Top 10 Hikes for Nature Lovers in Switzerland

Discover the most breathtaking trails in the Swiss Alps and beyond

Switzerland is nothing short of a hiker’s dream. Imagine standing on a grassy ridge, gazing at snow-dusted peaks in the distance, hearing the gentle bells of grazing cows echoing through the valley, and breathing in the crisp, pine-scented air. That’s what hiking in Switzerland feels like—a postcard brought to life.

From easy lakeside walks to challenging high-altitude treks, Switzerland’s hiking trails are as diverse as its landscapes. Here's an in-depth look at the 10 best hikes for nature lovers, chosen for their breathtaking scenery, accessibility, and unforgettable experiences.

1. The Five Lakes Walk (Pizol, St. Gallen)

Distance: ~10 km
Duration: 3–4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Start point: Pizolhütte (reached via gondola from Wangs)

🏔️ Why It’s Special:

This is one of the most visually stunning and colorful hikes in Switzerland. You'll pass by five unique alpine lakes, each with a different shade of blue or green, all framed by dramatic alpine backdrops.

🌟 Highlights:

• Wilden See: Dark and moody, surrounded by scree and rocks

• Schottensee: Bright turquoise, often reflecting perfect mountain views

• Schwarzsee: Deep and mysterious with stunning contrast

• Baschalvasee & Grünsee: More peaceful, often less crowded

You’ll also get sweeping views of the Sarganserland region, and on clear days, you might see all the way to Lake Constance.

💡 Tip:

Wear sturdy shoes—there are rocky sections and some scree slopes. Best hiked between late June and September, when all lakes are fully accessible and mostly snow-free.

2. Oeschinensee Lake Hike – Bernese Oberland

       

Distance: ~4–8 km (depending on route)
Duration: 2–4 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Start point: Kandersteg (with optional cable car)

🏔️ Why It’s Special:

Oeschinensee is a glacial lake surrounded by sheer cliffs and waterfalls, creating a surreal, storybook landscape. The turquoise-blue water is set against a backdrop of towering peaks like Blüemlisalp and Doldenhorn.

🌟 Highlights:

• Rowboat rentals for a unique experience on the lake

• Waterfalls cascading into the lake from steep cliffs

• Family-friendly trails and panoramic benches

• Ideal picnic spots along the shore

You can hike up to viewpoints or simply walk around the lake. A summer sled run near the cable car station adds fun for kids.

💡 Tip:

Visit in June or July for lush meadows and wildflowers. The area is great for photography, especially at sunrise when the light hits the cliffs.

 3. Eiger Trail – Grindelwald to Alpiglen

Distance: ~6 km
Duration: 2–3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (mostly downhill if done from Eigergletscher)
Start point: Eigergletscher station (Jungfrau Railway)
End point: Alpiglen

🏔️ Why It’s Special:

This iconic trail runs along the base of the Eiger North Face, one of the most legendary—and feared—climbing walls in the world. You’ll walk in the footsteps of mountaineering legends, with towering vertical rock looming overhead.

🌟 Highlights:

• Close proximity to the Eiger’s 1,800-meter north face

• Sweeping views over Grindelwald Valley

• Interpretive signs telling the history of Eiger climbs

• Alpine wildlife: chamois, marmots, and golden eagles

Despite the dramatic scenery, it’s a fairly manageable hike for most people and is incredibly rewarding.

💡 Tip:

Take the train to Eigergletscher and hike down to Alpiglen—it’s easier and more popular in that direction. Bring a jacket—this area stays cool even in summer.

4. Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail – Valais

Distance: ~12 km
Duration: 4–5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Start point: Bettmerhorn or Moosfluh (both accessible by cable car)

🏔️ Why It’s Special:

The Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps, stretching over 23 kilometers and weighing billions of tons. This hike offers aerial views of the glacier winding through a dramatic mountain landscape, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

🌟 Highlights:

• Endless glacier views—a true natural wonder

• Beautiful alpine meadows and old Swiss pine forests

• The chance to see signs of glacial retreat and climate change

• Stunning views toward Jungfrau and Fiescherhorn

The trail is fairly level and follows a well-marked path, making it suitable for intermediate hikers and families with teens.

