Schynige Platte to First hike beginning of May
Blanka is planning a trip to Lauterbrunnen and wants to hike from Schynige Platte to First during the week of May 10th. However, the Schynige Platte Railway only starts operating on May 22nd, and she is seeking alternative ways to reach the trail or suggestions for other hikes nearby.
- Try to choose hikes at lower altitudes in May, as trails at higher elevations may still be snow-covered.
- Consider the scenic Panoramaweg trail for great views, which connects to the main trail at Laucherhorn.
- The Schynige Platte to First trail typically opens in late June, so check local conditions before planning your hike.
AI-generated summary-
Dear All! Hope you are keeping safe. I would have a question about the hike from Schynige Platte to First. Have done this couple of years ago in August, however we would like to do the hike the week of 10th of May as we will be in the Lauterbrunnen area for a week of holiday. The Schynige Platte Railway that takes you to the starting point of the hike operates from May 22nd. Does anyone know alternative ways to get to Schynige Platte to be able to enjoy the hike to First? Many thanks in advance for your help! 🙂 Regards, Blanka
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Hi Blanka!
That’s for sure an amazing hike (http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/schynigeplatte). I’m afraid early May is too early though. Large parts of the route are likely to be covered by snow, and there’s no other way to reach Schynige Platte (except for hiking up ;-)).
If you plan to travel in May, you’d better focus on hikes at lower altitude. You’ll find some routes in the Bernese Oberland here: http://www.myswissalps.com/berneseoberland/activities (scroll down).
Further tips for Lauterbrunnen and its surroundings can be found at http://www.myswissalps.com/lauterbrunnen.
Have fun preparing for your trip, and let us know if you have more questions!
Thank you for your help, Annika, appreciate the reply! 🙂
Hi Annika –
I may have missed this in your answer, but when do you think the routes would be open? Mid June? Or, perhaps more likely, late June?
Slowpoke
Hi Slowpoke,
The cogwheel train servicing Schynige Platte starts operation on May 22. But I don’t think the hiking trails would be open, not until June. There is a panorama restaurant and a small alpine garden at the top and at nearly 2000m above sea level, I think you’ll get a great view of the surrounding mountains.
Regards,
Anna
Hi Anna –
<<“There is a panorama restaurant and a small alpine garden at the top and
at nearly 2000m above sea level, I think you’ll get a great view of the
surrounding mountains.”>>
We enjoyed those walks some time ago, and I recall some stunning views near there, without going on to First.
Fred
The SP to First trail usually doesn’t open until at least late June. I’ve been on that trail on July 8 when it had just opened and there was still some snow to contend with!
Thank you, Kim! thanks to your detailed guide on Wengen I discovered this hike 2 years ago 🙂 Warm regards, Blanka
Hi Blanka
Yes it looks like you will be in Lauterbrunnen too early to visit SP. Previously when you hiked from SP to First you did not mention which route you took. The most common and shortest route is down the middle of SP. However a much more scenic route and only slightly longer is the Panaramaweg trail that hugs the plateau edge overlooking the lakes and still has grand views of the mountains. It passes Oberberghorn which has a nice overlook and then joins the main trail at Laucherhorn. To access the Panaramaweg trail you pass the hotel and restaurant and continue as far left as you can go and you should see signs to Panaramaweg and Oberberghorn.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to do the full SP to First hike you can take a very scenic loop of 2.5 hrs where you walk over the Panaramaweg route and at Laucherhorn you return back to the SP train station over the center main route. (Signs at Laucherhorn clearly mark the return route as well as the main trail to Faulhorn and First) I would suspect the loop trail at SP would be open most of June but I have never been there earlier than mid July so I don’t really know for sure
Hopefully you will make it back to SP again. It is a beautiful place.
Mark
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