We are considering a trip to this region the last week of May. We would like to relax and to some moderate hiking. Can anyone comment on the weather this time of year? Are the trails still snow-covered or very muddy? Thanks
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Late May is a decent, but not ideal time to visit. You'll only find significant snow at the higher elevations. Some of the more isolated trails could be quite muddy, though.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
We were there in the first few days of June. In our planning, we were frightened away from staying in Muerren by comments in the travel books that it could be snowed in and possibly still mostly closed for the Shoulder Season. We did have a wonderful stay at the Hotel Silberhorn in Lauterbrunnen but there wasn't a spec a snow up to about 6,000 feet. Both Muerren and Wengen were completely clear of snow. The weather was beautiful. I do understand that the weather could be different from year to year but for the year we were there, it was magnificent. For hiking, I would caution that even if there is no snow, the trails will most likely be very muddy from the snow melt farther up on both sides of the valley. Two other great reasons for visiting the area in late May or early June. 1) the farmers are walking their cows from the Lauterbrunnen Valley up to the higher pastures. We've seen this. Great local scenery. 2) the wild flowers in the alps are in bloom. Take the walk down the back road from Murren to Gimmelwald. For our walk, which normally takes about 25-30 minutes, it took us 60 minutes as we stopped and enjoyed all of the wild flowers.
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
Can't ever say what the weather will be like in May. Just FYI, I was there in the Berner Oberland this weekend Kandersteg and Adelboden. It was funny that there was more snow in Southern Germany than on the floor of the valleys and surrounding hills that get a bit of sun each day (it was bare). Going up the hills to the ski areas there was enough snow for skiing, though.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
We were in the BO area two years ago in late May and the weather was great. Hiking was excellent -wildflowers blooming, waterfalls from melting snow, snow in higher elevations but trails were fine. Stayed in Wengen and loved it-fabulous views of alps from our window. Some restaurants were still closed and the Mannlichen Lift did not open until our last day. There were fewer crowds but this really was a plus.