The Best Hikes in Switzerland

Zermatt five-lake trail

Route։ Blauherd-Sunnegga

The five-lake trail is a wonderful hiking tour through the mountains of Zermatt: three of these mountain lakes reflect the Matterhorn. The hiking trail is varied and offers wonderful views of the different peaks.

The mountains surrounding Zermatt are traversed by impressively high hiking paths. But it's simple to reach these heights: Hikers can ascend to Blauherd upper station, located at 2,500 meters above sea level, by cable cars and mountain trains. The hiking trail to Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee begins at the upper station.

The five lakes are all different in terms of their size, color, and character. In Leisee, it's all about the kids having fun in the water. Stone pines cling to rocks and sand in a pretty desolate area that surrounds Grünsee. Additionally, unusual flowers grow along the banks of the Grindjisee.

The route provides spectacular mountain views, several spots to pause for a bite, and no notable ascents or descents.

Alpine Panorama Trail

Route: Lüderenalp - Moosegg

The Emmental Valley's Lüderenalp is a well-known location with expansive views of the Jura Mountains and the Bernese Alps. The old sanatorium is at an outstanding setting at 1141 meters. The Grosse Emme Valley and the Bernese Alps can be seen in the distance as you journey through, crossing a long mountain crest while passing a few scattered farms, woods, and meadows.

Descending is easy. You arrive at the Dürsrütiwald woodland region at about 900 meters after around two hours. Here, a white fir that is the registered tallest tree in the forest has been growing for over 350 years. When a storm severed its crown in 1999, it was around 57 meters high. With Moosegg in sight, you continue to descend around 300 more altitude meters until you reach Emmenmatt. The walk goes through farms to see the intricately stacked wood piles. The Emmental cheese's epicenter is Langnau, located in the Emmental Valley. Colloquial phrases like "full of holes like Swiss cheese" might spring to mind with the reminder of one of the most famous Swiss cheeses. You then cross the Ilfis and Grosse Emme rivers at Emmenmatt. A short while later, the two are combined to form the Emme.

For the next 90 minutes, the route ascends until it reaches Moosegg. It leads to the viewing point via the hamlet of Blasen and then across cow meadows along the mountain slope. There are wide open views over Langnau, the Emmental Valley, and the Bernese Alps range. The 950 m-high Hotel-Restaurant Moosegg is well-known for its outdoor theatre and for hosting the Woodrock music event.

Aletsch Glacier Trail

Route: Riederalp

This glacier adventure offers great views and the stone steps take you up to an unforgettable experience on Europe’s largest ice flow.

The path descends to Rote Chumma after crossing the Grosses Gufer Glacier. The cool glacial wind is especially wonderful and refreshing during the hot summer months. Carved into the rock, the wide mountain route ultimately makes its way to Märjelensee Lake. In the earlier days, a massive wall of ice from the Aletsch Glacier and big icebergs used to float on the water.

You absolutely must try the apple tart served straight from the wood-fired oven in Restaurant Gletscherstube. However, if you want to save an hour and skip the trail around Talligrat, you can journey straight to the other side through a lit tunnel, where the hiking path descends to Fiescheralp. There you may find a variety of restaurants and bars: Gletscherstube on the Märjelensee Lake; Kühboden Restaurant; and Alpina Restaurant, Fiescheralp.

Eiger Trail

Route: Grindelwald (Eigergletscher) - Grindelwald

The Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau – the world-famous trio of mountain peaks have attracted tourists and mountaineers to the Bernese Oberland for a long time, being the backdrop to the Jungfrau region. The northern slope of the Eiger, with its vertical drop of more than 1600 metres, has traditionally drawn the attention of the greatest climbers in the world, while the Jungfrau Railway is no less magnificent.

If you have the courage and desire to get a little bit closer to the amazing Eiger North Face, you can take the Jungfrau Railway to the station at Eigergletscher and set out on the Eiger Trail. Soon, you'll be standing in front of the famed rock face itself, and to your right, you'll see the metal ladders that climbers use to ascend the Eiger-Rotstock via Ferrata. With a stunning view of the Wetterhorn and the Grosse Scheidegg, the trail continues for another hour along the base of the Eiger North Face.

You will be able to see the climbers up against the rock wall if you have your binoculars with you. Postcards with maps of all the ascent routes are available for purchase at the train station before the trail zigzags boldly down to Alpiglen train station toward the end of the journey.

The Panorama Trail above Zurich

Route։ Üetliberg – Zurich’s home mountain

The Üetliberg railway takes hikers to Zurich's "own" mountain, 871 metres high. Families can enjoy the high-altitude climb that comes after the train ride. After visiting the restaurant terrace atop the Felsenegg, a gondola lift is ready to transport walkers to Adliswil, where an S-Bahn (train) departs for Zurich.

The Planet Trail is a fantastic ridge walk that allows hikers to travel across the solar system while taking in the breathtaking views in under two hours. A contemporary hotel with amazing views all around was opened 25 years ago as a mixed guest house and wellness resort. For even more breathtaking views of Zurich, the lake, and the Alps, guests of the "Uto Kulm" hotel can climb to the platform of the 72-meter-high viewing tower.

Another stunning view can be seen on a short, high-altitude climb up to the Felsenegg, which is near the Zurich-Sihlwald Wilderness Park, Switzerland's only natural adventure park. Tourists will come across rangers who are happy to share knowledge about their jobs and the natural world, as well as leisure walkers, families, and other visitors.