💡 Tip:

Stop at the Hohfluh or Bettmerhorn viewing platforms for incredible panoramic photos. Best hiked from mid-July to early October when snow is gone and weather is clear.

5. Schynige Platte to First – Bernese Oberland

Distance: ~16 km
Duration: 6–7 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation gain/loss: ~900 meters
Trail type: One-way ridge hike
Start: Schynige Platte (reachable by cogwheel train from Wilderswil)
End: First (take gondola down to Grindelwald)

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🧭 Overview

If you had to choose one hike to capture the essence of the Swiss Alps, this would be it. The Schynige Platte to First hike is an alpine dream: a high-altitude ridge walk with constant views of iconic peaks like the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, glacial lakes below, and wildflowers all around.

You’re not just walking through scenery—you’re walking through a living postcard.

🌄 What You’ll See

• Panoramic Ridge Views: For much of the trail, you walk along a ridge with steep drops on either side. On clear days, you’ll see as far as the Black Forest in Germany.

• Lake Brienz & Lake Thun: Deep blue lakes sit far below, giving the illusion of walking in the sky.

• Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau: These three giants dominate the horizon for much of the trail, giving the hike a cinematic quality.

• Alpine Flora: In early summer, wildflowers burst into bloom. There’s even an alpine garden at the start with over 650 species.

• Fauna: Keep your eyes peeled for marmots, alpine choughs, and maybe even ibex along the steeper parts.

Trail Breakdown

1. Schynige Platte – Arrive via a scenic cogwheel train ride (built in 1893!). Spend some time in the alpine garden before starting.

2. Oberberg – Pass through gentle meadows with sweeping lake views.

3. Loucherhorn Ridge – The real ridge walking begins here. This section is narrow but safe, with thrilling drop-offs.

4. Faulhorn Summit (2,681 m) – Optional detour. You can hike up to this old stone hotel, one of the oldest in the Alps. Stay overnight or enjoy a coffee with one of the best views in Switzerland.

5. Bachalpsee – A small turquoise lake famous for its perfect reflections of the snow-covered peaks.

6. First – The hike ends here. From the panoramic First Cliff Walk, you can take a gondola down to Grindelwald.

Best Time to Go

• July to mid-September: Trails are snow-free, wildflowers are blooming, and gondolas are running.

• Go early in the morning to avoid afternoon thunderstorms and crowds.

🎒 What to Bring

• Hiking shoes with good grip

• Plenty of water (no refill stations until First)

• Windbreaker or warm layer (weather changes fast)

• Camera or binoculars

• Picnic lunch (or stop at Faulhorn for hot food)

💡 Tips for Hikers

• This is a one-way hike, so plan transportation in advance. You can start at Schynige Platte and end at First, or vice versa (though most prefer the direction toward First).

• If you’re not up for the full 6–7 hour hike, consider doing a shorter version: Schynige Platte to Faulhorn (~4 hours), then turn back or take a shortcut trail down to Bussalp.

• Not suitable for people with vertigo or mobility issues—the ridgeline, while safe, can feel exposed in places.

🌟 Why It’s a Must-Do

This trail offers maximum reward for the effort. You’re constantly treated to breathtaking alpine views, wildflower-strewn meadows, and dramatic cliffside paths. It’s less crowded than other Bernese Oberland hikes (like the Eiger Trail), yet every bit as majestic.

📸 Photo Spots

• Schynige Platte Station: Capture the vintage red cogwheel train arriving.

• Loucherhorn Ridge: Great spot for selfies with mountains on both sides.

• Bachalpsee: One of the most Instagrammed lakes in Switzerland.

• First Cliff Walk: For a dramatic "skywalk" experience to end your hike.

6. Zermatt to Hörnli Hut – Matterhorn Base

Distance: ~8 km round trip
Duration: 4–5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous (due to elevation)
Start point: Schwarzsee (reachable by cable car from Zermatt)
End point: Hörnli Hut (base of the Matterhorn)

🏔️ Why It’s Special:

This hike gets you as close as possible to the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic mountains in the world. The trail begins above Zermatt and ascends steadily through rocky alpine terrain until you reach the Hörnli Hut, a historic lodge used by climbers preparing to summit the Matterhorn.

