Hello!
My husband and I are arriving in Zurich on May 7. Staying 9 full days. We wanted to stay higher in the mountains (Gimmelwald), but I am hearing that it may still be too early to hike that high. What are some higher elevation towns that will have good hiking and views that time of year?
Other towns we are thinking of visiting - I'm assuming these will be fine in early May?
Interlaken
Lauterbrunnen
Montreux or Geneva
Bern
Any suggestions or recommendations?
You can visit or stay in any of the towns and there will be hikes such as Mürren to Grütschalp or the Lauterbrunnen Valley open. Nice walks out of Wengen, too, like Mönchblick and Staubachbänkli. Gimmelwald us too quiet for me. FWIW we enjoyed a stay in Wengen last May.
You can still ride lifts to higher places for the views. Männlichen is very nice.
Laurel - Männlichen doesn’t open until May 25. And the Grutschalp to Murren train will be closed 6-31 May this year for putting in the new train cars, so to hike Murren to Grutschalp you have to be willing to do it roundtrip with no train return. That’s fine to do, just a note to double the distance.
That being said, I think Gimmelwald would be fine for a few days in May as you’d still find things to do in the area (Lauterbrunnen, Murren to Gimmelwald, parts of the North Face hike, the Lakes, Schilthorn, etc) but I probably wouldn’t stay in Murren since the train is going to be closed. Do Gimmelwald if you don’t mind the bus connection or do Wengen if you want more access to restaurants & shops.
For 9 days, maybe do something like 3 nights Montreux (Chateau de Chillon/vineyard hike from Chexbres to St Saphorin/Boat Cruise to Yvoire/etc), 3 nights Gimmelwald or Wengen (things I mentioned above), 3 Nights Luzern (Rigi/Titlis/Stoos/Lake Cruise, etc), Return to the airport from Luzern on departure day
Laurel - Männlichen doesn’t open until May 25. And the Grutschalp to Murren train will be closed 6-31 May this year for putting in the new train cars, so to hike Murren to Grutschalp you have to be willing to do it roundtrip with no train return. That’s fine to do, just a note to double the distance.
I “mis-spoke” and meant to say that going to, Kleine Scheidegg is possible even if trails are not open. I am excited about the new train cars (at last!) but that does make it harder to hike that route in May.
To the OP, you can still walk from Mürren at least partway to Grütschalp and return. Such great views of the snowy peaks!
Rick has plenty of great suggestions, you have the book yes?
