Switzerland, with its high peaks, picturesque villages, alpine meadows and valleys, is one of the best hiking destinations in the world. That's why we've put together a selection of the best hikes in Switzerland.
1. Panorama trail from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
- Distance: 9.5 km
- Elevation gain: 270 m
- Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
- Itinerary
This hike succeeds in giving you access to high mountain scenery without too much difficulty. In fact, it has one big advantage: its starting point can be reached by cable car, so you'll start the hike at a high altitude, and enjoy the beautiful scenery on a moderate to easy hike, with plenty of downhill sections. As you walk, you'll cross alpine meadows and enjoy spectacular views of the Jungfrau massif. But beware: as one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland, the trail can be very busy in high summer.
2. The five-lake trail
- Distance: 10.5 km
- Elevation gain: 283 m
- Walking time: 3 h
- Itinerary
This beautiful hike in Switzerland is located on the outskirts of Zermatt, a famous ski resort. This medium-level hike takes you past five superb glacial lakes: Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee. Several of the lakes offer views of the iconic Matterhorn, famous for its twisting silhouette that makes Switzerland one of the world's top mountain destinations. At the end of the hike, the Ze Seewjinu hut offers the chance to enjoy a delicious fondue with a view of the mountain.
3. Chaussy Peak
- Distance: 6.6 km
- Ascent: 710 m
- Time: 3 h 45
- Itinerary
This hike is located in the Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park in western Switzerland. It forms a loop leading to the summit of Pic Chaussy, 2,351 m above sea level. Along the way, you'll also pass the pretty Lac de Lioson, one of Switzerland's most beautiful sights, so much so that it's been dubbed the "pearl of the Alpine lakes". You can swim and dine in the lakeside restaurant. A word of warning, though: you'll have to earn your way up here, as this is a challenging hike.
4. Fronalpstock and Klingenstock
- Distance: 12.6 km
- Ascent: 900 m
- Time: 5 hrs 30 mins
- Itinerary
Starting from the ski resort of Stoos, you can access one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland. The trail forms a loop, first passing the Fronalpstock, a peak at 1921 m, before continuing on to the Klingenstock, at 1935 m. This is one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland. This is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Alps, with superb views of the Swiss mountains, provided you put in some effort, as this is a difficult hike.
5. Bachalp Lake
- Distance: 7.1 km
- Difference in altitude: 220 m
- Duration: 2 hrs
- Itinerary
This is one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland for beginners or families. You'll be walking along a wide, well-maintained path, with no technical difficulties and a very relative gradient, especially at the start of the hike, which becomes a descent in the opposite direction, as it's an out-and-back route. You'll be able to admire the Bachalp lake, at 2,265 m, before turning back. The start of the hike is at First, a minor summit on the outskirts of Grindelwald, a beautiful mountain destination.
6. The Eiger glacier
- Distance: 6 km
- Ascent: 770
- Duration: 3 hrs
- Itinerary
Don't be fooled by the short distance of this hike: there's nothing easy about it, as you'll have to climb a significant difference in altitude, making it a challenging trail. You'll be walking on the north face of the Eiger, considered to be the most impressive in the Alps. Don't worry, though: the trail is well-maintained and signposted. Please note, however, that you'll be crossing particularly fragile natural landscapes, so it's advisable to take steps to limit your ecological footprint.
7. Lake Œschinen circuit
- Distance: 8.7 km
- Difference in altitude: 500 m
- Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
- Itinerary
This is one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland, as it passes through the Unesco World Heritage landscapes of the Junfrau-Aletsch Swiss Alps. Departing from a gondola station, you hike towards Lake Œschinen, at 1,578 m, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps. The lake is usually frozen over from December to May, when some people enjoy ice fishing. You'll also come across a number of mountain inns along the way. This is a challenging hike, which also passes through avalanche-prone areas. So it's essential to keep an eye on local weather reports from your cell phone, or as the Swiss expression goes, your cell phone.
8. The Jungfrau Race
- Distance: 7.4 km
- Ascent: 760 m
- Duration: 4 hours
- Itinerary
Don't panic: this is not a race, but one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland, albeit a difficult one due to the steep gradient. It simply follows the route of a very popular race in the region. For this reason, the trail is well-maintained and well-marked, although some sections are somewhat vertiginous. Along the way, you'll enjoy superb views of the Swiss Alps and mountain lakes in particular. As camping in the wild is forbidden, it is not possible to sleep in a tent, but several refuges are available.
9. Stage 7 of the Tour du Mont Blanc
- Distance: 15.1 km
- Difference in altitude: 600 m
- Duration : 5 h
- Itinerary
This is one of the stages of the Tour du Mont Blanc, a legendary long-distance hiking trail that circles Europe's highest peak. The French part of this sublime trail is also one of the most beautiful in Savoie. Here, you'll only hike section 7 of the trail, which is no less challenging for its length and steepness. Along the way, you'll cross pretty alpine meadows and enjoy beautiful panoramic views. The route is mainly through woods, making it a perfect hike for hot summer days.
10. The Gastlosen tour
- Distance: 10.9 km
- Ascent: 650 m
- Duration : 4 h
- Itinerary
The Gastlosen are one of Switzerland's most impressive mountain ranges, comprising 61 steep-sided peaks in the heart of the Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park. There's no question of climbing to their summit here, but rather of circumnavigating them on a medium-level loop, which will still require some effort due to the difference in altitude. You'll enjoy beautiful mountain scenery, as a funicular will take you easily up to the starting point at altitude.
11. Staubbach and Trümmelbach Falls
- Distance: 7.6 km
- Elevation gain: 238 m
- Duration: 2 hours
- Itinerary
The Lauterbrunnen valley is home to numerous waterfalls, several of which can be reached on this trail, one of the most beautiful in Switzerland: firstly the Staubbach Falls, an impressive 297 m high, then the Trümmelbach Falls, 140 m high. Other breathtaking waterfalls can be seen along the way, including the spectacular Büchenbach Falls, 380 m high.
