You will be in the middle of one of the best places in the world for moderate hiking so you both will have quite a few choices.

I'd recommend staying in Wengen. Central location, great views, great choices for accomodations and an all around wonderful village. Also it's only a 20 minute train ride down to Lauterbrunnen for trips all around the Jungfrau area.

Hiking suggestions:

1. Probably the most popular hike in the whole Oberland is the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheideg walk. And for good reason. Take the cablecar from Wengen up to Mannlichen and walk the easy,wide, gently sloping trail down to KS. (In August I wouldn't do this one on a weekend. Crowds may take away from the experience). It's about an hour and a half walking depending on the time you stop for pictures, etc.

2. From KS down to Wengen is about 2 and a half hours on a downhill, well groomed trail. Great views and you can hop on the train half way down if you get tired.

3. Head down to Lautebrunnen on the train. Walk accross the street and catch the cablecar up to Grutchalp. From there take the wide flat trail to Murren. Great scenery, easy walking and the village of Murren at the end is a lovely place too. You can catch the Schilthornbahn cablecar up to the Schilthorn here too. Great trip to the top to the revolving resturant.

4. The open air museum at Ballenberg is a really nice day trip too. Take the train down from Wengen to Interlaken Ost and catch the train overto the Brienzeweiller station just past Brienze. The station is just outside the back entrance to the Museum. It's a good half day to see all the things they have there. And on your way back get off the train at the first stop at Brienze, walk accross the street and catch the lake steamer on Lake Brienze for the trip back to Interlaken. It's a great way to end a day out exploring. The sites around the lake are really great and it can be quite a romantic ride. It's the only time I recommend paying the few francs to upgrade to first class so you can sit on the upper deck as the steamer criss-crosses the lake on it's way from town to town.

5. From Wengen make your way to Grindelwald (choice of two trains and several gondolas, etc). Once in Grindelwad catch the cablecar up to First. From there the walk to the Bachsee (sp) is very nice and only slightly uphill. It's a great spot for a picnic. You can pic up supplies at the co-op grocery in Grindelwald or bring them from Wengen with you.

Hotel suggestions:

Personally I like the Hotel Schenegg in Wengen. Several here on this board also recommend the Alpenrose.

In Lauterbrunnen, the Hotel Oberland, and in Murren the Edelweis.

Enjoy your trip.

Thank you so much for this very helpful information. You are very kind to share this with me. Would you also have similar input for the St. Moritz area? Again, many thanks !!

Sorry, I'm mostly a Jungfrau area guy. Others here may be more helpful or there may be a forum for St. Moritz.

We have just returned from a week in Wengen - probably our 5th holiday there. We are "casual" walkers and agree with the excellent (and easy) walks listed.

I would also suggest:

Mannlichen to Alpiglen

Middlestation (on the long cable car down from Mannlichen to Grindlewald) to Brandegg. Count the marmots under the cable car!

The beauty of this region are the transport links all around, which makes getting about easy. Buy the Jungfrau 6 day pass which gives free travel from Interlaken up to and around the Jungfrau region. It makes travelling so laid back because you don't keep counting the cost - except to see what you have saved.

Also the Park Hotel in Wengen ----wonderful!

Thanks so much for your input...sounds like the Wengen area is made for us!!

I've only been to the Jungfrau area once since I spend my time in the Engadin region where St. Moritz is. However, I choose to stay in the small villages that line the Inn Valley with St. Moritz being the "larger", glitzy town in the upper Engadin area.

If you bring up a map on ViaMichelin you can see these villages running along the valley, Zuoz, Zernez, Guarda (my favorite) and Ftan.

I use Guarda as a base and chose a different valley to hike up or around each day. Although this is high alpine hiking you do not have the Jungfrau staring down at you so you may miss this.

This is a more rural feel with less people and very interesting architecture. The trains and postal buses allow you to range about and still have an easy return back to your hotel.

Zernez is the gateway to the Swiss National Park which has a number of hikes.

Take a look at the Hotel Meisser in Guarda to get an idea of the difference between the Engadin and Jungfrau areas. If you enjoy hiking you can't go wrong with either place.

Thanks so much for your advice...we shall follow up your suggestions. Again, many thanks....