What's closed in February?

Time is getting near before I set off to Switzerland. I have been working out my itinerary for the duration of my stay in Switzerland but I am getting nervous that some places may be closed.

I am staying in Zurich, Lucerne, Berne, Interlaken, Zermatt, Chur and then onto Milan. The following places to visit are as follows: Rheinfalls, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Trummelbach Falls, Mt Rigi, Mt Pilatus, Eggishorn, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Gornegratbahn, Boat trip on Lake Zurich.

If any one of these are closed, is there any alternatives?

I noticed there are various trips (long and short) on Lake Zurich. Any recommendations and which company to sail with?

Thank you

Hello,

You can easy find on the internet of something is closed or open.

The Trummelbach Falls are closed.

Information Zurichsee boat trips: www.zsg.ch/en/

Hi sirles,

The timetable allows you to find schedules of anything related to transportation, and our attraction pages provide links to further information. From the top of my head nearly everything should be open, except indeed the Trümmelbach Falls and perhaps Eggishorn. Boats will operate on a limited schedule. There is only one company operating boats on Lake Zurich, but there are longer and shorter boat rides.

Thank you for your replies. I understand that ZSG have added a surcharge for boat trips on Lake Zurich. Does this apply to Swiss Rail pass holders as well? Thanks

Hi sirles,

Unfortunately the surcharge applies to everyone. Please see the Lake Zurich page: myswissalps.com/ boatlakezurich/ tickets.

Once again thank you all for your replies. Because Trummelbach Falls are closed in February, I have been looking for other alternatives for something to do for the day. I have come across Brienz and going up the Rothorn mountains but it seems I have hit another stumbling block because the steam railway does not open between November and May. Is there another way getting up to the Rothorn mountains? The scenery looks spectacular.

Thanks

Hi sirles,

The cableway from Sörenberg, on the other side of the mountains, operates in winter too. The Brienzer Rothorn page provides details, a map, and links to schedules. It takes a lot of time to get there from Interlaken. A visit to the Niederhorn is much quicker, with similar views: www.niederhorn.ch.

Thank you Arno.

To get to Sorenberg, which is the best way? I am staying in both Interlaken and Lucerne.

Having a quick look at Neiderhorn, it looks very interesting. Wanting to spend the day there and do the boat trip on Lake Brienz, hiking, cable car ride and go to Lake Thun, am I being too optimistic.

Thank you

You're welcome sirles! You'll spend less time traveling to Sörenberg from Lucerne. Just fill out the timetable I referred to before, that will get you all the details.

There are no boats operating on Lake Brienz in winter. There are on Lake Thun, but it's a limited schedule.

Thanks again Arno your knowledge and advice is second to none.

Can you please recommend any winter hiking with superb views in Zermatt, Rothorn and Niederhorn.

Thanks

Les

Hi Les,

I think there's only one winter hiking trail at the Niederhorn, which goes down to the mid station and all the way down to Beatenberg if you want. I don't know any on the Rothorn as it's sitting on a steep ridge. There are lots of options in Zermatt, including snow shoe trails, but that's very different. An easy hiking trail one is from Furi down to the village, but you'd better check the map yourself: www.zermatt.ch/en/wint er-hiking-snowshoeing/Erlebnisbe richt-Video-hiking/Winter-hiking-Snowshoe-trails-map.

In all cases you will need to check if they're open as it's all weather dependent.

Hi Arno

Had a look at Niederhorn website for winter hiking, and I am somewhat confused.

I was looking at the trail for Niederhorn to Vorsass which takes 1.15 hours and I presume that is a single journey. However, on the site, it mentions hiking ticket for 3 sections with various prices. None of those sections mentions Niederhorn to Vorsass. Does this mean I pay for the trail from Nierderhorn to Vorsass even though I am not going to Beatenberg or Beatenbucht (which was mentioned as one of the sections)? Also do you get a discount using Swiss Rail Pass?

Thank you

Les

Hi Les,

I don't know the hiking tickets in detail, but in any case you'll pay just for transportation, not for walking on the trail. Just explain your plans at the ticket office and they'll sell you the right ticket (e.g. one way Beatenberg - Niederhorn and one way Vorsass - Beatenberg). You will get a discount with the Swiss Travel Pass: myswissalps.com/ swisstravelpass/validi ty.

Thanks Arno.