Hiking in Switzerland - Where & When?

Crowd-wise, I'd go mid-September to the first week of October. I've been there in the fall, and it's beautiful. Check when the lifts close in Oct., but you should be good the first week.
How much time do you have? I'd stay a few days in Lucerne, working off the jet lag, and spend 5-7 days in Wengen or Murren. No one is ever ready to leave the BO.
Have a wonderful trip in this beautiful country. Safe travels!

Rick has quite a few DIY tours in the guide, I was just reading about options in the BO

Early fall for sure
The BO was amazing but really it’s anywhere.

Thank you all for these replies. Regarding early fall timing: appreciate thoughts as to going early October. Due to other commitments we may not be able to travel until ~ Oct 6.

Possible we could try to go early to mid September if significantly better.

Thanks!

Again, the important October variable is when the lifts start closing down for maintenance. Later Oct becomes off-season, and lasts until ski season starts.
Enjoy this beautiful country!

Does anyone happen to know if there is resource for lift closings? I assume it’s variable year to year but helpful to see what it is for current season — if there is such a resource.

Kristina, Perhaps this will help https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/cable-car-and-funicular-closures-winter/

The link provided above gives a great overview! One thing they missed is that Männlichen also closes in the fall. Last day open is Oct. 26th, the same as Grindelwald First.

https://www.maennlichen.ch/en/summer/information/timetable.html

It sounds like your October dates are earlier than that, so you will be fine.

I was in Murren in late October and it was perfect. The Allmendhubel was closed but we just walked up, not a big deal and a fine trade off for fewer crowds. There are plenty of alternatives if you don’t want the longer walk.

Thanks (again) for all the great advice. @phred were you referencing the Rick Steves Switzerland guide? Does anyone have a recommendation for a good guide for hiking specifically? Focused on BO.

Also trying to confirm whether it is preferable to have a car or not necessary (or advised given I believe Wengen and Murren are car free). We are still deciding where to stay - but would likely base ourselves out of two different towns over the course of a week for day hiking. We will be coming from Lucerne or Zurich. I may post this separately, but thought I would see if there were thoughts off of this thread that has already started.

Thanks again so much.

Use the Swiss world-class rain system - that's what the Swiss do.
Enjoy your trip.

To clarify, I am asking about the feasibility of getting to hiking trailheads in the region without a car, or are you limited to those that start in whatever town you’re staying? We would ideally base ourselves in one or two places for a period of 6 to 8 days of hiking, but would want to explore a wider area in the region.

While on the topic … appreciate advise on whether it makes sense to change locations or is everything so accessible we could pick one for the whole stay? Having read more it seems we would be most inclined to Murren, Wengen and/or Gimmelwald (which I see is a top choice of Rick’s). Does it make sense to split our time between two of these three? Is there another town we should consider?

"Walking in Switzerland's Berner Oberland" by Laurel Barton, who posted above, and her husband, Ric, will give you lots of valuable information. Be sure to get the 2025 edition. Their subtitle is "Easy Hikes in the Jugfrau Region," so you may feel it will not work for you avid hikers, but with 20 hikes described, I feel sure you'd find plenty to keep you happy.

We liked basing out of Wengen this summer for five nights - and half board at hotel Baren was incredible and much looked forward to after a long day out hiking. Not sure what is open in October but our favorite hikes were Eiger trail from Eigergletcher station to Alpiglen (can extend in difft ways to make longer) and Schynige Platte panorama trail/ loop back to start (also can be extended if you want). We spent two nights in Kandersteg area after our time in Wengen for some ambitious hiking around Oeschinensee.
If we were to return I’d be be interested in exploring more hikes in the grindelwald area - we like the meadow / big green valley plus mountains. (We are similar age and avid hikers - also like hiking the Dolomites)
You can do these hikes and all others using gondolas and trains. I used RS guidebook, this forum and online sources like earth trekkers for hiking info.

To clarify, I am asking about the feasibility of getting to hiking trailheads in the region without a car, or are you limited to those that start in whatever town you’re staying?

You can reach all hikes without a car - in fact it is often better in that it allows you to have a different start and end point to your hike without having to backtrack to where your car is parked.

You can find hiking information for Mürren here:

https://muerren.swiss/en/destination/about-murren/hikes.html

The Mountain View Trail is my favourite. The steepest part of the trail is at the beginning through the forest, after that the majority of the trail is pretty easy and you will be facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains all the rest of the way - stunning!

Here is the route with photos:
https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/route-351

Wengen hiking routes are shown here:

https://wengen.swiss/en/destination/about-wengen/hikes.html

I've hiked in the Toggenburg area of Switzerland and many different areas in Austria (which I prefer for hiking). There are beautiful hikes in the Toggenburg region including to the Seven Churfirsten peaks. You may be able to get to some trailheads with transit but a car allows for a lot of flexibility in using different trailheads and not being as bound to a bus schedule.
I'm sure there are many useful websites but I've found moonhoneytravel.com to have helpful information on many hikes in the Alps and good tips. Have fun!

Thank you all! Such helpful information. It’s very much appreciated and helps give me direction.