[Removed user]

19 February 2017 at 18:42:58 #810855

Hello all,

My wife and I are planning to be in Switzerland in the middle of March (in a couple of weeks). We wanted to hike in the Alps but we wanted to know about conditions for hiking, good hiking routes this time of year, and whether we would need any special equipment like traction devices or snow shoes. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

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[Slowpoke]

19 February 2017 at 21:37:29 #859190

Hi Amammen1212

Thanks for joining My Swiss Alps.

Welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately, mid-March is still winter in the Swiss mountains, and, in fact, is barely into Spring at the lower elevations.. In the high Alps, such a s near the Jungfrau, trails are not snow-free until mid-June, and Alpine hiking is at its best after July 1.

http://www.myswissalps.com/ab outswitzerland/nature

During snow (read-“skiing”) season, selected high altitude trails are groomed for hiking. Sometime in Spring, hopefully after you are there, those trails are no longer maintained because snow conditions ( and trail safety) deteriorate. I don’t know exactly when that happens. Arno or Annika or Lucas probably have more details. Then, they reopen in early to mid-June, and stay open until sometime in October, more or less.

Here are some useful sources for informatip about hiking:

http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king

and,

Specifically –

map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=en&bgLayer=pk&res olution=500&X=631750&Y =189000

and

map.wanderland.ch/?lang=en&route=all&bgLa yer=pk&resolution=20&X =631300&Y=167200&layer s=Wanderland

Slowpoke

[Removed user]

20 February 2017 at 8:42:12 #859191

HI Amammen1212,

Yes, be prepared for hiking in the snow and some/many limits on the hikes that are available. Snowshoeing is often available at most ski resorts / tourist attractions as well if you would like to do that.

If you stay under 1500m you may have some luck avoiding snow (especially on sun facing slopes) but that can vary a lot.

What region/area in Switzerland are you planning to visit? Are you wanting to hike in snow or hoping to avoid it?

Also, have a read through this link and this link for a bit more reading on other members asking about winter hiking.

Lucas

[Removed user]

20 February 2017 at 14:37:30 #859192

very helpful, thank you!

[Removed user]

20 February 2017 at 15:12:38 #859193

Thanks for the reply! We are going to be in the Interlaken region. We have no qualms about the snow; we just want to be prepared for hiking. Do you have any recommendations for winter hiking trails in that region?

[Removed user]

20 February 2017 at 17:10:24 #859194

Hi Amammen1212,

Yes, here is a list of attractions and local hikes in the Interlaken area. Just remember that the higher up the more snow and more likely that the trail may be closed due to weather. Be sure to check in with your local hotel or tourist office to check on current conditions and what trails are open or closed.

Also, have a read through our hiking information page as well.

I haven’t been hiking in that area at any time, let alone in the winter, but another member may have personal experience.

Lucas

[Slowpoke]

21 February 2017 at 1:39:06 #859195

<<“We have no qualms about the snow; we just want to be prepared for hiking. “>>

Please be sure to note whether trails are open. If not, it may not simply be because they are impassble. It may also be due to danger of avalanche or snow slide.

Slowpoke.