[Anonymous]

4 April 2022 at 14:00:03 #826782

Hey friends, we’ve booked a trip to Switzerland in early May (namely, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Zermatt), but we realised some of the hiking trails might be closed. Any recommendations on possible hikes and trails during the first-second week of May? Appreciate the help!

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[Anna]

Reply 1 of 9 • 4 April 2022 at 17:34:05 #940150

Hi teddycook,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

Yes, it’s likely most of the mountain trails will not be accessible yet in May. But there should be enough on ground and mid level to keep you occupied. The Lauterbrunnen Valley is a great destination to explore on foot especially the trail along the Staubbach waterfall leading to Stechelberg, where you can take the cable car to Schilthorn. I think the trail from Grutschalp to Murren should be accessible by this time too. Also you can take the funicular up to Harder Kulm and explore the trails there. Don’t miss out the boat rides on Lake Brienz. You can combine a boat trip from Brienz to Giessbach Fall with a hike from Giessbach to Iseltwald. You can also hike from village to village (for instance Wengen to Lauterbrunnen). The local tourism offices in Wengen and Grindelwald would have more information about locals trails.

For practical tips, be sure to check out the hiking page here: http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking

Regards,

Anna

[Geoff5712]

Reply 2 of 9 • 5 April 2022 at 9:49:16 #940151

Hi Anna,

I’ve also got an 8 day stay in Zermatt early May and was hoping to do a lot of walking, however I recently found out that the Sunnega lift is close for maintenance during our stay, which will narrow our walking options somewhat.

Can you suggest some trails that are likely to be open and accessible in Zermatt area early May?

Thanks,

Geoff

[Anna]

Reply 3 of 9 • 5 April 2022 at 13:47:47 #940152

Hi Geoff,

Hiking in Zermatt in May is a little bit tricky as some trails may still be covered in snow. Depending on the weather the trails may be accessible and are usually groomed, but be sure to have proper hiking gears with you. The cogwheel train to Gornergrat operates year round and there are various easy to moderate trails that start from the various stations between Zermatt and Gornergrat. In addition, there are plenty of trails in the surrounding areas and villages such as Täsch and Grachen. This link may be of interest too: http://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt/activities

For current information about open trails be sure to check out the local tourism office which is located just next to the train station. Also you can browse the Zermatt tourism website for current hiking information: http://www.zermatt.ch/en/Media/List-Tours/Hiking-trails

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Anna

[Geoff5712]

Reply 4 of 9 • 6 April 2022 at 9:59:21 #940153

Many thanks Anna.

I was planning on some walks from the Gornergrat train too so hopefully those routes will be open. I’ll also look at some of the lower level options around nearby villages, hopefully there’ll be some with nice lunch stops.

Regards,

Geoff

[User]

Reply 5 of 9 • 6 April 2022 at 11:17:28 #940154

Hi Geoff,

even if there will be snow, you can still hike – if you have the proper shoes and clothes with you. At http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/winter you’ll find some tips about winter hiking.

I love hiking during May, although there are not so many hiking trails open. It is so wonderful to see how spring arrives in the mountains when you can see snow and also already the spring flowers at the same time.

I hope you’ll find some routes that please you.

Ildiko

[Geoff5712]

Reply 6 of 9 • 6 April 2022 at 12:15:27 #940155

That’s good to know.

We have winter hiking gear, boots, poles and warm & waterproof gear etc. In the event there are still snowshoe trails open, do you know if it’s possible to hire those in Zermatt?

Many thanks,

Geoff

[User]

Reply 7 of 9 • 6 April 2022 at 13:55:03 #940156

Hi all, I am also heading to Zermatt in the first week of May and I’m keen on looking for the Valais Blacknose Sheep then. May I know how can we find them? Thanks all!

[User]

Reply 8 of 9 • 6 April 2022 at 15:04:21 #940157

Hi Geoff,

if snowshoe trails are open, I am pretty sure that you’ll find a place where you can rent the snowshoes. You can try it here: http://www.flexrent.ch/en/rental/snowshoe/. For more options, please visit here: http://www.myswissalps.com/plantrip/clothing/winter. I also recommend Intersport from that list. You can find them in Zermatt too.

I hope you’ll like snowshoeing! Have fun!

Ildiko

[User]

Reply 9 of 9 • 6 April 2022 at 15:19:10 #940158

Hi dadabaobao and welcome to MySwissAlps!

The famous Zermatt Blacknose sheep spend only their summers in the mountain pastures, from June to September. As in May there is still too much snow for them.

During wintertime you can also visit them, the sheep are in their winter quarters.

To be honest, I am not sure where they are in May and June, I recommend asking the Julen family in Zermatt. (They keep them during the winter in the stables.). You can contact them via http://www.julen.ch/en/events/visit-sheep-barn/

If you get the answer from them, could you be let us know? I am also interested. Thank you so much! 🙂

Ildiko

Ps.: If you have further questions I kindly ask you to open a new thread – so other forum members can find it easier. Thank you!

More about Zermatt: http://www.myswissalps.com/zermatt