Mountains

The summit ridge of the Alphubel looks more like a hill than a mountain peak. The ascent of this four-thousand-metre peak in the Allalin group is challenging and requires an excellent level of fitness.

Not far from Zinal, the striking peak of the Zinalrothorn stretches up into the sky. It is a classic alpine climbing peak, making it popular among mountaineers.

Although the Strahlhorn is technically on the easier side, it requires an extremely high level of fitness. It sits in the Valais Alps, above Saas-Fee.

At the foot of the Gotthard massif, near Airolo-Pesciüm, rises a magical mountain that becomes a paradise for skiers and snow lovers in winter, while in summer it is an ideal destination for bikers and hikers.

The Hotel Rigi Kulm has been welcoming guests for almost 200 years.

At first glance, the Stecknadelhorn doesn’t look particularly spectacular. But anyone climbing this mountain in the Mischabel group will also traverse the Nadelgrat ridge – an absolute highlight for any mountain climber.

Its name comes from the Swiss-German word “Weissmies”, meaning white moss, or to put it another way, snow. It forms the main summit of the Weissmies group close to Saas-Fee.

The near-perfect pyramid shape of this mountain has inspired many an artist to depict it, including Ferdinand Hodler (1909), Paul Klee (1915) and Cuno Amiet (1926). It takes just 30 minutes to reach the 2,362m summit of the pyramid on the funicular railways from Mülenen.

The first person to climb it was an Austrian named Ludwig von Welden. The Ludwigshöhe, the southernmost four-thousander in Switzerland, can be climbed over a range of challenging routes.

The Allalinhorn is part of the Mischabel chain. It is one of the easier four-thousand-metre peaks, making it extremely popular with climbers.

The high plateau between the Bielersee lake and Chasseral, at around 800m altitude, has been connected though a funicular railway from Ligerz to Prêles since over a century.

The Moléson is the iconic mountain of the Fribourg Alps. Its slopes are home to the Moléson-sur-Gruyères station, the starting point for the ascent to the 2,002m summit and the gateway to the largest ski area in the Pays de Fribourg.

A truly spectacular journey – commencing at the Rhäzuns station en route to Engadine, the cable car traverses the Hinterrhein floodplain with views into Domleschg.

The winter sports region between Obersaxen and Lumnezia is a popular hiking area in summer, with changing views over the anterior Rhine Valley and as far as Piz Terri.

The Gross Grünhorn sits in the Bernese Alps – but belongs to the canton of Valais. This is a multifaceted four-thousander peak with several appealing routes.

When the weather forecast threatens with “gray down under and blue on top“ – this is the place to avoid the fog. 1000 meters above the Urnersee lake, with views as far as the Gotthard region.

The origin of its name is a mystery. But one thing is clear: the Dom is the highest Swiss mountain whose base is entirely in Swiss territory.

The Liskamm traverse is particularly infamous. As is its western peak, also known as “the man-eater”.

The second-highest peak in the Bernese Alps is also considered to be the coldest across the entire Alpine region. The highly glaciated Aletschhorn towers over the UNESCO-listed Jungfrau-Aletsch area.

A popular destination close to Zermatt, suitable for mountaineers and non-mountaineers alike. The cable car makes the way up easier, making the Breithorn one of the easiest four-thousanders to climb.

The mountain Le Chasseron lies at 1,607m in the Jura mountains of the Canton of Vaud, roughly ten kilometres northwest of Yverdon-les-Bains. It is part of the southeasternmost chain of the folded Jura, which falls away sharply to the Swiss plateau.

680 meters above the Adelboden village street is where you find the Schwandfeldspitz – with top views over the Engstligen Valley, Lohner, Wildstrubel as far as the Wildhorn.

The cable car up to Klein Matterhorn will make the ascent to Roccia Nera significantly easier. This peak is seldom climbed for itself, but rather as a way of accessing other climbs.

This striking four-thousander with an easily recognisable peak is part of the Mischabel group. The Nadelhorn is a comparably simpler four-thousander summit.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Stoos offers you the utmost in relaxation. Europe’s steepest funicular will take you up to the car-free mountain village in Central Switzerland. Whether while on hikes in the summer or in the ski area in the winter: you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Alps and Lake Lucerne here.

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.

In the middle of Switzerland on Lake Lucerne, you’ll find the impressive Pilatus. Lucerne’s local mountain with the red dragon is one of the region’s most popular excursion destinations. Cable cars and mountain railways, hiking trails, the Dragon World and an adventure park ensure unforgettable peak experiences.

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!

The Rigi, known as the “Queen of the Mountains”, can be found in the heart of Switzerland. The journey there, by boat and mountain railway, is an experience in itself. Once at the top, you’ll be able to enjoy panoramic hikes and wellness in Rigi Kaltbad. And this is also joined by top excursions in the region around Lucerne and Lake Lucerne.