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Hiking in Switzerland - Where & When?

Recognizing this is a pretty broad question … we appreciate this community’s always helpful insights as we start to plan a hiking trip in Switzerland next year both on where to base ourselves and time of year.

Some background:

We are a couple in our 50s who are avid hikers (we done hiking trips to the Dolomites and Isle of Skye recently).

We prefer to do our own self guided hikes, basing out of a few towns for ~3 days.

We are looking at either mid June or early fall.

Appreciate your thoughts specifically of areas or towns to focus on — as well as early summer vs early fall.

Thanks very much in advance.

Posted by
6639 posts

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!

Posted by
5266 posts

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

Posted by
91 posts

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!

Posted by
6639 posts

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!

Posted by
91 posts

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.

Posted by
6079 posts

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.