[Mrs]

5 July 2019 at 19:53:26 #822680

Hi. 3 siblings are taking parents(70’s) to Switzerland for the first time in March (28-April 4).
We will fly into Zurich and train to Lucerne where we will stay 3 nights.
Questions here:
Is there a direct train from Zurich airport to Lucerne?
Mt Pilatus- is end of March ok for Mt Pilatus? We dont mind the weather but worry that we won’t get a good view in March. Does this trip take all day? We will probably grab lunch at the top and head down.

We will then change our lodging to Lauterbaurenn area….
We want to go up Mt. Jungfraujoch but again, not sure how the view will be…I know it’s all weather dependent.
We would love to do easy hikes but I’m reading that the grounds will be muddy and wet.
Do you recommend that we stay in this area around March?I know the grounds won’t be green until May or so…
What are some other activities you recommend we do in this area?

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Grace

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[Removed user]

5 July 2019 at 23:53:45 #917038

There is one direct train per hour (at xx.15) Zurich Flughafen – Luzern

March should still be snowy at higher altitudes such as Jungfrau area so it isn’t a good time of year for hiking. However you should be able to hike in the valleys – for example between Lauterbrunnen and Wilderswil

[Slowpoke]

6 July 2019 at 7:50:55 #917039

Hi Grace-

In all cases, visits to mountaintops are best if the weather is clear up top. It does come in layers, especially in Winter, as the attached image shows, so check webcams and local information sources before heading up. It may be cloudy or hazy in the valleys and clear at higher elevations. However, March can be cloudy, in general, so mountain top viewing may be poor. The best way to make that work is to try to schedule several days in an area. The weather in the Alps can and does change frequently, with poor ability to forecast in detail, even 24-48 hours ahead. On a cloudy and foggy day in mid-June, in Wengen, we had a sudden window of sunny skies for about 4 hours, that was not forecast. Then, the clouds rolled back in.

Also, the cograil access to Pilatus does not run in the Winter, and usually does not restart until about May, if I recall correctly:

http://www.myswissalps.com/pi latus

specifically:

http://www.myswissalps.com/pi latus/gettingthere.

So, you’d have to take the cableway from Kriens.

In general terms, as 1960man pointed out, the trail conditions are highly dependent on altitude, during most seasons, perhaps with the exception of July through September. So, if you are looking for nice walks or hikes, perhaps you could look at lake shores. Many major Swiss lakes are at around 400 meters altitude, which will often be snow free in late March. And, early April is even better. Some lakes have very steep shores, and the trails may be higher, and some lakes are also a bit higher. (The Thunersee and Brienzersee are at about 560 meters elevation) .

However, in contrast, trails at Männlichen ( at about 2230 meters) , above Wengen, are impassable well into June in most years.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley…. for example, from Stechelberg to Lauterrbrunnen is an easy walk, likely to be snow free, as Snowman noted for the more northern stretch to Wilderswil (at about 600 meters). The altitude is about 860 meters where the cableway from Mürren has its valley station in Stechelberg, and about 800 meters at Lauterbrunnen.

If you like maps, this one has altitudes, as well as a whole lot of (perhaps too much of) other information:

map.geo.admin.ch/?topic=swisstopo&lang=e n&bgLayer=ch.swisstopo .pixelkarte-farbe&catalogNodes=139 2,1538,1396,1430,1436& layers=ch.swisstopo.sw isstlm3d-wanderwege&E=2635904.0 0&N=1159957.00&zoom=7

This explains the types of trails, and the color coding:

http://www.schweizmobil.ch/en /wanderland/more-wl/hiking-trail-network-and-signalization.html

Yellow ones have the best trail conditions, although all trails may have hills.

Some lake shores get a lot of sun, and would have a better chance for nice walks. In particular, near Weggis and Vitznau on Lake Lucerne ( as well as other west facing shores of that lake) and the shore line near Montreux. Also la Cote Lavaux…vineyards.

http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/lutry-epesses.

March does not generally have very good weather for outdoor activities (unless you ski) but there can be clear, warm days. They are hard to schedule, however. A benefit is low tourist density in March.

I have attached my favorite picture from the Emmental, taken on April 17th, in 2014, at about 760 meters above Sumiswald (700 meters), looking toward Trachselwald. In 2014, in mid April, there was a period of about 10-14 days of unusually warm, sunny and clear days throughout most of Switzerland. Spring came a bit early.

The image tells something about the seasons. The deciduous trees are blossoming, but no leaves are out yet. The grass is getting green in the very lowest elevations (at about 660 meters) , but not really in Sumiswald and farmers are plowing and planting. But, the Alps are fully snow-covered.

Are you locked in to March?

Slowpoke

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[Mrs]

7 July 2019 at 1:27:55 #917040

Dear Slowpoke,

Thank you so much for all the helpful information! I will take time and checkout all the advice.

Yes, we are locked into to March 28-April 4th dates.

So I have more questions if that’s ok.

We want to stay 3 night in Lucerne and 3 nights in Lauterrbrunnen…even tough there aren’t many hiking trails open do you think it’s still worth lodging in and near Lauterrbrunnen? We want to experience something different than staying in a city(Lucerne). Do you have a personal preference between Grindelwald, Wengen,and Mureen for your lodging?

As you had advised we will hike in the Lauterrbrunnen Valley.

Do you now if Staubbach Falls, Trummelbach falls will be frozen in late March-early April?

Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Grace

[Mrs]

7 July 2019 at 1:48:18 #917041

Another quick question:

If we end out journey in Lauterrbrunnen Valley area and want to head into Zurich for one night before we head home, how would I get to Zurich by train? I was looking at the timetable and wasn’t sure which train station I would leave out of from Lauterrbrunnen Valley.

Thank you.

[Removed user]

7 July 2019 at 3:57:49 #917042

Hello Grace,

To see the best connections between Lauterbrunnen and Zurich, use below timetable, a fabulous tool for any planning, and search for Lauterbrunnen – Zurich.
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

Best,
Steph

Also see:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/la uterbrunnen
– http://www.myswissalps.com/zu rich
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ai rports/zurich

[Slowpoke]

7 July 2019 at 16:07:10 #917043

<<“We want to experience something different than staying in a

city(Lucerne). Do you have a personal preference between Grindelwald,

Wengen,and Mureen for your lodging?”>>

It’s Mürren. The work around if you can’t type umlauts is Muerren.

I like Wengen. So does Kim:

http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/tips-about-wengen-and-the-jungfrau-region-by-kim

You will be at the very end of the ski season. Lots of places close in mid April.

<<“I was looking at the timetable and wasn’t sure which train station I would leave out of from Lauterrbrunnen Valley.”>>

Steph missed that you were looking at the timetable. It is useful to have exact station names.

This map gives you exact station names. Mouse over the icons:

map.search.ch/?pos=636224,160832&z=12 8&poi=bergbahn,haltest elle,zug

Then, you can use them in the timetable. Works in the cities, even, for bus stops.

(Turn on icons on and off under Points of Interest/traffic, at the menu item with a star in a circle.)

<<“Do you now if Staubbach Falls, Trummelbach falls will be frozen in late March-early April?”>>

By that time, snow melt will be feeding the falls. I doubt that Staubach ever freezes….but I’ve never been there in February. Trummelbach is underground, so it will not freeze.

http://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/lauterbrunnen/staub bach-falls/

Can’t go inside the mountain till May, however.

<<“As you had advised we will hike in the Lauterrbrunnen Valley”>>

Grütschalp to Mürren. will likely be OK, too.

Slowpoke