We will be travelling to Switzerlalnd in mid May. I was looking forward to visiting this area but have discovered that many of the hotels are closed then. Seems to be their "low" season, between ski season and summer season. My question is...is this really mud season with melting snow from the mountains? Would we be better off concentrating on another closeby area, Thun, Bern, or Interlaken and save Wengen, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen for another time? Your opinions would be very helpful in planning this portion of our trip. Thank you.

May IME is a wonderful time for this area- wild flowers abloom and no not a mudslide at all - the reason hotels are closed is simply because this is an in-between the winter skiing season and summer hiking season - very few folks coming here because Europeans don't often it seems take holidays in May - so hotel owners take their own vacations during the lull.
Though at higher elevations you could see snow - rarely at that time in Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald however - and some trails could be muddy this is true at all times of year. The say it thunder storms in these Alps practically once a day on average and even in summer rainy spells can set in.
But May to me is a great time because all the hoardes of summer tourists - a multi-national brigade is not there and you pretty much have this gorgeous gorgeous place to yourself.
the only hindrance may be that some gondolas may be out of operation the first part of May as during the lull they do necessary maintenance, etc. But not the main transports like the trains that run from Interlaken-Ost to each three towns.
And if you have never been to Switzerland then head for these hills IMO - the most spectacular scenery in the country IMO - and from a Wengen, etc base you can easily day trip to places like Bern, Thun (can take a boat there from Interlaken) or Lucerne - really quite close by - if the weather is foul day trip to one of those great great cities.
If staying up in the hills and wishing to day trip, etc. then by all means investigate the Swiss Pass, which covers nearly all trains (except those going to mountain tops only - then it usually gives 50% off) as well as lake boats (boat trips on Lakes Thun and Brienz, which bookend Interlaken, are fantastic IMO, and the pass also covers postal buses, city transports and free entry to 400+ Swiss Museums - ones in Bern for example for the rainy day day trip - or the Ballenberg Open-Air Park overlooking Lake Brienz. For loads on Swiss trains (and passes and other options like the Half-Fare Card; Swiss Tranist Ticket and Swiss Card) i always highlight these super-info-laden sites: www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com - on the latter download their fee (and IMO superb) European Planning & Rail Guide that has a good chapter on Switzerland and Swiss trains. Anyway the train IMO is the way to go - in places like you mention - Wengen, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen cars are useless as you must park them in parking lots (for a steep fee) as no cars are allowed beyond these towns are in them, except to reach parking. Wengen in fact can only be reached by train - by car you must park in Lauterbrunnen and take the train up to Wengen.

Hi skye5,

My experience has been different than Palenque's, and May has been truly a mud month. In fact, some folks I know from various places in Switzerland do call May mud month.

I do think May is early for wildflowers at the elevation you're going. They will be abloom all over Gstaad and that area, which is somewhat lower. Well, you may want to consider Gstaad as your destination, which is one of my favorite areas in the country.

Anyway, good luck!

s

Wengen and Mürren are pretty much shut down at that time of year. Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are a bit busier because they can be reached by car and on one of the occasional beautiful sunny days day trippers might go there.

First gondola starts operation end of May, Schynige Platte mid June e.g. Hiking paths at higher elevations are still closed (probably snow covered and if not then muddy).

I'd say you can be lucky and catch two or three beautiful days, but even then you're going to be limited with activities. It's a better time for the lakes (Thun, Brienz, Geneva, Lucerne).

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your insight and information. You are all so helpful in sharing. I don't know how anyone can plan a trip without using this forum.

swandav has been there more than me in May so she/he is perhaps more in tune - i was there twice in Mays and maybe it was especially warm but trails at least around Grindelwald were fine.

But unless you want to hike mud will not affect stays in places like Murren, Wengen, Grindelwald, etc. and there will be some hotels open and trains will be running - mudslides aside i guess and the scintillating views will still be scintillating and the smell of spring will be in the air - perhaps fresh-cut hay? Cow bells will still be lovingly tinkling in the distance. If you can go later in spring fine if not do not think this region is a complete wash-out in May.

I personally love visiting Switzerland during low season and I'd have no qualms whatsoever visiting the Berner Oberland in May. BUT, a first time visitor might be a bit disappointed due to closures, etc.

Some hiking trails will be closed or inaccessible due to snow, and yes, there might be mud. Some gondolas and cable cars will be closed, and this in turn limits the hiking trails you can get to.

It can definitely be a challenge to find accommodation during this time, but it can be done. The advantage is that apartment owners will often let their units for less than a seven night stay during the low season and rates can be very attractive.

The Hotel Alpenruh is the only year round hotel I'm aware of in Murren - it's great option though, and my hotel of choice. The Hotel Eiger in Grindelwald is also open year round and I recommend it.

I suggest you contact the various tourist offices and ask them the opening times of the activities/excursions you're most interested in and then make your decision based upon the answer.

I actually like Interlaken itself a whole lot - not only because it is a great base for hopping trains into the hills - to Murren, Grindelwald, etc but also for easy day trips to Lucerne (over the scenic Brunig Pass rail line) - boat trips on Lakes Brienz and Thun - the 2 lakes that bookend Interlaken - or to say Bern - a really sweet old town that many neglect as a component of any stay in the Berner Oberland.
And in May there are many hotel options in Interlaken - though many guesthouses may be closed there are many open as well. And mud is not a factor in staying in Interlaken!