MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial 1st time Switzerland in April/May or early October
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In my 60s and planning a first trip to Switzerland. Can only go in April to mid May or early October. Am interested in Zermatt or Wengen. Any advice on weather, resort closures etc
Flying from Thailand (t0 Zurich or Geneva?) for a few days. Do not want skiing. Just a gentle walk and scenery and on a budget.
Thanks for any help
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Hi Sweyne, welcome to MySwissAlps!
I’m sure you’ll like Switzerland in either April/May or early October. Early October will give you a bit more options regarding operational cable cars and accessible hiking trails. Here’s more information:
Where to fly into depends on your itinerary. I recommend to work on that first. Please see here to get started:
- http://www.myswissalps.com/pl antrip
- http://www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities
- http://www.myswissalps.com/wh eretogo
Feel free to post further questions once you have a (tentative) plan.
Hi Sweyne
When choosing between Zermatt and Wengen, I think you would enjoy staying in either. Both are car free and beautiful scenery. Zermatt is significantly larger and more glitzy and upscale (likely more expensive). It reminds me of Chamonix. There will be more choices for hotels, restaurants , and especially shopping if that interests you. A big draw in Zermatt is seeing the Matterhorn, an icon of Switzerland. See my thumbnail photo.
On the other hand, Wengen is smaller and much more quaint. It has more spectacular views than Zermatt in my opinion, namely Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen Valley. The short easy walks from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg or First to Bachalpsee are among the most scenic in all of Switzerland in my opinion.
Definitely, I would choose early October. Mark
Hi Sweyne-
Mark has said it well.
Early October.
In the April-early May time period, many alpine are partially shut down. Snow is not so good for skiing; trails at any but the lowest altitudes tend to be still blocked by snow or snow slides.
A lot of us like Wengen:
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/tips-about-wengen-and-the-jungfrau-region-by-kim
This walk will fit your definition, and you will not be able to access it i n May:
http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/maennlichen-kleinescheidegg
My daughter and 8 year old granddaughter loved it in the last week of September in 2009.. ( By the way, it has the local nickname of “The Grannies’ Walk). You will, however, see Swiss grannies striding along in the up hill direction in their hiking boots, at a considerable speed. 😉
See attached.
Slowpoke
Attachments:Many thanks for all your help, what a great forum this is!
I like the idea of a 2 centre. Ideally a few nights in Zermatt and a few in Wengen. But looking at the transfers this looks messy and a bit expensive.
Can you recommend any easier 2 centres eg Wengen/Grindelwald; Wengen/ Muerren or preferably (as it’s my wife’s favourite) Zermatt and somewhere?
We really just want fairly quiet picturesque mountain villages and a bit of easy walking ….
thanks
Hi Sweyne,
I don’t want to complicate your choice, but if you want to follow your wife’s wish, definitely cover Zermatt and not travel resp. change transportation so often you can also look into places in the Upper Rhine Valley. In the “Hotels” section you will find some smaller towns in the area.
– http://www.myswissalps.com/up perrhonevalley,Hope this is inspiration and not confusion for you.
Best,
StephMany thanks for the useful information. I am now thinking of spending 2 nights in Lucerne as well. Would you still choose October? Have seen great videos filmed in May.
Hi Sweyne,
Lucerne is busy year round so it should not be a problem to go there in October: http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne
Maria.
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