Evanb1990

I'm planning on traveling to Switzerland in early June of 2017. I'll be staying in the Wengen area, but would like to see Lauterbrunnen, Murren, and Grindelwald as well. I'll be there from June 6th-14th. I thought this would be the perfect time to go, as far as weather and tourism is concerned. However, after doing more research I've discovered that many people actually consider this quite early to be considered vacation season. I would actually prefer this, as I think it would be more peaceful with less people around. My ideal time to go would be a time where there is plenty of green to see, but still with some visible snow on the peaks. Also, I want to go when the waterfalls are running strong in the valley. That seems to be the most beautiful time of year when I look at pictures of the area. I was just wondering if those dates would be a good time to go to experience this? Will there still be a lot to do? I don't mind if some things are still closed, but I would still like to do a lot of hiking/sightseeing. If anyone could give me any advice on what that area is like that time of year, that would be great!

FuryFluffy

Early June IS a good time to visit that area, don't worry. I was there early May and there's already plenty of green and the waterfalls started to run (I can only imagine they will run stronger in June). Many things are open in May. The peaks were still capped with snow and the overall scenery was splendid beyond words.

FuryFluffy

To provide evidences for what I said, here are the picture I took in May this year, you can see the green pastures and even lots of cows and sheeps out:

https://moveablefeastofamess.wordpre...r-my-imladris/

kja

I visited the area in mid June (part of the 2nd week and into the 3rd) in 2013, when the wildflowers were in full bloom, the waterfalls thunderingly full, and (of course) the tops of the mountains remained in snow (as the peaks of the Bernese Oberland do all year). BUT some trails were closed due to avalanches. My original plan was to go a bit earlier, and I' m very glad that I heeded advice from knowledgeable Fodorites to push my travels a little later in the year.

You might find some useful information in my trip report or planning threads: Just click on my screen name and then scroll down to find the trip report; there are links to the planning threads in that trip report.

It's a beautiful area - enjoy!

neckervd

All mountain railways and lifts will run in early June and most hiking trails will be open.
Only few of them and by far not the most scenic one's may be closed because of danger of avalanches (most probably Eiger Trail and trails to Schreckhorn hut, to Gleckstein hut, to Guggi hut and to Schmadri hut).
The only problem may be the weather which is always unpredictable in this area, in May and June as well as later in the year.....
Tons of mountain flowers will be blooming for sure.

twk

We were in Wengen for a week this year from June 11 to June 18. It was an unusally late Spring, from what I gather. The one thing that we didn't get to do that I would have liked to was the Mannlichen-Kleine Scheidegg hike--it opened the day we left. Other than the possibility that some trails might not be open, early June will be OK.

Melnq8

Go!

We go out of our way to visit in the early or off season - I think early June would be ideal.

rncheryl

If you don't have a hotel in Wengen, let me recommend

http://www.hotel-schoenegg.ch/

Evanb1990

Thank you so much everyone for the replies! Keep them coming! So overall, it sounds like I've picked a decent time to visit. As far as accommodations, I'm looking at staying at the Hotel Bellevue. The cost per night is fairly cheap during the week that I'll be there (I'm assuming that's because I'd be staying during the off season), and it appears that the view from the rooms looks right down the middle of Lauterbrunnen valley. Has anyone here had any experience with this hotel? Also, what are food prices in this region like? I know that they'll be quite pricey, no doubt. I'm just curious as to what they're actually like though.

Melnq8

We've stayed in the Hotel Bellevue (Wengen) a couple of times. We loved it. If possible, try to get their corner room - fabulous views of the Jungfrau from the bed!

Food prices in Switzerland are uniformly high. The double board option at the Bellevue is a good deal and the food was wonderful the one time we opted for half board.

In Wengen we like DA SINA - fabulous garlic soup!

To give you an idea about prices, here's a couple of pages from their menu:

http://www.dasina.ch/frontend/docume...c/pizza_en.pdf

http://www.dasina.ch/frontend/docume...akhouse_en.pdf

I have a couple of trip reports from Switzerland posted here (unfortunately one remains incomplete). They both contain info regarding specific prices - might give you an idea what to expect.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-oberland.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...witzerland.cfm