Canyons

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.

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.

In the Rosenlaui glacier gorge in the Bernese Oberland, the glacier water has formed a work of art made of rock over thousands of years. Experience the incredible power of water and follow the path through tunnels and past thundering waterfalls.

The Rhine Gorge in Graubünden is one of the most impressive natural landscapes in Switzerland. Stand on the Il Spir viewing platform, hike along the Rhine or ride the Rhaetian Railway through the gorge.

The entrance to the Gasterntal Valley leads through the narrow Chluse Gorge. This passageway was used from earliest times. Mules were used on this narrow pass, which is the first steep ascent on the way to Lötschen Pass.

The Schöllenen Gorge is probably the most legendary section of the historic Gotthard route. On the Devil's Bridge over the roaring Reuss, you can get an idea of how hard and dangerous the path across the Alps once was.

A trip to the Breggia Gorges is a real time travelling experience. In this part of the Mendrisiotto along the Breggia River you will find some unusual geological formations.

Not far from the vibrant hustle and bustle of the city of Bern you’ll find the Sense-Schwarzwasser nature reserve. Here, large glacial meltwater rivers have dug impressive gorges into the molasse rock.

A nature experience that really gets under your skin: This is the Wolfsschlucht Gorge in Thal Nature Park in the Solothurn Jura region. It is also an ideal adventure playground for children.

Considered one of nature’s true gems and located on the sunny side of the Jura, the Bettlachstock is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. An unspoilt natural environment with centuries-old beech forests, it provides an ideal habitat for a diverse range of animal and plant species. Idyllic hiking paths give families and nature lovers the opportunity to experience the fascinating region up close.

Crossing the Schin Gorge between Tiefencastel, Alvaschein and Sils in Domleschg was not for nervous travellers.

Verena Gorge is a mystical place of power that is situated just outside the city of Solothurn. A hermit still lives here to this day.

The name Tüfelsschlucht means “The Devil’s Gorge” and this is considered to be one of the most beautiful of the numerous gorges in the Jura. The 2.2km long gorge winds its way along the Cholersbach Stream and is connected by 32 bridges and catwalks.

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.

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 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.

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

Discover the Taubenlochschlucht gorge near Biel/Bienne. Steep rock faces, wooden footbridges and the sound of the river Schüss accompany you through the Bernese Jura. You will experience one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Biel/Bienne region.

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

Immerse yourself in the wild Gorner Gorge. On wooden walkways and galleries you follow the thundering glacier water through 220-million-year-old rock. A natural spectacle just a 15-minute walk from the centre 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.

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

Descend 359 steps into the Viamala Gorge in Graubünden. Below you stand in front of 300-meter-high rock faces, rock cirques formed by the water and the roaring Hinterrhein. Historic bridges and paths tell of the time of the muleteers.

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 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.