[Anonymous]

8 August 2022 at 8:24:38 #828001

I will be traveling to Switzerland November 21st-23rd with my parents (late 60’s). This will be our first experience in Switzerland, and we prefer quaint villages as opposed to big cites. I would like to visit the Bernese Oberland Region. However, I am not sure if it will be worth it being low season. I see that a lot of cable cars, hotels, and restaurants close. Would there still be enough to fill a couple of days exploring this region? Would any easy hiking trails be accessible? Would I be better off using the Lucerne area as a base and planning on exploring the city and going to Mt. Titlis? Any itinerary suggestions are appreciated as I am having a lot of trouble attempting to plan with most attractions being closed. Thank you in advance for your replies.

[Anna]

Reply 1 of 9 • 8 August 2022 at 10:15:20 #945317

Hi EmilyA,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

November is indeed a low season and some mountaintops will be inaccessible due to maintenance work. However I think this is a good time to explore small towns and villages, and plan hikes along lakes and rivers. If you are interested in mountain excursions, try to pick a base close to Titlis, Rigi, Gornergrat or Glacier 3000 as these mountain destinations are open all year round. Lucerne is a good option, located just one hour by train from Engelberg /Titlis and you can easily plan day trips to the Bernese Oberland region and other parts of Switzerland. There are plenty of trails around the lake, which you can easily combine with a boat trip on Lake Lucerne. You can find more sightseeing options here: http://www.myswissalps.com/lucerne/activities

Hope this gives you some ideas to add to your itinerary.

Regards,

Anna

[User]

Reply 2 of 9 • 9 August 2022 at 4:44:20 #945318

Dear Anna,

good day,

I’m gonna visit Switzerland in November too. starting with Geneva, and most probably Brienz, Bern, Lucerne , Interlaken and lauterbrunnen. I dont know if I could find a chance to take glacier express too or not. we;ll be there for days.

any advice ?

[Anna]

Reply 3 of 9 • 9 August 2022 at 6:07:42 #945319

Hi Lavasani,

Welcome to MySwissAlps.

Kindly post your question on a new thread here: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/miscellaneous. It ‘s easier to keep track of answers and updates that way.

Would be helpful to include details such as: duration of your trip and what your plans are – are you interested in scenic trains, mountain views, city/towns? So we can all provide some inputs and ideas for your itinerary.

Regards,

Anna

[User]

Reply 4 of 9 • 9 August 2022 at 6:24:16 #945320

Anna,

Thank you for your quick response. What activities would I be able to plan in the Bernese Oberland region during late November other than going to Jungfrau? I am thinking of using Titilus as my mountain excursion, but am wondering if the Bernese Oberland is still worth a visit.

[Anna]

Reply 5 of 9 • 9 August 2022 at 9:09:45 #945321

Hi EmilyA,

Yes, the Bernese Oberland region is certainly worth a visit anytime of the year. Activities you can do in November include:

• Explore towns and villages such as Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Grindelwald and Mürren
• Boat trips on Lake Thun
• Excursion to Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn
• Day trips to Bern and other destinations in the Bernese Oberland
• Take the Golden Pass to Montreux

Regards,

Anna

[User]

Reply 6 of 9 • 10 August 2022 at 14:17:10 #945322

After doing research about the low-season in November I have put together a rough itinerary:

Day 1- Explore the City of Lucerne & Travel to Bernese Oberland area to accommodation for the evening

Day 2- Morning: Murren-Grütschap trail or Lauterbrunnen-Stechelberg, Explore Wengen/Mannlichen & Afternoon: Lake cruise on Lake Thun

Day 3- Day trip to Mt Titlis using the Golden Pass Route

How does this plan look & Can you please help me refine?

Thank You!

[User]

Reply 7 of 9 • 10 August 2022 at 15:59:58 #945323

Hi EmilyA,

It looks great, a few small things: visiting Titlis is easier from Lucerne, see: http://www.myswissalps.com/titlis/gettingthere. You will traveling the Golden Pass route from Lucerne to Interlaken anyway when you’re going to Mürren.

Make sure to check the operating times, to avoid disappointments.

You can reach Mürren and Wengen all year round. The cable car to the top of the Titlis operates all year round, except for 7 to 18 November 2022. The Ice flyer is open from 9 October 2021 to (probably) 6 November 2022. It’s closed from 7 to 18 November 2022. More details: http://www.myswissalps.com/titlis/gettingthere.

You can travel by boat on Lake Thun, but expect a reduced schedule during off season: http://www.myswissalps.com/boatlakethun.

Regarding Mannlichen: Both routes from Wengen and from Grindelwald are accessible from 11 December 2021 to 18 April 2022, and from 26 May to 23 October 2022. http://www.myswissalps.com/mannlichen/gettingthere

Ildiko

[User]

Reply 8 of 9 • 10 August 2022 at 16:31:33 #945324

Thank you for your extremely detailed response. It is very helpful. Is Wengen worth venturing to in November when most things (including the cable car to Mannlichen) are closed? Also, will the hikes I previously mentioned (Murren-Grütschap & Lauterbrunnen-Stechelberg) be accessible late November?

[User]

Reply 9 of 9 • 10 August 2022 at 20:27:43 #945325

Yes, I think it is still worth visiting Wengen in late November.

Lauterbrunnen – Stechelberg will be OK for sure and also probably Mürren – Grütschalp. You can expect some snow in Mürren and Wengen, but it really depends on the winter weather. Make sure to check the weather forecast in advance.

A few tips on what to wear during winter in the Alps: http://www.myswissalps.com/plantrip/clothing/winter.

Ildiko