🌟 Highlights:

• Up-close views of the Matterhorn’s dramatic northeast face

• Gorner Glacier views and the entire surrounding alpine range

• Wildlife spotting: look out for alpine ibex and snow finches

• Hörnli Hut café offers snacks and drinks with unmatched views

💡 Tip:

This is a high-altitude hike (~3,200 meters), so go slow and hydrate. You don’t need climbing gear, but be prepared for switchbacks and thinner air.

7. Creux du Van – Jura Mountains, Neuchâtel

Distance: ~14 km loop
Duration: 4–5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Start point: Noiraigue or Soliat (multiple access points)

🏔️ Why It’s Special:

Nicknamed the “Swiss Grand Canyon,” this natural amphitheater is a massive, 160-meter-deep limestone cliff in the Jura Mountains. Unlike alpine hikes, this route offers lush forest trails, high meadows, and a stunning cliff-edge walk.

🌟 Highlights:

• Views into the Creux du Van cirque—a natural geological marvel

• Forests rich in European lynx, ibex, deer, and birds of prey

• Scenic picnic spots on the rim of the cliffs

• Cooler temperatures than the high Alps in summer

💡 Tip:

Great for spring and fall hikes. Some parts along the cliff edge are exposed—take care on windy days and wear sturdy shoes.

8. Seealpsee Hike – Appenzell Region

Distance: ~4 km one-way
Duration: 1.5–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Start point: Wasserauen
End point: Seealpsee Lake

🏔️ Why It’s Special:

This short and sweet hike leads to Seealpsee, a peaceful alpine lake framed by dramatic rock faces in the Alpstein mountains. It's incredibly scenic and family-friendly, with opportunities to swim, picnic, or enjoy fresh alpine cheese at mountain huts.

🌟 Highlights:

• Lake reflections of jagged peaks like Säntis and Altenalptürm

• Farm animals grazing freely—cowbells add charm to the ambiance

• Rustic mountain guesthouses serving Appenzeller cheese dishes

• Option to extend to Ebenalp and the Aescher Cliff Restaurant

💡 Tip:

The initial section is a bit steep, but paved. Consider taking a small rowboat out on the lake (available in summer).

9. Lauterbrunnen Valley Walk – Bernese Oberland

Distance: ~6 km one-way
Duration: 1.5–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy and flat
Start point: Lauterbrunnen train station
End point: Stechelberg or Trümmelbach Falls

🏔️ Why It’s Special:

This is one of the most magical valley walks in Europe. Lauterbrunnen is a U-shaped glacial valley flanked by vertical cliffs and cascading waterfalls. It's like walking through the pages of a fairy tale.

🌟 Highlights:

• Staubbach Falls: one of Europe’s highest free-falling waterfalls

• Trümmelbach Falls: a series of waterfalls inside a mountain (entry fee applies)

• Views of snowy Jungfrau above lush meadows and chalets

• Tolkien’s inspiration for Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings

💡 Tip:

Perfect for all ages. Rent an e-bike or take the postbus back from Stechelberg. Add a detour by taking the cable car up to Mürren for panoramic valley views.

10. Ponte Tibetano Carasc – Ticino (Southern Switzerland)

Distance: ~7 km loop
Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Start point: Monte Carasso (via cable car to Curzútt)

🏔️ Why It’s Special:

This hike offers a thrilling mix of nature and adrenaline in the lush, Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. The highlight is the Ponte Tibetano, a 270-meter-long Tibetan-style suspension bridge that hovers 130 meters above the valley floor.

🌟 Highlights:

• The suspension bridge experience (safe but thrilling!)

• Stone hamlet of Curzútt with restored medieval architecture

• Dense chestnut forests and panoramic views of the Bellinzona region

• Fewer tourists—more peace and solitude

💡 Tip:

Though safe and family-friendly, the bridge can feel intimidating for those afraid of heights. Secure footing is important. Combine the hike with a visit to Bellinzona’s castles (UNESCO site).