Day hiking in Switzerland in late May/early June

Central Bernese Oberland is the most obvious choice. Anywhere around Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Murren, Grindelwald etc would more than fit the bill. The various cable cars and railways in this area would also offer escape routes should the weather turn on you. How old are the family?

Fwoggie: Do you know anything else in Switzerland than the Bernese Oberland that you always come up with? sheyda might well run into snow up there by the time she is planning to hike. Grindelwald's elevation is approx. 1'400 m above sea level, whereas the hiking trails are higher up.

a_p - yeah, I know there's more to Switzerland. OP could select for example the Valais region or maybe check out the Aletsch glacier in the, er, Aletsch region - neither is too far from the Bernese Oberland as the high altitude capable crow flies.

The reason I pick the Bernese Oberland all the time is because most people tend to pick this as their mountainous region the first time they come (Swiss tourism stats backed that up about 10 years ago when I looked, I assume it's still the case). Also, public transport is pretty good for this region - it's not so hot in the Aletsch glacier. Assuming the OP is flying from somewhere in N America, they'll probably route into Zurich or Geneva and it's relatively quick and very easy to get a train to Interlaken East or West station and change for local onward travel which is well established. There's also a fair few options for alternative activities if they want a day off hiking.

As for the hiking, end of May into June I'd expect the snow line in Switzerland to be around the 2000 metre mark (random source example: http://las.physik.uni-oldenburg.de/eProceedings/vol01_1/01_1_kleindienst1.pdf). Given that Grindelwald village itself is at 1,050 metres they'd have to climb a fair bit to hit the snow line. There's 300km of trails around that village so they can easily choose/avoid this scenario if they wish, it gives a lot of options to them.

I'll admit I do know the Bernese Oberland well so am biased. Sorry about that. I'm open to alternative suggestions, please feel free. :/

Check out the Valais! You could get a direct train from Geneva airport or Zurich airport to Visp. The ride takes about 2h30. Visp is a small town in the heart of the Valais' German speaking part. There are wonderful hikes around, as it is in the very heart of the Alps. You can reach many villages by bus or train within a short time. And the weather is very mild here, having the most sunshine of all Switzerland. There is not much snow left, especially on the northern side (sunny side).
Check out this page: http://www.valais.ch/en/index.cfm

Danica

Thanks everyone for your reply!! Very useful information.
Our group ranges between 26 and 58 years old, but my parents are pretty fit I would say.

Do you think we would waste a lot of time in train transport if we don't rent a car? or is it possible to stay mainly in the same one or two area and not need a car?

A car is an absolute waste if travelling as a tourist in Switzerland. Simple as this, believe it or not.

Agree with a_p, they're unnecessary unless you go REALLY off the beaten track.

Petite Arvine (BTW: Petite Arvine is the name of a very good Swiss white wine) gave the best tips. Valais is relatively close to all airports, a dry area between the chain of the Bernese Alps and those of the Alpes Valaisannes (both up to more than 4000m high) and therefore often protected from rain coming from the North as well as from the South.
Within 5 weeks, you can hike almost every trail below 2000 metres. That means that you cannot hike over the high mountain passes (but you can do Simplonpass/Stockalperweg, Riederfurka, Gemmipass (from June 2nd only), Col de la Gueulaz, Col de la Forclaz and probably Pas de Cheville.

A speciality of the Valais are the water channels (like the levadas of Madeira or the Waale of Tyrol): there are very long almost horizontal paths along these irrigation channels (called Bisse, Suon or Wasserleitu in local idioms). The most famous water channel itineraries go along
Bisse de Saxon: Col des Planches (above Martigny) - La Tzoumaz/Mayens de Riddes - Haute Nendaz - Siviez
Grand Bisse de Vex: Siviez - Les Mayens de Sion
Ancien Bisse d'Heremence: Les mayens de Sion - Heremence

For the bisses at the sunny side of the Valley, have a look at the anser I gave to rebandcris in late February and add the Bisse du Tsittoret above Crans-Montana.
Map: http://www.mapplus.ch/?size=2

Thanks neckervd, by the way Petite Arvine is one of my favourite wines.

Talking of Suonen (water channels), there is a very nice walk along the famous Suone in Ausserberg (a short bus ride from Visp). There is also a nice trail from Hohtenn to Eggerberg all along the different villages up in the mountains.

Don't miss Visperterminen, Europes highest wine growing village and Salgesch (Salquenen in French) a famous wine village.

And in Switzerland you really dont' need a car.

Enjoy it!