day hikes in switzerland

Swiss stone pine forest and glittering tarns soften the Alpine picture as you continue along a ridge to the grassy slopes of Moosfluh, where a strategically placed bench offers staggering glacier views. ", "Overall had a wonderful time. The trail becomes tougher, rockier and more exposed as you ascend steep slopes to Fuorcletta da Barcli, a gap in the range at 2850m (9350ft), with top-of-the-world views. Top 10 One Day Hiking Tours In Switzerland Whether you are interested in a one day hike, or a variety of hikes over a selection of days, we have collated some of the best hikes in Switzerland. From Schynige Platte, the scenery plunging away to the Jungfrau Region's gateway town, Interlaken, and the two vast lakes it sits between, is already remarkable. Start your hike at the train station in Lauterbrunnental. Parc Ela is a large stretch of untouched nature in the heart of the canton of Graubnden, the easternmost region of Switzerland. Total Daily Expenses in Switzerland: $110-180 USD per day while backpacking throughout Switzerland if you are actively exploring, hiking, and sightseeing around the country. Thinking of doing some day hikes in Switzerland but not really sure which ones. The first part of the path from Sion follows the Bisse de Clavau, a high-level 15th-century irrigation channel and impressive engineering feat, offering sweeping views of the valley below. Distance: 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) Length: 4 to 5 hours. The source of River Rhone is one of the last landmarks along this trail. Continue on the trail until you reach the Brunnihtte refuge. It's an easy, relaxed hike with a background of rugged mountains and soft sloping hills. The Chemin du Vignoble is a 41 mile (66 km) path running right through Valais wine country, broken into four days of easy-going hiking. This moderately challenging ridge hike throws you in the scenic deep end. The trail will take you through six Switzerland cantons, so its one of the best long-distance hikes for travelers who want to discover as much of the country as possible. I spent the night here during a hike for the Swiss tourism board back in 2018 and loved it. All our city guides were wonderful. Epic trails cut through the country from easy trails for solo travelers and families to strenuous paths that get you to the top of mountains for the best Alpine views. Discover hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. When you reach the Brienzer Rothorn at 2351m, you can take the picturesque steam train (thats been chugging since 1892) back down to Brienz, where youll find easy train connections to Interlaken and Luzern. Matterhorn is the mountain you cant stop gawping at, one of many highlights on Switzerland's best hiking trails wilpunt / Getty Images, 9 Switzerland hikes that offer views you have to see to believe. The trail crosses valleys and hillsides, before starting a descent towards Schwarzlager, passing by a roaring waterfall before taking you right by a restaurant, where you can take a break for lunch or an early dinner before continuing on for another 45 minutes to Zermatt. At lower elevations, the trail weaves through flower-freckled pastures. The long-distance trail is around 30 kilometers long, and its separated into three 10-kilometer stages that most trekkers can complete within three days. Even in summer, there might still be snow on the ground, so the steep terrain can be quite difficult at times. All the paths lead to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the northwest of Spain. If you have time for just one, then you can't go wrong with the picturesque 5 Lake Trail. You're so spoilt for choice here - everywhere you look there are stunning mountain trails. Most of the trail is dirt and gravel, but the path is well-maintained to make it easy to maneuver at any time of the year. Some of the best of this can be glimpsed on the Zwinglipass hike. With too many hiking trails to count, its no secret that the stunning country boasts a plethora of paths waiting to be discovered. Head back down to Ristis the same way you came up, then take the cable car back to the village. Day 3 - Switzerland itinerary - Mount Titlis. Camping & Hiking Switzerland. Best Things To Do In Montreux (Hikes, Water Sports & More), Monkey Town, Horgen, Zurich (A Recent Visit), Best Hikes In Vaud (Lakes, Mountain Peaks & More), Best Hikes Near Bern, Switzerland (For Beginners & Experts), Best Family Hikes in Switzerland: 10 Trails You & Your Kids Will Love. Running between two of Jungfrau Region's stunningly located mountain transport stations, Schynige Platte (at the end of the mountain railway from Wilderswil) and First (terminus of the cable car down to Grindelwald), the trek promises exquisite views of iconic peaks Eiger (13,015 ft / 3,967 m), Mnch (13,474 ft / 4,107 m) and Jungfrau (13,641 ft / 4,158 m). The terrain gets rockier after this, with plenty of boulders and slippery ledges. Its one of the least technically challenging hikes since the vast majority of lakeshore trails are along a pedestrian promenade or a well-marked walking path. St. Stephen's Day is a public holiday or "silent day" in the following cantons: Appenzell Innerrhoden Heres more info on the panorama trail on AllTrails. Youll find some cables to hold onto on the most exposed sections, but definitely need to be surefooted and fit for this route. Heres some info on the trail on AllTrails. The descent is no less dramatic, dropping more than 1000m (3281ft) to Lake Oeschinen above Kandersteg, a celestial vision of cerulean blue ringed by snow-streaked mountains and fed by the glacial waters of the Blemlisalp peaks. Start by following the signs pointing to Rigi. When you think of the Swiss mountains, do you think of the Eiger, Mnch, and Jungfrau? Think 3 dimensional! Its worth noting that more than half of the stages include only 4-5 hours of hiking per day, so you could complete this hike earlier if you wanted to. Some of it is a bit too Instagrammable and popular with those crowds, but if you plan outside the peak summer months you might be able to avoid that. Via Alpina, Etappe 13. If youd like to attempt Switzerlands version of Jacobsweg but 645 kilometers is a bit much, consider doing a shorter route. I had never used, or even heard of the platform before, but I will forever now use kimkim when plannin", Traveled to Switzerland as a couple in May, 2023, 7-Day hiking traverse of the Bernese Oberland, Chamonix to Zermatt Walker's Haute Route - 10 Days, Chamonix to Zermatt Walker's Haute Route - 7 Days, Exploring the Wine Regions of Mont Blanc - 6 Days, Switzerland in January: Travel Tips, Weather & More, Switzerland in February: Travel Tips, Weather & More, Switzerland in March: Travel Tips, Weather & More, Switzerland in April: Travel Tips, Weather & More, Switzerland in November: Travel Tips, Weather & More, Switzerland in September: Travel Tips, Weather & More, Switzerland in October: Travel Tips, Weather & More, Switzerland in December: Travel Tips, Weather & More, Switzerland in August: Travel Tips, Weather & More, Climb to Switzerland's highest, oldest mountain hotel for mid-hike refreshment in Jungfrau Region, Marvel at Europe's longest glacier, the Aletsch Glacier, as you hike above the ice flow, Wander vineyard-clad slopes stopping off for winery tastings on the Chemin du Vignoble, Spot ibex, chamois, and eagles on the country's best wildlife hike in the Swiss National Park. Trip Finder; Catalog; Contact/Request Info; . Once you exit the station, you'll see signs for the Brunni Trail - get on it and start walking in the Rigidalalp direction. In addition to countless day hikes, Switzerland is also home to many long-distance treks. Rippling acrossnortheastern Switzerland, the under-the-radar Appenzell Alps are a surefire winner with families. Day 5: Gornergrat, Switzerland. Another easy (but much longer) hike is the Marmot Trail, which starts at the Trbsee mountain station and requires a chairlift up a hill to reach the start of the trail - this hike, which takes about five hours, gives you a direct view over the deep-blue waters of Engstlensee lake. After a break, head back to the cable car and down the mountain. The total ascent and descent during the hike are around 4800 meters, which seems like nothing compared to the 24-kilometer ascent of Via Alpina. As a result, this is one of the most pristine parts of the Alps and a true wilderness, where flora and fauna endangered or extinct elsewhere continues to thrive. I still cannot get over how beautiful the Matterhorn is. Heres some info from SchweizMobil on the hike from Sonogno to Lavertezzo. Planning tip: If you want to make a day of it, you can ramp up the adventure in the valley at the water park, adventure playground, zip-line course and bobsled run. Just because its a short trail doesnt mean that its easy. Weather