Hi All,<BR><BR>We will have 3 days in mid-Oct. We know we'd choose Murren if it was the height of summer, but we're concerned it will be downright empty this time of year--cold, most hotels/restaurants closed, cows in barns for winter etc. Will we still be able to hike to the mountain hut restaurants, smaller villages, etc? We love quiet and remote, but don't want to be the only people in the only open restaurant in town. A shorter way to ask this question is: how dead is this area in October? Are we better off in a slightly "busier" spot like Wengen or Grindelwald? Hiking,dining,scenery are our priorities. Thank you!

I think the Fall season lasts until mid-to end-October (the Swiss school holidays finish around October 18, so up until that time there should be people around...) You can check by calling the M&uuml;rren tourist office or checking websites. My experience has been that, yes, Swiss mountains resorts kind of "calm down" around that time - I was in Bettmeralp last year in the late Fall and it was sort of dead. But depends what you want - it was still pleasant, peaceful; the hotel was great and there was a sports center with indoor swimming pool, that was a great bonus after a long day of hiking. <BR><BR>If you want to safe, yes, try places like Wengen (though this won't be much different than Murren I think); Grindelwald; perhaps even Meiringen, where I'm off to this weekend; or, if you can get there, Zermatt or Saas Fee.<BR><BR>

Hi--<BR>I was in Muerren last month (Aug) and it was pretty quiet even then. I would suggest Wengen, which is a bit of a larger town and may not be as empty. I agree that both these towns probably quiet down considerably in Oct but would choose Wengen over Muerren (for activity). I loved both when I was there.

Hi, we were in Wengen Oct 97 & it was quiet, but we loved it..great walking, sightseeing, etc. The hotel we were in closed on Oct 10 tho...so make sure about Wengen. We went from there to Grindelwald, where most hotels were open till Oct 19...lots more action in Grindelwald. Murren was pretty empty, about same as Wengen mid-Oct. You could always choose Lauterbrunnen, it was pretty active.<BR>At that time of the year, we never have reservations...if you don't prebook, you will have the option of leaving for more action. I have to say we loved it quiet & snow-covered. Enjoy. Linda