A_Guy_80

Hi All,

As some of you would have seen in my previous post, am planning a visit to Italy and Switzerland at end of July this year, with 3-4 days in Switzerland.

I have been to Wengen/Murren/Lauterbrunnen/Grindelwald in 2010 and absolutely loved it. This time we want to go to some new place but hoping for similar scenery. Now my first instinct has been to pick Zermatt as my destination in Switzerland but as am researching it further and looking at various photos am realizing while it has spectacular mountain scenery but it doesn’t seem as lush green as I would have expected. We are hoping to combine some rolling hills & lush green meadows scenery with lakes and peaks and I am a little confused now whether I have picked the right destination or not. For the sake of completeness, we will be with our parents in 60s-70s and so will limit to easy and simple hikes and not steep slopes.

Could the experts here guide me that given we have already been to Lauetrbrunnen-Wengen region, which other area could be best fit for easy hikes, green hills and some mountain scenery excursion. Am wondering if Zermatt should be fine and I have just chanced on the wrong pics or whether Kandersteg/Gstaad/Engelberg etc. may be a more appropriate choice.

Will really appreciate any guidance.

FoFoBT

Gstaad fits the bill perfectly. It's a lower altitude and very green. Lots of easy hiking opps. I think it would be perfect for you and your parents.

Right now things are also REALLY green around Zug (city and lake). You could explore the small lakeside villages. The lake is warm enough to swim in during the height of summer. And if you take the 73 Postbus from Rotkreuz to Luzern, you'll see it passes lots of easy hiking areas that are also VERY green.

traveller1959

As mentioned, Gstaad will be the perfect place for.

If you can do without rolling hills, you will like Zermatt. It IS green, however no rolling hills, just steep mountains, in fact, the steepest mountain at all. Spectacular scenery and excellent hiking trails.

Another option between rolling hills and Alpine scenery is Luzern itsself. Luzern has two mountains, the Rigi which is more like a hill, and the Pilatus, a steep Alpine mountains. And with the boat (or car) you reach a lot of destinations easily. For rolling hills, Einsiedeln is also a good destination (with its famous monastery and an old town).

Ingo

Zermatt itself is green, but you'll soon get above those lush, green pastures if you take the gondolas or mountain railways up.

Another vote for Gstaad, although it lacks the lakes. I think Lake Lucerne would also fit the bill perfectly, especially the villages at the foot of the Rigi mountain, northern shore of the lake (Weggis, Vitznau, Gersau). The upper lake (also called Lake Uri) offers spectacular mountain scenery.

swandav2000

Hi A_Guy,

Right, I'm chiming in, too, for Gstaad. It lies where the Prealps begin to build up to the big Alps of the Jungfrau region, and the low mountains are characterized by rolling, green, lush hills. There are a lot of very charming villages and towns nearby, including Rougemont, Saanen, Chateau d'Oex, Rossiniere, and Zweisimmen.

Another option might be Gruyeres, but it is heavily touristed. It is a preserved tiny village with one main street, and it also has a castle and the famous cheese demonstration. It isn't far from Gstaad, so you can either see Gruyeres one day, or stay in Gruyeres and see Gstaad one day. Wonderful countryside nearby.

There is a lake nearby, but I haven't been there yet -- Lac de Gruyeres. The towns on the lake are Botterns, Corbieres, Pont-la-Ville, and Villarvolard. You may want to see if there are any images at google.

Have fun as you plan!

s

A_Guy_80

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. You have almost brought down my choice to Gstaad and Luzern.

I remember last time when I started making my Switzerland plans and included interlaken as my base, everyone advised to stay away from the city (and thankfully so). Am just wondering if Lucerne is also more city experience rather than nature experience or not ?

pb_zweisimmen

You can cut it down easy:
Lucerne = Beautiful city feeling (old city) with mountains and big lakes surrounding it.
Gstaad = Mountain feeling with rolling mountains, a lot of green and nearby smaller mountain lakes. Don't miss Lauenensee or Seebergsee above Zweisimmen. Also Arnensee and Lac Retaud are very beautiful. And there are always easy walking possibilities nearby.

A_Guy_80

Thanks All. Have eventually settled in for Lucerne for a combination of reasons including logistics. We hope it's a good choice and am waiting to fall in live with Switzerland all over again just like the last time when we spent time in BO