Is the Via Alpina passable in spring?

Can anyone offer an opinion on when the trail might be passable starting from Sargans? I keep reading about snow not melting from some passes even into July but I don't know how this applies to the passes on this route.

If you are referring to the classic Via Alpina route (over the highest passes including Sefinenfurge, Hohturli, Bundechrinde, etc) I would not attempt this until July, preferably mid July or later. Even the lower elevation (comparatively speaking) walks in the areas near the classic routing such as Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg, First to Bachalpsee, and Schynige Platte to First often don't open until June 15. Sometimes later if the winter season has come with deep snow and/or there are late storms.

We did the entire route (Sargans to Montreux) in August 2013 and did not encounter snow but heard that some of the passes still had some snow on them in July.

I kinda figured there would be im-passes. I got a glimmer of hope looking at the Lobhornhutte and Faulhornhutte sites. If read them right they are open for business in May. Prose about wildflowers. Something that comes up in my imagination but never in fact as I've only hiked in the fall before. Must be some pretty meadows. Any suggestions for spring hikes? Actually more likely to be there late May and June. Up the VA from Montreaux?

Hi jackdebear,

In late May and June quite some trails should be accessible. At least the ones up to 2000, perhaps 2500 m. Near Montreux, trails around Rochers-de-Naye, Les Plèiades, Mont Pèlerin will all be open.

That all sounds very encouraging. I'll have to focus my eyes on the isolines in preparation but I can see there are going to be possibilities. Question: I've seen the fall event of the cattle coming down from the high medows several times. Is there a similar event going up in the spring?