All hikes: Along Water

Before the opening of the Axenstrasse road in 1865, the main route was by lake. The trip by steamship still remains an exceptional experience. From the jetty at Flüelen, you hike into the cantonal capital of Altdorf.

The route from Zug to Cham leads along the shores of the Zugersee lake. A route marked by variety with it's urbane promenades, tranquil woodland and meadow sections and idyllic views of the lake.

Via the north wall to the other shore and the Bürgenstock cliff path, which as an Alpine promenade, afforded well-heeled ladies and gentlemen a view back to the city of Lucerne. Past the pilgrimage site of St Jost along the shore at Ennetburgen, Buochs and Beckenried.

Numerous places to take a break or swim are found along the lake shores – and the unspoilt Lachner Horn landscapes and Schmerikon estuary cordially invite you to rest a while. Attractive contrast on this leg is the crossing of the woods by Buchberg.

The Thur flows between the Churfirsten and Säntis Massif through the Canton of St. Gallen toward the canton to which it has lent its name. A well-known personality, Ulrich Bräker (1735-1798) was a citizen of Wattwil. Why not read his lifestory “The Poor Man of Tokkenburg“ (“Der arme Mann vom Tokkenburg”) as spiritual preparation? In any case, the fantastic landscape in the green valley can be thoroughly enjoyed at all times.

The route in and around the charming town of St-Ursanne in Canton Jura is a treat for history lovers. The captivating little town on the River Doubs has changed little over the centuries. It is impressive and well worth a visit.

Over the valley slopes to Oberengadin - and Brail with its ornate small church; the Ober and Unterengadin border by «Punt Ota» and old customs house (later to become a parsonage and then school) with inscription: «Veglia chesa da scuola.» Pretty Cinuos-chel village centre by the church.

This hike from the Tracouet mountain station to Haute-Nendaz leads to the largest and oldest larches in Europe. Further highlights include the gondola ride with its beautiful panoramic views, the Lac Noir (Black Lake) mountain lake, the wonderful forest paths and the Bisse de Saxon irrigation channel, the longest in Valais.

This route starts in Bendern in the Principality of Liechtenstein and leads mainly along the Rhine dam. The wide, smoothly surfaced path and breathtaking views make this an ideal leisure area.

This route starts in Pfäffikon SZ and leads along the bank of the Seedamm (lake dam) to Rapperswil SG. The section is marked by wonderful far-reaching views over an endless plain with flower-filled fields and meadows as well as the glistening Zurichsee (lake). The ultimate holiday feeling!

The section from Sarnen to Alpnach is particularly attractive thanks to its enchanting nature reserve on the Wichelsee lake. Simply a must-see, from the wide variety of waterfowl and plants to the massive rock faces on the other side of the lake.

Here there is gorgeous hiking through the beautiful Le Val Terbi area where you will experience wonderful nature - meadows, forests, canyons and pastures. This is a really nice walk, with attractive points: a forest hut (built in wood), a working taxidermist, UNESCO protected frescoes in a church.

The Doubs is a moody, fascinating river. The hike along the south bank from St-Ursanne to La Charbonnière is almost always along nature trails, close to the shimmering, blue-green waters. Many dragonflies and birds inhabit the river banks.

In the water meadow area the trail meanders pleasantly along the Aare, followed by the climb up to the splendid Wildegg Castle. Romantic stretches of forest lead on to the seat of the Habsburg family and finally to their memorial site, the Königsfelden Monastery.

The route from Pontresina alongside the River Flaz to Beve is a real treat for the eyes. Surrounded by the majestic Engadin mountains and the wide, flower-filled valley, you follow alongside gently murmuring waters.

Fishermen are often met along the path. The Doubs has a unique fish population including the authentic Doubs trout with black stripes, barbel, grayling, pike and of course the elusive apron, also known as Roi du Doubs.

With its more than 20 mountain lakes, Val Piora is considered to be one of the most beautiful regions of Ticino and famous for its wealth of fauna and flora. The tour from Acquacalda over the Passo del Sole to Lake Ritom is a chance to experience a natural paradise in all its diversity.

