{"id":7061124,"date":"2026-09-19T14:04:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T14:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/10-must-do-hikes-in-switzerland\/"},"modified":"2026-09-19T14:04:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T14:04:48","slug":"10-must-do-hikes-in-switzerland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7061124","title":{"rendered":"10 Must Do Hikes In Switzerland"},"content":{"rendered":"


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113<\/i> <\/p>\n

Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but sometimes the best spots are only reachable on foot.<\/p>\n

We spent a month there recently, and never ran out of hikes to do. The Swiss Alps cover about 60 percent of the country, so there are thousands of trails featuring lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and even glaciers.<\/p>\n

Most tourists stay in the Interlaken area, which has a lot of nice activities, but there are actually plenty of great hikes all over the country. You don\u2019t need to limit yourself to one area.<\/p>\n

In this guide, I\u2019ll share some must do hikes in Switzerland, from easy, family-friendly walks to full-day alpine treks!<\/p>\n

This is far from a complete list, and I plan to add more hikes with future trips, so remember to bookmark this blog and keep an eye on it.<\/p>\n

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1. Saxer Lucke<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Saxer Lucke is an epic viewpoint in the Alpstein mountain range, in eastern Switzerland.<\/p>\n

There are several ways to do this trail, but the easiest way is to take the cable car from Frumsen to Staubern, and then start the hike from there. You can check the tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It takes less than 1 hour of hiking to reach the viewpoint, and it\u2019s incredible.<\/p>\n

In front, you\u2019re facing a row of jagged peaks. On your left, you can see the town of Sennwald in the distance. On your right, you can see Fahlensee lake in the valley, surrounded by mountains.<\/p>\n

\"Saxer<\/p>\n

Saxer Lucke viewpoint<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Generally, the best time to photograph Saxer Lucke is in the morning, because in the afternoon it\u2019s backlit by the sun.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re done at the viewpoint, you can go back the way you came (easiest), or you can hike down into the valley to see Fahlensee lake up close, grabbing lunch at Berggasthaus Bollenwees and then ending the hike at Brulisau.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a long hike if you do it like that, but most of it is downhill, so it\u2019s still pretty manageable.<\/p>\n

Either way, Saxer Lucke is well connected to public transport, like most hikes in Switzerland, so you don\u2019t need a car to do it!<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 4.2 kilometers (2.6 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 140 meters (460 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Easy \/ Moderate
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Saxer<\/p>\n

Part of the trail to Saxer Lucke<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2. Schafler Ridge<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The Schafler ridge is another amazing trail in the Alpstein mountain range, near Appenzell.<\/p>\n

There are many ways to do this hike, but I recommend taking the gondola from Wasserauen to Ebenalp, and then hiking from there to Berggasthaus Schafler and the viewpoint.<\/p>\n

You can check the tickets here<\/a>, or buy them when you arrive.<\/p>\n

\"Schafler<\/p>\n

Schafler Ridge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

To finish the hike, you can go back the way you came (easiest), or you can descend past the Seealpsee lake, which is a more scenic route. It\u2019s a steep and rugged path, but there are metal cables to hold for safety.<\/p>\n

If you want to extend the trail and take a detour, you can hike past Altenalpturm up to the Lotzisalpsattel. That\u2019s what I did, and it gives a really unique perspective from the opposite side of the mountains, where there\u2019s also less people on the trail.<\/p>\n

No matter how you do this trail, you\u2019re going to get some of the most epic views in Switzerland!<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 10.5 kilometers (6.5 mi) point to point
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 380 meters (1,250 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Moderate
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Views<\/p>\n

Views of Altenalpturm from the Lotzisalpsattel<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Views<\/p>\n

Views of Seealpsee lake while descending from Schafler<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3. Staubifall<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

This is a short and easy hike that ends with a big waterfall in a Swiss village.<\/p>\n

The location is a bit remote, but you can reach the start of the trail by car or public transport. We went there with a combination of train and bus, and it was a long day, but it was well worth it.<\/p>\n

From the bus stop or parking area, it\u2019s a 1 hour hike on a gravel road to get to the waterfall, and then the same amount of time to go back.<\/p>\n

\"Staubifall\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\"Staubifall
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There\u2019s a gradual incline on the hike to Staubifall, but nothing too crazy, and you have some shade along the way.<\/p>\n

