All hikes: Along Water

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.

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.

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 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.

Surrounded by an impressive mountain landscape from Pontresina through the Val Bernina and over the Bernina Pass to Alp Grüm. Insight into the effects of climate change in Pontresina and Morteratsch and views from Alp Grüm into Val Poschiavo.

The Chinzigpass awaits with bizarre rock formations and views of the Alps in the Chinzer and Hürital valleys. Unfortunately, Suvorov's troops saw little of these as they had to scale the pass with their heavy field guns on a dull, rainy day.

The trail leads alongside the Lake Thun via Därligen to Meielisalp above Leissigen. The hanging bridge over the Spissibach stream affords an enchanting panorama. The trail continues via Krattigen past Faulensee to Spiez on the most beautiful bay in Europe with its castle and vineyards.

Spectacular views of Lac Léman are the hallmark of this varied level hike. From fashionable Montreux, the route leads past the famous Chateau Chillon to Villeneuve. Along this stretch the lake shore is often less than 10 metres from the trail.

In a gentle descent, the route follows the wild stream La Torneresse for several kilometres until the valley narrows at the Gorges du Pissot. This is where the scenery unfolds to reveal views of the wide valley of the Pays-d’Enhaut. After Châteaux-d’Oex, the trail descends to Rossinière.

This route leads from Gstaad to Saanen along the tranquil banks of the River Saane. An easy path that is notable for its impressive far-reaching views over this enchanting region.

On the trail between the small Habsburg town of Bremgarten and the imposing memorial site of Muri, impressive architectural witnesses of the time bring back to life what was once Europe's most important aristocratic family and reveal exciting facts about prominent individuals of the Habsburg dynasty.

Start in beautifully-conserved, historic Fribourg; off the major traffic routes, through peaceful cultured landscape to the lake shore. Sightseeing attractions along the way: Greng (18th century castle) and a little further on, the obelisk commemorating the Battle of Murten.

After Orbe, the ViaFrancigena reaches the medieval town of Romainmôtier with its Cluniac Abbey. You then reach the centre of the world, where one part of the River Nozon flows to the Mediterranean, the other to the North Sea.

This circular route around the Schwarzsee lake in Canton Freiburg is located in the midst of wonderfully picturesque scenery. With it's impressive mountain panorama and glistening lake, the region is ideal for extended tours.

It's hard to imagine just how much industry (glazier’s workshops, sawmills, mills) there was on the Doubs 200 years ago. Today only a few signs of this intense industrial activity remain, as in Le Theusseret shortly before Goumois, the finish of the second stage.

Crossing of the wild Gondoschlucht (gorge) on three generations of roadways with historic buildings from four centuries and breathtaking natural landscape. History of the Simplon in the old army barracks and Stockalperturm in Gondo.

An excursion into the La Grande Cariçaie nature reserve offers a particularly special experience. One of the routes starts in Yvonand and leads along the southeast shore of Lac de Neuchâtel as far as Estavayer-le-Lac. A divine route through marshlands and lakeside woodlands.

The skilfully laid «bisses» irrigation channels are evidence of Valais history and culture. Fabulous flora along the way, the babbling water so soothing. The «Chemin des Bisses», a hike for all senses, follows the holy waters.

A cultural and long-distance hiking trail through exceptionally charming landscape. This trail is 65km long and runs from Thusis through the Viamala Gorge, the Roffla Gorge and on stone paths over Splügen Pass to Chiavenna. It is on the third leg, from the Walser village of Splügen to Isola in Italy, where you'll find the most beautiful historic remains of trails.

Along the small Urnäsch river, across meadows and fields, through dark coniferous forests and past cascading waterfalls up to Schwägalp - bottom station of the aerial cableway to the Säntis with its fantastic summit panorama.

This popular hiking and cycling trail starts in Burgdorf and runs for its whole length alongside the River Emme to Hasle bei Burgdorf. The route is ideal for tanking up on energy and total relaxation in beautiful surroundings.

The Lac de Joux lies at an altitude of 1,000m, and is popular with hikers (circular hike takes a full day) and mountain bikers for its wild beauty and superb shoreline trails.

The section of the trail between Corippo (under conservation order) and Mergoscia is particularly impressive. Hiking along the mountain trail, you see evidence of land use indicating the farmers’ struggle for survival a century ago.

Scenic bridges and spectacular gorges are the highlights of the Flims waterway or “Trutg dil Flem” in Swiss Romansh.

From the historic city of Thun with its medieval castle, the trail leads past idyllic small towns such as Hünibach and Aeschlen. A little later the, the spectacular Sigriswil panoramic bridge high above Lake Thun waits to be crossed.

The Thur has been allowed more room to meander before joining the Rhine, resulting in the emergence of new wetlands. After a shaded riverside path, the route leads alongside the agricultural zone at Flaach to the banks of the Rhine and past the Thurauen nature centre to Rüdlingen.

The path along the embankment begins at Ottenbach, on the border between the cantons of Aargau and Zürich. This elevated path runs alongside the River Reuss to Rottenschwil and reveals magnificent views of a beautiful natural environment.

15 kilometres of meditative hiking pleasure and one of Switzerland's most beautiful "water trails" run between Soubey and St-Ursanne.

The trail leads alongside the Klöntalersee (lake) between mighty cliff faces down to Glarus. Anyone chancing a dip in the Klöntalsee may find the Russian war chest. It's reputed to have been sunk in the lake as the French attacked.

The Thur is crossed several times after Weinfelden, for instance over the Ganggelisteg, a 120-metre steel cable bridge at Bussnang, and the 1837-built wooden bridge at Eschikofen. The route to Frauenfeld leads through the Allmend nature reserve.

In Yverdon-Clendy, the menhir surprise you, immediately followed by the «Champ-Pittet» Pro Natura Center. Walk along wooden catwalks, immerse yourself in the reed landscape of the Grande Cariçaie marshlands, climb a watchtower and spot aquatic animals.

A level path along the banks of the Rhine with natural riverside areas, past the Wagenhausen Propstei church and St. Katharinental Monastery and Alt Paradies; through the Schaarenwald nature reserve with its historic fortifications and on to Schaffhausen.

From Sigriswil the trail leads to the lakeside at Merlingen and the pilgrims' path to Interlaken, past the St. Beatus-Höhlen (caves) below the Niederhorn. In addition to the lakeside walk through the nature reserve (mouth of River Aare /Lake Thun) Unterseen and Interlaken are also inviting.

Picturesque and rugged ravines that could almost be called fiords open up after Les Brenets. Polished by natural forces, the rock faces have the shape of a human face and the head of a legendary monster. The trail leads to the Saut du Doubs, a spectacular, 27m high waterfall.