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Gimmelwald in the rain?

Posted by (San Jose) on

Hi

I am thinking about travelling to interlaken/gimmelwald/murren on sep 18, 19th. (I am currently in cinque terre). My plan would be to leave cinque terre on the 18th so that I would arrive in interlaken on the night of the 18th. I would then have the full 19th in the Swiss alps. I would then leave the Swiss alps on the 19th for my flight back to the US.

Unfortunately, the weather forecasts look like there may be showers on the 19th (my only day I would have). As such, I'm wondering what interlaken and the surrounding area is like when it rains. Can I still hike? (note I only have a few layers with no rain coat and no hiking boots). Will there still be amazing views or will it be a cloudy mess? Basically any advice for dealing with the rain in the Swiss alps would greatly appreciated.

2/3 done with my first trip in europe and loving it. Also EVERYONE in Italy has Rick Steves' guidebook!

Posted by
9436 posts

We were there a year ago, in the rain. It was fine. There was no fog for us. We hiked with no problem, some on paved paths, some on compressed dirt/gravel, and some on rougher dirt/rocky terrain. We saw lots of other people (but not so many that it was a drag). I was wearing my Birkenstock sandals (I know, I know) and I had no problem. We actually got to stop and talk to quite a few people because they were all wearing hiking boots and very curious why I was in sandals. I had no problems hiking or walking and the rain made no difference for us. It was still beautiful and amazing.

Posted by
3551 posts

You are so close ,just go but get a rain poncho sometimes even sold at larger supermarkets in Europe. We were there in Lauterbrunnen Valley, Muerren and Gimmelwald during July and it did rain a bit but it cleared. If you cannot hike due to too much rain either sit in an outside covered cafe or take a gondola up to Muerren then easy walk down to Gimmelwald. then ck weather and decide next step. Weather monitors are everywhere in berner oberland area.

Posted by
7209 posts

Totally agree that you should go. If this is your first time to the area then go go go. You won't regret it. Also, spend the night in Gimmelwald or Muerren if you can.

Posted by
1358 posts

On my first trip, I thought everyone had Rick's book, too. Just turned out that since I was only going to places he recommended, I kept running into other people doing the same thing! The funny thing was, proprietors would see our book and say "you're friends of Rick Steves!" and give us free stuff or suddenly remember that they spoke English. Hasn't happened since, tho.

Posted by
12040 posts

I've been there in a rainstorm in which you could barely see twenty feet ahead of you, the fog was so thick. So who knows? You can still walk around the village in the rain, but without any gear, I'm not sure I would hit the slopes.

Posted by
44 posts

I was there in May this year. The weather forecast called for 30s and snow. What we got was 70s and cyrstal clear sunshine. Have fun!

Posted by
25 posts

Hi, we are thinking about going to Gimmelwald when we are visiting Austria & Switzerland next month. I'd be interested in hearing if you decided to go there and how you liked it.

Posted by
4 posts

We ended up wussing out and went to Austria instead. Love it there though.

Sorry I can't help.

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