I'm finalizing plans for my June trip to Switzerland with my sister. We will fly into Zurich and take trains/cable cars from there.
I would like to spend the first 4 nights (June 8-June 12) in one or 2 of the following places:
a) Riederalp/Bettmeralp area,
b) Blatten(Lotschen)or nearby village in Lotchental valley
c) Kandersteg
After that we will go to Murren and hike and that area for the rest of the trip (June 12-June 28).
We will be hiking almost every day and prefer quiet villages with awesome scenery. I'd also like to minimize the time spent checking in/out of hotels and dragging luggage around on trains/buses.
I'd like advice on the train route from Zurich (scenic but not too long) and where to stay the 1st 4 nights for best hiking etc.
I was thinking of the following schedule:
1) day 1: take the train from Zurich airport via Goschenen and Andermatt to Betten or Morel then up to Riederalp or Bettmeralp. Stay in Riederalp/Bettmeralp 1 night.
Day2: leave suitcase at hotel(?)and hike along the Aletch glacier. Pick up suitcase and take the train+bus that same evening to either Blatten or Kandersteg and stay at one hotel the next 3 nights.
Day 3+4: 1 full day hiking in Lotschental valley and 1 day hiking from Kandersteg to the lake regardless of which place we choose as a base. I'm leaning towards Blatten because it is car-free and smaller, although less convenient due to bus.
Day 5: Train from Blatten or Kandersteg to Murren.
Does this make sense or is there a better plan? Should I skip the night in Riederalp/Bettmeralp to make it easier (#hotel transfers)? If not, which is the better place to stay?
I've been to Murren twice (stayed there nearly 3 wks in 2007)and it is inconceivable that anywhere else could be so spectacular and yet peaceful¬ too crowded. My sister has to leave Murren the 20th and I already have more hikes around Murren to show her than the # days left there - that is why I'm trying to keep as many nights there as possible for her while still getting to hike in some places I've never been (Aletch glacier, Lotschental valley and Kandersteg).
What about the train from Zurich - the faster route seems to be through Bern then past Kandersteg, but would the route through Goschenen/Andermatt be more scenic? I ruled out going thru Chur because it would take too long after the overnight plane trip - I'm sure that would be the best for pure scenery otherwise.
Any suggestions/advice would be much appreciated.