Hiking - Day Trips

Hello,

Hope I can provide just a tid bit of info to get you started at least! If you take the train from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen it will be about a 2 1/2 hr ride. From Lauterbrunnen you can pick either side of the valley, pick a mountain railway and make your journey. Adding in getting to a place like Muerren or any of the others I would add another hour (waiting time etc). That MAY be enough time but your hike may not be to long. Here are a few trail guide ideas. You can also request a brochure from http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html which includes a full page pull out hiking map (which I have framed on my wall now :) http://www.myswissalps.com/berneseoberland/berneseoberland-hiking.asp?lang=EN

It is perfectly possible to sleep in Zurich and to visit most parts of Switzerland in day trips. But if you want to go in the high mountains, you will spend a lot of time in trains and buses and not so much time in the nature. I would rather make 2-3 day excursions from Zurich. As public transport is rather expensive in Switzerland, study carefully the sites about Swiss Pass, Swiss Flexipass and Swiss half fare card: http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/Tickets.16.0.html?&L=2#s_h_f_c

Don't check only the Bernes Oberland. Other areas (Graubunden, Valais, Ticino) are not less attractive and the train journey from Zurich may be even shorter.
Valais is the driest and often warmest area. Weather is often beautiful in Southern Switzerland when it rains in Northern Switzerland and vice versa. So plan your trip after having consulted the very reliable Swiss weather forecast.

Some travel times by train from Zurich main station:
Zermatt: 3 1/2 hours, Chamonix: 4 1/2 hours, Crans-Montana: 3 hrs, Davos 2 1/4 hrs, San Bernardino: 3 hrs, Titlis: 3 hrs.
The first trains to all parts of the country leave around 6am and the last trains come back after midnight.
More: http://www.sbb.ch/en/
http://www.myswitzerland.com/es.cfm/home

Excellent. Thanks to both of you for your tips and advice!