starts to change at this altitude but it's also the last bit of "easy" hiking, so it's a good time to enjoy the surroundings. You'll end up back in Lantsch village, not far from where you started the hike. 13km (8 miles) one way, 5 hours, challenging. The views from here are already stunning, opening over green and blue valleys and clouds. The route traverses mountain slopes gorgeously carpeted in forest and along either side of the tumbling Ova de Varusch stream, with the best stops for wildlife viewing at Val Mela and Alp Trapchun, where you can spy ibex, chamois (goat-antelopes), marmots, golden eagles, and more. The planning, the hotels, the activities, everything was just incredibly well pla", "This was our first time using KimKim, but it wont be our last. The walk threads through the mountains between and above the towns of Lavin and Zernez, both with mainline railway stations. The mountains are easily accessible for those with small legs, and the towns look freshly minted for a bedtime story, with their timber-framed, prettily muralled houses. 357 Likes, 20 Comments. Much of the trail is on a narrow ridge, with very steep falls on both sides, and requires holding on to cables. The trail to the top of Faulhorn is narrow and tiring, but you'll be rewarded with stunning 360-degree views over the mountain peaks around. Planning tip: Some sections are steep for wheelchairs (youll need good brakes), but there are options to shorten the trail should you so wish. Thomas was excellent and was in top of everything throughout our trip. Planning tip:Pick a good-weather day and get an early start for this full-day trek, which embodies all that is unique about the Swiss Alps, leading you into another world of glittering streams, crevassed glaciers and 4000 peaks. This will take you on a slightly steeper trail in the direction of Gimmelwald. Pizol Lake. Best accessible hike7km (4 miles) one way, 2 hours, easy. 1. Hands down one of the most astonishing day hikes in Switzerland, this route takes you from Fiescheralp to Bettmeralp, with front-row views of the Aletsch Arena peaks. Switzerland hiking has terrain, culture, and cuisine for every type of traveler. Day 1: Interlaken - Schynige Platte - Weber Hut. The entire trail runs from Interlaken to Brienzer Rothorn, a 23.3-kilometer route with an elevation gain of over 2,400 meters. There are many mountain hikes in Switzerland, but only one takes you along the edge of Europe's largest glacier too. Part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Swiss National Park is technically the only national park in the country - the rest of the protected areas in Switzerland are preserves or nature parks. Valentine was very helpful and would respond immediately to our questions. 1. The path winds down to meet a more prominent walking track alongside the high lateral moraine wall left by the receding Zmutt Glacier. Before we had arrived in Czech Republic the only places we had heard about were the vibrant capital city, Prague, and the fairytale town of Cesky Krumlov. You can start from ground level in Kandersteg, but the beginning of the hike isnt particularly stunning and theres a cable car to take you up to the main attraction: the glacial-blue Lake Oeschinen (or Oeschinensee, in Swiss German). Got a yearning for boundless horizons? Best hike at altitude18km (11 miles) round trip, 7 hours, moderate. Expect a long day on the legs with 16km of the trail ahead of you and nearly 1000m of incline. If you want to keep this to a one-day hike, set off as soon as the sun rises, find the cable car line, and start hiking up following it. Ready to check out the best trails in Switzerland for hiking, mountain biking, climbing or other outdoor activities? On day two youre already at the highest point of the entire hike Piz Gibin with an elevation of 2776 meters. (my top 5 choices)Continue, View Post The best things to do in Brienz if you love nature and hikingContinue, View Post The best things to do in Meiringen in summerContinue, View Post 10 days hiking the Arctic Circle Trail in remote GreenlandContinue, View Post 11 of the best things to do in and around InterlakenContinue, 2023 Stars & Wildflowers - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Hiking the literary heritage of Tolkien in the Swiss Alps, Whats the best hiking base in Switzerland? Hiking for 20+ days straight is no joke, and you shouldnt even attempt this hike if you dont have