MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Hiking in Switzerland at lower altitudes, October
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Hello everyone,
I have followed this site for years and learnt so much from those who generously share their expertise and experience. Thank you all.
Some background: We have been frequent visitors to Switzerland over the last 15 years, usually spending the month of September hiking in the alpine areas. We prefer to base ourselves in mountain villages or small towns so that we can explore different trails each day. Happiness is connecting with nature in this extraordinary landscape.
Next year we have the chance to extend our time into October so this gives us an opportunity to discover new areas at lower altitudes. Thanks to 1960man who gave me this idea when commenting that there is plenty to explore in Switzerland in addition to the mountain peaks.
I welcome your suggestions on areas where we could base ourselves for a week at a time to walk trails where we’re unlikely to be hindered by snow at that time of year. We usually like to walk for 4 to 6 hours a day.
Thank you in anticipation
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Hi Robynrose,
Welcome to the forum! Thanks for being a loyal reader.
Indeed October is considered a low season. For some insights on what you can do at this time of the year, be sure to check this out: http://www.myswissalps.com/besttimetovisit. If your trip in is early October you might still be able to plan various mountain excursions as most of the mountain transportation stay open until mid October before winding down for maintenance. If you’re arriving later than mid-October, it’s best to stick to lower elevations. There won’t be snow but there will be lots of potential for autumn hiking.
Checkout out this foliage map on MySwitzerland website if you’d like to see all kinds of autumn colours during your trip: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/summer-autumn/autumn/foliage-map/
I think Graubunden would be an exciting region to explore in autumn. You can choose a base near Davos or St Moritz (maybe Pontresina) and plan your hikes around these areas. The subregions of Albula Valley and Upper Engadine has lots of hiking trails. You can find some good suggestions here: http://www.myswissalps.com/graubunden/activities
Hope this gives you some useful information to get you started.
regards,
Anna
There are thousands of beautiful walking paths all along the Jura mountain range. My first memories of outdoor life are being taken on walks in the Jura mountains near Geneva aged three or four!
Another great place where you can walk at lower altitudes for hours on end is the Appenzeller Alps.
It is worth looking for accomodation in the Mittelland where it might be cheaper than in a mountain resort, and there is likely to to be walking paths direct from the house.
Thanks Anna. Graubunden is indeed a wonderful place to explore and we have based ourselves in Scuol, Pontresina and Klosters previously. The peace and quiet to be found in those areas is most enjoyable. The foliage map is really helpful and I will use that to assist with my research.
Thanks 1960man. I had been thinking about Appenzeller Alps so your recommendation has now confirmed that as a destination. The Jura mountains will be new territory for us so I’m looking forward to learning about the area and finding a suitable base.
Just to add that when we stayed near Appenzell in August 2016 nearly all the paths through the rolling countryside were totally devoid of other people. I have seldom walked in such quite countryside . A complete contrast to the crowded ‘tourist traps’ such as the Jungfrau region.
My late uncle (sadly died on his beloved bike after a collision with another cyclist) was an avid high mountain walker with UN groups (he worked at WHO in Geneva) and walked the highest Alpine routes, but he also knew the beauty of the Jura. There are so many ‘hidden’ places – for instance loads of people have heard of the famous alpine passes such as the Furka, but hardly anyone has heard of the Col du Marchairuz near Nyon and Lausanne.
You might consider staying at Ste Croix or in the ‘Franches Montagnes’ area where you can combine hiking with hopping on and off the shiny red trains of the Chemins de Fer du Jura (CJ) network
Thanks 1960man. I’m sorry for the loss of your uncle. What a joy for him to have experienced the mountains of Switzerland so intimately.
The Jura sounds very appealing and I think we’ll be able to spend at least a week there in mid-October. Sadly it’s not until 2023 so I have plenty of time to research.
Thanks for the suggestions on places to use as a base. Any other tips you are happy to share to maximise our Jura experience would be most appreciated.
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