Wengen Cheese Festival

The village of Wengen is located at 1274 meters (4179.79 feet) above sea level at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau Mountains. Wengen is also 400 meters (1312.34 feet) high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Since 1893, from Lauterbrunnen, Wengen can be reached with the Wengernalpbahn. The village itself has no connection to the road network and is therefore almost car-free. The only vehicles are taxis, hotel vehicles and vehicles of small companies. Wengen has about 1,300 permanent residents, but in the winter high season there can be more than 10,000 residents. There are about 5,000 residents in the summer holiday season.

Lauterbrunnen Valley

The Staubbachfall is a 297-meter-high (974.409 feet) waterfall, whose water falls from the left flank of the Lauterbrunnen Valley i to the valley floor. In conjunction with the regular thermals, the water is dusted in all directions, which gave the waterfall its name.

The Staubbachfall is one of the highest waterfalls in Switzerland after the Seerenbach Falls at Walensee.

Every year in January, the famous Lauberhorn race, which consists of a men's downhill, a slalom and a combination, takes place. The downhill course is considered to be the most demanding and difficult slope of the alpine Ski World Cup.

In addition to the Lauberhorn race, Wengen is a high altitude point every September at the Jungfrau Marathon, where many thousands of spectators cheer on the approximately 4000 participants of the 42 km (26.0976 mile) race.

The marathon runners start in Interlaken. They run to Lauterbrunnen where they start the climb up the mountain to Wengen and then onto the finish line.

"The region has been victims of avalanches several times. In the avalanche winter of 1999, 2 people were killed in Café Oberland. The school lost for one week, and the Wengernalpbahn had to stop operating for one day. In early February 2003, the situation was the same as in 1999. The avalanche commission blocked individual roads and slopes. The location relaxed after a few days but there was damage to railway tracks and the forest. In 2007, a large avalanche barrier project was completed at the Männlichen."

"Also in 2007, as a result of two smaller landslides, electricity was cancelled for two days in Wengen, and both fixed and mobile telephony no longer worked, which was a huge challenge for the disaster organization. Only a functioning means of communication was the radio system of the Cantonal Police of Bern, which put a relay station into operation on the male. Communication to the local fire brigade was thus ensured. That being said, Wengen was completely cut off from the environment. A helicopter bridge flew out tourists."

In the same year, a flood destroyed the valley floor towards Interlaken. The hurricane Lothar caused major damage to trees in 1999.

"Folklore and cheese. The "schnapps idea" of the kitchen regulars' table over 26 years ago has established itself as a popular event for the whole family."

At the Chästeilet Wengen, the alpine cheese produced on the alp in summer is shared.

They ship to the U.S now! For years I have wanted to buy a share and maybe next year I will be able to either pick up my wheel of cheese or have it shipped. YEAH!!!!!

The day is packed with great program items; there is something for everyone. Musical entertainment, games, competitions and, of course, food and drink are also provided.

Alpenhorn players

Cheese making demonstration.

Yes, all cheese makers use their teeth to hold the cheesecloth to scoop up the cheese from the whey.

I always have a taste of the whey if it is offered. It is delicious!!!!!

The Swiss are serious about the steinstossen (throwing of the rock).

Child - Woman - Man

Wengen's head cheese maker leads in Wengen's bell ringers.

Wengen's dancers

Music is appreciated and loved. Even small villages have a community band. Wengen's band is very good.

The farmers of the village sell their cheese and crafts.

Baking bread

Michael getting in the food line.

I complimented her on the pumpkin soup.

Pumpkin soup with little bits of pumpkin and pumpkin seeds. Delicious!

The pickle ball court was roped off so you could not play.

The cows grazing in the fields eat the crocuses.

The Mönch is not a bad backdrop for the festival.