sufficient experience with long-distance treks. If you only have a day in the area, you can visit the sights outlined above during a day-hike from Hensko. Kingenstock and Mt. As you begin the climb from Cardada to the summit of Cimetta and its chairlift station, Lake Maggiore views open up. From here, it's a surprisingly flat, one-hour hike along the Matterhorn side. Book this trip -> MT Sobek's Chamonix & Zermatt Hiking Tour. 1. Although the trail starts as a steep walk, it becomes flatter later on. High up 11 hikes with train, bus and boat Themed hikes Show all Hikes along water Multiday hikes Hikes up a peak Advertisement Family-friendly hikes Hikes over a pass Distance: 27km (with 1050m ascent, 1900m descent). From here, you'll see the valley ahead, so keep walking into it - this is the best area to spot wildlife, so keep your eyes open. Little? From Schynige Platte, the walk eases you in gently, heading over rolling pastures before rising more abruptly to scree slopes, boulder-strewn passes and high moors. From here, you can start your descent through deep green woodland, crossing springs and a small picturesque lake along the way. Best day hike15km (9.3 miles) one way, 5 hours, moderate. If weather permits, youll be blessed with awe-inspiring views of the big three as you hike on one of the most iconic hiking trails in Switzerland. For hikers who want to test themselves, it doesn't get much harder than trekking up part of the 4,478 meters of the mountain that sits right on the border between Switzerland and Italy. This long-distance trail is divided into 20 one-day stages, and its generally considered challenging due to difficult terrain, rock climbing, and high elevation gain. Mother Nature pulled out all the stops in the Bernese Oberland,and the Faulhornweg might be the best day hike to take it all in. and takes the better part of a day if you take your time exploring the Pravick Brna Arch and the Edmund's Gorge. The trail takes you on a journey through central Switzerland, allowing you to discover some truly incredible landscapes along the way. The trail then runs past the two long, wild mountain lakes of Smtisersee and Flensee, some thrilling sections where the peaks on either side press very close, and some lovely stretches of Alpine meadows. The trail starts already high up, at the top of Rigi Kulm, right at the mountain train station line. And the app he sent us", " Tomaz thanks for doing our itineraries we had a great memories to treasure in Switzerland. Vier-Quellen-Weg translates to The Four Springs Trail which immediately gives you an idea of what to expect from the trail. Take a break here to admire the cloud-covered peaks and the Matterhorn up close - on clear days, it feels like you can almost touch the summit. The Valais vineyards rise above the Rhone in terraces of golden-green between Martigny and Leuk, making up the nation's largest wine region. The slowly melting moraine slopes of the glacier are no longer stable and the trail now avoids them. Required fields are marked *, Privacy Policy | HTML Sitemap | Join Me On Pinterest. Switzerland's only national park, the Swiss National Park, got thus designated in 1914 and was the first Alpine area to get this level of protection. Day 13: Stoos Ridge Hike. The etliberg railway (with regular scheduled trains) takes summiteers to Zurich's "own" mountain, 871 meters high. The most beautiful multi-day hikes in Switzerland. Jul 28, 2023, 3:51 PM. Kesch-Trek in Grabuenden. See here for more on exploring Switzerland's wine regions. The beautiful nature of Switzerland is known as a hikers paradise. Your email address will not be published. Beginning at Lavin means the long, steep, zig-zagging stretch southwest of the lakes from Munt Baselgia into Zernez is downhill at the end, rather than a punishing uphill at the start. For more inspiration for your trip to Switzerland, you might like: If youre looking for some reading material for your trip to Switzerland, you might like my book about my time living there,Mountain Song: A Journey to Finding Quiet in the Swiss Alps. It also offers mountain scenery, where karst mountains, pockets of forest, mountain lakes, flower-brightened valleys, and dairy farmland combine to make for picturesque walking. From here, it's an easy, leisurely walk over green slopes filled with wildflowers before the terrain starts to get steep as you approach Loucherhorn (there are signs everywhere to