Switzerland in May: Green Valleys, Waterfalls and Reopening Lifts

In May, spring climbs the mountain. The valleys turn from brown to bright green, snowmelt swells the waterfalls of the Lauterbrunnen valley, and the lifts that closed in April reopen one after another, while the summits stay white. The summer crowds are still weeks away, and rates sit well below July levels. The catch: May is changeable, and north of the Alps it is noticeably wetter than March or April.

We like May for travelers who want lakes, waterfalls and green valleys with mountain views, and who can live with a few lifts and high trails that only open in June. For how May compares with the rest of the year, see our best time to visit Switzerland.

Spring climbs the mountain, one lift at a time

The pattern is simple once you see it. Lakeside and valley excursions are fully open from the start of the month. Mid-altitude lifts reopen during May. The high hiking areas, around 6,500 feet and above, follow in June, once the snow has gone from the trails. A May itinerary should therefore lean on lakes, valleys, trains and one or two big summits, and leave ridge hikes for another trip.

The May 2027 reopening calendar

Dates published by the operators for 2027:

• May 1: Lauterbrunnen to Mürren via Grütschalp runs again after its April revision.
• May 3: Diavolezza, in the Engadine, starts its summer season with no spring break.
• May 6: the Wengernalp railway from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg reopens.
• May 8: the old Stechelberg to Gimmelwald to Mürren cableway is back; the new direct line from Stechelberg runs throughout.
• May 15: the Wengen to Männlichen cableway reopens.
• May 22: the Matterhorn Glacier Ride above Zermatt returns after its revision, and Lake Lucerne switches to its summer boat timetable.
• May 29: the Männlichen gondola from Grindelwald and the Allmendhubel funicular in Mürren reopen.

Three dates are not yet published. The Glacier Express ends its winter timetable on May 7, 2027, and its summer timetable follows. The Pilatus cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad, the steepest in the world, opened on May 11 in 2026 and usually restarts in mid-May. Among the road passes, the Gotthard opened on May 16 in 2025, while Grimsel, Furka and Nufenen opened on May 28 in 2025 but not until June in 2024, after a snowy winter. The Schynige Platte railway waits until June 5, 2027.

The Jungfraujoch, Gornergrat, Schilthorn, Titlis, Rigi and the Harder Kulm funicular run all month.

Rain, sun and snow line: May weather by region

1991-2020 averages calculated from MeteoSwiss station data:

Two things stand out. May is Lugano's wettest month on average, but the rain usually comes in heavy bursts between sunny spells, so it rarely ruins a whole day. And the driest, sunniest corners in May are Lake Geneva and the Valais: Sion, in the Rhône valley, averages 71°F (22°C) by day.

On May 15, the sun rises in Zurich at 5:50 a.m. and sets at 8:54 p.m., just over 15 hours of daylight.

Long weekends: Ascension and Whitsun

Ascension falls on Thursday, May 6, 2027, and many Swiss take the Friday off for a four-day weekend. Whitsun follows on May 15 to 17, with Whit Monday a public holiday in most cantons. Both weekends fill lake towns, mountain hotels and the panoramic trains with Swiss and German travelers. Outside those dates, May is one of the calmest months of the year, and rates are close to their spring low.

Narcissus meadows, cow fights and the last tulips

• Wild narcissus above Montreux: in an average year, the meadows on the slopes above Montreux turn white with wild narcissus in May. The timing depends on altitude and the spring.
• Combat de reines, Valais: the national final of the Hérens cow fights, where the black cows of the Valais settle their herd ranking, usually takes place in early to mid May at Aproz near Sion. The 2026 final was on May 9 and 10; the 2027 date is not yet published.
• Fête de la Tulipe, Morges: the tulip festival on Lake Geneva runs until May 9, 2027.
• Jazzfestival Bern: concerts at Marians Jazzroom until May 29, 2027.

A May suitcase

• A good rain jacket and quick-drying layers; days swing from 45°F to 70°F.
• Waterproof walking shoes for valley trails, which can be muddy after snowmelt.
• Warm layers, gloves and sunglasses for the summits, still in winter conditions.
• A light sweater for lake boats in the evening.

Where we send travelers in May

Lakes and waterfalls in a week. Lucerne with Pilatus once the cogwheel runs, the Lauterbrunnen valley at full snowmelt, and the Lavaux vineyards above Lake Geneva: our Switzerland in 7 Days at its greenest. If you are deciding between seven and ten days, our guide to how many days in Switzerland helps.

The panoramic trains before the crowds. The Glacier Express and Bernina Express in May, with snow still on the passes and plenty of free seats, as in our Legendary Swiss Trains trip.

Alps to Lake Como. May is an excellent month for the Italian lakes, and our 14-day Switzerland to Italy by train trip links Lucerne and the Alps with Lake Como before the summer heat.

When the last lifts and trails open and the days reach their longest, it is Switzerland in June. If May is your month, tell us your dates and we will match each excursion to what is open that week: start planning.