We were thinking of returning to Gimmelwald/Murren/Kleine Scheidig, etc May 1-15, 2009. Is that too early for hiking (easy to moderate trails only)? Are the funiculars,cable cars/gondolas all operating? Is Walter's Hotel open in May?Thanks!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
We were there in the first days of June last year. The snow was gone from Muerren, Gimmelwald, Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg. The weather was just beautiful. The wildflowers were in full bloom.
You're looking at 30 days earlier than our visit. I'm betting that some places are not yet open from their "shoulder season" closings. Muerren had not yet come back to life on our visit. As for hiking, the snow may be gone but you will see lots of water across the trails from the snow melt higher up. We could see it on our visit.
Posted by
Cramerton, NC, USA
71 posts
We were in Lauterbrunnen May 30- Jun 1, 2007. Our intention was to hike, but the weather was rainy so we didn't even leave the valley. But we were told the trails were still snowy and hiking wasn't advised. We were told by locals that hiking that early is okay some years and not others. We're going back this year in late August in hopes of better weather.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Yeah, it's mountain weather, you never know with mountain weather. No guarantees.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I've been to the Berner Oberland at about that time of year. Early May is shoulder season, and little was open in the mountains (Interlaken wasn't too busy, but most businesses were open). Walter's Hotel was not open, along with virtually everything else in Gimmelwald and Murren. At the lower elevations (ie, around the elevation of Murren and Gimmelwald), there was no snow, but the trails were muddy with snow run-off. Also, the citizens of Gimmelwald were busy applying "natural" fertilizer to the pastures, if you know what I mean. By mid-May, more businesses may open, but the first few days of May will be dead.
Oh, and all the gondolas were operating, except the one that runs from Stechelberg to Gimmelwald.
Posted by
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
72 posts
I was in Lauterbrunnen the last week of May 2006. Could NOT do the upper trails due to late spring snow fall. I was looking to hike one or two of the easy to moderate trails (Mannlichen to Kleine Schedegg?) but the trails were still closed.
Hiking in the valley is not a bad option, just lacking in a little wow factor.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Perhaps a suggestion. The Berner Oberland is not the only place in the Alps to hike (you wouldn't think so, reading this site!). I've never been to the following suggestions, but maybe the hiking at this time might be better in Ticino or Valais cantons, or perhaps the Julian or Italian Alps.