point you in the right direction). he painted the mountain in three different lights, Switzerland debuts a stunning multi-day hike just in time for summer: your guide to ViaBerna, How to choose an epic hike on any continent in the world, The best thru-hikes you can fit into a busy schedule, The best outdoor activities in Freiburg: hiking back to happiness, Test your endurance on the world's 10 best treks, 10 national parks you have to visit in Italy, This tiny home folds up so you can transport it anywhere, Wales' highest mountain could start charging hikers, The Matterhorn lights up with messages of support during the coronavirus outbreak, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In general, the trail is considered to be of medium difficulty the terrain is challenging and its quite cold, but thats nothing sturdy winter hiking gear wont help you handle. The high-altitude hike following the train trip is also suitable for families; after visiting the restaurant terrace on the Felsenegg, the gondola lift is waiting to take walkers down to Adliswil, where the S-Bahn (train) runs back towards Zurich. Start at Rtli meadow, connected by boat to Brunnen, you can hike anti-clockwise around the lake in one day, via the settlements of Bauen, Isleten and Flelen, finishing at the pretty William Tell Chapel, where murals portray scenes from the hero's legends. After about 15 minutes, the paved road ends, and you'll be walking on a sandy road with almost no elevation. The path is well marked, so there's no risk of getting lost or ending up on a different trail. Last summer I took the train from Copenhagen to Zurich to visit some friends in Switzerland, and I knew I needed to make time for some hiking. Day five takes hikers up the Furka Pass, which is best known for its role in a James Bond movie. As the Swiss delight in reminding you, the countrys 62,500km (38,836 miles) of trails would be enough to wrap around the globe 1.5 times. The highest of these is Hohtrli at 2778m (9114ft) in the Bernese Oberland, reached via a steep wooden ladder hacked into the rock face and secured with iron chains. The Lake Trb trail at the bottom of Mount Titlis is a great option for a winter hike. One look at this ravishing land of skyscraping peaks, glaciers, forests and lakes of piercing blue will have you itching to sling on a backpack, zip up to the heights and hit the trail. Find a bench, grab a coffee, or just snap pictures until you're ready to start going. Hikers will travel from Basel to Castasegna, usually in 21 one-day stages. This seven-kilometer hike sees little elevation (just under 300 meters total) and shouldn't take more than two-and-a-half hours to complete. The walk ends in Wildhaus, where buses connect to the nearest railway station at Nesslau. TikTok video from If you seek Amy | Solo travel (@ifyouseekamy.travel): "Spend the day with me hiking in Zermatt Switzerland. This article was first published September 2021 and updated December 2022. Although there are many hikes here, the Hngebrcke Val Meltger trail is a great place to start. An easy, mostly flat (except for some short steep sections), seven-kilometer hike, the Rigi Panorama Trail offers some of the best views you'll find while hiking Switzerland. There are several hiking routes you can enjoy at the top around Schynige Platte, alongside a gorgeous little botanical garden showcasing the best of alpine flora. If that sounds too daunting, you can certainly hike only parts of it. The hike from Schynige Platte to First via Faulhorn is among the top hikes in Interlaken with an epic view around every turn. The trail explores two of the longest glaciers in the Alps Fiescher Glacier and the Aletsch Glacier. Take the chairlift (base of chairlift is about 10 minutes walk from Tourist Information in Grindlewald) to Mannlichen and it is then an easy approximately 1 hour walk to Kleine-Scheidegg with sensational views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. The first part of the hike is mostly through shaded forest and past rivers before it opens up over flowering meadows surrounded by mountains and some of those stunning waterfalls the valley is famous for. In the busy city life we sometimes forget how incredibly beautiful the Swiss mountains are. Once you see a split in the road (about an hour after leaving the train station) with a sign pointing to the town of Stechelberg, ignore it and take the second path. The descent