Hiking: Along Water

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stroll with views of the Alps - from Küssnacht through the nature reserves in Wagenmoos, along the lakeshore at Meggen and Meggehorn castle. Approach to the city of Lucerne and arrival along the 19th-century tourism alley, its quay with distant views of the Alps.

French poet Gilles described the beauty of the Venoge, the river that this stage follows from Cossonay to Saint-Sulpice, sometimes high up, sometimes beside the water. The pilgrims’ path finally reaches Lac Léman and continues on via the Roman town of Vidy to Lausanne.

Top class cuisine and spectacular landscapes - the road to the "Grand Canyon" of Switzerland is a pleasure in every respect.

Hike along Lake Montsalvens and through the Jaunbach gorge. Walkers cross the Saane plain and follow mystic pathways to Greyerz (Gruyères) Castle, recognisable from afar. Temptations abound, with heavenly chocolate at Maison Cailler in Broc and legendary cheese in Gruyères (Pringy).

The hike starts in Malval and follows the entire course of the Allondon, a tributary of the Rhone and hugely important floodplain biotope.

The trail follows the high banks of the Rhein river, which here are strongly influenced by the industrial and traffic infrastructure of Basel's catchment area. The ruins of Augusta Raurica, the Rhine harbour, river power stations and Basel's city-silhouette are outstanding.

Closely watched by the devil, the route leads from Wassen to Göschenen and through the bottleneck of the Schöllenenschlucht gorge to Andermatt. The sequence of historic routes, bridges, customs posts and hostels bring pre-modern transport to life.

The ViaRhenana, one of Switzerland's longest hiking trails, runs for ten days along the historic waterway between Untersee and Hochrhein. The fourth stage takes four hours from Schaffhausen to Rheinau with its baroque monastery church.

Delightful hike along the River Aare, first through urban areas, then through one of Switzerland’s loveliest river landscapes. The renaturation of the river banks has brought great benefit. Worb Castle is seen from afar but is not open to the public.

The changing atmosphere of lake, river and historic small towns are characteristic of the route. From Bielersee lake to the Aare banks and then a beautiful riverside hike to Büren. Over forested Bucheggberg and along the banks of the Emme to baroque Solothurn.

This stage follows one of the main routes of the Jakobsweg (Route of St. James). The highlight is the Werthenstein complex, a place of pilgrimage with a famous Bernese pietà and a small pietà fountain, which is said to help mainly with eye problems.

This idyllic circular hike through a glorious natural landscape – comprising a lake, mountains and lush green meadows – is not one that you will readily forget.

Gravel banks, footbridges and countless picnic areas line the River Töss between Turbenthal and Sennhof. The hike’s destination is Schloss Kyburg, which towers majestically over the Töss Valley.

This route starts in Ebnat-Kappel and leads along the idyllic banks of the River Thur to Wattwil. An easy route in the middle of an intact natural world, which thanks to the impressive mountains on the horizon offers fascinating scenery.

The two-hour hike from the Gemmi Pass around the magical Daubensee lake gives hikers the chance to recharge their batteries.

Nestled in the pre-Alpine landscape of Central Switzerland, Lake Sarnen is the perfect place for a leisurely hike. Sachseln and Giswil lie on the edge of the route. The hike starts and ends in the historic town of Sarnen.

The departure point for this route is the Badische Bahnhof railway station in Basel. The Lange Erlen wildlife park, the Dammweg along the river and the open landscape in Riehen ensure a varied and unforgettable tour.

The Upper Engadine is certainly one of the most impressive landscapes in Switzerland.

The highlight of this hike is the nature reserve of Etang de la Gruère, where a path takes you around Switzerland’s largest moor lake, and the acidic boggy soil provides the ideal conditions for unique flora and fauna to thrive.

In Lausanne, the ViaJacobi leads from the Notre Dame Cathedral down the Escaliers du Marché. In Vidy it crosses an idyllic park with Roman ruins and then follows the popular lakeside promenade along Lac Léman to Morges.

The old mule track is a walk through history and the world of the Kraftwerke Oberhasli power company. From the dam to the works railway, many facilities are accessible – guaranteeing many memorable moments.

Find out in a fun way where the power comes from that drives Rhaetian Railway as you cross through one of Switzerland’s most beautiful mountain landscapes.

After the rock outcrop at Stalvedro the trail winds its way down to the floor of the Leventina valley. Alongside the Ticino River and changing from one bank to the other, you reach Rodi and the Dazio Grande customs house, one of the impressive symbols of the ViaGottardo.

A magnificent forest track borders the lake on hilly ground from Corbières to Botterens. It is quiet on the way back, with magnificent views of the Moléson, the Dent de Broc and the Gibloux. Chocolate treats in Maison Cailler and an opportunity to swim in Les Laviaux.

Hike along the idyllic Seerhein shore and through shady northern slopes above the lake with views of Untersee and Insel Reichenau. Historic places of interest along the way: Gottlieben, Ermatingen, Steckborn and Arenenberg Castle with its Napoleon Museum.

The Thur now flows eastwards and straightened through the principality. There is hardly any altitude difference to overcome on the embankment and through shady forest. The Huserfelsen cliffs just before the cantonal border are the only notable elevation. After this the trail ascends to Bischofszell.

Dark-blue Lake Oberblegisee is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful mountain lakes and is shrouded in mystery, as nobody knows where its waters flow to. Wild streams and sublime flora create the backdrop to this natural wonder.

An interesting Swiss teaching trail is found right at the doorstep of Zurich. The "Industrial Trail Zürich Oberland" leads on a 30-kilometer tour (hiking the tour in several stages is easily done) - past a plethora of industrial plants from the early stages of industrialization, including the recently opened Textile Machinery Museum in Neuthal.

A stage for railway fans: part of the trail runs right alongside the railway tracks, past Göschenen and Andermatt, which played important roles in Gotthard traffic history. In between the Schöllenenschlucht (gorge), shrouded in myth.

Along its 200 kilometers, the Thurgau Circuit Hike leads to many beautiful spots. It has 24 sections and embraces the entire canton.