By definition, virgin forests are “natural forests that have never been influenced directly by human activities in their development over the centuries”. Forests that are totally untouched by humans hardly exist in Switzerland today. Parts of the Bödmeren forest in Muotathal, the primeval spruce-fir forest of l’Echorcha in Derborence and the virgin spruce forest of Uaul Scatlè above Brigels are small primeval forest-like areas that have remained in their pristine state over the years.

Today, there are also over 800 natural forest reserves in Switzerland, where the forests develop largely without human intervention and have not been managed for decades.

These special areas requiring protection are often open to visitors, making it all the more important to stay on the trails, behave with care and comply with the regulations.

At 600 hectares, Bödmeren Forest in the Muota Valley, in the Canton of Schwyz, is the largest primeval spruce forest in the whole Alpine region. Bödmeren Forest is considered primeval as it has been left virtually untouched by man. The forest grows on an expansive karst landscape furrowed by ditches and fractures. A craggy, wild world, where one in three trees are between 250 and 400 years old, with the oldest even up to 500 years. These ancient trees provide an important habitat for many species of bird. Meanwhile, for us humans, this mysterious and rustic forest offers a glorious green sanctuary. 

Getting there: To Schwyz by train, then on to the hamlet of Stalden by postal bus. Hiking trails lead up to the plateau of the Bödmeren Forest at about 800m. Do not leave the marked hiking trails.  

Open to visitors: Mid-June to mid-October

The primeval forest l’Ecorcha of Derborence is situated on a steep slope above the picturesque lake of the same name. The area is just about the size of 30 football fields and is covered by fir trees that are up to 44m high and 450 years old. The primeval forest is home to the most species-rich undergrowth in Switzerland and regenerates on its own. It even survived the landslide of 1749 that created Lac de Derborence – the youngest natural lake in Europe. To this day, the forest owes its pristine state to the difficult access for timber transport. The reserve has been protected since 1959. Its trees are important long-term witnesses to the development of air quality and its consequences, which is why they are now numbered for scientific surveys. The slope is so steep and rocky that it is difficult to access.  

Getting there: To Sion by SBB train via Lausanne. From there, take the PostBus to Aven, village and on to Derborence. The Derborence stop is only served a few times a day. To the timetable.

Best time to visit: Summer to early autumn.

The approximately 5.5-hectare virgin spruce forest of Uaul Scatlè is located at around 2,000m above sea level above the village of Brigels in Graubünden, making the protected reserve the highest virgin spruce forest in Europe. As per the meaning of its name “Scatlè”, the spruce forest is “boxed in” by steep rocky ledges, boulder debris fields and avalanche paths. Thanks to its remoteness, there was no logging, forest grazing or charcoal burning in the past.

On the ascent from Brigels towards Val Frisal, the trail leads along the left side of the steep spruce forest. The dead trees and apparent neglect are evidence of a piece of forest left in its pristine state. As early as 1909, and even before the Swiss National Park was founded, the municipality of Brigels decided to keep the forest in its original state and create a “Reservat d’uaul primitiv”.

Getting there: To Chur by SBB train, then continue by Rhaetian Railway to Ilanz. From there, take the PostBus to Breil/Brigels, Casa communala. To the timetable.

Best time to visit: Mid-March to the end of October.

Just 10km south of the vibrant city centre of Zurich lies one of the most primeval and beautiful forests in the Swiss plateau – Sihlwald Forest. Stretching out over an area of around ten square kilometres, it is the largest contiguous mixed forest in the Swiss plateau. The forest provided firewood for the city of Zurich for centuries, but no trees have been felled since the year 2000. Anyone walking through the forest today will soon come across giant ancient trees and gnarly deadwood. Close to Sihlwald railway station is a visitor centre with a museum and the Restaurant Sihlwald. Here, visitors can find useful information about the wildlife park an the imaginative Sihlwald forest adventure trail. 

Getting there: Take the S4 from Zurich Central Station to reach the Sihlwald and Sihlbrugg stations in just half an hour. To the timetable.

Best time to visit: Mid-March to the end of October.

距离洛迦诺仅15公里的洛达诺是一个令人愉快的岩石村，完全被一片广阔的森林保护区所包围，拥有迷人的景观，是众多不同种类动植物的家园。上个冰川纪以来， 洛达诺山谷 古老的山毛榉森林就以一种极其全面的生态模式发展起来，因此已经作为一个杰出典范被联合国教科文组织世界列入文化遗产正式名录。沿着四条徒步线路之一探索仍旧鲜为人知的洛达诺山谷及众多高大的老山毛榉树，堪称最有意义的旅行。

抵达: 从洛迦诺出发，搭乘公共汽车，半小时多一点就能到达洛达诺。在这里，四条远足小径穿过山谷和森林。
开放时间: 5月中旬至大约10月底

施库尔南部如诗如画的沙尔山谷尽头，坐落着欧洲海拔最高的石松森林，一些树木甚至生长在海拔2400米的地方。使用罗曼什语的当地人认为这些森林是顽强、生存意志和力量的象征。2007年以来，God da Tamangur 一直处于受保护状态，任由大自然自由成长和发育。漫步在这片芬芳的森林中，走过参天的石松，其中有些很年轻，有些树龄则高达700年。这段旅程堪称享受大自然奇迹的独特机会。

抵达: 可乘火车到达施库尔，然后乘汽车前往沙尔山谷，或者乘火车到达策尔内茨，然后乘邮政巴士前往奥芬山口。从沙尔山谷出发，徒步前往森林约需要90分钟，从奥芬山口出发约需要两个半小时。
对外开放时间: 5月中/下旬至10月底左右

大理苏地区（Grand Risoud） 从沃州汝拉溪谷的谷底一直延伸至法国边境平缓起伏的丘陵地带，宽约为4公里，长15公里。花几个小时甚至几天时间去探索这片森林，在此流连忘返，非常容易——在瑞士这个多姿多彩的袖珍国家，理苏森林游堪称真正独特的体验。不仅理苏森林值得一游，汝拉溪谷中的同名湖泊和历史悠久的钟表制造传统也值得探索。

抵达: 乘火车到达布拉苏丝或勒桑捷。这里距离森林边缘2公里多一点。建议游客带上地图和指南针，以确保不会在森林里迷路。也请您在任何时候都不要偏离带有标记的道路。
开放时间: 三月中旬至十月底

阿莱奇森林 位于阿尔卑斯山最大的冰川阿莱奇冰川南部的侧向冰碛上，分布在海拔1800米到2200米之间，大部分是石松，中间只点缀着少量落叶松、云杉和山毛榉。沿着高海拔徒步小径穿过受保护的阿莱奇森林，游客不仅会被这些树木所惊艳，也会被冰川、马特宏峰和周围群山的壮丽景色深深吸引。

抵达: 从布里格出发，乘火车到达莫雷尔，然后乘缆车前往禁止汽车通行的利德阿尔卑，或者乘火车到达贝滕，然后乘缆车前往贝特默阿尔卑，或者乘火车到达费尔施，然后前往费尔施阿尔卑。
开放时间: 5月中旬至10月底