Best Day Hikes In Switzerland For Breathtaking Scenery

Looking for the best hikes in Switzerland? Then you’ve come to the right place. Unfortunately, we haven’t hiked every trail in Switzerland, but we’ve done enough to pick 12 of the best that give you a diverse taste of the superb Swiss scenery.

Switzerland has 48 mountains over 4,000 metres, sheer-sided valleys, and spellbinding lakes. This is a beautiful country where the hiking is dramatic.

But this is a land of diversity, and there’s something for almost every hiker.

We loved the dramatic views along scenic ridgelines, the easy strolls on grassy meadows to pretty villages, and even the tricky exposed trails.

Most of the hikes we have selected are a full day, but we have also included some easy 2-3 hour walks that deliver amazing scenery for minimal effort.

Each hike includes our difficulty rating, the total distance, how long you can expect the hike to take and the start and finish points.

MAP: HIKING IN SWITZERLAND

The map below shows the location of our favourite hikes in Switzerland.

Most of our hikes are centred around three different areas – Zermatt, Interlaken, and Appenzell, which we have more information on below.

WHERE WE HIKED?

We focused our Swiss hiking holiday on three main regions: Zermatt, Bernese Oberland and Appenzell. This gave us a great taste of the best hikes and showed us just how diverse Switzerland can be.

ZERMATT

Located under the Matterhorn, Zermatt is great for high-altitude hikes. This area includes some of the most dramatic trails in the country. We have written a full guide on Zermatt’s best hikes, which includes easy hikes and multi-day challenges with maps and descriptions.

INTERLAKEN

Interlaken is great for scenic hikes among steep-sided valleys, turquoise lakes and pretty villages surrounded by snow-capped mountains. We have a detailed guide on hiking around Interlaken, which covers 15 hikes from easy to challenging, all with maps.

APPENZELL

We spent 5 days in Appenzell and loved it. It’s less well-known, so many of the trails were much quieter than the other hikes on this list. The landscape is made up of serrated rocky ridges rising above grassy meadows, and it’s beautiful. Our guide to Appenzell has all the hikes and other things to do.

HOW LONG DID WE SPEND IN SWITZERLAND?

We put this guide together after several trips to Switzerland. However, here is a rough outline of how long you would need.

In 7 days, you could visit two of the three areas mentioned above and sample a good selection of the best hikes.

In 10 days, you can visit all three, pick a selection of hikes at your desired difficulty level, and have a great hiking holiday.

If you have 2 weeks, you could do the first 10 hikes on this list. However, you would need to get lucky with the weather. You could hike many of the lower trails in poor weather. However, that’s not as much fun!

To help plan around rainy days, read our guide to the best places to visit in Switzerland, which has lots of other great things to do.

BEST HIKES IN SWITZERLAND

1. RIFFELSEE TRAIL (ZERMATT)

We’ve done this hike a couple of times now, and in our opinion, it’s the best of the easy hikes in Switzerland. It has excellent views from beginning to end and requires very little effort.

To do the hike, we took the train to the top of Gornergrat, which is an experience in itself. At the summit, we spent a bit of time at the observation platform overlooking the Gorner Glacier. It has incredible views of Dufourspitze, the highest mountain in Switzerland at 4,634m.

From the summit, we took the trail that heads down to Riffelsee, a small lake with excellent reflections of the Matterhorn. Then we continued to Riffelberg to take the cable car back to Zermatt.

The wonderful thing about this hike is that the Matterhorn is in front of you all the way.

We have more details, plus a map, in our Zermatt hiking guide.

RIFFELSEE ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 4.8 kilometres (3 miles) | Time – 1 hour and 30 minutes | Elevation – 100 metres (330 feet) ascent; 450 metres (1,500 feet) descent | Difficulty – Easy | Start – Gornergrat | End – Riffelberg.

2. HÖRNLIHÜTTE HIKE (ZERMATT)

This out-and-back walk was one of our favourite challenging hikes in Switzerland.

The destination is Hörnli Hut, base camp for the Matterhorn summit climb.

The trail begins at Schwarzsee and works its way up a series of ridges to the hut. There are a few metal staircases and a very short, narrow section where a head for heights is useful. Otherwise, there is nothing technically difficult.  

The 700 metres of ascent and descent require a reasonable level of fitness, but the hut is well-positioned for a midway break.

The views are sensational, but the real thrill is the sheer sense of adventure in a rugged and wild Alpine scene.

At the hut, keep an eye out for climbers preparing to summit the next day and bring some binoculars. There may be a few climbers still on the impossibly narrow-looking ridge to the top.

