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Hi Tipptopp and welcome to MySwissAlps!
Yes, unfortunately, April isn’t the best time to visit the Jungfrau region.
There are hikes in the area that you can look at, but the problem is whether they will be open in April. Higher altitudes may, with any luck be ok for winter hiking still in early April but they may well be closed between the winter season and summer hiking season (June approximately).
I think you will get a similar experience staying at Mürren or Wengen overall. Certainly it is easier to get to Schilthorn from Murren.
You can see some details on cable car closures on this thread.
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Thank you for the advise. I will have a look. I saw on the this website that the hiking trail from Mannlichen to KS will be open.
m.maennlichen.ch/en/
If the cable car is not operating how do we get there? If not at all possible I’m sure we will find some other alternative activities that are just as good and scenic.
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Hi Tiptop
you will have to hike from KS to Männlichen then return by same route but it is fairly level. The local tourist office will likely know if the trail is passable as well as which other trails are maintained in winter and still passable. It is possible some trails from First may be maintained as First to Bachalpsee or First to Grosse Scheidegg. You might also check the walk from Lauderbrunnen to Stechelberg and return by bus. Several trails are open in winter and summer and maintained by locals but in the transition between seasons may be impassable. I believe the local tourist offices will have that up to date information. Mark
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Mark thank you for these suggestions. I will go check them out now. We would prefer easy hikes but wouldn’t mind taking a bus or train to places. The ultimate goal is to get to a breathtaking view, sit for a few hours and have a picnic 🙂
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By the way it’s not a hotel we’re staying at but a chalet in a quiet area above Wengen to get an authentic experience of staying in the alps even for only 3 nights 🙂
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All 4 hikes mentioned are easy. Two of them require you to return the same route you came so double the distance,namely KS to Männlichen and the First to Bachalpsee hikes. The other 2 you can hike one way and take a bus back, namely First to Grosse Scheidegg or Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg. However there is some chance they would be impassable due to fresh snow,slush, or mud in April. Mark
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Ok thanks for the heads up. Have got these 4 on my list as well as Grutschalp-Winteregg-Murren on the way to Schilthorn and will see when we get there which ones we can do. In your opinion which is the most scenic so I can list them in order of priority.
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Männlichen to KS and First to Bachalpsee are probably the most scenic but the other 2 are spectacular as well. On an overcast day Lauderbrunnen to Stechelberg is a good choice. Mark
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Thanks again for all your help Mark.
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Grutschalp – Murren and Murren itself give the best views of the three ‘big peaks’. Kleine Scheidegg – Grindelwald takes you right below the north face of the Eiger.
April is not great for Swiss walking as you can be between the two seasons. The yellow summer Wangerweg’ may be officially closed, but so might the official (pink) Winterwanderweg.
In other words it can be too early for one and too late for the other.
We fell foul of this one Easter and ended up in boggy snow melt fields unsure if we were following the yellow or pink path
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Hi Tipptopp,
>> I’ve booked a hotel in Ledi just above Wengen (15min) with amazing views over the valley … By the way it’s not a hotel we’re staying at but a chalet in a quiet area above Wengen
As far as I can tell, that’s below Wengen, not above it i.e. downhill from Wengen railway station. It would be overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley. However, my memory of that part of Wengen is a bit hazy. Will your host pick you and your luggage up from Wengen station?
>> I saw on the this website that the hiking trail from Mannlichen to KS will be open.
That just says it’s open now. I would not expect it to be groomed for walking once the cableways to Männlichen close after 2 April. However, as Marki mentions, you can check the status of hiking trails with the tourist office when you are there.
Alpenrose
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Thank you both. I think we will have to play it by ear when we get there what we can do. If nothing else we could just stay and explore the valley. I also found online the First Cliff Walk and I’m really interested to see this. Would you know if this is open first week of April?
Alpenrose – from the Airbnb listing the host said the chalet is located 15min walk above Wengen by a stream called Ledibach. It’s also mentioned it’s a 15min walk uphill but rewarded by amazing views (according to reviews too)
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They gave us a number for a taxi if we have trolley luggages 🙂
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I saw on the website First Cliff Walk by Tissot open from 3 April – happy days 🙂
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>> I saw on the website First Cliff Walk by Tissot open from 3 April – happy days
It’s fun, and quite a thrill, but only takes about 10 minutes.
Alpenrose
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>> Alpenrose – from the Airbnb listing the host said the chalet is located 15min walk above Wengen by a stream called Ledibach.
Ah, I see. There is an area called Ledi below Wengen station, and another called An der Ledi above Wengen station. Your chalet is probably at An der Ledi. The views would indeed be wonderful from up there!
Alpenrose
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I’m so excited. To get there do we hike feom First to Bachalpsee?
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>> To get there do we hike feom First to Bachalpsee?
Do you mean the First Cliff Walk? There’s no hiking involved – it’s adjacent to the restaurant at the top gondola station. You walk straight onto it from the restaurant terrace.
I have attached some photos. The green one was taken in September 2016; the brown ones in December 2016.
Alpenrose
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Beautiful photos. Can’t wait to see this view. Could we hike from First to Bachalpsee then come here on the same day?
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yes it is common to do the First cliff walk and then hike to Bachalpsee and back to First. First to Grosse Scheidegg also an option. see photos attached. Hopefully the trails will be open, both are paved and normally quite popular. mark