Once you reach the village, there\u2019s another foot path to go even closer to the waterfall if you want, but my favorite photo is with the houses in the foreground. If you\u2019re lucky, you might even get some cows wandering into the shot.<\/p>\n

The waterfall is around 100 meters tall, so it\u2019s bigger than it looks from a distance. The best time to photograph it is in the afternoon, because it hides in a shadow in the early morning.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a beautiful place, and we wished we could\u2019ve stayed there longer!<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 6.6 kilometers (4.1 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 285 meters (935 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Easy
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Village<\/p>\n

Even the houses are photogenic at Staubifall<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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4. Pizol 5 Lakes Hike<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

This is a popular hike near Sargans with five mountain lakes, including two bright turquoise lakes called the Wildsee and Shottensee.<\/p>\n

There are a few different ways to do this hike, but the easiest way is to hike from Pizolhutte to Gaffia. There are chair lifts that run from Wangs to either of these places, so you can use those to get up and down from the trail.<\/p>\n

Here<\/a> are the current prices for the Pizol lift combo ticket. The starting station in Wangs is well connected to Swiss public transport.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a great hike, especially on a sunny day when the color of the lakes really pops!<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 10.5 kilometers (6.5 mi) point to point
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 550 meters (1,800 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Moderate
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Hikers<\/p>\n

Wildsee is the first lake on the Pizol 5 lakes trail.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Shottensee<\/p>\n

Shottensee is the second lake on the trail.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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5. Stoos Ridge Hike<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The Stoos ridge is a popular trail with amazing views of Lake Lucerne from above.<\/p>\n

This one gets very busy, so it\u2019s best to go early in the morning. You\u2019ll also escape the worst of the heat that way, since the trail is completely unshaded.<\/p>\n

Most people start the hike at Klingenstock and end at Fronalpstock, using the cable cars at both ends of the trail to go up and down from Stoos village.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d definitely recommend hiking it in that direction, because that way you\u2019ll have the sun at your back and the best views of the lake in front of you.<\/p>\n

\"Hikers<\/p>\n

Stoos ridge hike<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Stoos is a car-free mountain village that\u2019s accessed by the world\u2019s steepest funicular (inclined railway). Getting to ride on it is another fun bonus of doing this hike.<\/p>\n

The Stoosbahnen funicular is free with a Swiss Travel Pass, but you\u2019ll still need to buy tickets for the cable cars from Stoos to Klingenstock\/Fronalpstock and back, if you use them for the hike.<\/p>\n

You can check the cable car tickets here<\/a>, or wait and buy them on the spot.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 4.5 kilometers (2.8 mi) point to point
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 285 meters (935 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Moderate
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Hikers<\/p>\n

Stoos is such a nice hike<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Stoos<\/p>\n

Wide open views on the ridge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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6. Oeschinensee Upper Trail<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

I can\u2019t make a list of the best hikes in Switzerland without mentioning Oeschinensee.<\/p>\n

This is a bright turquoise lake surrounded by mountains in the Bernese Oberland, not far from Interlaken.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s fairly easy to reach the lower part of the lake with a gondola ride from Kandersteg, but the very best views are on the upper loop trail, which takes some more effort.<\/p>\n

The best way to hike this trail is in a clockwise direction, that way it starts with the best views and ends at the lake, where you can take a dip if you want.<\/p>\n

Oeschinensee has gotten extremely popular, so an advance reservation is mandatory if you plan to use the gondola. You can check the tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 9.2 kilometers (5.7 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 500 meters (1,650 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Moderate
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Oeschinensee<\/p>\n

My favorite view of Oeschinensee from the upper trail<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Hiking<\/p>\n

Hiking along the edge of the lake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The shore at the bottom<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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7. Gastlosen Loop<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

This is an awesome trail that loops around the Gastlosen mountain range in western Switzerland.<\/p>\n

Most people prefer to do the hike counterclockwise, that way you\u2019re climbing up the steepest part rather than descending it on slippery rocks.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s great scenery all the way through this hike, but the best views are at the Wolfs Ort saddle, which is roughly halfway through the trail.<\/p>\n

From the saddle, you can extend the hike by climbing the Wandflue peak, which overlooks the rest of the mountain range.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

