All hikes: With panoramic view

A tough climb to Stöcklichrüz and a superb high-level hike around the northern end of Sihlsee lake to Einsiedeln. The St. Meinrads Chapel on Etzelpass and the house where Paracelsus was born are popular resting places, not just for pilgrims.

Beneath the eastern Churfirst peaks, the upland moor landscape forms a large alp with the Ölberg the highest point on the Rheintaler-Höhenweg. Rock faces dominate the horizon. In a striking basin: Voralp with Voralpsee lake and show dairy.

The second section leads from the glacial Verrucano landscape, reminiscent of Scandinavia, to the grassy, sunny slopes of the Glarnerland Mülibachtal valley, then on to the Liasfalten (Lias thrusts) at Magerrain and past the gypsum phenomenon at Wissmeilen.

Start at Bad Ragaz, where thermal waters have bubbled since 1840. Freudenberg ruins, open to the public, then a long ascent in light mixed forest, with magnificent views of the Rhine Valley and Graubunden’s mountain world. Over seven bridges to Garschlu.

Hike from the delightful shores of the Vierwaldstättersee up to the mountain valley of Engelberg. On the way, several cultural historic sites, such as the centre of Stans, the monastery retreat of Grafenort and Engelberg monastery.

The «Aargauer Weg» offers diversity: superb views over the foothills of the Jura and tranquil paths along the edges of river banks provide contrast with Habsburg castles, magnificent monasteries and mediaeval old towns.

Across the lake to Mediterranean Quinten, at the foot of the Churfirsten. Narrow paths secured by forest and ropes to Betlis. At 585m, Seerenbach waterfall is Switzerland’s highest. Over steep root-covered paths and filigree hanging bridges to hotspot Amden.

The aerial cableway takes you to the departure point at Eggen. After a short ascent you reach the Storegg, a pass from Nidwalden to Obwalden. Along the mountain flank and through a wild, craggy area and on to Frutt.

From the modern Spitzmeilenhütte (hut) with fabulous views of the Churfirsten/Alvier group through the colourful Triassic landscape of the high plateau of Fans. The view across the little Chammseeli lake to the Triassic series on Schnüerligrat is fascinating.

According to the well-known geologist Albert Heim (1849-1937), the Alpstein is perhaps «the most beautiful mountain range in the world». On this trail you will discover that the alpine landscape located in front of the Alpstein is just as appealing.

Worthwhile tour over the head of the Glaubenbielen Pass with superb views of the Sarnersee lake and Titlis summit. From time to time you meet the pass road but also repeatedly find quiet sections at Alpoglen or Pörterwald.

This route from Corsier to Hermance is on the very edge of Switzerland in Canton Genève (Geneva). It reveals a picture-book landscape with vineyards, fields of flowers and glistening Lac Léman (Lake Geneva).

With Vaduz, the compact «Ländle» – as local people like to call the Principality of Liechtenstein – boasts a prestigious capital city. This is the start of an outstanding route that stretches as far as Balzers.

This rewarding tour leads through the home country of the Freiberger horses, to the small Jurassic town of Saignelégier. Here you can enjoy wide views over the extensive Jura pastures as well as the Franches-Montagnes district.

This loop trail leads through the many scattered settlements on Weissenberge, a sunny mountain terrace in the Glarus region.

Descent from near-to-nature Gental with its historic hotel down to Haslital. Guttannen with the history-packed «Bären» is not only a former traders’ stage stop but also a key centre for mountain-crystal seekers.

From Brienz you take the postbus up to the terminus on Axalp and the start of the Woodcarving Trail. A fairly easy hike, also suitable for children, with the opportunity to swim and barbecue at Hinterburgseeli (lake).

On this tour you can enjoy a splendid panorama of St Gallen, with its abbey that was registered as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in 1983. In summer, the Art Nouveau Drei Weieren swimming baths entice bathers to take a cool dip.

Climb to the scenic vantage point of Burg Hohenrätien (castle) and the prehistoric rock drawings at Crap Carschenna. Up a narrow trail to the forest clearing at Crocs. Flower-filled hay meadows on Muttner Berg. Typical Walser settlement of Obermutten with tiny timber church.

Just after Saint-Maurice you reach Vérolliez, where a tiny chapel commemorates the martyrdom of St Mauritius and his companions. On the path into the Rhonetal, you meet the famous Pissevache waterfall and the 200-metre-deep Trient gorge.

From Rheinfelden over the forested Steppberg and the long ridge of the Magdener Galgen to Zeiningen An easy hike with beautiful viewpoints.

Ridge walk from the Bernese Emmental into Entlebuch (Lucerne canton). Stay overnight at the highest point.

Through wild Alpine vegetation to Alp Gampidells, along steep slopes to Vermol with its chapel and on to Chapfensee lake in the midst of protected moorland. Later on, rugged, rocky Kleinberg, followed by fertile Flumserberg.

From Rorschach with large granary dating from 1749 and quay up to Wartensee Castle with the best views over the Bodensee. The Grimmenstein ruins on the next row of hills keeps an eye on the lively variety in compact Ostschweiz.

Chrüzegg offers spectacular views of the Zürichsee lake, the Glarus Aps and Alpstein as far as the Bodensee (Lake Constance). The Schnebelhorn, the highest mountain in Canton Zürich (1292m), has to be scaled before the stage ends at Hulftegg.

The mountain tour starts in Sumvitg and follows the left flank of the valley up to Brigels. High above the valley basin of the Surselva, the Senda Sursilvana meanders alongside the mountain flanks. En route we come across steep mountain streams that later flow into the Vorderrhein. The hiking tour leads through picturesque villages in Graubünden.

Park-like landscapes and magnificent views of Lake Geneva and the Savoy Alps are the main features of this walk. From the Col du Marchairuz, the Jura Crest Trail leads through typical Jura forests, always heading south-west. In between the wooden areas, you will hike through flower-filled meadows boasting a glorious sea of colour.

This route is very popular with hikers of all ages. From the Rigi Kulm upper station, the gentle descent to Rigi Kaltbad takes just over an hour. This high-altitude hike offers magnificent views over the Swiss Plateau, reaching as far as the Black Forest and the Vosges mountains.

The high Biber valley, the plain between Rothenthurm and Biberbrugg, ranks as an especially beautiful moorland area of national importance. The well-signed moorland path passes through this unique protected moorland (a model for moor conservation in Switzerland).

The Benedictine way leads from the cloister in Engelberg to the one at Maria-Rickenbach. The route is quite varied and offers beautiful panoramic views of the valley and mountains.

Down between the Rigi Kulm and the ridge leading to Rigi Scheidegg. Views of the Gnipen with the area where the Goldau rockslide started in 1806. Plenty of time in Goldau for a detour to the animal park.

An impressive route over sunny terraces with colourful dry grassland and superb views of the mountain world. On the way: a typical Engadine village, an old convalescent hotel, hanging bridges and mountain trails, passing lakes, waterfalls and glacier residue.

This tour isn’t called a panoramic route for nothing. The entire route offers fascinating views of the striking Alpine terrain around Gstaad, including the Rüebli, Gummfluh and Northern Alps massif.