Group Excursions: Canyons

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

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

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.

From the Lower Engadine one passes through Val d’Uina (Uina Gorge) to reach the Vinschgau Valley. The hiking trail, which is partly carved into the rock, is especially popular among avid hikers.

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

The River Aa at times crashes over rocks, then squeezes through wedge-shaped boulders or lingers in a quiet stream bed.

Discover Areuse Gorge. It is a study in contrasts: sometimes wide open, sometimes narrow, with burbling waters and spaces of deep silence.

Inspired by the Niagara Falls and created over seven years of painstaking manual labour: the rock gallery of the Roffla Gorge.

Discover the Taubenlochschlucht gorge near Biel/Bienne. Steep rock faces, wooden footbridges and the sound of the river Schüss accompany you through the Bernese Jura. You will experience one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Biel/Bienne region.

The entrance to the Gasterntal Valley leads through the narrow Chluse Gorge. This passageway was used from earliest times. Mules were used on this narrow pass, which is the first steep ascent on the way to Lötschen Pass.

Not far from the vibrant hustle and bustle of the city of Bern you’ll find the Sense-Schwarzwasser nature reserve. Here, large glacial meltwater rivers have dug impressive gorges into the molasse rock.

A nature experience that really gets under your skin: This is the Wolfsschlucht Gorge in Thal Nature Park in the Solothurn Jura region. It is also an ideal adventure playground for children.

The Schöllenen Gorge is probably the most legendary section of the historic Gotthard route. On the Devil's Bridge over the roaring Reuss, you can get an idea of how hard and dangerous the path across the Alps once was.

A trip to the Breggia Gorges is a real time travelling experience. In this part of the Mendrisiotto along the Breggia River you will find some unusual geological formations.

Crossing the Schin Gorge between Tiefencastel, Alvaschein and Sils in Domleschg was not for nervous travellers.

Follow the Verenabach through a wooded gorge on the outskirts of Solothurn. At the end of the trail, you will reach a hermitage with two chapels, grottoes and plaques. A walk that combines the experience of nature with history.

Considered one of nature’s true gems and located on the sunny side of the Jura, the Bettlachstock is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. An unspoilt natural environment with centuries-old beech forests, it provides an ideal habitat for a diverse range of animal and plant species. Idyllic hiking paths give families and nature lovers the opportunity to experience the fascinating region up close.

The name Tüfelsschlucht means “The Devil’s Gorge” and this is considered to be one of the most beautiful of the numerous gorges in the Jura. The 2.2km long gorge winds its way along the Cholersbach Stream and is connected by 32 bridges and catwalks.

While in the past it was only courageous crystal hunters who braved the Massa Gorge, it is now accessible to the general public thanks to the building of the Gibidem Dam.

Enter the Choleren Gorge near Adelboden and climb along the roaring Tschentebach up to the exit of the gorge. Bridges and stairs lead you past waterfalls and spectacular rock formations.

In the Rosenlaui glacier gorge in the Bernese Oberland, the glacier water has formed a work of art made of rock over thousands of years. Experience the incredible power of water and follow the path through tunnels and past thundering waterfalls.

The Rhine Gorge in Graubünden is one of the most impressive natural landscapes in Switzerland. Stand on the Il Spir viewing platform, hike along the Rhine or ride the Rhaetian Railway through the gorge.

The little stream is quiet and dreamy as it lazily meanders through Vallorbe, but it soon becomes a roaring torrent as it rushes through the huge Orbe Gorge, where waterfalls alternate with spectacular rapids. A hike through the cool gorge is especially good on hot summer days. The river near the Saut du Day waterfall is the perfect spot to cool your feet.

Explore the Tamina Gorge near Bad Ragaz in eastern Switzerland: Hike through the 750-meter-long and 70-meter-deep crevice to the spring water grotto, where thermal water bubbles out of the rock at 36.5 degrees.

The natural wilderness is just a few steps away from the old town of Montreux. The La Baye de Montreux River flows through the gorge from the foot of Rochers-de-Naye into Lake Geneva.

The Trient Gorge was carved out of the Mont Blanc massif by the wild river of the same name. The 200-metre deep gorge is a paradise for both climbers and botanists.

In the Grindelwald Glacier Gorge you can immerse yourself in a world of rock and water. Follow the path deep between 300-meter-high rock faces and test your courage on the spiderweb stretched over the gorge.

Between Broc and Châtel-sur-Montsalvens in the canton of Fribourg lies the spectacular and romantically wild Jaunbach Gorge. Wooden bridges, tunnels and rock galleries make this walk an adventurous excursion for the entire family.

Wallbach Gorge is a cool tip for a hot day. The wide stream bed at the end of the falls and the outdoor grill are both enjoyable places to spend time.

The Gottéron Gorge near Fribourg/Freiburg is a small but beautiful and idyllic valley between the German-speaking and French-speaking parts of Switzerland. Mighty, often vertically sloping rock walls line the narrow gorge.

In the olden days, the road through the Twingi Gorge could be deadly in winter. Before the tunnel between Ausserbinn and Binn was built, the self-sufficient valley would be cut off from the outside world for weeks.

Illgraben is a bowl-shaped, steep-sided mountain basin that towers over the Rhone Valley. It is also one of the key starting points for debris flows in Switzerland.

Coloradoschlucht Gorge in the Vaud Jura.

The Schöllenen Gorge is to the Gotthard Pass as the Gondo Gorge is to the Simplon Pass.

There is quite a contrast between the southern village of Martigny at the elbow of the Rhone and the wilderness of Durnand Gorge, or the Gorges du Durnand as it is called in French.

As visitors enter the Valais, they are greeted by impressive mountain cliffs and a waterfall that is, unfortunately, smaller than it used to be.