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<<“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
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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.
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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.
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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.