I so appreciate the other post but have a couple of my own questions. We are planning a trip late Apri-May and I am looking for lodging suggestions (specific sites or just towns) in the Berner Oberland area. We will arrive by train from Luzern and plan to spend 4 days and 4 nights in the area. We enjoy hiking (moderate) and plan to go to Jungrau or Schilthorn. Our hikes hope to include Sefinen Valley to Kilchbalm, North Face Trail, and Lake Bachalpsee. We enjoy a quaint atmosphere but also will be wanting a casual dinner and "frosty fellow" at the end of the day.
After BO we are off to Montreaux and Lausanne.
Any insight is appreciated.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5602 posts
The above is from search here on the Forum. You can also check out the Trip Reports posted here. The RS guide book also includes suggestions.
For hikes, have you checked out which lifts are open? You are a little early in the season.
Have a great trip in this beautiful country!I hope you love it as much as I do. Safe travels.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
612 posts
Are your dates flexible? You probably won’t be able to do those hikes in April with the snow. Most hiking in the BO opens in late May-mid June.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17418 posts
Those 3 hikes are at higher elevations (above 4000 meters) and I doubt they will be doable in early May.
Here is the profile for the Sefinental to Kilchbalm hike:
https://www.hikingwalking.com/index.php/destinations/sw/sw_bernese/lauterbrunnen/chilchbalm
You go over a pass at 6800 feet if you do that route. Gimmelwald to Kilchbalm and back would be lower, but still above 4000 feet.
Here are the details for the Bachalpsee hike. It starts and ends at the top of the First gondola and is all above 2000 meters. They say to hike from June through September. I suppose it is possible they have a Winterwanderweg or snowshoe trail out there, but those close when the snow starts melting into mud.
I note that the Faulhorn hut, which is 1.5 miles past Bachalpsee and at. Higher elevation, does not open until mid-June.
And the Northface Trail is well above Mürren, which itself is 5400 feet. The high point of the Northface trail is 1960 meters, or 6400 feet.
On the other hand, you should be fine on the excursions to the Schilthorn (assuming you are not going when it is closed for annual maintenance, 22-26 April) and the Jungfraubahn. You will be on snow at the end so be prepared with winter clothing and good footwear.