View of Gastlosen from above the saddle<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The main starting point for the Gastlosen hike is at the chairlift in Jaun. You can check the tickets online here<\/a>, or buy them on the spot.<\/p>\n

Jaun is a small village, but it\u2019s connected to Switzerland\u2019s bus system, so it\u2019s not a problem getting there even if you don\u2019t have a car.<\/p>\n

This is one of my favorite hikes in Switzerland! Even if you\u2019re staying in another area, it\u2019s worth the travel time.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 11 kilometers (6.8 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 655 meters (2,150 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Moderate
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Views<\/p>\n

Views of the Wandflue peak from Gastlosen trail<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Trail<\/p>\n

The whole time you\u2019re walking under these jagged peaks<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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8. Trift Bridge<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

This is a unique hike near the Interlaken area that features a high footbridge, a melting glacier, and a turquoise lake.<\/p>\n

The Triftbrucke is a suspension bridge that\u2019s 100 meters high and 170 meters long, spanning a canyon and river at the foot of the Triftsee glacial lake.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s spectacular and a little bit scary to walk across, but you can trust the Swiss engineering.<\/p>\n

\"Triftbrucke<\/p>\n

Trift bridge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Hiker<\/p>\n

Triftsee glacial lake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

If you want to extend the hike past the bridge, you can continue to the Trifthutte, which has up close views of the glacier, plus a restaurant and cabins for staying overnight.<\/p>\n

Most people only hike as far as the bridge and then go back, which takes about 1.5 hours each way.<\/p>\n

The trail starts in Gadmen, which is connected to public transport and has a cable car called the Triftbahn that takes you partway up the trail.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s recommended to book ahead for the cable car, because it regularly sells out. You can check the tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 6.6 kilometers (4.1 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 730 meters (2,400 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Moderate
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Drone<\/p>\n

Drone pic of Triftbrucke and the lake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Trift<\/p>\n

Trift glacier<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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9. Leiterhorn<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

This is a nice little hike from Wengen town center that gives you views of Jungfrau and the Lauterbrunnen valley from above.<\/p>\n

You can reach the best views in just half an hour of hiking, but it\u2019s all uphill, so that adds some challenge. It\u2019s still family friendly, and we did it with a baby.<\/p>\n

The view is kind of like what you see in Wengen, but you\u2019re higher and you escape the crowds, which is nice. In fact, we went early and had the whole trail to ourselves!<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 275 meters (900 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Easy
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Leiterhorn<\/p>\n

Views on the Leiterhorn trail<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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10. Matterhorn Glacier Trail<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

This is a great hike near Zermatt with multiple lakes, glaciers, and up close views of the Matterhorn, Switzerland\u2019s iconic pointy mountain.<\/p>\n

The easiest and most relaxing way to do the hike is to start at Trockenersteg and end at Schwarzsee, that way you\u2019re walking downhill for most of the trail, with only one hill to climb near the end.<\/p>\n

You can take a cable car from Zermatt to Furi, and then Furi to Trockenersteg, where the trail starts.<\/p>\n

\"Matterhorn<\/p>\n

Matterhorn Glacier Trail<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Glacier<\/p>\n

More glaciers in the distance<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

After finishing the hike, you can take the cable car from Schwarzsee back down to Zermatt, or you can take it up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest cable car station in Europe.<\/p>\n

All of these rides are included in the Matterhorn Peak Pass, which can be booked for multiple days here<\/a>, or you can book a single day trip here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Either way, I\u2019d recommend going early in the morning, because the Matterhorn tends to hide in clouds later in the day!<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 6.3 kilometers (4 mi) point to point
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 165 meters (545 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Easy
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Schwarzsee<\/p>\n

Schwarzsee lake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Reflections<\/p>\n

So many reflections<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Honorable Mentions: More Hikes To Do<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\u2022 Brienzergrat \/ Hardergrat<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

This is a long, epic ridge trail above Interlaken that can be hiked in either direction, from Brienzer Rothorn to Harder Kulm, or vice versa.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an all day hike that requires plenty of research and preparation, and lots of water, but the whole hike across the ridge has amazing views of the turquoise Lake Brienz.<\/p>\n

The reason I haven\u2019t rated this as a \u2018must do\u2019 hike is because of the danger and difficulty. There are steep drop-offs on both sides, and people seem to die on it every year, so it\u2019s not for everyone.<\/p>\n

