Schynige Platte has a large alpine garden and is reached by the railway from Wilderswil - 30 minutes from Wengen.

Wengen is at the heart of the Swiss adventure sports area so no matter how brave you are, there is something to challenge you here: Canyoning, bungee jumping, parachuting, parascending, free - fall parachuting and many more. Or if these are too much there is always the ultimate challenge of trying to eat two slices of the chocolate cake at the Cafe Gruebi!

Wengen is also an excellent centre for further exploration - Bern is under two hours away and for those seeking to go further you can be in Verona in 6 hours or Venice in 8 by train from Wengen.