Hello, in late July, I'm spending a week in Chamonix mostly day hiking with friends. It looks like i may be able to add on another week after that. I'd like to go to another town, preferably in the Alps to keep hiking. I don't want to rent a car. Would like to do more hiking in a lovely mountain town. Any suggestions? Flying into and out of Geneva so I like to stay within 3 hours of Geneva, if possible.
Thanks!
The obvious and most convenient choice is the Bernese Oberland , the area around Lauterbrunnen . Stunning place
Renee - Try the Tyrol region of the Austrian Alps. Wonderful hiking trails await you there. Head to Innsbruck after Chamonix and from there the alps are at your disposal. You can fly to Innsbruck from Geneva.
Chamonix to Bernese Oberland happens to be a very scenic train journey, via Martigny, Montreux, Golden pass route towards Zweisimmen then Spiez, then Interlaken and wherever you stay in the Bernese Oberland. With 5 changes it sounds terrible, but all of these changes are easy and swiss trains are efficient - and tell you in advance which platform will be yours.
Chamonix to Innsbruck, however... I can't think of a way to cover this distance in less than a long, expensive day.