Rivers and lakes

Nestled between the Rigi and the Grosser and Kleiner Mythen mountains in the canton of Schwyz lies Lake Lauerz and its pleasure island of Schwanau that is about 200m long.

Lake Arnen is known as the “Pearl of the Saanenland”. The name suits: framed by the wild woods of the Tschärzis valley, the lake sparkles like a piece of jewellery.

The Greifensee is a pearl in the heavily built-up Glatt valley. This small lake, which has a water expanse of just under 9 square kilometres, and its shore areas of diverse flora and fauna are a favourite excursion destination for people from the conurbation of Zurich city.

The Giessbach brook tumbles in 14 stages, over a length of 500 meters and out of the high valleys of the Faulhorn area down to Lake Brienz. Historic Grand Hotel Giessbach is located at the foot of this nature spectacle. The hotel is accessible by means of Europe's oldest funicular.

Idyllic Lake Bannalp lies above the Engelberg Valley. The alp of the same name can be reached by cable car from Oberrickenbach and is irresistible to summiteers, families with children and people searching for relaxation.

A natural spectacle in a class of their own are the 600m long Engstligen waterfalls. Under preservation since 1948, these are the second longest falls in Switzerland

Lake Cauma is a turquoise oasis in the middle of the Grisons Alps. Surrounded by dense forests, it invites you to relax and explore. Thanks to its sheltered location, the water warms up to a pleasant temperature in summer – ideal for a refreshing break with a view of the Alps.

Turn off your worries, inhale deeply and enjoy the comforting effect of alpine waters. This theme trail invites hikers to discover at first hand unique water scenery at the end of the Adelboden Valley

The shores of Lake Neuchâtel are characterised by vines, sandy beaches and reed belts. Discover the unique natural landscape on a boat trip or canoe tour. Visit Neuchâtel and Estavayer-le-Lac with their castles or Yverdon-les-Bains with its thermal baths.

Dare to cross the bridge as our ancestors did. Take the time to admire the vertiginous view and continue along the path that leads straight to the magnificent Ramaclé Waterfall before opening onto the majestic gorges of Gérignoz.

Between Les Brenets and the Maison Monsieur, the Doubs river is constantly changing - a trip along the river is full of surprises.

The Lai Barnagn in Savognin is a bathing lake not unlike those in the picture books. The crystal-clear water makes for summer refreshment and fun for all the family.

The Crestasee offers an astounding experience of authenticity and natural serenity. The blue-green waters are surrounded by luxuriant vegetation on the shores, and a deep green crown of trees. This is indeed a fairy-tale view!

The Golzernsee lake is located in the rugged Maderaner Valley and beckons for a refreshing dip in the water when the weather is warm.

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

A water spectacle of the three-tiered Zillibach Falls in Braunwald. A natural spectacle to behold, especially in spring!

The Rosenlaui Glacier, located to the south of Meiringen, in the canton of Bern, might be small, since it has an area of only six square kilometers, but thanks to this glacier two beautiful natural attractions have come into being - Glacier Gorge Rosenlaui and the world-famous Reichenbach Falls.

Lake Biel/Bienne in the Jura & Three-Lakes area of Switzerland is situated on the border between the French and German speaking parts. It borders the southern edge of the Jura, where the slopes are used for intensive cultivation of vines.

Lake Walen (Walensee) in eastern Switzerland links the two cantons of St. Gallen and Glarus and forms the western end of the holiday region known as “Heidiland”, after Johanna Spyri’s world-famous Heidi story. On the northern side, the Churfirsten mountain chain rises nearly vertically out of the water. On the other side of the lake is the popular winter sports and hiking region of the Flumserberg.

The Reuss is Central Switzerland’s quintessential river. Starting in the Gotthard region, it steadily flows northward, through Lake Lucerne, and after 160 kiliometers it ultimately flows near Windisch into the Aare River.

The idyllic hilly countryside around the lake, the medieval castle of Hallwyl with its heritage exhibitions, and the romantic boat trips round the lake make Lake Hallwil and the nearby Seetal valley a small but popular tourist area.

Experience the beauty of the Bernese Oberland on Lake Thun. Historic castles, romantic lakeside towns and the view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau will inspire you. Combine a boat trip with an excursion to the St. Beatus Caves, the Niederhorn or the city of Thun.

The Rhine provides the Schaffhauserland with refreshing water. On hot days, refreshment is not only to be found at the Rhine Falls. There is also a lot to discover in the medieval towns of Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein.

In the middle of the Vallée de La Brévine, just half an hour from La Chaux-de-Fonds, lies the picturesque Lac des Taillères. The lake is impressive all year round, with an atmosphere that changes with the seasons and that touch of Jura magic, combining landscape with nature.

Those who look towards Wildstrubel from Adelboden know little of the peaceful Alp that lies almost hidden at half-height in the valley basin. The entrance leads past the 600 meter-high Engstligenfälle.

Lake Sarnen occupies 7.5 square kilometers in the beautiful landscape between Sarnen (a major town in the region of Obwald) and the ascent to the Brünig Pass.

Anne-Marie, a local hiking guide, leads her group of hikers across gentle Alpine meadows and forests to the Sprutz waterfall which lives up to its Swiss name: to splash.

Blue, crystal clear and indescribably beautiful – that’s the Blausee. Discover one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Switzerland in the Kandertal Region of the Bernese Oberland. Enjoy the peace and quiet by the lake and the fairytale nature park with walking paths, fire pits and picnic areas.

The Aare is the longest wholly Swiss river. It originates from the Oberaar glacier in the eastern Bernese Alps, flows through lakes Brienz and Thun, passes by the federal capital of Bern, is channelled into Lake Biel, follows the southern foot of the Jura range and finally flows into the Rhine at Koblenz, in north-western Switzerland. Passenger boats operate on the lakes as well as the river section from Biel to Solothurn.

Clean air, fresh water, untouched nature: The Schwarzsee is the ideal choice for active relaxation while hiking, bathing and biking – or simply for lazing around. Discover the fascinating landscape around the mountain lake and visit the alpine huts on the Riggisalp and in the Brecca Valley.

A great Adventure for nature explorers, music lovers, conscious travelers, visiting two of the most amazing waterfall in Maggia valley, Ticino, with like-minded people and a sound artist/live DJ.

Above Les Mosses, Lake Lioson is bordered by the imposing peaks of the Vaud Alps. Take a moment to enjoy the idyllic scenery and the emerald green water of the lake. There's a good reason why Lake Lioson is known as the pearl of the Alpine lakes.

The oldest game preserve still in existence. It owes its name to its milky blue colour: a karst (limestone) lake with genuine glacier waters.