Rivers and lakes

Up on the Diemtigbergli above Diemtigen, a popular place for excursions.

Lej Nair is a well-kept secret. Usually, you’ll only have to share the little mountain lake in Lower Engadine with a few locals. Quiet and – as the name suggests – dark, it is located on an upland moor above Tarasp.

The turquoise blue Lake Brienz – a jewel in the middle of the mountain landscape of the Bernese Oberland. Discover pretty lakeside villages such as Brienz or Bönigen. Enjoy a ride on the paddle steamer to the Giessbach Falls. Or experience a nostalgic ride on the steam locomotive to the Brienzer Rothorn.

The Palfries cable car offers a unique view of large parts of the Heidiland and beyond. The cable car runs directly above an impressive waterfall, one of the highest in Switzerland. After passengers arrive at 1,728 metres above sea level, the imposing Palfries plateau is revealed in all its glory.

Lago Nero and Lago Bianco provide visitors with striking spectacles of colour in both summer and winter.

“... nowhere have I felt so truly happy as on St. Peter's Island in the middle of Lake Biel,” wrote Jean-Jacques Rousseau shortly before his death, wistfully recalling his all too short stay on the island in the autumn of 1765.

The Thur is Eastern Switzerland’s predominant river. Coming from Toggenburg, the river flows in a large arc beside the rich cultural and scenic landscapes of the Cantons of St. Gallen and Thurgau and parts of the Canton of Zürich.

Lake Ägeri is nestled in a hilly moraine landscape and offers a wide range of hiking, mountain biking and water sports activities. Its shores were the site of the famous Battle of Morgarten in 1315, the first battle between the Confederates and the Habsburgs.

Lake Lucerne is both diverse and beautiful. A lake basin filled with deep-blue water, surrounded by destination mountains such as the Rigi and the Pilatus, and with picturesque villages and the city of Lucerne on its shores: this unique combination is nothing short of inspiring.

The small and fjord-like Lake Schiffenen at Düdingen is a popular excursion destination for young and old.

The unique Macun lake plateau lies high up between Zernez and Lavin. There, 23 mountain lakes of various sizes lie like dark pearls scattered across the plateau. This is a particularly magical place and a real highlight of the Swiss National Park.

Clean air, fresh water, untouched nature: The Schwarzsee is the ideal choice for active relaxation while hiking, bathing and biking – or simply for lazing around. Discover the fascinating landscape around the mountain lake and visit the alpine huts on the Riggisalp and in the Brecca Valley.

The Aare is the longest wholly Swiss river. It originates from the Oberaar glacier in the eastern Bernese Alps, flows through lakes Brienz and Thun, passes by the federal capital of Bern, is channelled into Lake Biel, follows the southern foot of the Jura range and finally flows into the Rhine at Koblenz, in north-western Switzerland. Passenger boats operate on the lakes as well as the river section from Biel to Solothurn.

Blue, crystal clear and indescribably beautiful – that’s the Blausee. Discover one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Switzerland in the Kandertal Region of the Bernese Oberland. Enjoy the peace and quiet by the lake and the fairytale nature park with walking paths, fire pits and picnic areas.

Above Les Mosses, Lake Lioson is bordered by the imposing peaks of the Vaud Alps. Take a moment to enjoy the idyllic scenery and the emerald green water of the lake. There's a good reason why Lake Lioson is known as the pearl of the Alpine lakes.

A great Adventure for nature explorers, music lovers, conscious travelers, visiting two of the most amazing waterfall in Maggia valley, Ticino, with like-minded people and a sound artist/live DJ.

The oldest game preserve still in existence. It owes its name to its milky blue colour: a karst (limestone) lake with genuine glacier waters.

Anne-Marie, a local hiking guide, leads her group of hikers across gentle Alpine meadows and forests to the Sprutz waterfall which lives up to its Swiss name: to splash.

Lake Sarnen occupies 7.5 square kilometers in the beautiful landscape between Sarnen (a major town in the region of Obwald) and the ascent to the Brünig Pass.

A forest trail leads from Betlis village to a vantage point, opening up a vista to a gigantic water spectacle. The Seerenbach thunders over the vertical cliff face on the northern shore of Lake Walen, cascading 585 m in a series of stages down to Betlis to join the waters of the Rin Spring.

Lake Murten, nestled between the medieval town of Murten and the Fribourg Riviera with its vineyards on Mont Vully, is the smallest of the three Jura lakes. The small but charming lake with a cruiser service delights guests with its sandy beaches, is considered a water sports mecca and is surrounded by various hiking and biking routes.

A famous mountain lake near the Grindelwald First, 2,265m above sea level. This is a “mirror lake” which reflects the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn and the Grindelwald glacier on the lake surface. Because of its beauty, Lake Bachalp is also known as the “Jewel of the Alps”.

Lake Staz is located at 1,809 metres above sea level. It is nestled in the Stazerwald forest between St. Moritz and Pontresina. In summer, it is known as a bathing resort because of the crystal-clear water that flows down from the glaciers of the Bernina Alps and because of its pleasant temperature.

One of the most beautiful spots in Switzerland.

The Rhône is one of Switzerland's most characteristic rivers. From its source at the Rhône Glacier to Lake Geneva, it crosses impressive landscapes and shapes Valais with its vineyards and alluvial landscapes. Discover charming towns, spectacular nature and countless opportunities for outdoor adventures along its course.

Lake Maggiore extends from the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland far into the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy. Thanks to its mild climate, there is lush, Mediterranean vegetation along its shores. In the hinterland is a wild and romantic mountain landscape with breathtaking views.

This heart-shaped lake is located at 2,214 metres above sea level. It nestles in the mountain range that extends from the San Bernardino Pass, an Alpine pass that connects Graubünden with Ticino, between the Calanca and Mesolcina valleys.

Lake Zurich combines nature, enjoyment and culture. Experience sightseeing from the ship and disembark wherever you like: In Zurich, on the island of Ufenau or at a beautiful swimming spot. There is also a wide range of water sports, seaside resorts and open-air bars.

A little paradise in the Vaud Alps: tucked away in a basin on the south-facing slope of La Palette, the crystal clear waters of Lake Retaud reflect blue sky and dark fir trees.

This popular bathing lake in Graubünden is 1,800 metres above sea level, and it features a small but lovely beach.

Lake Derborence is a hidden natural paradise in the canton of Valais. Flanked by untamed rock faces and dense forests, it is considered one of the most unspoilt mountain lakes in Switzerland. Here, you will experience peace and quiet, untouched nature and alpine scenery that is one of a kind.