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Switzerland in mid-November?

There is an incentive, or more accurately, a lure, for me to be in Bulle, Switzerland on November 12. I realize this is far from an ideal time to visit Switzerland, and it seems like quite a few places are closed at this time.

Any advice regarding how to make the best of this potential trip would be appreciated. (As far as the outdoors goes, I'm not a skier, but would enjoy moderate hiking.) It would be from the 7th or 8th to the 15th or 16th, and the night in Bulle would be the only "non-negotiable" stop.

Thanks!

Posted by
12040 posts

Too early to ski, too late to hike (usually). Perhaps you can find a good hike at lower altitude, but the high pastures will likely be covered in snow.

Posted by
2297 posts

This is probably the worst month of the year to experience the Alps. I'd suggest to concentrate on what "urban" Switzerland has to offer with museums and sights. Bern is not far from Bulle and certainly worth a daytrip.

Bulle is in the French speaking part of Switzerland with a very different culture from what you'd see in the other areas. Could be interesting to explore that part!

Posted by
20085 posts

Bulle is just a stones throw from Gruyere. People pay good money to ride the "chocolate" train to tour the chocolate and cheese factories located there. There is the Golden Pass railway there going to Montreux to the south or Zweisimmen to the west. You'll be able to size up the snow (or lack thereof) when you get there.
There is plenty of good hiking in the lower mountains. Snow is unusual along Lake Leman (Geneva). Last year I landed at Zurich in January and I commented that it was the first time in a half dozen or January touchdowns that I ever saw snow on the ground there. The same day, Geneva was sunny and (relatively) warm.

Posted by
66 posts

Thanks again for the advice. Taking the season and my interests into account, I thought about what I would enjoy even if the weather was gloomy, so I've stitched together a tour of castles in the western part of the country. I'll spend more time in the French speaking areas, but will venture into some of the German speaking areas as well. I leave in just under month.