Hiking Areas

Switzerland offers an incredible variety of mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes. With borders shared with Austria, Germany, France, Liechtenstein and Italy, it attracts tourists from all directions. Whether you want to go on a relaxed family trip, an easy, moderate or challenging hike, Switzerland is certain to have something for everyone. Thanks to its many different landscapes and natural features, every route is unique and special.

Division of the hiking areas

Switzerland's hiking areas are structured according to landscape regions (the Alps, the Jura, the Central Plateau and Ticino) as well as by difficulty level and themed routes. This makes hiking extremely varied – from a leisurely walk on the flatlands to high alpine tours across glaciers. The landscape regions are:

• Alpine Region: The Alpine region is home to the largest and best-known part of Switzerland's hiking areas. The Alps stretch from west to east across the country and shape around two-thirds of Switzerland, making the range of hikes extremely diverse! The Alpine region is divided into the Western Alps, the Central Alps and the Eastern Alps.

• Jura: The Jura is a low mountain range that, with its gentler heights and extensive forests, offers a different hiking experience than the steep Alps. The Jura Ridgeway is a very popular route that stretches across several cantons.

• Central Plateau: The Swiss Central Plateau lies between the Alps and the Jura. It is characterised more by hills, lakes and rivers than by steep mountain massifs. The rather relaxed day hikes can often be combined with cultural or city experiences. A very popular hike, for example, leads along Lake Constance.

• Ticino & Southern Alps: This Italian-speaking part of Switzerland has a special atmosphere that sets it apart from the other regions. The Mediterranean climate, steep valleys and chestnut forests define this region.

There are also 11 central hiking regions to which hiking offers relate. They cover all the major landscape regions (the Alps, the Jura, the Central Plateau and Ticino). The central hiking regions are:

• Bernese Oberland

• Valais (Zermatt)

• Graubünden (Swiss National Park)

• Central Switzerland

• Eastern Switzerland

• Ticino (Verzasca Valley)

• Jura Region & Three-Lakes Land

• Central Plateau

• Vaud Alps & Lake Geneva Region

• Fribourg Region

• Northwestern Switzerland

Switzerland has 48 mountains over 4,000 m high. More than 60,000 marked trails invite you to admire the incredibly majestic landscape of this country. This fantastic variety of hiking areas has something for everyone! Whether relaxed, cosy moments in nature or sporting ambitions. In the middle of summer, you can hike across glacier ice, cool down in the snow and then swim in a lake in your swimwear. Later, you can wander through romantic little villages and explore the culinary specialities LINK of Switzerland.

We would like to introduce you to the 11 central hiking regions of the Swiss hiking landscape to give you an initial overview.

Bernese Oberland

One of the best-known and most popular hiking regions is the Bernese Oberland. The majestic mountain peaks, deep valleys and soothing lakes provide a very beautiful backdrop. The world-famous trio of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau forms the most impressive sight of the Jungfrau region. The Eiger's north face drops vertically over 1,600 m, offering brave and talented climbers a wealth of opportunities.

The Eiger Trail is a challenging hike where you first take the Jungfrau Railway to the "Eigergletscher" station. From there, it only takes a short approach before you're standing right in front of the famous wall. The trail then runs for an hour along the base of the Eiger's north face, offering views of the Wetterhorn and the Grosse Scheidegg. A few sections are secured with ropes. With binoculars, you can watch the climbers on the wall. You then zigzag your way down to the Alpiglen train station. Another hike is the Sigriswil Rothorn Panorama Trail. This is a difficult hike that requires good fitness and sure-footedness. It's best to attempt this hike only once you already have alpine experience. The strenuous route is definitely worth it for the beautiful views and natural scenery.

Valais

Valais is best known for the Matterhorn. It stretches from the source of the Rhône in the south of Switzerland to Lake Geneva.

The "Five Lakes Walk" in Zermatt offers incredible views of five clear mountain lakes and the Matterhorn. All five lakes - Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee - show beautiful reflections of the Matterhorn. The hike is about 9.3 km long and relatively easy. If you'd like a somewhat lesser-known hike that's probably less crowded in summer, the Saas Valley and the Lötschental would be suitable options. Beautiful trails and grand views await you there. In addition to demanding mountain tours, Valais also offers relaxed valley hikes, meaning families can also go hiking there very well.

Graubünden

Graubünden is actually the largest holiday region in Switzerland and is particularly known for luxury holidays. Graubünden is also the only canton in Switzerland where three languages are spoken: German, Romansh and Italian. A huge plus is the opportunity to explore around 150 valleys, 600 lakes and more than 900 peaks. With more than 11,000 km of hiking trails, it's a true paradise for hikers. The Swiss National Park LINK is the oldest national park in the Alps and is home to a fantastic variety of untouched nature and rich wildlife.

If you'd like to do another hike, you could, for example, choose the over 300 km long Walserweg, which crosses Graubünden. Of course, there are not only tours that take several days. There are numerous shorter, family-friendly routes. Very popular, for example, are the circular walks from Zernez or the hike to Chamanna Cluozza (the only mountain hut in the national park). There's a chance to spot deer, ibex, marmots and other wildlife, making the excursion something truly special. If you're not sure which animal you've spotted, or want to learn more about the local flora and fauna in general, there are plenty of informative and educational signs.

Central Switzerland

The hiking opportunities in Central Switzerland are incredibly diverse. In addition to easy and difficult hikes, there are themed trails, such as the Geological Trail Trübsee or the Ratenpfad in the Zug area.

