Canyons

She was once hated: the wild, deep gorge carved out by the Hinter Rhine was called the “Evil Road” by mule drivers. Today, visitors are drawn to the spectacular expanse of water and rock.

As visitors enter the Valais, they are greeted by impressive mountain cliffs and a waterfall that is, unfortunately, smaller than it used to be.

The name is already promising: “Pichoux” means 1,000 springs.

Less than one kilometre from the village square, a thermal source footbridge crosses the Dala Gorge at Leukerbad.

The Gorner Gorge is one of the most fascinating scenic attractions in Zermatt. It is an easy 20-minute walk from the south end of the village of Zermatt.

The Alpbach Gorge in the Haslital Valley is one of nature’s jewels and a great experience for seasoned and sure-footed mountain climbers.

The geological formation in the Clemgia Gorge with its green serpentine interspersions is particularly fascinating. The narrow trail wends its way above the Clemgia up to the end of the gorge, leading alternately through mixed forests and across craggy Bündnerschiefer (slate formations typical of Graubünden).

The Blenio Valley in Upper Ticino is a typical Ticino mountain valley. Densely forested mountain slopes rise majestically above the sunny valley floors far below.

The Trient Gorge was carved out of the Mont Blanc massif by the wild river of the same name. The 200-metre deep gorge is a paradise for both climbers and botanists.

Grindelwald Glacial Gorge is an adventurous experience whatever the weather. For a thrilling experience, try balancing and climbing on the 170m² Spiderweb net hanging over the roaring Lütschine River.

Wallbach Gorge is a cool tip for a hot day. The wide stream bed at the end of the falls and the outdoor grill are both enjoyable places to spend time.

Between Broc and Châtel-sur-Montsalvens in the canton of Fribourg lies the spectacular and romantically wild Jaunbach Gorge. Wooden bridges, tunnels and rock galleries make this walk an adventurous excursion for the entire family.

The Gottéron Gorge near Fribourg/Freiburg is a small but beautiful and idyllic valley between the German-speaking and French-speaking parts of Switzerland. Mighty, often vertically sloping rock walls line the narrow gorge.

In the olden days, the road through the Twingi Gorge could be deadly in winter. Before the tunnel between Ausserbinn and Binn was built, the self-sufficient valley would be cut off from the outside world for weeks.

Illgraben is a bowl-shaped, steep-sided mountain basin that towers over the Rhone Valley. It is also one of the key starting points for debris flows in Switzerland.

Coloradoschlucht Gorge in the Vaud Jura.

In Haslital bei Meiringen the Aare River has cut a gorge in the limestone that is 200 metres deep in some places. Thanks to the walkways and tunnels, it is easy to hike through the entire gorge.

The Schöllenen Gorge is to the Gotthard Pass as the Gondo Gorge is to the Simplon Pass.

There is quite a contrast between the southern village of Martigny at the elbow of the Rhone and the wilderness of Durnand Gorge, or the Gorges du Durnand as it is called in French.

While in the past it was only courageous crystal hunters who braved the Massa Gorge, it is now accessible to the general public thanks to the building of the Gibidem Dam.

The Choleren Gorge, with its many flights of steps and bridges across lovely cascading waters, never fails to impress visitors.

For over 100 years, Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge has delighted nature enthusiasts. On its way from the glacier to the valley, the Weissenbach River has cut a deep path in the chalk and slate rock face.

10,000 years ago, 100 billion cubic metres of rock thundered into the valley. Known as the Flims Rockslide, this event created the Ruinaulta, a canyon-like gorge in the Anterior Rhine Valley that can be reached on foot, over water, by train or by bike.

Stunning cliffs, a light blue mountain river and ancient bridges and tunnels make for a perfect photo backdrop.

The little stream is quiet and dreamy as it lazily meanders through Vallorbe, but it soon becomes a roaring torrent as it rushes through the huge Orbe Gorge, where waterfalls alternate with spectacular rapids. A hike through the cool gorge is especially good on hot summer days. The river near the Saut du Day waterfall is the perfect spot to cool your feet.

The natural wilderness is just a few steps away from the old town of Montreux. The La Baye de Montreux River flows through the gorge from the foot of Rochers-de-Naye into Lake Geneva.

Bringing the history to life in the Tamina Gorge. This is the source of the 36.5° C warm thermal waters that have made Bad Ragaz world famous.

From the Lower Engadine one passes through Val d’Uina (Uina Gorge) to reach the Vinschgau Valley. The hiking trail, which is partly carved into the rock, is especially popular among avid hikers.

The little Melchtal valley in the canton of Obwalden, also known as Tobel, has long been a popular year-round hiking area. In deepest winter, the water on the rock walls turns into a vast landscape of icicles.

The rugged cliffs, just a few meters apart, show the force behind the River Linth as it found its course here.

This is a dam made of debris from prehistoric landslides that separates the Klöntal and Linthtal valleys.

A circular trail leads from Tête-Noire to the tantalisingly named Gorges Mystérieuses – mysterious gorges.

Discover Areuse Gorge. It is a study in contrasts: sometimes wide open, sometimes narrow, with burbling waters and spaces of deep silence.

The wildly romantic Taubenloch Gorge near Biel promises a pleasantly cool hike in summer. Plus there’s a free geography lesson thrown in for good measure.

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

The River Aa at times crashes over rocks, then squeezes through wedge-shaped boulders or lingers in a quiet stream bed.