Day hikes in Switzerland
 

My adult children and I are planning some time in Switzerland in early August 2018 as part of a long European adventure. We are doing a lot of random things we have missed on previous trips which is making planning something that flows a bit tricky.

We want to come into Montreux from Paris and do the chocolate train. I want to visit Maienfeld to visit the Heidi book stuff. Otherwise we want to do day hikes and soak up the natural beauty. No big cities on this trip. Public transportation to get around.

So, my question. We have 5 days that does not include travel time to accomplish the chocolate train, Heidi sight and day hikes. We leave from Switzerland to go to Salzburg. How would you base yourselves to do the above? Can we get enough hiking and scenery with staying just in Montreux and then Maienfeld or should we do another stop in between?

You are saying between the first and last night in Switzerland you have five full days in Switzerland? This means

- 1 Day Chocolate Train etc.

- 1 Day transfer Montreux to Maienfeld

- 1 Day Maienfeld/Heidi Alp

Leaves two days for hikes, one in each Montreux and Maienfeld. Including another stop would mean losing more time.

My suggestion is to do a day hike in the Alps above Montreux or taking the train to the lower Valais and hike there for the day.

From Maienfeld you have several options for day hikes, maybe take a train/bus to some other place in the vicinity (above Bad Ragaz, Arosa, St. Antönien, Flims e.g.) To make detailed recommendations we would need to know more about how long, which elevation difference etc.

Yes, that is correct. I guess my question should be, which stop should I put those two days for the best scenic hiking and most pleasant to stay in- Montreux area or Maienfeld area?

We can do long day hikes and elevation isn't an issue- we live and hike in Colorado. Just am not wanting to do hut to hut hikes or carrying a pack for overnight.

Thanks for your response!

Can we get enough hiking and scenery with staying just in Montreux and then Maienfeld or should we do another stop in between?>

Not nearly the awesome scenery as in the Interlaken Jungfrau area- the high Alps at their real majesty -hikes galore for all degrees of experience and ability -many need no special shoes or gear.

Stay in a neat mountain village like Wengen - an epicenter for many hikes and excursions.

For lots on this region check www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com (Switzerland section of online European Planning & Rail Guide) and www.swisstravelsystem. www.sbb.ch for train schedules - if doing that and Montreux strongly look at some kind of Swiss Pass or Half-Fare Card, etc.

https://www.google.com/search?q=jung...w=1920&bih=950

Jungfrau Region walks and hikes.

If this region appeals to you do it before going to Landquart area - via Zurich and also Lucerne if time allows - another great place but not in high Alps but on a lovely lake.

I agree with Pal that neither Montreux nor Maienfeld offer the stunning, dramatic scenery of the Jungfrau region, southern Valais (Zermatt, Saas Fee e.g.) or Upper Engadine e.g. However, as I wrote above, adding a third location would mean that you lose two more days for moving - and leaves only one day for a full day hike.

IMO the scenery above Montreux or nearby is absolutely fine for a day hike. You never know about the weather as well - what if you're stuck in clouds/rain that one day in Wengen, for example, and lost the other two days for moving?

All good points. I am looking at adding another day from somewhere else to see if that makes it more workable. So it would look like this. Thoughts?

Wednesday- Arrive Montreux from Paris
Thursday- chocolate train
Friday- train to Wengen in the morning, afternoon to explore
Saturday - hike in Wengen area
Sunday- hike in Wengen area
Monday- am free, afternoon train to Zurich
Tuesday - hour train to Maienfeld, explore Heidi sights, spend night in Maienfeld
Wednesday - train through Sargans to Salzburg

There are tons of hiking trails around Montreux and Maienfeld. But in August, I would rather go in the alpine area.
What about:
Wednesday-Thursday:
Montreux - Chillon castle, Lavaux vineyards, Bouveret Park; chocolate train thing to Gruyeres castle and Broc factory
Thursday evening Montreux dp by train 19.37 - Brig ar 20.40. Sleep at Brig.
Friday:
panoramic Saastal hike from Gspoon to Saas Grund or hike around Saas Fee. Sleep at Brig
Saturday:
Hike along Aletsch Glacier from Riederfurka up to Marjelen Glacier lake. Sleep at Brig.
Sunday:
Brig dp by train 9.18 via Goms Valley - Furka Tunnel - Andermatt - Oberalp Pass - Ruinaulta Gorge to Maienfeld ar 14.12; change at Chur.
Do the Heidiland thing.
Monday:
Maienfeld dp 7.43 - Scuol-Tarasp ar 9.15. Visit the castle of Tarasp, the thermal baths of Scuol, go by gondola to the viewpoint Motta Naluns and walk down to Sent or Ftan. Sleep at Scuol.
Tuesday:
Go by local bus to S-charl and hike through the Swiss National Park up to Pass dal Fuorn and turn back by Post bus and train (or vice versa). Sleep at Scuol.
Wednesday:
Leave Scuol by bus at 9.30 through the Engadin and Oberinntal Valley to Landeck ar 10.57 and go on by train dp 11.27 to Salzburg ar 14.03

BTW: I suppose you know that Heidi never existed. It's a invention of the Swiss author Johanna Spyri

So it would look like this. Thoughts? >

Looks great - some kind of Swiss Pass may be a good deal for that much moving around. Covers in full to Wengen.

In Wengen be sure to take lift up to Mannlichen and do the famous Ridge Walk to Kl Scheidegg - and a nice easy downhill walk from there over a wide track even mountain bikes go on to Wengen.

Neckervd- excellent suggestions for me to look into, thanks a bunch for the details! I do know Heidi wasn't real. I write a blog about travel by the book, to author or book locations so can't pass up a chance to include a well loved children's story while we are there!

PalenQ- I will look into the Swiss pass. Thanks for your help.

Unless the Half-Fare Card proves to be much less go for the pass - you may end up using it more and no lining up to buy half-price ducats everytime.

Saving those ideas, thanks, neckervd.

livetoroam, there are also some Schellen Ursli themed trails in the Engadin.