Experiences: Nature

The Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach is the national centre of research and protection of local birds and their habitats, which is supported by the population. The new visitor’s centre is clearly the destination and the tourist attraction on Lake Sempach.

Operated by the Südostbahn railway company, the modern Treno Gottardo travels from Zurich, Basel, Lucerne or Locarno to Andermatt. From there, you will take the Gütsch-Express to the middle station, where you can enjoy coffee and croissants at the Matti family restaurant. Afterwards, you will continue on towards Gütsch by gondola and then hike to the Schneehüenerstock, passing the breathtaking Lutersee mountain lake on the way.

The La Grange Park sits right next to the Eaux-Vives Park and offers a unique view of the lake basin. The wonderful flower garden stretches out over 12,000 square metres and delights its guests with more than 200 varieties of roses.

The San Michele Park sits high above Lugano and offers spectacular views of the city, the lake and the mountains. The typically southern vegetation is sure to thrill many of its visitors too.

Get away from it all and visit the sandy beaches at Yvonand. When the sun is shining on Lake Neuchâtel and the waves are lapping softly, it is almost like being at the seaside.

Sikypark rescues native and exotic animals such as tigers, wolves, lynx or parrots and gives them a home. Experience a day out for the whole family with playtimes with animals, picnic tables, a restaurant and the Siky Express.

Rosengarten, the rose garden, is situated next to the entrance of the Munot Fortress and covers an area of about 2,000 sq.m. In 1981 the town nursery together with the Swiss association of rose lovers designed it in the French Renaissance garden-style.

Forest bathing is a gentle, guided, half-day relaxation program in nature. It is organized in the parks of Basel (mostly in the Merian Gardens) and in the forests around Basel. By experiencing nature, it promotes health and is a simple relaxation technique.

The history of the botanical garden of the University of Basel goes as far back as the 16th century, making it one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. It also offers an exciting variety of plants in a well-maintained haven of peace right in the heart of the city.

Bathe and dine like the ancient Romans. Embark on a journey back in time to the heyday of the Roman Empire. The Roman-Irish Bath is the backdrop for a sumptuous bathing ritual as once observed in ancient Rome.

The journey from Engelberg to Ristis serves as the starting point of the Walenpfad, a popular high-altitude hike from Ristis to Bannalp. The cable car ride up to Ristis, featuring breathtaking mountain panoramas, is worth the trip itself.

It’s no wonder that the Moléson has a special place in the hearts of Fribourg’s citizens: the journey up to the panoramic peak is an adventure in itself. Once you reach the summit, you are greeted by wonderful 360° panoramic views of the Gruyère Pre-Alps and the Bernese and Valais Alps.

The Muggio Valley was once very nearly abandoned, but precisely because the locals place importance on their past, it now lives on into the future as an open-air museum.

This suspension rope and bike park is located on the Flüela Pass, right by the “Stilli” bus stop. Enjoy extraordinary thrills and spills on five courses with varying levels of difficulty. The children’s course perfectly tailored to younger visitors.

Knife-sharp and yellow: The seldom line along the rock face around the Piz Sardona marks the Glarus overthrust - a phenomenon of world interest. Here, older rock strata have edged their way above younger rocks.

This magnificent botanical garden is set on the Gambarogno side of Lago Maggiore, on the hillside terrace between Piazzogna and Vairano. Here, the Parco Botanico del Gambarogno foundation lavishes endless love and skill on the over 17,000 square metres of gorgeously colourful plants.

A circular trail leads from Tête-Noire to the tantalisingly named Gorges Mystérieuses – mysterious gorges.

A short but marvelous fixed-rope trail over the rooftops of Saas-Grund fascinates novices. The highlight: the 40 meter rappel!

Connbächli is a stream located at Flims, and it is also the official route for cruises of the little “Connschiffli” boats. Families are invited to make their own boat from bark, then follow it for an hour and a half on its cruise through the forest of Flims.

At the heart of the Peuchapatte wind farm (canton Jura), this original educational trail will teach you more about wind energy, the wind and the Franches-Montagnes region.

Ibex, chamois, lynx, wildcat, deer and wild boar are among the native Swiss animals at the Peter and Paul wildlife park on the scenic St. Gallen-Rotmonten hilltop.

The Britannia via ferrata in the Saas Valley offers a breathtaking climbing experience and a unique view of the Allalin and Mattmark area.

On the 1-km trail twelve mysterious sagas from Freiamt are impressively portrayed.

This is a dam made of debris from prehistoric landslides that separates the Klöntal and Linthtal valleys.

Take the cable car from Wasserauen to Ebenalp in Appenzeller Alpstein. At the top, prehistoric caves, the world-famous Äscher mountain inn and hiking trails to the turquoise Seealpsee await you.

This activity is somewhere between rambling and mountaineering, and is suitable for both children and adults.

The rugged cliffs, just a few meters apart, show the force behind the River Linth as it found its course here.

The little Melchtal valley in the canton of Obwalden, also known as Tobel, has long been a popular year-round hiking area. In deepest winter, the water on the rock walls turns into a vast landscape of icicles.

In the Neuenburg Jura at Les Pont-des-Mortel Switzerland’s largest contiguous high moorland is found. An exciting hiking loop takes you through this expansive landscape to the heart of the Red Moor.

Between the Basel area and Solothurn’s Thal nature park lies the scenic Passwang range of hills. From Liestal you reach the Jura heights in solely 45 minutes by bus and gondola rail to Wasserfallen.

The Atzmännig Rope Park offers fun and thrills in lofty height. Eight routes (Parcours) with various levels of difficulty require dexterity and coordination.

Explore and discover the mountain forests in the Parc Ela together with Evla the golden eagle: with its different research equipment and a forest diary, the mountain forest goodie bag contains everything that is needed for an exciting day out in the nature.

Outstanding walking enjoyment combined with interesting information on agriculture.

This elegant city park with its majestic trees, carefully placed sculptures and beautifully cultivated flowers acts as a green lung in the centre of the city.

This Lake District can be experienced in the manner of the eco-museums: the objects are not to be found in a building, but in the landscape, in their historic as well as contemporary context.