Hiking

Rambling through airy fir forests, walking over magic carpets of wild flowers and experiencing ancient haymaking and Alpine traditions at the same time? The wild-haymaking trail on the Rophaien near Flüelen overlooking the emerald green Lake Uri is an ideal hiking destination.

The circular trail brings the history of the Heinzenberg landslides to life. With stunning views of Piz Beverin and the Safien valley, various stops along the way offer insight into a unique landscape that has been shaped by both nature and man.

Lake Toma is regarded as the source of the Rhine, and this is the only place where the river that traverses four countries can be crossed with one step. The hike starts on the Oberalp Pass and crosses the valley southwards (with almost no variation in height); then it climbs 350m to the enchanted mountain lake.

Hike through the typical countryside of the Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut Regional Nature Park over 11 days: over Alpine meadows and peaks, through villages and forests.

The Swiss Path leads to historic sites pertaining to the Swiss Confederation. The path is divided into stages that are partially wheelchair-accessible, and can be reached by ship or by train. Overnight stays are possible at the end of some of the trails.

From the Grand Chalet de Rossinière to the Auberge de la Croix de Fer in Allières, this walk through forests and the alpine pastures that ultimately produce cheese offers a panoramic view over the surround-ing peaks: the Dent de Corjon, the Vanils and the Gummfluh.

The Sentiero Cristallina links Bignasco in Valle Maggia with Airolo in Val Bedretto. Between them lie steep mountain slopes, a waterfall on a village outskirts, crystalline rock, Alpine lakes/reservoirs, idyllic alps and remote hamlets.

Starting in Interlaken, this varied path leads along the banks of the River Aare and the shore of Lake Thun through Unterseen. In addition to the waters, the ancient fortress ruins and nature reserve at Weissenau are also truly eye-catching.

A spectacularly scenic high-level trail through the Val Bregaglia. You follow old paths through light mixed forest, over solid granite slabs and always with views of mighty granite spikes touching the sky on the other side of the valley.

The two Mythen peaks to the right; to the left, first the Riemenstalden valley, then Lake Uri – a succession of sweeping vistas! Chairlift ascent to the Klingenstock and scenic hike to Fronalpstock with panoramic ridge views as well as extensive views from the mountain house. Valley descent to Stoos again via chairlift.

Monte Generoso spoils hikers with a 360° panorama. An additional highlight on the short circular hike are the 11 “nevère” – cylindrical stone constructions that were once used to chill foods.

Three days under the spell of the Valais glacier landscape. Sensational scenic tour with many vantage points onto the two longest glaciers in the Alps. The grey-white of ice and rock contrasting with shades of green in the Aletschwald (forest) provides stunning scenic beauty.

The mule track over the Simplon, developed over 300 years ago by Kaspar Stockalper, has long handed over its economic importance to new roads. However, a few years ago it was reborn as a cultural hiking trail.

The area in Brugg where the rivers Aare, Reuss and Limmat meet is known as the “moated castle” of Switzerland, a site of national significance. To discover this wetland conservation park, hikers can cross up to eight bridges built in three different centuries on the Bridge Hike, which takes approximately two hours to complete.

From St. Saphorin in a diverse route going uphill and downhill through the vines to Lutry. Indeed, it is on the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces where bon vivants get into top gear.

This demanding tour to the Macun Lakes high plateau is an alpine hike through the only enclave (and most recent addition to) the Swiss National Park.

The Nationalpark- Panoramaweg lets you venture through a variety of fascinating landscapes, while at the same time providing an insight into three differing cultural regions. Actually a hike through an international park.

Splendid hike to Lutertannen and over the Risipass vantage point to Stein in Toggenburg. Meadows and Alpine pastures, near-to-nature low-moor marshes and coniferous forests alternate in colourful sequence.

Secluded paths along the riverbanks contrast with centuries old small towns. The river landscape presents its romantic side and then again its natural side, and in the thermal spa its more zesty side. Towering above all this are mighty castles and palaces.

A hike downstream in the heart of La Gruyère, which through openings in the undergrowth offers unrivalled views of the Alpine foothills and creeks filled with turquoise water! It's a real pleasure to discover the flora and fauna and heritage of La Gruyère.

The Pragelpass lives from its eventful history, but also from its beauty between the two different worlds of the cantons Schwyz and Glarus. A tranquil hike with the Schwammhöchi as an atmospheric finale.

The eight-hour hike from Weisstannen in St. Gallen to Elm, in the canton of Glarus, offers you magnificent views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tectonic Arena of Sardona.

Traditional and modern - wood and Valais quartzite shape the villagescape of Vals. View of the settlement of Leis below the Piz Aul. Lime kilns, turquoise pools at Alp Tomül. Views into the Safiental valley to Wisshorn and the Pizzas d'Anarosa.

From Malbun on the mountain trail dedicated to Liechtenstein’s Princess Gina, over the Augstenberg with its superb views to the Pfälzer hut, then northwards, at the foot of the Rappastein, direction Sücka.

On the way to the Belchenflue, various buildings and crests serve as reminders of when Switzerland was well fortified in the two world wars. After the hamlet of Bärenwil shortly ahead, head over the Tiefmatt to Roggen. Down below, Balsthal greets you with Neu-Falkenstein Castle and the paper factory.

This educational trail leads over the Schafberg ob Pontresina and includes 18 information boards over a distance of around seven kilometres.

The Murgseen lakes are embedded in a wild and romantic mountain basin. The idyllic peacefulness of this area is a balm for the soul.

The Val Corno stretching up from Capanna Corno-Gries to the Passo del Corno, is impressive both scenically and geologically, with garnet inclusions in slate on the Gries Pass and the picturesque Griessee lake on the edge of a glacier world. From here, it is a long descent to Goms.

Be ready to be impressed by the unique high Alpine lakes and flora of the Upper Engadin on this 2.5-hour circular hike to the six lejins (Romansch word for small lakes). Each of the crystal-clear mountain lakes contains the minerals and rocks after which they are named.

Challenging high-level trail between Saas-Fee and Grächen, extremely exposed in places as it leads through the steep walls of the Balfrin group. Dizzying views deep into the Saastal, enthralling views of the Fletschhorn, Lagginhorn and Weissmies.

Walser people settled early in Partnun, below the Schijenflue, as they did in Gafiatal. Today an alp area with typical timber houses in the middle of the Rätikonmassiv - an outdoor eldorado. Schweizertor: Alpine crossing to Brand (A), where the first Walsers settled in the 14th century.

Schmelzra and its old furnace ruins follow after S-charl. Then onwards to the turn into the Val Mingèr valley, through the mixed woods along Clemgia, descent through the Clemgia ravine, and on to the Inn district of the resort Scuol. (Previously know as Bad Scuol or Schuls).

Surprises: the Tour de Moron built by apprentices as well as renewable energies on Mont Soleil and Mont Crosin; picturesque little towns nesting between scenic heights. And don’t forget to sample spicy Tête de Moine cheese.