Roger's Choice: Best of Swiss Nature
Intro
These examples of unique natural beauty invite you to linger, take a deep breath and recharge your batteries. Shaped over millions of years, the beauty we see today is relatively recent: areas that were still hidden under the ice as little as 500 years ago are now accessible and have revealed a host of impressive natural monuments. Immense forces have created bizarre rock formations and thundering waterfalls.
The Rhine Falls Neuhausen am Rheinfall
To stand high above Europe's largest waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water over one's entire body - this can be experienced at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. By ship one can reach castles, the Rhine Falls Basin and even the mighty rock in the midst of the waterfall.
Boat ride on a subterranean lake St-Léonard
Europe's largest subterranean lake that can be sailed upon lies between Sion and Sierre. The water grotto is easily accessible and there is a boat tour for viewing it. The guides on the boat tell visitors about the history of the cave and its geology.
Aletsch - the Largest Alpine Glacier Aletsch Arena
Incredibly immense, incredibly beautiful: the Large Aletsch Glacier is the Alps' mightiest ice flow. And the most popular, for it is easily accessible and is ideally situated for extensive hikes, winter sports and special nature excursions.
Chasseral Nature Park Jura & Three-Lakes
Located in the triangle between Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Biel/Bienne, the summit of the Chasseral is both the high point and centre of the nature park. The reserve covers 387km2 - 1% of the surface area of Switzerland – and a total of 21 municipalities.
Jungfrau Region Bern Region
Imposing mountains, a plethora of leisure activities and a wide range of hotel offerings make the Jungfrau Region (including the resort towns Wengen, Mürren und Lauterbrunnen) a highly desirable vacation destination.
Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
At 800 hectares, the terraced vineyards of the UNESCO region Lavaux form Switzerland's largest contiguous vineyard area with terrace after terrace offering magnificent views.
Creux du Van – Natural Spectacle Noiraigue
"Creux du Van", a natural rock arena of immense proportions, is located at the border of the cantons of Neuenburg and Vaud. Impressive 160 meter high vertical rock faces surround a four kilometer long and over one kilometer wide valley basin.
Diavolezza Pontresina
An impressive view from Piz Palü across the Bellavista to Piz Bernina. Six kilometres before the Bernina Pass, the cable car climbs up on the right to this glacier viewpoint at almost 3,000 metres above sea level.
UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch Lucerne – Lake Lucerne Region
Seemingly endless moorlands, craggy karst formations and wild mountain streams make for special experiences and views. Switzerland's first biosphere reserve offers natural beauty at its finest. Almost no other region in Switzerland has as many natural treasures as the “Wild West” of Lucerne.
St. Gotthard Pass – Nostalgie Tremola Airolo
Even the Romans avoided the immense mass of the Gotthard. The Pass only gained significance around the year 1200, when the Schöllenen Ravine between Göschenen and Andermatt was developed. Today the Gotthard Pass is the main North-South connection, traversed by leisure hikers and pass enthusiasts.