10 beautiful hikes and hiking tips for Switzerland

What I didn’t learn, I hiked.

– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Summertime is hiking time and for your inspiration I have put together ten beautiful hikes and hiking tips for Switzerland here. This is not a top-ten list and certainly not “the ultimate hiking guide”, but a colorful palette of tour suggestions for young, old, beginners, connoisseurs, pros, city and country people. You are welcome to leave me a comment with your current favorite route or the well-protected insider tip, because I am always happy about new hiking ideas!

1. Beautiful hike from Engelberg to Melchsee-Frutt

From where to where:

Start in Trüebsee (middle station Engelberg-Titlis Bahn), end in Melchsee-Frutt (cable car to Stöckalp and from there by post bus to Sarnen)

For whom:

Sporty nature lovers. Intermediate stages can also be reached by post bus and/or cable car and are also ideal for a family excursion – e.g. only the Engstlensee

Climax:

The Engstlensee – for me one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Switzerland

Culinary stops:

The Hotel Frutt Lodge & Spa has a lovely terrace and a creative dessert menu (the waitress, on the other hand, left a lot to be desired during our visit)

Height, Width, Depth, Length (or so):

14.5 km, 750 m ascent, approx. 4.5 h hiking time

Curious? here are more impressions of the hike: 4-lake madness between Engelberg and Melchsee-Frutt

2. Beautiful hike through the Sihlwald

From where to where:

Start at Sihlwald station (S4 from Zurich station SZU), end on the Albis Pass with post bus connection to Thalwil

For whom:

Young, old, big, small – the perfect family hike! If you don’t feel tired legs on the Albis Pass, you can continue to the Uetliberg (also highly recommended)

Climax:

To find such an intact natural oasis in the middle of the Zurich metropolitan area and to enjoy the view from the Albishorn

Culinary stops:

In the Albishorn restaurant with the most beautiful view over the canton of Zurich

Height, Width, Depth, Length (or so):

7 km, 550 m ascent, approx. 2.5 h hiking time

Curious? here are more impressions of the hike: Next stop: Wilderness

3. Hike in the Zigerschlitz

From where to where:

Start and end at the Riedern Post bus stop (Näfels-Glarus post bus line) / Alternative: in the summer months, the post bus goes to the lake

For whom:

Young, old, big, small – the perfect family hike!

Climax:

Take a dip in the refreshing Klöntalersee

Culinary stops:

Hotel-Restaurant Rhodannenberg – apple strudel with a view of the lake and massive rock faces

Height, Width, Depth, Length (or so):

9.5 km, 350 m ascent, approx. 2.5 h hiking time

Curious? here are more impressions of the hike: in the Schlitz

4. Hike in the Derborence

From where to where:

Start and end at the car park or post bus stop Derborence (the post bus runs from Sion in the summer months, duration 1 h)

For whom:

Nature lovers, geologists, peace seekers

Climax:

To scramble over the high boulders of the rockfall and feel the forces of nature (and the impressive post bus ride through the valley)

Culinary stops:

Picnic by the lake or at the café of the Auberge du Godet

Height, Width, Depth, Length (or so):

7 km, 400 m ascent, approx. 2.5 h hiking time

Curious? here are more impressions of the hike: Golden autumn in the Derborence

5. Hunting for lakes in Zermatt

From where to where:

Start at the mountain station of the Sunnegga cable car, end at Zermatt station

For whom:

Sunday walkers, “tourists”, family outing

Climax:

The Matterhorn reflection in the Stellisee

Culinary stops:

The legendary Chez Vrony or the Findlerhof (both in “Findeln”)

Height, Width, Depth, Length (or so):

10 km, 300 m ascent, approx. 3 h hiking time

Curious? here are more impressions of the hike: Hiking in Zermatt | Another classic: hike to the Riffelsee

6. Bi de sibe Brünne

From where to where:

Start and end at Lenk

For whom:

Sporty, nature lovers, mountain lovers

Climax:

The Simmen Falls in the morning light (tip: it’s worth getting up early)

Culinary stops:

The legendary cheese slices in the Siebenbrunnen restaurant (below the Simmen spring)

Height, Width, Depth, Length (or so):

18.5 km, 800 m ascent, approx. 6 h hiking time

Curious? here are more impressions of the hike: Hiking in the Obersimmental

7. Niesen – Pyramid with a view

From where to where:

Start in Schwandegg and end on the Niesen (then take the funicular back to Mülenen)

For whom:

Ambitious (they hike all the way up the mountain), mountain lovers

Climax:

The phenomenal view over the Bernese Mittelland, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and the Bernese Alps

Culinary stops:

Sunday brunch or Bärgzmorge (during the week) in the Niesen mountain restaurant

Height, Width, Depth, Length (or so):

3 km, 700 m ascent, approx. 2 h hiking time

Curious? here are more impressions of the hike: Sunday excursion with summit happiness

8. Hike to the Kemmeribodenbad

From where to where:

Start in Innereriz (post bus stop), end in Kemmeribodenbad (hourly post bus connection to Escholzmatt)

For whom:

Nature lovers, peace seekers, connoisseurs

Climax:

Clearly the portion of Schangnauer meringues with Nidle as a reward

Culinary stops:

Meringue stop at the Kemmeribodenbad, a must-visit

Height, Width, Depth, Length (or so):

12 km, 750 m ascent, approx. 4 h hiking time

Curious? here are more impressions of the hike: From Innereriz to Kemmeribodenbad

9. Oh Throne

From where to where:

Start in Cassacia (reachable by post bus via the Maloja Pass), end in Solgio (accessible by post bus)

For whom:

Nature lovers, peace seekers, connoisseurs

Climax:

The beautiful views of Bregaglia and the picturesque village of Soglio

Culinary stops:

At Palazzo Salis in the heart of Soglio

Height, Width, Depth, Length (or so):

14 km, 350 m ascent, approx. 4 h hiking time

Curious? here are more impressions of the hike: Hiking through Bregaglia

10. City walking in Zurich

Why not go on a hiking tour in urban areas for a change? Away from the daily grind, there is also a lot to discover in the cities. A fantastic example of this are the Züri z’Fuess city walks. The ideal starting point to hike through the urban jungle.

From where to where:

20 themed routes through all districts of Zurich

For whom:

Late risers, city dwellers, Sunday walkers

I walked two of the twenty routes. You can find the impressions here: City Hiking Part 1 | City Walking Part 2 The other 18 routes are still waiting to be discovered by me.

Merken