Switzerland itinerary - thoughts?
 

I would love any thoughts or inside tips you have on this beautiful part of the world. I have been to Switzerland on a tour, but this time we are flying solo.

Att this stage I think we will have roughly 5-7 days in Switzerland. at this stage our rough itin. looks like this:

(coming from Paris)...
Train to Lyon and pick up car.
Overnight Chamonix.
Chamonix to Zermatt. Lunch Sion? Sierre? (I went to Sion last time and had a fabulous hike)
Zermatt (cable cars etc to summit of Klein Matterhorn, done it before but my partner hasnt, and I loved it)
Zermatt (Gornerschlucht? The lower end!)
Zermatt - Lauterbrunnen (stay Murren)
Lauterbrunnen area
Lauterbrunnen area
Lauterbrunnen area- back to France.

it would be nice to have more time, and we are planning to book accom as we go, so we may end up staying longer. I could spend the whole holiday in Switzerland!!

Hi Lakesidechick -

I thought you meant Gornergrat until I looked up Gornerschlucht. I've been to Zermatt many times, and I'd never heard of it. Seems I learn something new every day.

Since you plan to spend most of your BO time in Lauterbrunnen, you might want to stay there instead of in Murren, just to save transportation costs back and forth.

What time of year are you planning to go?

We spent four days in Zermatt and a week in Lauterbrunnen this past April. Loads of nice hikes in both areas. There are some really good ones that originate from Wengen, which is a breeze to get to from Lauterbrunnen. Are you looking for specific hikes, or just a general idea of what to do in the area?

Hi Mel :-)
I also want to go on the Gornergrat, but when I was looking it up I found the Gornerschlucht!! I hadnt heard of it either. Looks like there 2 hikes, one for serious mountain climbers (not me!!!) and one for ... err... less serious climbers!!!
We will be in Switzerland around mid Sept.

At this stage I am looking for general suggestions for what to do in the area. I have been to Lauterbrunnen, but only to see the waterfalls (I was on a tour). We are looking for photo opportunities, scenic walks, cable cars... a relaxing few days!

Well in that case, here are a few suggestions, some of which you've no doubt heard of already:

Schilthorn (accessible from Murren)
Jungfrau (or at least go as far as Kleine Scheidegg)
Mannlichen (accessible from Wengen)
Trummelbach falls (Lauterbrunnen)
Schynige Platte (accessible from Wildersvil)
Ballenberg museum (two hour train ride)
Aareschlucht (Aare Gorge near Meiringen)
Day trip to Grindelwald or Wengen

There are loads of great hikes to choose from, let me know if you want details on some of them. Also some great hikes from Zermatt if you have time.

Hi again :-)
Thank you, what a great list to research!! I am pretty keen to go to Grindelwald. I have seen the Trummelbach falls but would like to return. I keep reading about people (in trip reports) going to Schilthorn so am definitely investigating that as well!! Havent heard of Aareschlucht but am about to Google!!!! How did people plan trips pre Internet???
Thanks a million Mel (I hope that is your name). If you could suggest any hikes that are scenic and OK for 2 people of average / reasonable fitness (from Lauterbrunnen or Zermatt) that would be great. If you ever come to Australia, please email me for some help! I would love to return the favour one day.

Actually, LakesideChick, I live in Perth, Australia.

I have a very detailed trip report here on Fodor's from our trip to Switzerland in April. Lots of details on the hikes we took. Just click on my name and look under trip reports for "April in the Alps".

LOL, I won't need to give you Aussie tips then :-)
I am about to look up your trip reports. I have been busy looking up things you listed, thinking we might do the James Bond buffet breakfast at the Schilthorn!

I have several other trip reports that I haven't posted here, so I'll put them up, look for more hikes and post them here a bit later.

Thanks a million I just started reading your April one and it is fabulous.

Some more ideas:

There's a fantastic easy walk from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg - (you take the cable car from Wengen to the top of Mannlichen or you can walk if you're a serious hiker - it's straight up!)

Once at Mannlichen, you have the option of walking to Kleine Scheidegg (highly recommended) or you can take the gondola down to Grindelwald-Grund. This is the longest gondola cableway in Europe. It covers 6.2 kilometers and takes about 30 minutes. It’s a peaceful journey and the views are gorgeous.

From Grindelwald, you can walk to the cable car station and take a gondola to the top of First, the main skiing area in Grindelwald. This gondola is divided into three sections and takes about 20 minutes each way. Several hikes originate from First and the scenery is awesome.

If you go to Schynige Platte, you'll find a nice trail along the ridge with more spectacular views.

From Murren, you can take the funicular to Allmendhubel, and access the North Face Trail (my personal favorite). It's an easy two hour hike that leads through forests, meadows, and cow pastures and back to the village of Murren.

From Zermatt:

You can walk to Edelweiss Pension, but the trail is a bit steep towards the top. There are some nice views over Zermatt here - it's about two hours return.

There's also a nice hike to Z’mutt. The trail starts by the Zermatt gravel quarry, and then leads uphill to the right. It takes about one hour (all uphill) to reach Z’mutt (nothing to do in Z’mutt but relax and admire the view). After Z’mutt, you can continue on to Furi (45 minutes downhill) there's a good restaurant in Furi, then it's a one hour hike back to Zermatt.

There are gobs more, but those should keep you busy for awhile.

Wow, thank you again so much... I have had the best afternoon, reading your ideas and looking them up online. :-) Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're very welcome. I hope you have a great trip.