HÖRNLIHÜTTE ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 8.6 kilometres (5.3 miles) | Time – 4 hours | Elevation – 695m (2,280 ft) ascent & descent | Difficulty – Moderate to Challenging | Start – Schwarzsee | End – Schwarzsee.

3. EDELWEISS TRAIL (ZERMATT)

We made a last-minute change of plans and did the Edelweiss Trail (also known as Höhbalmen) on our last trip to Zermatt, and we were very glad we did.

Höhbalmen Meadows has probably the best view of the Matterhorn we have ever seen, and the only way to get there is on the Edelweiss hike.

We started from Zermatt Village and climbed up to Edelweiss Hut. From here, there’s a very strenuous climb (with little relief) to Trift Guesthouse. This is a great place to stop, with two-thirds of the ascent out of the way. They also do an excellent iced tea.

From Trift, the path continues to rise, contouring a grassy slope. Suddenly, the Matterhorn appears ahead, stretching above the Höhbalmen meadow.

The hard part is over now, and the rest of the trail descends gradually with the Matterhorn in front of you all the way.

After about 4 kilometres, we dropped down into the valley, past the Arbebach Falls and followed the left-hand side of Zmuttbach into Zmutt.

This hike is not to be underestimated. It’s over 20 kilometres and takes about 7 hours with 1,200m of ascent and descent. However, it’s one of the most exhilarating hikes we’ve ever done.

We cover this in more detail in our hiking from Zermatt guide.

EDELWEISS TRAIL ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 20.7 kilometres (12.85 miles) | Time – 7 hours and 30 minutes | Elevation – 1,200m (3,940 ft) ascent and descent | Difficulty – Challenging | Start & End – Zermatt.

4. BREITHORN ASCENT (ZERMATT)

This hike takes you to the summit of Breithorn, an altitude of 4,164m.

It’s rare to be able to walk to the top of a 4,000-metre mountain with so little effort. Breithorn is the perfect way for first-timers to get an idea of what it is like to trek in high Alpine ice.

The trail begins at Klein Matterhorn (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car station). It ascends just over 400 m to the glaciated summit.

The views all along the way are sensational, including the Matterhorn and the peaks of Castor and Lyskamm.

The return journey takes just over three hours.

Although it’s only a little over three miles, the altitude and snow make it harder going than a regular hike of the same distance.

You’ll need a guide to do this hike as it requires some experience and the route changes regularly. Book a Breithorn guided tour here.

BREITHORN ASCENT ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 5.4 kilometres (3.4 miles) | Time – 3 hours and 30 minutes | Elevation – 415m (1,360 ft) ascent and descent | Difficulty – Moderate | Start – Klein Matterhorn | End – Klein Matterhorn.

5. MÄNNLICHEN TO ALPIGLEN (INTERLAKEN)

This wonderful hike combines three shorter trails and collects many of the best views of the Berner Oberland region.

We started at the Männlichen Cable Car Station. From here, we took a detour to the top of Männlichen for excellent views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Next, we followed the Männlichen Panoramaweg trail. This path traverses under the ridgeline towards Kleine Scheidegg and the views are glorious. The three mighty peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau tower in front of you.

At Kleine Scheidegg, we followed the Jungfrau Walk, climbing up to Eigergletscher.

From here, we took the Eiger Trail, which traverses under the north face of the Eiger to finish at Alpiglen Train Station. You can return to most destinations in the Berner Oberland region from here.

There is nothing technically difficult on this walk, and all the trails are well signed.

All the details and a map are included in our guide to hiking from Interlaken.

MÄNNLICHEN TO ALPIGLEN ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 13.25 km (8.25 miles) | Time – 5 hours | Elevation – 340 metres (1,115 feet) ascent and 945 metres (3,100 feet) descent | Difficulty – Moderate | Start – Männlichen | End – Alpiglen.

6. SCHYNIGE PLATTE TO FIRST (INTERLAKEN)

If we had to choose the hike we loved the most in Switzerland, this would be it.

It combines two popular walks, the Schynige Platte Panoramaweg and Faulhornweg. Along the way, it offers grand views of 4,000-metre peaks, turquoise lakes, a lofty summit, a hanging walkway, and a charming mountain hut.

We started at the Schynige Platte Cog Railway Station, and we suggest you get one of the first two trains to allow enough time to complete the hike. From the station, we followed the Panoramaweg towards Daube and Oberberghorn.

At Loucheron, the Panoramaweg meets up with the Faulhornweg and starts to climb.

