Hello everybody,
What a great forum!

We will be coming from Paris in mid May Friday afternoon. Planning to stay in Vevey, walk around the lake, see Lausanne and Montreux on Sat. Take a train from Vevey to Interlaken (part of Golden pass) on Sun morning, via Zweisimmen (3-3.5hr each way), maybe walk for an hour or two in Interlaken and go back to Vevey.

Next day we are planning to do some of Glacier pass, taking a train from Vevey to Visp along the Rhone and from Visp to Zermatt. Planning to walk in Zermatt for a couple of hours and get back to Vevey. Next morning going back to Paris.

It's total of 5 nights, but commute from/to Paris will take most of the day.
There will be a lot of train time, but it's supposed to be very beautiful. Is the ride from Paris to Geneva /Vevey picturesque?

Are there any simple trails in Interlaken, NOT up the hill? I have a bad knee.
If we had to choose between those two train trips, which one is better?

I even started thinking to maybe go to French Alps instead to make it easier. Is it comparable scenery atall? What would be the best place to go there for a couple of days?

Thank you very much for your input!

ttt

Perfect timing! Do not miss the Vevey Saturday early morning open air farmers market in the town square just off the lake. It is a fabulously wonderful colorful delicious local experience. One you won't forget.

I think Lausanne and Montreux both are a bit too much for the same day. I'd stick with the Vevey market then Chateau de Chillon, etc. in Montreux. I'd skip Lausanne since your time is short and it is the largest of these three towns/cities.

Suze,

Do you think those two train trips are worth it? There will be practically 4 train days, including to/from Paris.

I'm no expert and understand I LOVE the Lac Leman region, so my opinion is not the most objective.

If it were me, I'd simply train down from Paris (4-5 hours), and spend the 2-3 days between Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux maybe Gruyeres.

I have friends who live there and visit for two weeks every other summer and have yet to go any of those other places you mention (but like I say that doesn't make it right, that's just my style and preference).

I agree with Suze for western Switzerland. There is really nothing much to see in Interlaken and Zermatt themselves except looking UP into the mountains. I personally don't think that looking up at the Jungfrau/Monch/Eiger group without going up into the mountains is worth such a long trip. If you must see the Matterhorn then the Zermatt trip makes sense. Otherwise, there is plenty to do in and near Lake Geneva, or possibly take a reasonable side trip to Bern and Murten. Or, in the French Alps, base yourself in Chamonix and go up the Aiguille du Midi lifts--on a clear day, maybe the best views anywhere.

You know, I'll bet there are a couple of lovely walks before Interlaken. Continue to top here and perhaps swandav will see your message and describe a couple of her favorite strolls. Or maybe you could take a look at the websites for Saanen and Rougemont. You would use the local train that follows the same route as the Golden. J.

interested in hearing more responses, bookmarking for future reference

Thank you, everybody. Our idea is not just to get to Interlaken and Zermatt, but, hopefully, to see gorgeous views from the train on the way there.

I'm not sure how to suggest a refined itinerary in such a short period of time, but I wouldn't want to spend so much time on the train every day, even if the views are nice.