My husband, I and our child of 22 months will be visiting BO area/ Luzern on May 19th and 20th. I want to know which is a better place to stay Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen?
What can we do that wont be too stressful with 22 month old who is quite easy and loves to travel. What are the temperatures around this time? Would it be possible to do hikes or will it still be mushy with melting snow?
We want to go up schilthorn but are concerned about the safety for our little one at high altitudes.
Please advise!!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
I would suggest Lauterbrunnen as you are much closer to the Schilthorn from Lauterbrunnen than you are from Grindlewald which I believe is in an adjoining valley. The Schilthorn is reached by a gondola from Muerren. To get to Muerren, you take a gondola that originates in Lauterbrunnen to Grutshalp where you transfer to a cog train for a short ride to Muerren.
Each year is different as to whether the snow hangs around or not. We were there two years ago on June 1 and it was all gone up through Muerren, Wengen and above. But, the trails did look a bit mushy from the snows melting higher above. Some years, the snow hangs around for a bit longer.
Be sure to check with your hotel to see if they are open. During April and May, a good deal of that area closes for the transition to summer from winter skiing. When we visited Muerren, it was most beautiful but a bit quiet as they were just coming back to life.
Posted by
Tulsa, OK
355 posts
I, too would choose Lauterbrunnen. From Lauterbrunnen you can get to the Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch, Wengen, Murren - and Grindelwald. Lauterbrunnen is much smaller than Grindelwald but has train connections to pretty much everywhere in the Bernese Oberland.
I really like the town of Lauterbrunnen also - they have a small grocery store, bakery, cheese shop and butcher - plus a few sporting goods places and several restaurants in the hotels. We stayed in an apartment for a week last August and loved it. I can't speak to the weather in the spring, but you will really love Switzerland.....
Posted by
St. Louis, MO, USA
53 posts
We have not stayed in Grindelwald, but I have heard it is more touristy than Lauterbrunnen. We love Lauterbrunnen. The valley is gorgeous. Gimmelwald is even better, but I don't know if it is open in May. No cars to watch out for in Gimmelwald. You park at the bottom and ride the lift up. Very peaceful. Sorry, don't know about the snow or the weather.
Jinny