The trail winds past a massive cliff face to reach Männdelen Hut. From here, the walk contours under the mountaintop before suddenly appearing on the ridgeline. Magnificent views of multiple 4,000-metre peaks dominate the skyline.

A stiff climb took us to the top of Faulhorn (2,681m), the ideal place to stop for lunch.

After a break, we took the gradual descent to Bachalpsee, then on to First. From here, we took the cable car back down to Grindelwald.

There is nothing technically difficult on this trail, but it’s considered challenging because of the distance and the total ascent of 1,000 metres.

SHYNIGE PLATTE TO FIRST ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 16.5 kilometres (10.25 miles) | Time – 7 hours | Elevation – 940 metres (3,080 feet) ascent and 740 metres (2,430 feet) descent | Difficulty – Challenging | Start – Shynige Platte | End – First.

7. OESCHINEN LAKE PANORAMA TRAIL (INTERLAKEN)

Oeschinen Lake is one of the most beautiful in Switzerland.

Blue-green waters are surrounded by 3,500-metre-high jagged peaks that rise from its shores. The entire area looks like a massive cauldron of ice and rock. When the sun is shining, its turquoise waters appear incandescent.

A trail called the Panoramaweg winds its way above the lake, providing breathtaking views.

The hike can be undertaken by anyone with a reasonable level of fitness, and the trail is easy to follow and well signed.

This one is a little out of the way, but getting there is well worth the effort.

You can read all about it in our Oeschinen Lake Panoramaweg guide. If you are in the area, you might also find our guide to Bern helpful.

OESCHINEN LAKE ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 8.5 kilometres (5.25 miles) | Time – 3 hours and 45 minutes | Elevation – 420 metres (1,375 feet) ascent and descent | Difficulty – Moderate | Start & End – Oeschinen Cable Car Station.

8. SHAFLER RIDGE HIKE (APPENZELL)

This magnificent hike was our introduction to the Appenzell region, and it set the scene for more great hikes to follow. This one is all about spiky ridges, stunning lakes and exposed trails.

We started at the Ebenalp Cable Car Station, then followed the top of the ridge to Chlus. From here, we hiked up to the Shäfler Hut. (Alternatively, you could take the even better, but longer, route via Aescher Hut)

From the Shäfler Hut, it got a bit tricky. Heading along the narrow ridge, the path makes a descent with near-vertical drops on one side. Handrails are provided in places, but you shouldn’t attempt it after rain, and it’s not good for anyone with a fear of heights.

After about half an hour, the exposed section comes to an end. The trail makes a lovely traverse under the spiky ridge before bearing left and descending to Mesmer Hut. We had a break and recharged before the next descent down a series of zigzags to Seealpsee.

We finished the hike at Wasserauen.

The entire hike is about 5 hours of walking time, but you’ll want more time to take breaks and soak in those views. There are plenty of great huts at regular intervals along the way.

SHAFLER RIDGE ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 12 kilometres | Time – 5 hours | Elevation – 630m ascent and 1,350m descent | Difficulty – Medium to Challenging and not for those with a fear of heights.

9. SAXER LÜCKE PANORAMA (APPENZELL)

This is probably the most popular hike in Appenzell, and for good reason, the views from the Saxer Lücke viewpoint and Fälensee Lake are excellent.

We started from the top of the Hoher Kasten Cable Car Station and descended via zigzags to a saddle on the ridge.

Following the signs to Staubern, the trail rises and falls, sometimes staying below the ridge and sometimes on top.

After about 2 hours, we reached Staubern Hut, then followed the signs to Saxer Lücke (1 hour, 20 minutes).

The path now zigzags steeply to Bollenwees Hut on the edge of Fälensee. We had a very well-deserved break here before following the long path back to Brülisau.

We should point out that the path gets a little boring towards the end.

There is nothing technically difficult on this hike, and there are no exposed paths. But it’s a long day in the mountains and requires a good level of fitness.

SAXER LÜCKE PANORAMA ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 17 kilometres | Time – 6 hours | Elevation – 450m ascent and 1,275m descent | Difficulty – Medium to Challenging.

10. ALETSCH GLACIER PANORMA TRAIL (BRIG)

The entire Aletsch Glacier Panoramaweg takes three days, but we did this middle section as a day hike by using cable cars at the beginning and the end.

The hike has incredible views of the Aletsch Glacier. At 22 kilometres, it’s the longest glacier in the Alps.

We started by circling the peak of Eggishorn, then taking the 1-kilometre tunnel (bring a torch) to descend to Märjelensee, a collection of pretty lakes.