to Zernez leads through avalanche grids to meet an Alpine track, twisting through forest to reach Zernez, where you can either stay the night or take the train back to Lavin. Located in the Swiss National Park, this hike allows you to discover all the top sights in the NP during the six days it takes to complete the six stages of the trail. The hike is divided into seven stages, and it usually takes trekkers about a week to complete this long-distance Switzerland hike. There are 12 public holidays in Zurich, during which shops are closed, children don't go to school and the majority of people are not at work. The next 45 minutes are full of waterfalls tumbling down steep snow-covered cliffs, rivers, and waterways, and plenty of cows grazing in the distance. Here the route swings sharply east to Bettmersee lake before arriving at Bettmeralp, where a cable car delivers you down to Betten, on the mainline railway. Youll walk to the backbeat of cowbells through rolling dairy country and flower-freckled meadows. There's signage all along the way, and it's basically impossible to lose the trail, as most of it is on narrow ledges with nowhere else to go. Fronalpstock offers views of more than 10 lakes and the Swiss Alps in all of their majesty. I lived in the Swiss Alps for four magical years, hiked all over the country, and now enjoy finding nature in and around Copenhagen. To simplify things, just hike up as far as you want from the Oeschinensee and enjoy the view below. Hiking in Switzerland rightfully makes many travelers' bucket lists. Soon after, youll reach the glass-blue lake of Blausee. Just minutes outside Zermatt - one of the most famous mountain resort towns in southern Switzerland - is the Hhbalmen Alpine meadow, a wildflower-covered balcony with a direct view over the Valais Alps. Public Life. Distance: 23.3km (with 2,419m elevation gain). Make sure to bring your trekking poles and give it a miss if its been raining. Normally just half of that distance takes a full day. Its often so silent that the only sound youll hear is that of your own footsteps. All rights reserved. The Monte Rosa side of Zermatt's mountains is equally dazzling, with gorgeous views of the Monte Rosa massif and Dufourspitze, the second highest peak in the Alps. If you just chill in the hostel reading a book, your budget may thank you but you might be missing out on all of the great hikes in Switzerland. Hike the below day hikes, and you will certainly get to experience the very best of Switzerland's outdoors. It should come as no surprise that hiking is the nations favourite sport in Switzerland wherever you go, you are rewarded with stunning views and scenery. One of the best things to do in Czech Republic is to go hiking in Bohemian Switzerland National Park, in the far north of the country. There are a few different versions of the Haute Route for skiers, mountaineers, and cyclists the one for hikers is known as the Walkers Haute Route. The Way of St. James is a famous network of pilgrimage paths in Europe. This stage of the Via Alpina takes you past one of the most photogenic yet underrated views in Switzerland looking up to the Wellhorn from Rosenlaui. Faulhornweg Best day hike 15km (9.3 miles) one way, 5 hours, moderate Mother Nature pulled out all the stops in the Bernese Oberland, and the Faulhornweg might be the best day hike to take it all in. It should come as no surprise that hiking is the nation's favourite sport in Switzerland - wherever you go, you are rewarded with stunning views and scenery. View Post Hiking the literary heritage of Tolkien in the Swiss AlpsContinue, View Post Whats the best hiking base in Switzerland? Distance: 9.2km (and 863m elevation gain). This trail is suitable only for experienced hikers in great physical conditions, due to large elevation changes and difficult terrain. The Aletsch Glacier is a mighty 14.25 miles (23 km) and around one mile (1.5 km) wide, and whilst there are a couple of glacier viewpoints reachable by cable car, nothing compares to the drama of hiking alongside this formidable ice flow. Lauterbrunnental is known as the valley with the 12 waterfalls, so a hike here will get you stunning views no matter which way you're heading. Opened to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Switzerland's founding in 1991, the path has 26 themed sections to represent the nation's 26 cantons and 0.19 inches (5mm) of route for every Swiss resident!