Are Grindelwald hiking trails open early October?

  • Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    28 June 2015 at 18:48:14 #807480

    We will be staying in Grindelwald from October 3 through October 8 to hike. Some of the day hikes we’d like to do include the following below. Will these trails be accessible during our stay ?

    Wengernalpto Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald

    Grindelwald to Schynige Platte

    Bachalpsee trail from Grindelwald via First

    Firstto Bussalp, and the bus back down to Grindelwald;First toGrosse Scheidegg, and the bus back down to Grindelwald;

    Thank you,

    Elizabeth

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    Slowpoke
    Participant
    7567 posts
    30 June 2015 at 1:32:42 #844084

    <<“We will be staying in Grindelwald from October 3 through October 8 to hike. Some of the day hikes we’d like to do include the following below.Will these trails be accessible during our stay ?”>> Hi Elizabeth-

    Those are good questions, and Arno or Annika can give you a better sense of trail conditions at that time than I. I’d be wondering myself.

    In general, below 2000 meters, the trails are likely to be open. But, there can be a lot of snow by then, or (more likely) little or none.

    Some of the hikes you list are quite long for day hikes, and include as much as 1,000 meter elevation changes, (or more, for Grindelwald to Schynige Platte) and may be difficult for a day hike unless you are experienced at alpine hiking with substantial altitude changes and high altitudes.

    This map can help you with the lay of the land.

    map.geo.admin.ch/?topic=swisstopo&X=1642 79.71&Y=644107.09&zoom =5&lang=en&bgLayer=ch. swisstopo.pixelkarte-farbe

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    30 June 2015 at 13:32:33 #844085

    The trails should be fine until mid October, but that’s an average. Winter can set in earlier or much later, and (snow)storms can cause temporary trail closures. But with a bit of luck this will all work.

    Removed user
    Participant
    72625 posts
    1 July 2015 at 2:01:02 #844086

    Thank you Slowpoke – the topographical map you included is very helpful. I appreciate you setting expectations about some of these hikes!

    Arno – do you think it’s too risky to assume the weather will cooperate that time of the year? If we want to hike those trails, should we be visiting during a different month?

    If it does snow, what are the trails at lower altitudes you’d recommend?

    Thanks – E.

    Arno
    Moderator
    15471 posts
    1 July 2015 at 8:27:22 #844087

    It’s just slightly more risky than August or September, especially for the higher trails like First to Schynige Platte. A thunder storm in August can spoil your plans just as well as snow later in the year. There are plenty of trails at lower elevations. You can find them through myswissalps.com/ jungfrauregion/ activities. Examples are Grosse Scheidegg to Meiringen and Alpiglen to Grindelwald.

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