Lake Lucerne at the heart of Central Switzerland offers a wonderfully beautiful hiking area. You can climb Rigi (Queen of the Mountains) or instead hike along the Panorama Trail on Lake Lucerne. The hiking route runs from Weggis to Vitznau and is around 10 km long. The numerous rest areas along the way give you the chance to relax and take in nature, with a few breaks in between. Why not try leaving the stress of everyday life behind on this route. The trail also passes through idyllic villages and offers very beautiful views of the lake and mountains. Because the trail is well developed and suitable for all age groups, it can get a bit crowded depending on the season.

Eastern Switzerland

Eastern Switzerland offers you a great variety of hiking trails. There are different levels of difficulty requiring different levels of preparation. A good basic level of fitness and experience are essential for some routes, which is why we recommend checking the requirements for each route beforehand.

A popular route in the Alpstein mountains is the Three Lakes Tour. On this hike, you walk along the lakes Seealpsee, Fälensee and Sämtisersee. If you'd rather admire an impressive gorge, you can do the Tamina Gorge Circular Tour. This is a moderately difficult hike that requires a good basic level of fitness. The paths are easy to walk, so you don't need any special skills or equipment. The 14.7 km long 7 Peaks Tour Flumserberg is considered a difficult hike. So if you want to challenge yourself and have good fitness and sure-footedness, this tour is for you. Remember sturdy footwear and enough water, and it's best to only do this tour if you already have alpine experience.

Ticino

The Mediterranean and mild climate of this Italian-speaking region creates a special flair. The climate is particularly well suited to hiking. The landscape is very varied, and you can choose between gentle hills or steep mountain slopes. The chestnut forests are also very pretty to look at.

Another highlight is the Verzasca Valley. The emerald-green river and the stone houses are very beautiful. The most popular route is about 14 km long. On hot summer days, you can bathe in the clear water of the river at several spots. Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore offer spectacular views as you hike along the well-marked trails.

Jura

The Jura Mountains boast a wonderfully varied landscape! A strenuous hike, a challenge to your own abilities, or perhaps a relaxed family outing - it's all possible here.

If you want to climb the highest peak of the Jura massif, the Reculet (1,718 m), you'll need to cover 950 m of elevation gain and 15 km of trail in about 6.5 hours. Once you reach the top, you'll surely forget all the effort in the face of the fantastic view awaiting you there. The incredible view of the varied shapes of the Alpine peaks and the mystical Mont Blanc is worth every challenging hike. With a bit of luck, you might encounter some animals along the way, such as a herd of chamois. If the elevation gain is too much for you, you can also shorten the route by taking the cable car. A hike through the Areuse Gorge can be completed in about 3 hours. Along the way, you'll find beautiful natural rivers and streams, enchanting paths and views into gorges. A very varied and highly recommended route.

Central Plateau

Even though the Central Plateau is one of the mountain area regions, it mainly consists of flat and hilly terrain. The landscape here was heavily shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age. Erratic boulders and rocks from glacial debris, foreign to the local area, can still be found there. You can admire these along various trails.

One way to explore the Central Plateau is the 12.9 km round trip "Hoher Hirschberg". This route focuses on the views. The Alpstein panorama offers a wonderful view, and the detour via the Gais viewpoint Hohegg is also well worth it. Other options include an easy walk along the Aare riverside path or a demanding tour, such as the Panorama Trail over the Jura ridges.

Vaud Alps & Lake Geneva Region

The Vaud Alps are very varied, with plains, mountains, lakes, wine-growing areas, panoramic hikes, ruins and gorges. Here you can hike at high altitudes, admire the reflections of the mountains in the lakes and take walks through the vineyards. There are even pushchair-friendly hikes for young families.

You can take a shorter hike to the Dar waterfall - Merveille des Diablerets. At 1 hour 30 minutes and just under 5 km, it's an easy hike where you can admire the impressive 90 m high waterfall. On hot days, you can cool off by dipping your feet in the water below. A moderately difficult hike that requires good basic fitness and sure-footedness is the Lac Lioson Circular Tour. It offers stunning views of the lake and wonderful trails through the mountains.

Fribourg Region

In addition to easy walks and demanding mountain and high-altitude hikes, the Fribourg Region even offers the chance to do a tour around Moléson.

Such a diverse flora as on the Gastlosen Circular Hike is rarely found in the pre-Alps. The hike leads around the nearby Gastlosen mountain range, whose sight already leaves an impression right at the starting point of the tour. As you walk along the trail, imposing and rugged limestone mountains come into view, some with vertical rock faces over 300 m high. The Stillwasser forest is home to a species-rich plant world. This is a moderately difficult tour, offering not only straight paths but also the occasional small rock staircase. A 14 km hike starting at 1,493 m is the Breccaschlund Panorama Trail. The Breccaschlund Panorama Trail has a fascinating and mysterious atmosphere. From Schwarzsee, you reach the Bärghuus Riggisalp at an altitude of 1,493 metres. This is where the Breccaschlund circular hike begins. Alpine flowers and grazing cows complete the picture.

Northwestern Switzerland

Of course, there are also short and easy hiking trails, but in Northwestern Switzerland you're sure to find what you're looking for if you want to walk along a long-distance trail. Examples include the Jura Ridgeway, the Aargau Trail, the Swiss Path, the Via Rhenana and the Trans Swiss Trail. Of course, there are also numerous shorter hikes, high-altitude walks, viewpoints and old towns to explore.

If you decide on one of the longer hiking trails, be sure to have the right equipment. This includes, among other things, suitable hiking boots and weather-appropriate clothing. You should also remember to bring plenty of water and enough food.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

We wish you a pleasant trip to Switzerland and lots of enjoyment on your exploration tour through the country's impressive natural landscape. Please make sure to find out in good time about the applicable toll regulations. In addition, our route planner is available to help you plan your trip optimally and display the relevant toll products. If you have any questions, we will of course be happy to help. Feel free to contact us at any time by email.