From here we were treated to wonderful views over the Aletsch Glacier with the Jungfraujoch and Mönch mountains in the distance.

The trail ascends to a series of viewpoints under Bettmerhorn, then along the Härdnergrat Ridge to Riederalp.

The route we have chosen here is just over 10 miles. There is nothing technically difficult, but the length makes it moderately challenging.

Reducing the distance — If you want to experience the best of the walk over fewer miles, take the cable car from Bettmergrat to Betten Talstation. We have marked the route on this map.

Eggishorn Views — It’s well worth taking the cable car up to Eggishorn, then coming back down to Fiescheralp to start the hike. The views are incredible.

ALETSCH GLACIER PANORMA ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 16.5 kilometres (10.25 miles) | Time – 6 hours and 15 minutes | Elevation – 500 metres (1,640 feet) ascent and 700m descent (2,300 feet) | Difficulty – Moderate to Challenging | Start – Fiescheralp cable car | End – Riederalp Cable Car.

11. COL SAINT BERNARD HIKE (GREAT ST BERNARD PASS)

There are three great reasons to do this hike.

Firstly, it begins at the top of the Great St Bernard Pass, which connects Switzerland to Italy. This is the 3rd highest pass in Switzerland (2,469m), and the drive to get there is breathtaking.

Secondly, the trail begins at the St Bernard Hospice. In summer,r you can visit the St Bernard dogs and explore a museum dedicated to their role as rescue dogs.

Thirdly, it’s a wonderful hike in dramatic high Alpine scenery.

We started at the St Bernard Hospice, then went over two passes to reach a dramatic panorama. Here you’ll get amazing views of Grand Golliat, Mont Dolent, and Mont Blanc.

We then took the trail that descends to a trio of lakes known as Lacs de Fenêtre that sit on a grassy, flower-filled 2,500m high plateau.

There was one more pass to climb before we returned to the hospice.

Although there is nothing technically difficult on this hike, the ascent of 1,000 metres makes it moderately challenging. There is also the potential for snow on the trail even in mid-July.

COL SAINT BERNARD ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) | Time – 5 hours and 30 minutes | Elevation – 1,050 metres (3,450 feet) ascent and descent | Difficulty – Moderate to Challenging | Start & End – Grand St. Bernard Hospice | Map – Switzerland Mobility

12. MUOTTAS MURAGL PANORAMA TRAIL (ST MORITZ)

This hike is little more than an afternoon stroll, but it’s one of the great hikes in Switzerland.

Set in the mountains above Saint Moritz, we started the day with a picturesque funicular ride up to the Muottas Muragl.

From there, we followed the well-signed trail that gently contours the flanks of the mountain towards Alp Languard.

There is very little ascent and descent, and the entire route has great views down to the Engadin Valley and up to the snow-capped peaks of the Bernina mountains.

Halfway around, we had lunch at Unterer Shafberg.

At the end of the hike, Bergrestaurant Alp Languard has a wonderful shady terrace where you can soak in the final views.

To finish, we took the chairlift down to Potresina, then got the local train back to Saint Moritz.

We’ve marked the route we took on this map.

MUOTTAS MURAGL PANORAMA ROUTE DETAILS

Distance – 6.8 kilometres (4.25 miles) | Time – 2 hours | Elevation – 105 metres (345 feet) ascent and descent | Difficulty – Easy | Start – Muottas Muragl Funicular Station | End – Alp Languard Chairlift.

BEST TIME TO HIKE IN SWITZERLAND

The summer hiking season in Switzerland runs from mid-June to mid-October. However, early in the season, snow often still covers the higher trails and can return in late September.

Most mountain cable cars and restaurants close for a few weeks between the ski season and the summer season. This is usually mid-April through mid-June and mid-October to mid-December.

Different regions peak at slightly different times:

• Zermatt: With mountain peaks around 3,000 metres, the main season in Zermatt is from early July to mid-September. 
• Interlaken: Being a bit lower, Interlaken (around 2,500m) season runs from mid-June to the end of September.
• Appenzell: Lower again at around 2,000 metres, Appenzell has great hiking from the beginning of June to mid-October.

SWITZERLAND CABLE CAR & TRAIN TICKETS

Many of these hikes require cable cars, trains, or funiculars. If you intend to do several walks over one or two weeks, it may be worth purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass.

The Swiss Travel Pass provides unlimited access to trains, buses, and boats throughout Switzerland, including panoramic trains.

The Swiss Half Card provides a 50% discount on trains, buses, boats, mountain railways and cable cars. This is an excellent option if you are driving yourself but plan on using some cable cars.