Hikes open May 22 onwards in Bernese Oberland?
A traveler is planning an active trip for their family of five, including kids aged 21, 19, and 14, focusing on hiking in Switzerland. They want advice on an itinerary that includes Zurich, Lucerne, Lake Thun, and the Bernese Oberland, while specifically asking about trail openings around May 22. Getting confirmed trail statuses before their trip is crucial for their plans.
- Check trail openings every year, as many trails in the high-altitude areas typically don't open until mid-June.
- Purchase a Swiss Travel Pass for convenient access to public transport and discounts on mountain excursions.
- Have alternative plans to explore lower altitude trails or local attractions in case the high-altitude trails remain closed.
AI-generated summary-
Hello: Itinerary advice please! How does this sound for an active family of five (kids ages 21, 19, 14) that likes to hike? Checking out briefly Lucerne and Lake Thun before the core of the trip: hiking/exploring the Bernese Oberland.
Trail openings** Anyone know if any of these trails are open May 22 and on?
1. Zurich 1 night (arrival)
2 Lucerne 2 nights. Mt Pilatus one day, wander the next
3 Lake Thun 1 night. Relax and explore Castle Schloss
4 Murren 5 nights
Top of Europe/Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch
Schilthorn
Hiking: if open:
Maennlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
North Face trail
Eiger trail
First to the Bachsee
First – Schynige Platte
Schynige Platte
5 Lavaux 2 nights
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Hi Tom-
I may not understand the last one. Do you mean to hike up from Wilderswil, or do you mean the trails around the top of Schynige Platte?
My first reaction is that none will be open. ( I don’t know the North Face Trail.)
That is based on many years of experience; for example, as recently as the last time that I was there (in 2015) the Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail did not open until June 15th, which is the normal date. See attached picture for trail conditions then.
Here is some good detailed information written in 2018:
triptins.com/hiking-mannlichen-kleine-scheidegg-panorama-trail/
My basic criterion is altitude. At your date, trails at or above 2000 meters have almost never been open over the past 20 years or more.
I’ll have to note that my first reactions could be wrong, because the weather has gotten a lot warmer, and my friends in Switzerland say this was a warm winter. I know that there have been several threads on this topic recently on this forum. So, I suspect some other members will jump in to “refine” my comments.
You can get more information about the trails in the Hiking pages of this MySwissAlps web site:
http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king
And, if you are actually there, you can find out from many sources, especially the local tourist information offices, train stations, hotels, and and webcams.
I know that there have been several threads on this topic recently on this forum. So, I suspect some other members will jump in to “refine” my comments.
For my own personal planning, would not count on any of them before mid-June, or, I would cross my fingers for early June and hope for the best. And, I’d have contingency plans.
Here are two lower altitude suggestions that will be open, one on part of the Swiss Path ( The Way of the Swiss) around southern Lake Lucerne; the other in the Rhone Valley.
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/the-swiss-path-and-southern-lake-lucerne
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/bls-sudrampe-trail
And, in the region near Mürren (note the spelling with an umlaut, which alters the pronunciation), a couple of rather easy ones:
http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/gruetschalp-muerren
http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/lauterbrunnen-stechelberg
Slowpoke
Attachments:
Hi…
What I am sure is by 22 May the gondola/cable car from Wengen to Maennlichen will already open this year, therefore trail from Maennlichen to Kleine Scheidegg may be open already too. Please note that the cable car from Grindelwald to Maennlichen is closed for construction works so will not be open anytime soon. The train from Wilderwill to Schynegge Platte only open 30 May onwards.
The Eiger trail will only open late June. You may go to below link for further reference:
Hi Ashraf907.
<“What I am sure is by 22 May the gondola/cable car from Wengen to Maennlichen will already open this year, therefore trail from Maennlichen to Kleine Scheidegg may be open already too”>>
The lift starts to run well before the entire trail is open for the entire length.
The section of the trail as far as Tschuggen is clear early. The place where it passes around Tschuggen is in the shade, and the snow leaves slowly. There is also snow on the slope above the trail there, which can be of concern.
Slowpoke
Attachments:
Hi Tom,
As you can see it’s always a little tricky to predict what the weather will be up to in the mountains.
Best you keep an eye on the weather forecast and ask local authorities about the state of the trails upon arrival.
– http://www.myswissalps.com/we ather/forecast
– http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/preparationIt’s also always a good idea to have alternatives at lower altitudes.:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfrauregion/activitie sBest,
Steph
Hi all – I’ve read in many places on this forum the open dates of Trails. I, myself am planning a trip on May 9-16th and want to do lots of hiking.
One of the hikes that I really want to do is the Panaroma Trail (Mannlichen to Klein Scheidegg). On the Mannlichen website, it has a page for ‘Winter Hiking’. Does this mean that the trail is open year round? http://www.maennlichen.ch/en/ winter/experiences/win ter-hiking.html
Hi Orangtolol
Welcome to My Swiss Alps.
<<“Does this mean that the trail is open year round? http://www.maennlichen.ch/en/winter/experiences/winter-hiking.html” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>”>>
Recent discussions on the forum have made clear that the winter grooming is done only up to March 31. After that time, the snow conditions make it difficult or impossible to maintain a hikable trail that is safe from snow slides. I don’t know this from personal knowledge, and can’t find the thread quickly where this was discussed. It makes sense to me, from what I have seen of the snow conditions in April and May.
Perhaps one of the moderators ( or a member with better search skills than I have) can find the thread that discussed this point.
Ha – I found it:
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/winter-hiking-jungfrau-region
It’s too bad, because it would be a great walk, if the clouds don’t shroud the trails… ;-(
Slowpoke
Thanks Slowpoke. I wish the Mannlichen website would make it explicitly clear as to the dates of the grooming ceasing. Since I will be there during shoulder season (2nd week of May), what do you recommend doing in the Jungfrau region, if most of the trails will be closed? Thanks in advance.
Edit: I realized my last question was open ended and vague. I think I will scour the forums for more things to do before asking more questions. Thanks, appreciate it.
Hi Orangtolol …
Seeing your name I guess you are from Malaysia
There are many other activities you can do.
You can go to Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn or First for mountain excursion. The journey itself is an adventure
You may also visit the lovely and picture perfect towns of Wengen, Grindelwald, Murren, Gimmelwald, Lauterbrunnen, etc.
Waterfalls like Staubbach and Trummelbach.
Or go for lake cruise at Thun or Brienz.
You may refer to below link:
http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfrauregion
and below link is also helpful
You can choose and consider the places/activities and come out with plan and query that suit your interests. Then you can open your own thread with more specific questions. There are many people here who are willing to help 😁
Murren, four nights: Staying in Murren 4 nights May 22-26
Made aware that on this site that the popular high-elevation trails will be closed.
Should we still stay in Murren for this late May trip? Had wanted non-touristy feel and access to the popular trails.
Please share thoughts.
Hi Tom,
Mürren is beautiful all year round, but indeed not all trails will be accessible yet. I would enjoy myself there for 4 nights even in late May, but you can also consider a more centrally and lower situated place like Lauterbrunnen. Both are not far apart though.
Nearly all villages in the area are touristy but not too much while you’re there.
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