[deepthi]

1 March 2025 at 17:23:06 #2408434

We are visiting Switzerland in the third week of May and here’s the rough plan we have made for 10 days. Mainly we are interested in hiking and from my research, looks like the below trails will be open at that time and based on weather conditions, we could decide closer to the dates. But, I am also hearing conflicting opinions online about hiking in the alps in may, I know weather can be unpredictable and also, I have made this list quite exhaustive and might not do all of it and cut down a few options instead. We don’t intend to see much of the cities and prefer to explore quiet mountainside villages. Does this itinerary look good?
We have a couple of ridge hikes here, but I would also love to know if there are any panoramic short trails that are worth seeing at this time

(Bern) –  1 day
Day 1: reach bern, head to gruyeres cheese village, do a walking trip and try some fondue

(Kandersteg) –  2 days
Day 2: Head to kandersteg and do the oeschinensee hike if weather permits

Day 3: Head to aletsch glacier viewpoint via gondola, hikes are not open here during this time. Maybe visit blausee and head to Grindelwald

(Grindelwald and Interlaken) –  4 days
Days 4-6: hike bachalpsee, and explore around Grindelwald. Have kept 3 days for this as it seemed beautiful.

Day 7: Augstmatthorn on the lombachalp route – if weather permits and route is open, otherwise visit brienz and places around interlaken.

(Lucerne) – 2 days
Day 8: Walk around Lucerne or engelberg

Day 9: Stoos ridge hike- klingenstock to fronalpstock route

(Appenzell) – 1 day
Day 10: Appenzell – Schafler – Ebenalp to aescher route if hike is open. Explore the village otherwise

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[User]

Reply 1 of 1 • 2 March 2025 at 15:04:52 #2408791

Hi deepthi,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

Thanks for sharing your travels plans to Switzerland.  As you have researched and discovered, some of the trails may not be open for hiking when you visit.

Please find comments and some links for your trip:

1. Day 1:  Gruyeres:  https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gruyeres/
2. Day 2: Check with the local tourist office at Kandersteg for the status of the trail, to see if it’s  accessible.   Generally speaking the trail is doable late May but it will depend on the winter season prior.  That said, there are still trails lower down in the valley that you should be able to enjoy if the panorama trail is not open.
3. Day 3: Handy guide to visiting the Aletsch Glacier:   https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/aletsch-glacier/
4. Day 4:  The hike to Bachalpsee most likely<span> will not yet be open due to snow. Access is usually around mid-June. The gondola up to Grindelwald-First (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/grindelwald-first/) will be running so you could still head up and have a look around.  I agree this area is lovely, more activity suggestions can be researched here, you’ll find some lower altitude hikes that you should be able to ebjoy when here:  https://www.myswissalps.com/region/jungfrau-region/
</span>5.  Day 7:  The Alp Lombach – Augstmatthorn hike is not open till July.  Your back up choices are fine to run with 🙂
6.  Day 8: Lucerne:  https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/
7.  Day 9:  The ridge hike is generally accessible from mid-May / June time so do check beforehand in the likelihood of bad weather or if snow could still be on the trail.  Further details for a visit to Stoos can be found here:  https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/stoos/
8.  Day 10:  Similarly, check with the local tourist office for the trail status.

You may find our hiking guide a helpful read too:

• https://www.myswissalps.com/activities/hiking/

I hope this helps, do reach out if you have addtional questions.

Kind regards,
Yolanda