[Removed user]

5 March 2019 at 20:51:37 #820247

My wife and I will be visiting the Jungfrau region May 7-10 for a few days as part of a larger trip. This will be our first time to Switzerland, and although we realize later in June/July would be better for hiking and transportation accessibility, we have a baby on the way that will prevent that.

So, after looking at some of the hiking trails and things to do, one of the main recommendations is taking the cable car or train from Grindelwald-Maennlichen or from Wengen-Maennlichen. From what I can tell, the G-M will be closed all season, but I cannot find the W-M operating season anywhere. Does anyone have info on the W-M cable car?

Additionally, if anyone has very strong recommendations for early May, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks in advance.

[rockoyster]

5 March 2019 at 21:12:41 #905709

Hello oheckyeah and Welcome to MySwissAlps

The answer lies here http://www.maennlichen.ch/en/ summer/information/tim etable.html.

[Removed user]

5 March 2019 at 21:37:06 #905710

Thanks @rockoyster ! It looks like I’m out of luck for my travel dates.

[rockoyster]

5 March 2019 at 21:40:01 #905711

Oh heck yeah! 😉

[Slowpoke]

6 March 2019 at 3:01:36 #905712

Stick with lower altitudes. Consider a base in or near Luzern.

Slowpoke

[Removed user]

6 March 2019 at 3:23:28 #905713

Thanks. I’m considering Luzern, Brienz, or Lauterbrunnen

Let’s say we stay in Lauterbrunnen. Do you think it would be feasible to ride the WAB from Grindelwald to Klein Scheidegg, and hiking down to Wengen, then taking the train back to Lauterbrunnen? Or perhaps the reverse — cable car to Wengen, hike to Klein Scheidegg, train WAB back down to Grindelwald …

Do you expect that this trail would even be passable during early May? My wife and I are relatively experienced hikers, and in good shape, but I don’t know the snow/condition.

[Crossofiron]

6 March 2019 at 6:01:03 #905714

I did the Wengen to Klein Scheidegg train ride and hiked back down to Wengen last May 7th. I was told in wengen that it was not open but other than a few areas of ankle deep snow the hike was amazing because of the amount of snow still in the peaks. I am planning on doing the same thing this year.

[Removed user]

6 March 2019 at 6:28:41 #905715

Thanks @Crossofiron, really good information to know. Any insight on how the snow has been this year? More or less than last year or previous years?

[Slowpoke]

6 March 2019 at 10:56:12 #905716

Hi ohheck yeah-

Weather at that time of year is unpredictable. It has even been known to snow in August, about a year ago.

I hope that the trail is good enough to walk. I’ll note that trail closures are not only for the footpath conditions, but for the possibility of snowslides or avalanches, which can occur during the snow melt season. That is one of the reasons why the part of the Männlichen-Kleine Scheidegg trail, where it passes Tschuggen, stays closed into mid June. The part between Männlichen and Tschuggen opens sooner.

Slowpoke

[Removed user]

6 March 2019 at 16:16:49 #905717

Hi, it sounds like you are planning a wonderful trip to the Alps!

Some good advice already from our expert members on where to go. The hike you are considering is probably on this link: http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/maennlichen-kleinescheidegg

For the other bases, here are some links that can help you in your decision:

• http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne
• http://www.myswissalps.com/br ienz
• http://www.myswissalps.com/la uterbrunnen
• and a link to the general region: http://www.myswissalps.com/ju ngfrauregion

If you are flexible, you may also want to check hiking suggestions here: http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king

You will be able to see the altitudes of each hike, and then choose a hike that will be better for that time of the year to appreciate the Swiss landscape.

Also, the Jungfrau region is located at higher altitudes in general, so if you were to consider other regions at lower altitudes, it might be easier to find good hikes that can be done at that time of the year.

Good luck in your planning!

Maria.

[Slowpoke]

6 March 2019 at 16:23:07 #905718

I think he is talking about Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen hike.

Slowpoke

[Removed user]

6 March 2019 at 16:38:11 #905719

Thanks Slowpoke, I’ll keep this in mind for sure. We have 3 days, and only plan to do one or two hikes, and do a day trip to Luzern or something on another day, so we can check the weather a few days before and plan accordingly.

[Removed user]

6 March 2019 at 16:39:20 #905720

Thanks Maria for the information, I’ll check it out. A lot of people I’ve talked to have strongly recommended the Bernese Oberland, so I’m inclined to go there, but where else would you recommend for 3 days at lower altitude?

[Removed user]

6 March 2019 at 17:02:06 #905721

Hi oheckyeah,

The Bernese Oberland is for sure a lovely place to hike. However there are other recommendable places, use Marias “hiking” link to find some more hikes that appeal to you.

Some region to look into, all depending on what exactly you’d like to do, could be:

– The Ticino, southern and mainly Italian speaking part of Switzerland
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ti cino/activities

– The area of Lucerne, as you’re heading there anyway, also offers quite some hiking possibilities:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne/activities

To get a general overview of the regions in Switzerland and hopefully more inspiration, not confusion, go here:
–http://www.myswissalps.com/re gions

Enjoy finding the perfect place for your Swiss experience.

Best,
Steph

[Removed user]

6 March 2019 at 17:12:44 #905722

Thanks Steph, this is good information. We are planning to spend some time in and around Zurich before BO, and around Lake Como and Maggiore after BO, so even if our time around Jungfrau is cold or wet, we’ll have some other parts of the trip in lower-altitude areas.

[Slowpoke]

6 March 2019 at 18:38:44 #905723

<<“My wife and I are relatively experienced hikers, and in good shape, but I don’t know the snow/condition.”>>

So, you’ll know that you should have good boots and hiking staffs, especially at that time of year.

Also, due the the potential for problems if you choose to hike on a trail that has not yet been opened, you should let your hotel know where you will be.

Cell phone coverage in Switzerland is excellent, but, I believe in belt and suspenders.

Slowpoke

[Removed user]

6 March 2019 at 18:45:05 #905724

Great tips, we have boots and hiking poles ready to go!

We’ll definitely let the hotel know where we’re going, that’s a good idea. These plans may change anyways, I’ll check out some of the webcams to see the snow conditions at higher elevations near the end of April and adjust accordingly.

Any other early May hikes that you would strongly recommend? One day, we’re planning on riding the cable car up to Grutschalp, and walking to Murren then Gimmelwald. From what I can tell, that’s a relatively easy walk. I’d like something more of a “hike”, like the Klein Scheidegg-Wengen, but if that’s too snowy, any other good alternatives with a similar level of exertion at lower altitudes?

[Slowpoke]

6 March 2019 at 18:53:34 #905725

http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/the-swiss-path-and-southern-lake-lucerne

Less strenuous, accessible from lauterbrunnen, via Spiez, typically opens for Easter weekend –

http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/bls-sudrampe-trail

Slowpoke

[Removed user]

6 March 2019 at 22:33:29 #905726

Awesome, thanks, this looks great.

[andrew]

10 March 2019 at 10:21:04 #905727

Do not assume it is safe to take a mountain hike simply because the snow on the ground is only ankle deep. If you are told the path is closed it may well be because of avalanche risk.

Andrew

[Removed user]

10 March 2019 at 10:49:31 #905728

This is definitely true Andrew and I’m sure oheckyeah is aware of this, being an experienced hiker.

On this page you will find more helpful input about preparation for hiking in the mountains and how to stay up to date with short-term weather forecast:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/preparation
– http://www.myswissalps.com/we ather/forecast

Happy hiking.

Best,
Steph