Mountains

Although it has strong competition in the form of the neighbouring Matterhorn, for many people the Obel Gabelhorn with its uniform shape is one of the most beautiful mountains in the Alps. But it’s not just its outward appearance that makes it one of a kind, but its climb too.

Zermatt’s Breithorn has the following peaks and points: the Western Breithorn (main summit, 4,164m), the Central Breithorn (4,156m), the Breithorn Saddle (the lowest point of the summit ridge: 4,020m), the Breithorn Twins: Eastern Breithorn (4,138m) and Gendarm (4,106m); Roccia Nera (4,073m).

Mountain lakes amidst garnd granite and gneiss landscapes. The Cristallina region at the far end of the Val Bavona valley is shaped by an impressive mountain world accessible to visitors in summer.

One of the twin Breithorn peaks above Zermatt. A popular venture for less experienced climbers of four-thousanders, easily accessible via the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise upper station.

On the Swiss side, the renowned Monte Rosa Hut serves as a starting point for climbs up to the Parrotspitze. This peak can be found in the Monte Rosa massif.

The uncrowned queen of the Mischabel group, that sits above the Valais village of Täsch. The climb up to the summit is an experience in itself!

The pass region between Adelboden and Lenk has long been used as a passageway for horses and horse-drawn carriages, a first hotel was constructed in 1905, and starting in winter 1936 a so-called Funi-sled made its way through the pass.

From this family-friendly location the gondola railway climbs 500 meters high through the coniferous forest to the Hannigalp – and kids of course delight in the 10 gondolas clad fairy-tale fashion.

The Napf peak at an altitude of 1406m is the highest peak between Emmental and Entlebuch. There is no road or railway access to the summit. The cosy summit inn can be reached on foot or by mountain bike.

The early days of Switzerland right at the heart of the country: The Grosse Mythen mountain with its breathtaking alpine panorama and a spectacular ride in the Rotenflue gondola above Schwyz.

The Hinter Fiescherhorn only rises slightly above the firn line between the three peaks of the Fiescherhorn massif. It has nevertheless earned the right to be recognised as a separate four-thousand-metre peak, and a popular one at that.

A combination of close and distant views: On the one side the longest glacial flow of the Alps, and Rhone Valley with views as far as the Weisshorn and Matterhorn on the other.

The northernmost peak of the Monte Rosa massif is also the second-highest peak in Switzerland. And visitors often like to return and make the ascent multiple times!

The name Anniviers supposedly stems from the Latin "ad nives" (to the snow). And indeed, the eternal snow of the Valais Alps is not far from here!

Trains travels every hour from Neuchâtel through the Val de Travers valley to Buttes. Followed by chairlift rides up to Robella, the mountain of adventure behind Vaud’s Chasseron.

The Matterhorn and Switzerland are inseparably linked to each other. The pyramid shaped colossus of a mountain, which is very difficult to climb, is said to be the most-photographed mountain in the world. The Klein-Matterhorn ("Little Matterhorn"), which can be reached via a funicular, lies adjacent to the Matterhorn.

Ascend above the clouds on the Säntis and the Schwägalp – and much more. This legendary mountain range provides some of Europe’s most stunning natural scenery, unique panoramic views over six countries and a whole host of things to see and do.

The Grand Combin de Grafeneire is part of the Grand Combin massif, which really lives up to its nickname of the “Swiss Himalaya”. That’s because the mountain massif is surrounded by thick glacial layers.

This is Switzerland's largest moor landscape. At 130 square kilometers, the area is a bit larger than Lake Lucerne.

Gondola rail conquers as much as a 840-meter climb to Kreuzboden, and a further 750 meters to the Hohsaas. And naturally far-reaching views over the Saas glacier world couldn’t be better!

One of the twin Breithorn peaks above Zermatt. A popular venture for less experienced climbers of four-thousanders, easily accessible via the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise upper station.

A very striking and popular four-thousander on the Bern–Valais cantonal border. It can be easily recognised by its peak, which looks a little like a shark’s fin.

A mountain in the Bernese Alps that is relatively rarely climbed, with the Schreckhorn often being favoured instead. The Lauteraargrat is a more popular destination than the Lauteraarhorn.

The Valais four-thousanders stand nicely to attention on the southern horizon - And visitors spending the night at the mountain guesthouse by the Torrenthorn Rinderhütte witness the summit world in a very special light.

The Grand Combin de Valsorey is part of the Grand Combin massif, which really lives up to its nickname: the “Himalaya of Switzerland”. That’s because the mountain massif is surrounded by thick glacial layers.

Maker of weather, dragon's lair, home to giants and grave of rulers: Lucerne's very own mountain, Pilatus, is one of the most legendary places in Central Switzerland. And one of the most beautiful. On a clear day the mountain offers a panoramic view of 73 Alpine peaks.

This physically challenging four-thousander lies in the Valais Alps and consists of two peaks. It was a woman who first climbed its eastern peak!

In a majestic setting where three lakes meet, easily reached by cog railway or cable car, with a panoramic view of the highest Alpine peaks and a varied range of leisure activities – no wonder the Rigi is one of Switzerland’s most popular mountains.

Going uphill is rarely this comfortable. The cabins of the steepest funicular in the world adapt to the most extreme inclination. In this way, the passengers are always on a horizontal surface. But there isn't much time to enjoy the comfortable ride, as it takes just four to seven minutes to go up the 743 metres of altitude.

Among the snow-capped twin peaks Pollux and Castor, Pollux is not as high, and also the less challenging of the two. But the summit route really packs a punch.

Ayent-Anzère is famous for its historic water channels (Bisses) - but between the Wildhorn and Rhone Valley many attractive highland hikes beyond the forest border await you too.

Scarcely more than 4,000 metres above sea level, the Lagginhorn overlooks the Valais Alps. Although the ascent also packs a punch, attention should be paid to the challenging descent in particular.

The Signalkuppe lies on the Swiss–Italian border. This mountain giant is home to Europe’s highest building: the Margherita Hut.

A popular route up the Castor starts at the Klein Matterhorn. The climbs is not as challenging compared with other mountain giants, but is by no means any less beautiful.

As the name of this four-thousander suggests, the Schreckhorn is the Bernese Alps’ most challenging four-thousander (“Schrecken” is the German word for “terror”). Not many are actually scared off by it though – the mountain is climbed pretty regularly.

A mountain that looks like it could have been lifted straight out of a picture book: pyramid-shaped and almost completely set apart. The climb up the Weisshorn is one of the Alpine region’s most beautiful, and at the same time one of the most challenging.