Thanks to everyone for updates. I have been concerned about making the trip from the Zurich Airport to Murren.

My father and I are visiting Murren Sept. 9-17 and staying in a nice private chalet.

We would be glad to share walks and hikes especially with anyone who knows their way around. This is our first visit.

I have gotten much good advice here on hikes and excursions in the area.

Rick

Hi Rick .. we miss you by 2 days at Murren! It's onwards and upwards for our trip from NZL, I'm sure everything is going to be fine from now on .. including the weather!

SoCal: Just heard from friends who live in the Bernese Oberland. There won't be railservice between Spiez and Zweisimmen for at least 2 months. At this point I can't tell you what the alternative route is but I'm sure they're rerouting travel from Montreux to Interlaken. Hang in there! Things are changing every day.

eurogals: Lucerne to Interlaken Ost via Bruenig: train service is interrupted at Giswil. However, there is bus service on the hour from Giswil to Meiringen and Meiringen to Interlaken Ost. I'm certain there is service from Zurich via Berne to Interlaken Ost. Interlaken Ost may still be flooded, but the waters are receding.

Just heard from my hotel in Wengen where I am planning to go on September 15-17. They indicate that all roads are open between Zurich and Lauterbrunnen for those of you who are driving.

Help - we are arriving in Geneva on Friday, Sept 2. We had been planning to rent a car and drive up to the Interlaken area for two days and then return through Montreux.

Should we still be able to make this trip? Should we consider changing our plans? Would it be better to travel by train?

Our timing is tight - we only have 3.5 days. If we should avoid the Interlaken area, what would you recommend as a substitute? My husband loves mountaineering/hiking/etc.

Also, we've been a little late in booking our hotels...with all the uncertainties, should we wait until we arrive in Switzerland or go ahead and make some bookings now before we leave?

Thanks!

Lisa

Good news from the des Alpes in Luzerne after last week's worrying photos! They havent had to close so it will be business as usual when we arrive on 18 Sept. Hooray.

The end of September, we are planning to take the train from Andermatt to Lucerne, then from Lucerne to Thun, then Thun to Berne. Are these sections of the railway currently open? We were planning to stay in Lucerne and Thun.
Are we still okay with this?

GRINDELWALD IS OPEN !!
My wife and I drove to Grindelwald last week with virtually no problems. Despite the dire warnings about floods and landslides we heard 2 days before, we decided to go anyway (too late to cancel). We went to stay with my cousin, who lives in Grindelwald, and he assured me on the phone that they would have the roads open by the time of our arrival. We arrived on Sunday 28th August. Although the affected part of the road up to the village had a one-way system, with traffic going up only for half an hour then down only for half an hour, this was only a minor inconvenience. The railway has been devastated, but knowing the Swiss they'll have it up and running again for the ski season. Once up in the village, you wouldn't know there had been a problem. But the Grindelwald locals are very worried about the effect of the floods on the tourist industry (on which they depend), because they expect people will stay away. If you are thinking of cancelling, please don't.

We also had no major problems on the roads from France (Chamonix side) to Interlaken. We went through the Goppenstein to Kandersteg railway tunnel through the mountain (which takes a car and all passengers for CHF20 or 25) with no problem either.

leaving 9/9 for Zurich, Lech, and St Moritz- looking at the weather channel and it looks like rain and clouds for the next 10 days- any one there right now and can comment?

An update on the situation in Switzerland in case anyone is interested.

We have been here for the last two weeks, staying in Sachseln, which is right in the middle of the flood zone. The swiss are really great,they are rebuilding at a remarkable speed. There is still no direct trains from Lucern to Interlacken BUT you take the train as far as it will go and the post buses meet the train to take you the rest of the way...very easy. Almost everything else is back to normal except the Engelberg \(sp).

It does take a little extra time to get everywhere, but it is just fine. Trip report when I return at the end of the month...off to Strasborg now!

I was in Klosters last week and there was major flood damage. however, the land was nearly pumped dry. The river was a mess in many parts with hectares of trees taken out near the banks. a few trails were closed but these problems really did not affect our holiday.

Just returned from Zurich. No impact there at all. We rode the train from Lugano to Zurich and did see where the mudslides occurred, but the track was clear and running fine.

Also just back from Zurich. Drove from Zurich to Lech, Austria. The village their had substantial damage with substantial damage for some of the hotels and stores- terrible. The drive into lech is a bit frightening as is but part of the road was washed out and they are working very hard to repair it. We hiked for several days- had a fantastic time- the villager of lech were very appreciate of our hiking group being there. The burgermeister came and had dinner with us. (the town mayor as well as the director of tourism.) Then, we drove to St MOritz- just beautiful. The drive was amazing thru the picturesque villages- the streets so small the bus almost hit the buildings- thats driving in Europe for you! It was sad as we were coming down the mountains as you could see several villages that were very badly damaged by the floods- where entire houses were just devastated. Over all a great trip!