Switzerland, the one destination everyone on earth wants a taste of. Switzerland is blessed with luscious green hills, majestic alpine lakes, and weather that makes you want to extend your trip every time. And if there’s one way to truly explore the beauty of Switzerland, it’s the scenic hikes. Trails that make you stop in wonder and question everything you’ve ever known, destinations that excite you, and views that could keep you dreaming for days; such are the experiences you’ll see when you explore these scenic hikes and alpine trails:
Gsür Hike, Adelboden
A Swiss Alpine village in Switzerland, Adelboden is one of the most picturesque destinations in the world, so you’ll find plenty of hiking trails here. One of them is the Gsür Hike, which, surprisingly, usually goes unnoticed by hikers and tourists. This hidden gem is a relatively challenging hike, so it’s best to only go if you’re an experienced trekker (or get a guided tour) to the Gsür summit. Although challenging, the Gsür Hike is one of the most picturesque alpine trails, leading to panoramic views across the Swiss Alps. The hike begins in Schwandfälspitz, a 15-minute cable car ride. There, you trek your way to Gsür through deep ravines and ultimately reach the Furggi mountain pasture.
Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen
A total of about 8.5 kilometres and about 853 meters of elevation gain welcome you at the Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen trail. Now this one is pretty unique because you can either trek up to Kleine Scheidegg or start the other way around. The trail expanses mighty mountains, stunning views, and natural beauty you wouldn’t expect to find on earth. Board the train from Interlaken to Kleine Scheidegg; as you ascend, you’ll see the stunning landscapes that make Switzerland one of the most gorgeous places on earth. Once you reach, start the descent to Wengen, which should take you roughly 3- 3 ½ hours.
Schynige Platte Panorama Trail
Here’s what makes the Schynige Platte Panorama Trail so fun: it’s easy and swift. The trail begins above Interlaken, after you’ve taken the mountain funicular to the top. From there, you’ll make your way to the Schynige Platte, where several hiking routes open up. We recommend taking your time to explore the alpine botanical garden at the Schinige Platte, where you’ll see some of the most stunning alpine flora. Hike back down to Interlaken from there; not only will you save the funicular fare, but the descent is easy and incredibly picturesque. It’s the perfect alpine hike in Switzerland for beginner hikers.
Sonogno to Lavertezzo
If you’re pretty freaked out at the idea of high elevation and would rather opt for a calm and pleasant hike, we recommend hiking from Sonogno to Lavertezzo. Sonogno is a pleasant village located in Valle Verzasca and is filled to the brim with Instagrammable spots, making it one of the most preferred hikes for first-timers. It’s also just 14 kilometres with 260 metres ascent, so you’ll hardly be short of breath during the 3 hours of the hike. There’s a stunning alpine cove where you can stop on the rocks to take a breather and dip your toes in the cool water.
Hardergrat (Interlaken) to Brienzer Rothorn
This hike is incredibly difficult, and yet worth every bit of misstep. Don’t be misled; Hardergrat to Brienzer Rothorn will take you roughly or more than 10 hours, and has quite the tricky terrain, so it’s best to go only if you’re an experienced hiker or with a proper touring group. While the trail itself is short (only about 23-24 kilometres), it comes with an elevation gain of 2,726 meters, so you’ll be out of breath before you know it. But why are we recommending a hike like this if it’s so challenging? Honestly, once you’ve traversed the hike and reach Brienzer Rothorn, you’ll come across some of the most magnificent views in the world. Trust us; the Interlaken is nothing compared to what you’ll see at the ascent here, making it one of the most scenic hikes across Switzerland.
Sentiero Cristallina, Bignasco
A small village in Vallemaggia, Bignasco, is a stunning delight for tourists. While you’re free to roam the streets and admire local cottages, the true adventure begins at the Ticino mountain, from where a stony and steep climb takes you ahead. Crossing the romantic Val Bavona and its 12 hamlets, the trail keeps ascending until you cross the Basadino and enter the alpine lake territory. A short stop here and continue ahead to the Cristallina lodge, where you’ll find imposing views of the Basodino glacier. The descent is easier, but the trail is tricky, so you’ll be up there for 10-11 hours.
Gratweg Stoos
The Klingenstock Mountain in Switzerland welcomes mountaineers, but skip the stress and opt for the easy route by taking the Gratweg Stoos hike. The hike begins at Klingenstock and ends at Fronalpstock, though you’ll cross various pretty destinations. The first is the Riemenstalden Valley, which becomes a glorious sight during summer. Continue until you reach the sweeping views of Lake Uri, and then take the chairlift to Klingenstock. From there, the path is straightforward; continue the 4-kilometre hike until you reach Fronalpstock, and finish the descent. It should take roughly two hours each way.
Klettgau-Rhein-Weg
We recommend holding off the wine in Hallau while you’re there, until you’ve at least experienced this hike. You’ll start in Hallau and traverse luscious hills, overlooking the German border. Continue ahead as you’ll cross the two nations, overlooking views from both. The hike is laborious and long; it spans 46 kilometres and takes two days, so you’ll definitely stop to rest. We recommend pairing up with an experienced tour company to ensure you’re on the right path and then heading up to Schaffhausen, where architectural marvels await. You could also stop at the several medieval villages en route, before making your way back through the same route. The route might sound exhausting, but it is fairly easy and has just 1450 meters of elevation.
Switzerland’s hiking trails are well-marked, accessible, and incredibly varied. You can go from lake shores to snow-dusted ridges in the same day, with stops in quiet villages or mountain huts along the way. If you are planning to visit Switzerland and want to make the most of your trip, you should look into these stunning hiking trails.
For more hiking spots and trails, you can visit this website.
