All hikes: Along Water

Witness the pioneering efforts of man and nature on the Path of the Pioneers, which takes you to the geographic centre of Graubünden. The Crap Furò natural forest reserve is home to one of the most diverse forests in Switzerland on such a small area.

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.

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.

An excursion from Fiesch to the Fieschertal - always alongside the lively Wysswasser river - is the purest of natural experiences. Here the mountain landscape of the Valais is presented at it's best. It's impossible to do anything but relax and enjoy it.

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.

On a tour of Geneva, you soon realize that the vibrant metropolis also offers wonderful locations in natural surroundings. Combined with the urban background, the attractive promenade alongside the lake, is the ideal place to take a stroll.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 Waldstätterweg hiking trail starts in Brunnen and leads hikers in seven stages over seven days around the scenic Lake Lucerne to the Rütli.

Flüeli affords outstanding views. The varied route follows the shores of the Sarneree and Lungernsee lakes and from Lungern church along the Brünigweg which, as a pilgrimage pfennig (coin) shows, was once a pilgrims’ path.

The Principality of Liechtenstein offers plenty of sightseeing attractions. One of the idyllic routes leads from the tiny, peaceful village of Steg to Valüna. The stretch is set in a wonderful natural world and offers unadulterated relaxation.

Owing to the lack of suitable trails, Lac de Neuchâtel is crossed by boat. Imposing Mont Vully is visible from afar. Short but steep climb. Wonderful panorama. Through the fertile shoreline forest of Le Chablais to the medieval town of Murten.

First along the lake shore then over meadows and fields, through airy forests, past vineyards and villages, castles and villas to the medieval town of Aubonne. Wakker Prize winner St-Prex on Lac Lèman is well worth a stop.

Wunderbare Flusslandschaften, historische Städtchen und ein wunderbares Thermalbad prägen die Rheinuferwanderung von Eglisau nach Zurzach. Vom schmucken Eglisau geht’s ins mittelalterliche Kaiserstuhl und schliesslich nach Zurzach.

A stroll through the picturesque old town of Estavayer-le-Lac, with its cobbled lanes and mighty castle is well worthwhile. Children love the fine sandy beaches, the easy rambles through lakeshore reed beds and the numerous aquatic animals.

The circular route from Zürich Höngg alongside the River Limmat soon leaves the city surroundings for a peaceful natural world. The route leads alongside the water, over the Werdinsel and past the Kloster Fahr (monastery) Relaxation can sometimes be close enough to touch.

Wonderful gardens, secluded swimming spots and splendid views over Lake Geneva accompany you on this shoreline hike from Lausanne-Ouchy to Morges. The magnificent promenades in Ouchy and Morges form the start and finish of this refreshing tour.

The route leads back to Thun over the Spiezberg hill and along the tranquil lakeside path. It's worth making the detour to the church in Einigen, which illustrates 1300 years of cultural history around Lake Thun. To finish, the numerous restaurants in the town wait to welcome weary travellers.

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.

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.

This section includes a boat trip from Brunnen to Treib, the ancient refuge harbour at the point where cantons Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden meet. The chapels along the way and the Winkelried memorial in Stans are worth seeing.

This route runs around the enchanting hamlet of Lucelle, which is set in a nature reserve. The remains of a Cistercian monastery will take you back to bygone days and the wild vegetation along the lake shore will make this an unforgettable tour.

Via the north wall to the other shore and the Bürgenstock cliff path, which as an Alpine promenade, afforded well-heeled ladies and gentlemen a view back to the city of Lucerne. Past the pilgrimage site of St Jost along the shore at Ennetburgen, Buochs and Beckenried.