open trails last week May

Scroll back thru the posts under Switzerland, as this has been discussed recently. I think you'll find helpful info in these recent posts.
Have a great time in this beautiful country. Safe travels!

The cablecar up to Männlichen from Wengen is scheduled to open May 25, but the website for that cablecar says the best time for hiking the Panorama Trail there starts mid-June.

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

I believe the forum member WengenK has said mid-June is the usual opening time for that trail. It all depends on the snowmelt. This is apparently a low snow year in the Alps, but it is still early and that could change, with lots of spring snowfall. The Mürren side of the valley has eastern-facing slopes that may get more morning sun, but that is pure speculation on my part. The earliest we have hiked there was late June, and by then the snow was all melted but the weather was still unsettled—-sunny days alternating with rain and clouds.

The Engadine is reputed to have sunnier weather and earlier spring opening, as expressed here:
https://www.thecatandthepeacock.com/hiking-the-engadine

The local tourism sites offer some ideas for “spring” but do not define the time period:

https://www.engadin.com/en/activities-experiences/hiking/spring-hikes

https://www.engadin.ch/en/spring-activities/

I see that many of the lifts and mountain trains, such as the ones facilitating the famous Muottas Muragl to Alp Langard hike, do not start running until June:

https://www.engadin.ch/files/pdf/20231213_Betriebsdaten_Sommer_2024.pdf

So my suggestion would be the Valle Verzasca near Locarno. I have long wanted to visit and hike there in late May-early June, especially to experience Sonogno, but we haven’t put that on the schedule yet.

https://www.ascona-locarno.com/en/explore/valle-verzasca

You could head straight to Luzern. from Basel and spend a couple of nights nearby, exploring the lower slopes of Rigi. You have been to Luzern, so instead of staying in the city you could stay on the lake in nearby Weggis. A cablecar runs from Weggis up to Rigi Kaltbad, partway up the mountain, which offers trails with lovely views over the lake. We really enjoyed this small family-run hotel on our visit last September:

https://www.gotthard-weggis.ch/en/

Then take the scenic Treno Gottardo (or a lake boat then the train) to Locarno for 3-4 nights. I have my eye on this hotel for a future visit (check out their specials and promotions):

https://www.hotelgeranio.ch/en/

You could return to Zurich for your flight home either by the Bernina Express route with a night or two in Pontresina, or take a boat down Lago Maggiore to Stresa for a night or two and head north into Switzerland via Domodossola and Brig. (Or take the scenic Centovalli railway directly from Locarno to Domodossola.)

I apologize for my delayed response. Lola and Maureen-Thank you so so much! This is exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate both of your suggestions. We do love meadow hikes and I'm sure now with this information where ever we end up hiking will be glorious. Lola, I've followed your comments in the past and think exploring this new area for us might just be the ticket. My husband is a mountain biker, me only ebike, but I see there is much to do in the areas you mentioned. I will let you know how it turns out especially if I end up booking the hotels you are eyeing. Again, many thanks!