About Wengen

Wengen (1,274 m) is situated on a sunny, sheltered terrace high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. This car-free Alpine village delights visitors with its traditional wooden chalets and a breathtaking panoramic view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Wengen is easily accessible via the Wengernalp Railway. Thanks to its unique location, the village is an ideal starting point for numerous excursions in the Jungfrau Region.
In summer, a variety of walking trails and scenic mountain tours around the Männlichen, the Kleine Scheidegg and the Lauberhorn invite you to explore. In winter, the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area begins practically on the doorstep. A particular highlight is the world-famous Lauberhorn downhill run – the longest downhill course in alpine ski racing. Winter hiking trails and sledging routes, such as the 4.5-kilometre-long Fox Run, also ensure unforgettable experiences away from the ski slopes.

Wengen was first mentioned in a document in 1268 as ‘uf Wengen’. The origin of the name is not entirely clear: it may derive from ‘Wangen’, a mountainside shaped like a cheek, or from ‘Wengen’, meaning meadows rich in water. For centuries, the inhabitants of this remote Alpine village lived mainly from agriculture. In the 19th century, the first travellers discovered Wengen; with the opening of the Wengernalp Railway in 1893, the small alpine settlement eventually developed into an internationally renowned holiday resort.

Wengen is car-free and is accessible to visitors via the Wengernalp Railway. Those arriving by car can leave their vehicles in Lauterbrunnen and reach the Alpine village after a train journey of around twelve minutes. With no through traffic, Wengen retains its special tranquillity and its original village character. However, the Wengernalp Railway does not merely transport visitors and locals: it also ensures the village’s supply of goods. Since its opening in 1893, the railway has therefore been far more than just a means of transport – it is the lifeline of the residential and holiday resort of Wengen.

Since 1930, Wengen has been synonymous with the International Lauberhorn Races. Every January, the world’s elite alpine skiers gather here. At 4,480 metres, the Lauberhorn run is the longest downhill course in alpine skiing. Spectacular key sections such as Hundschopf, Kernen-S, Hanneggschuss and Ziel-S have made the race world-famous. This traditional event continues to shape Wengen’s reputation as a major winter sports resort to this day. Before and after the race, even experienced skiers can try their hand at sections of the original course.