Still, if you\u2019re a serious hiker looking for a challenge, it\u2019s one of the most epic trails near Interlaken!<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 21 kilometers (13.1 mi) point to point
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 985 meters (3,230 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Hard
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a>
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\u2022 Hinterburgsee<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

This is a fun, family friendly hike in Axalp, above Interlaken, that has a lake and other nice scenery.<\/p>\n

The forest is lined with dozens of interesting wood carvings. Kids will love it! When I was there, the locals were busy making new sculptures, carving tree stumps along the trail.<\/p>\n

The reason I\u2019m not rating this as a \u2018must do\u2019 hike is partly because the location isn\u2019t very accessible. You can reach the mountain village of Axalp by bus from Brienz, but it\u2019s a fair amount of travel time for a relatively short hike.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 5.3 kilometers (3.3 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 250 meters (820 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Easy
Map:<\/strong> AllTrails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Hinterburgsee<\/p>\n

Hinterburgsee lake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Wood<\/p>\n

Wood carving on the trail<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u2022 Schreyenbachfall<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

This is a nice, big waterfall that\u2019s a bit of a hidden gem in eastern Switzerland. We only saw a handful of other people there all day.<\/p>\n

The main waterfall is about 165 meters tall, and the whole thing is closer to 300 meters if you include the upper cascades.<\/p>\n

The catch is that the waterfall only flows for 45 days a year, and it\u2019s diverted for a power plant the rest of the year. Double check the dates, but normally it\u2019s only flowing from June 18 to August 2.<\/p>\n

\"Woman\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\"Schreyenbachfall
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If you have a car, you can park at the cable car station near the waterfall and walk to it in 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, if you\u2019re using public transport, you\u2019ll have to stop in Linthal and hike from there. That\u2019s what we did, and it was pretty easy even with a stroller.<\/p>\n

There isn\u2019t a dedicated hiking path, so you\u2019ll be walking on the road, but there\u2019s never much traffic. It took a little under 1.5 hours in each direction.<\/p>\n

The walk to the waterfall winds through a beautiful valley with a clear stream and quiet Swiss villages. The stats below are for the hike from Linthal.<\/p>\n

Distance:<\/strong> 10.4 kilometers (6.5 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 215 meters (705 ft)
Difficulty:<\/strong> Easy
Map:<\/strong> Google<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Baby\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\"Valley
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More Hiking Ideas For Switzerland<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

These are some more good hikes in Switzerland that we haven\u2019t had a chance to do yet, but I\u2019d recommend checking them out if you can!<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Bachalpsee<\/a> \u2013<\/strong> Popular lake hike at Grindelwald First.<\/li>\n
  • Northface Trail<\/a> \u2013<\/strong> Family friendly hike in Murren, above Lauterbrunnen.<\/li>\n
  • Zermatt 5 Lakes Trail<\/a> \u2013<\/strong> A nice hike with several lakes and views of the Matterhorn.<\/li>\n
  • Limmernsee<\/a> \u2013<\/strong> Challenging hike to a reservoir with turquoise water, in eastern Switzerland.<\/li>\n
  • Aletsch Panoramaweg<\/a> \u2013<\/strong> Scenic hike near a big glacier in the canton of Valais.<\/li>\n
  • Hornli Trail<\/a> \u2013<\/strong> Tough hike with super close views of the Matterhorn.<\/li>\n
  • Batoni Waterfall Arena<\/a> \u2013<\/strong> Valley with multiple waterfalls. Best in the spring when there\u2019s plenty of water.<\/li>\n
  • Grosser Mythen<\/a> \u2013<\/strong> Steep peak near Lake Lucerne.<\/li>\n
  • Chuebodenhorn<\/a> \u2013<\/strong> Glacier lake with floating icebergs, in southern Switzerland.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \"Rosenlaui<\/p>\n

    Rosenlaui isn\u2019t a hike per se, but it is a wonderful place for a walk.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    Map Of Hikes In Switzerland<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Here\u2019s a map of some great hikes in Switzerland, just so you can get a general idea of where they are in the country.<\/p>\n

    Keep in mind these locations may be approximate, so it\u2019s best to use the maps on AllTrails<\/a> for exact hiking routes.<\/p>\n