Looking for an Alpine experience on the Swiss/Italian border in mid-April. Fairly accessable by rail or auto from Milan.

How is April?
Any suggestions on areas?
jb

I'm not sure what an Alpine experience is - looking at them? hiking them? skiing them?

You're too late for skiing - except on the permanent glaciers on the top.

For hiking a lot of places will be quite muddy (run-off and rain) and the foliage not at it's best

It's also going to be fairly chilly in April.

We went through the area in early June and it was beautiful, warmish during the day, coolish at night, trees in leaf and lots of flowers in bloom. I would think mid-April would be quite dreary - unless you stick to the lowest areas right near the lakes - and just glance at the mountains from afar.

Thanks for the feed-back! How about the Como erea abd both sides of the border there?

jb

My favorite place is Locarno. There's no better border crossing than the Centovalli train. You can get off at several stations and take gondolas either across the deep gorge to small villages, or up the mountain to hidden grottos for a real Heidi and Peter experience.

Hi JohnB,

Catbert has the right idea, IMHO. Have taken the train between Lake Geneva and Ticino a few times and the ride through the Rhone Valley is very picturesque. We stopped in the Saas region and enjoyed our stay in Saas Fee. I also highly recommend the Centovalli trip.

Best wishes, SusanEva

JohnB,

As someone esle mentioned, do you want to:
#1 See the Alps ?
#2 Walk/hike the Alps ?
#3 Ski the Alps ?

Lake Como are would be fine, several destinations by train, unlimited destinations by car.

You might consider a train ride thru the Bernina Pass as part of your possible alpine experience.

You might consider the Dolomites.

YOu might fly to Milan and fly out of say Zurich.

I'd hardly describe the Lake Como area as Alpine: one friend of mine claimed the area reminded him of the Hollywood Hills - though you can see real, snow peaked, mountains off in the distance.

Country walking round the area is fine, and I've never found it particularly muddy or remotely chilly around Easter. At altitudes as low as Como, spring is actually very advanced indeed by mid-April. Simply get the train (either company, depending which station's handiest for you in Milan)to Como (it's about 35 mins away) and follow any decent walking itinerary.

For real Alpy stuff, though, follow one of the other suggestions.

Thanks, I getting a better focus on what to do and where to go....

Lake Como ~ Hollywood Hills? I've never heard that before. A portion of my commute to work has me looking at the Hollywood Hills (incl. Hollywood sign). It has never, ever made me think of Lake Como.

I do not speak for the judgement (or even sanity) of the friend concerned. And I've managed to avoid any exposure to the Hollywod Hills, so can't comment.

But he's not a complete loon. The hills round Como aren't at all Alpine. Nary a meadow. No jagged peaks, except in the distance. Not a cat in hell's chance of Ms Andrews appearing singing "The hills are alive".

Nice. But not Alps as most people probably imagine them.

A possible cool 'Alpine Experience' would be driving to Courmayeur, Italy and taking the Helbronner gondolar over a massive galcier into Chamonix, France. Some day hike possibility too in lower elevations.

Como is mid-April is a good choice, although I agree that it is not really "Alpy." If it is clear, you will see the Alps in the distance. Some gardens will just be coming into bloom. The hotels close for the winter and usually re-open by March 1, so that tells you something about the season just beginning. For temps and rainfall go to weatherbase.com and worldclimate.com. It is an easy trip to Como from Milan by train or bus. I don't know when the full ferry schedule starts, could be April 1, if not you may be a bit more limited in getting around by ferry. A guidebook may be able to tell you.

For higher Alp elevations, April is not a great month. Places like the Dolomites would not really be a great choice, IMO. It is too late for skiing and too early for Spring walking and spring flowers, and cows are not up in the meadows yet, as the meadows are under the melting snow and mud. There is usually a good bit of fog as well. A lot of mountain hotels and restaurants are closed in April which again tells you something about the season. (Some may be open for a few days if Easter falls in April, which it does in 2006, so you may luck out).

I would stick with lower level elevations in April and try for Alp views, as I am afraid being in the Alps in April would not give you a great experience. Other than Como, the Lake Lugano or Lake Locarno area would be a good choice in mid-April. I like Lugano as I think it has a better aspect, and you can get to the lovely little village of Morcote. You can get to Lugano from Milan in an hour or less by train. Locarno is about 2 hours by train. I agree that the Centrovalli train is quite pretty, I would be a bit concerned about fog and rain in April, however. I have not done it at that time of year so can't say from personal experience. (I lived in Switzerland for 4 years, and pretty much would stay home or try to take holidays outside Switzerland from late March through early May as the weather is just crappy then, sorry to say. Florida is great. . . .)

Wow, so much info. maybe I will do alpy thing in fall. Stick to Como area or pick another country...