If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, the best time to visit is July through mid-August, particularly if you want to hike. During this time, all trails and services in the Swiss alps are open and you have the best chance for good weather. Even though many tourists visit during this time, it’s easy to avoid the crowds by picking less touristy destinations.
Although it’s possible and often wonderful to hike in Switzerland as early as mid-April and as late as mid-November, you have to choose your hikes more carefully, checking check trail conditions and opening times as you plan. So if you come to Switzerland outside of high season, many trails on your bucket list may not be open and you’ll definitely need a plan B.
So here are my tips for when to plan a hiking trip to Switzerland.
When does hiking season start in Switzerland?
In short, summer hiking season in Switzerland is generally between mid-June and mid-October.
Most mountain areas close for a few weeks between ski season and summer season, usually mid-April through mid-June. During this time, lifts aren’t running and the restaurants are closed. Sometimes trails are closed for maintenance as they clear landslides and rebuild stairs and other safety elements.
See also: Top 10 Spring Hikes in Switzerland
Starting mid-May, lower elevation mountains start opening, but sometimes only on weekends or only in sunny weather and even then, not all services may be open. We often have warm sunny weather in early May, which encourages some mountains to open earlier. But we have also had snow as late as mid-June that closes the trails temporarily.
Stoos still with snow on 3 June 2019
Every weekend in June, more mountains open and by the first week of July, most every mountain is open. This means that the lifts are running daily, the trails are free of snow and prepared ready for hiking, restaurants are open and amusements like summer toboggans and rope climbing parks are open. Some high elevation mountains may have snow on the trail as late as mid-July, so always check trail conditions before heading out.
When is high summer season in Switzerland?
High summer season in Switzerland is July and August. Don’t let the “high season” label scare you off. Unlike other European destinations that are better visited in spring and fall, Switzerland is not excessively hot or crowded during high season. This is absolutely the best time to visit Switzerland.
July at Männlichen in the Jungfrau Region
Although popular areas will be full on sunny days, there are so many mountains and trails in Switzerland, that it’s easy to lose the crowds without much trouble. Unlike other travel hot spots around the world, I would not avoid Switzerland during high season. This is the best time to go.
During this time, all services are open and mountain transport runs daily, often earlier and later in the day than in other seasons (usually from about 8:00 to 17:30). Although the weather is generally better than at other times in the year, you should still plan for rain and possibly cold temperatures since you are in the mountains. On the downside, prices can be higher for hotels, camping and mountain transport, especially in tourist areas like Zermatt and Jungfrau Region.
When does hiking season end in Switzerland?
Summer hiking season in Switzerland usually lasts until mid-October, when most mountain railways close. A few places stay open until early November if the weather is nice.
See also: Best mountains to visit in Switzerland in November
However, some some high elevation mountains (particularly in the Valais region) close even earlier, starting around the third weekend of September. Zermatt closes most everything after the first week of October. So in fall, it’s critical you check the resort operating times before booking a holiday or planning a weekend away.
In addition, starting mid-August when kids go back to school, some mountain resorts start reducing their operating hours for mountain transport, restaurants and amusements. For example, the ropes course might only be open in the afternoons or on weekends. So it’s important to check the website to see what’s open.
Swiss schools have fall break between the end of September and end of October (the exact weeks depend on the canton and school). During these school holidays, some mountain areas re-open their services to catch that local business.
See also: Switzerland mountains open year round
When is the worst time to come to Switzerland?
If you want to hike in Switzerland, do not come in April. Basically nothing is open and you have very limited options. Switzerland is not the best destination for Easter and spring break. The Swiss travel to warmer destinations for these holidays, often to Italy, Spain, Greece or Croatia. I suggest you do the same.
May or early June wouldn’t be my first choice either because all the famous hikes in Zermatt and the Jungfrau region will likely be still covered in snow and the mountain transport not running. I’ve talked to many tourists who planned their big Switzerland trip for mid-May, then found out they couldn’t do any of the hikes they wanted to.
Exhibit A: Still lots of snow on the trail at Stoos at 1900m on 3 June 2019
Exhibit B: So much snow at Chäserrugg at 2200m on 30 June 2018
Suggested hikes for spring and fall in Switzerland
I know many of you will still travel to Switzerland in spring and fall. So here are some posts with our favorite hikes for these shoulder seasons. I hope this helps with your planning.
4 responses
I’m visiting in July and like to take my time wandering in the mountains. Is is possible to get accommodation if you don’t book?
I can’t give a definitive answer on this. I’m sure it varies widely depending on your location and budget. I hear from other travelers that they are having a lot of trouble finding hotels for July. I would suggest booking ahead if you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have to travel quite far to find suitable accommodation.
Hi, my husband and I are planning to visit and hike Switzerland next September probably towards the end of September! Is there a certain that you would recommend we only have about 10 days? I definitely would love to hike Interlaken and Grindelwald I went to school for a semester in Neuchatel and I am very excited to get back to this beautiful country!
September is a great time to visit and you can really go anywhere in Switzerland. The Jungfrau Region, Lucerne and Zermatt would all be good choices. Have fun!