Please sign in to post.

Base(s) for hiking--July 30-Aug 4

Because weather is so variable in the Alps, wondering if it makes sense for hubby and I to base ourselves within an hour or so train ride from hiking areas and day by day pick a place depending on weather report for that day. Have booked for Zermatt and Bettmeralp but looking at weather in upcoming weeks, that might be a mistake.

A couple of points: We are experienced hikers and have train passes. We've already spent lots of time hiking around Grindelwald and Wengen/Murren and want to explore new areas. Didn't much care for Interlaken. Considering base near Lake Geneva or Bern? The idea is that if days are rainy we'd have interesting places to explore. We've both hiked in the rain and can do it again, but not happy about doing it for several days.

We could cancel our reservations in Zermatt and Bettmeralp next week and just go without reservations, but that seems a bit nerve-wracking in the height of tourist season. Suggestions? Have any of you been to Switzerland at height of tourist season without reservations?

Posted by
444 posts

We stayed in Meiringen - just east of Interlaken several years ago. It's a smaller city, but well serviced by bus and train. Easy access to hikes on both sides of the valley. We really enjoyed the variety of things to do. Close to Brienz, Brienzer Rothorn, Brienzersee, Reichenbach Falls (famous in Sherlock Holmes stories), Ballenberg open air museum, Hasliberg ski area with tons of trails, small villages, cheese makers, etc. We were with friends in September and rented apartments, so don't know about height of season. You might get lucky.

Posted by
17427 posts

Your trip is three weeks away and you cannot rely on weather forecasts that far out, especially in the Alps.

We have been to Bettmeralp a number of times, each time with a mix of sunny days, cloudy ones, and some light drizzle that did not last all day.

I would want to stay in the alpine villages so I could start my hiking first thing in the morning if the weather is good, or travel elsewhere for the day if the weather was uncooperative.

Posted by
74 posts

Susan's suggestion of Meiringen is good if you are worried about weather. Ballenberg is a great place to go regardless of the weather. And Reichenbach falls is better in the rain......more water flowing make a dramatic water fall.

Personally, I'd go Appenzell and hike hut to hut even if it is raining. If the clouds are low, stay at lower elevation. If the weather is good, spend the night at Berggasthaus Rotsteinpass and enjoy a spectacular view in the morning. Then hike to Santis via the Lisengrat. It is one of the great ridge walks.

Jay