From Rossens' dam, climb towards the Pont-la-Ville golf course with uninterrupted views across the lake and Alpine foothills to Gibloux. Take a well-earned rest at La Roche port. Return via Hauteville on footpaths, roads suitable for motor vehicles and tarmacked roads, discovering farms and buildings that are characteristic of La Gruyère.

From Reichenau, the confluence of the Vorderrhein- and Hinterrhein (Upper and Lower Rhine), the path leads along the Vorderrhein into the wild Rhine Gorge. It takes you to Trin Station and the 100-meter long suspension bridge across the Rhine.

Anyone wanting a leisurely hike against the current is in the right place. The trail follows the Broye upstream and is virtually flat. The fortress in Lucens is impressive. With Moudon, it provided strategic control of the valley in the Middle Ages.

Through the refreshingly cool gorge on the Urnersee lake - along the lakeshore road to Risleten and a climb through the attractive Risletenschlucht gorge. Crossing of the Stützberg along the historic path to Volligen and arrival in Rütli, with views down to the Urnersee lake.

With the French in pursuit, Suvorov's troops marched southwards in snowfall towards Elm. The easy hike leads to Schwanden alongside the river Linth and then partly above, partly along, the river Sernf via Engi and Matt to Elm.

Very varied, contoured route via Neuburg, Hochwacht Mammern and the Klingszell pilgrimage church, to Stein am Rhein. En route: picturesque views of the end of the Untersee with the old town of Stein, Insel Werd and Hohenklingen Castle.

Mule track, main road, Gotthard Railway, motorway, NEAT building site... by the latest in Erstfelden, the Urnertal seems like a transit corridor. Silenen, Amsteg: of symbolic note on the old mule track. Good views of Wassen’s hilltop church and the helical tunnel.

The lakeside path leads along some of the loveliest Ostschweiz shoreline – and plenty of waterfowl can be observed at the Wurmsbach and Busskirch nature reserves. Several public bathing and sport areas are also discovered underway.

The ramble from Walenstadt to Quinten beneath the mighty Churfisten mountains commands magnificent views of the Walensee. As the route follows the southern slopes, it is also very popular during the colder seasons.

Be ready to be impressed by the unique high Alpine lakes and flora of the Upper Engadin on this 2.5-hour circular hike to the six lejins (Romansch word for small lakes). Each of the crystal-clear mountain lakes contains the minerals and rocks after which they are named.

an excursion on a mountain trail that runs along the Lake of Lugano, at the slopes of Mount Caprino, in close contact with nature, where it’s possible to enjoy the attractiveness of both mountains and lake.

The route follows the Thur to its source on Mount Säntis, through the varied Toggenburg landscape, to the plains of the Thur Valley and the Zurich wine-growing region, where the Thur flows into the Rhine.

The trail has something to suit all tastes: lakeside sections and meadows, woodlands and craggy cliffs. The highlights of the hike include the three waterfalls, the incredible colour of Lake Brienz and a historic hotel (Grand Hotel Giessbach) resembling a fairy-tale castle.

A hike downstream in the heart of La Gruyère, which through openings in the undergrowth offers unrivalled views of the Alpine foothills and creeks filled with turquoise water! It's a real pleasure to discover the flora and fauna and heritage of La Gruyère.

This stage marks the end of the climb to the Grossen Sankt Bernhard-Pass. From Martigny a sometimes steep path leads over the narrow Les Trappistes pass to the medieval village of Sembrancher. From here the route follows the Napoleon-Weg.

Nendaz is a paradise for suone (irrigation channel) hikers, with eight suonen (or bisse) it is the largest network still in use. Enjoyable tour from Planchouet to Veysonnaz, through flowery meadows alongside the open channel of the restored Grand Bisse de Vex.

Elaborately decorated church in Lavin; Inn, wood-bridge crossing to the peaceful woods and meadows by Susch – and the famous Foura Baldirun forest area. Foura Baldirun made history as a place of refuge in the war years, and Güstizia as a place of justice. Stately Zernez is just in the distance.

Via ladders on the Riviera - past orchards to Oberwilen and via the narrow molasse folds with ladders that at one time afforded the only overland link to Weggis. Through the Chestenenweid nature reserve via Weggis, Hertenstein and the Haldihof fruit farm to Küssnacht.