The beauty of Switzerland is long documented and well discussed amongst seasoned travelers. When one thinks about the small landlocked nation, images of the splendid Alps, checkered cheese, and vast green meadows are probably the topmost things that come into the mind. But, to actually explore all this Swiss beauty, one needs to really roam around the country and witness the glorious beauty themselves! For this express reason, we have come up with a list of some of the best hiking trails in Switzerland that will definitely show you the real beauty of the country!
1. Appenzell Alpine Trail – Appenzellerland
Almost everything about Switzerland is bewitchingly beautiful, and the Alpine Trail is no less in this regards. The route looks almost as if taken straight out of a fairytale! The funny thing is that there is, in fact, a fairy tale associated with the area which says a giant was once carrying many houses in his bag, but the bag tore open. This resulted in houses spread all over, at large distances from each other. Story or not, the fact that this is probably one of the most beautiful places on Earth is utterly undeniable.
- Difficulty Level: Medium
- Trek Length: 6.5 kilometers
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Best time to visit: May – October
2. Eiger Trail – Grindelwald
If normal treks bore you, and a little more excitement combined with scenic beauty is what you are after then look no further than the Eiger Trail! Along with a mesmerizing walking path, the trek route will bring you to a face rock that can be climbed with ropes or even metal ladders that are provided. At the top, a view that will definitely blow you away awaits you, making the climb totally worth it! Indeed it is one of the best hikes in Europe you can go for.
- Difficulty Level: Medium to Hard
- Trek Length: 6 kilometers
- Duration: 2 hours
- Best time to visit: July – October
3. National Park Trail – Zernez
The National Park Trail is beautiful beyond words. Not only do you see tons of natural beauty in the form of exquisite trees, plants and verdant peaks, you can also sight a number of wonderful birds and animals as you stroll through the park route. The route is very simple, so children would find no trouble walking through and all the fantastic attractions on the way will keep the oohs and aahs flowing. Undoubtedly, one of the best hiking trails in Switzerland after all!
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trek Length: 6 kilometers
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Best time to visit: April – November
4. Sentiero Verzasca – Lavertezzo
The extremely serene Sentiero Verzasca trail passes through several beautiful attractions, some of the most attractive being a Roman-styled bridge, various sculptures and cute villages that inundate most of the path. The whole trail is a perfect mix of natural attractions and historic ones. Fancy suspension bridges and sheltered bathing points also add to the aesthetic beauty of the trek. Go on a wild attraction hunting spree to make your trek all the more awesome and exciting.
- Difficulty Level: Medium
- Trek Length: 13 kilometers
- Duration: 4 hours
- Best time to visit: March – November
5. Albula Railway Adventure Trail – Bergun/Bravuogn
Though this route is more famous and renowned for being a World Heritage Site owing to the Rhaetian Railway, which is truly a man-made marvel, there is also a trekking route which is one of the best places for hiking in Switzerland. There are turns, twists, tunnels and magnificent views after every few yards. You can catch sights of interesting trivia of the railways on sign boards along the trail, click some splendid pictures and have a merry time on your day hike here.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
- Trek Length: 3 kilometers
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Best time to visit: June – October
6. The Panorama Trail – Zurich
The Panorama Trail is perfect for those who want to be lost in the magical beauty of Switzerland, without breaking too much sweat. The Uetliberg mountain is located very close to Zurich and offers enthusiasts a short and sweet trekking alternative with astounding views from the top. There is also a 72-meter-tall tower meant for viewing purposes, that you can climb up for even more spellbinding, panoramic views!
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trek Length: 3 kilometers
- Duration: 2 hours
- Best time to visit: March – November
7. Rheinfall Waterfalls – Schaffhausen
The last and most impressive stage of the famed ViaRhenana trek is the route that leads to Rheinfall, Europe’s biggest waterfall! This is also one of the best hiking trails in Switzerland, courtesy of the pleasant pathway and the beautiful-beyond-words attractions that come up on the path. Don’t miss out on the medieval-era city centre or the Munot Fortress on the way, and of course, the cherry on the cake will await you at the end the Rheinfall Waterfall.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
- Trek Length: 14 kilometers
- Duration: 4 hours
- Best time to visit: January – December
8. Zermatt Lakes Trail – Zermatt
The Zermatt Lakes Trail is great for those who don’t want to exert too much and doesn’t feature too many major elevations or descents. The views of the surrounding peaks from the path are astonishingly wonderful and even treat trekkers to glimpses of the majestic Lake Grun. If the weather is warm, try dipping into the pleasant waters for a refreshing bath, and then continue your journey to wonderland! Hiking in Switzerland can’t possibly get any better!
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
- Trek Length: 5 kilometers
- Duration: 3 hours
- Best time to visit: June – October
9. The Way of St. James – Schwarzenburg
If you’re a history buff and also love the scenic views of Switzerland then the way of St. James is the perfect trek for you. The path will take you across the Swiss countryside, crossing various churches, chapels, monasteries, historic buildings and a panoramic landscape. In fact, what makes this path all the more fascinating is its history! Jakobspilgers or St. James pilgrims used to take this very route for their pilgrimage and thus the name of the trek stuck. It really is one of the most famed Swiss hiking routes known over the globe.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
- Trek Length: 20 kilometers
- Duration: 6 hours
- Best time to visit: March – November
10. Wildmannlisloch Trail – Alt St. Johann
Delight your senses with a walk down the Wildmannlisloch trail that will provide you with panoramic views of the Alps, its lush green meadows, and the wondrous paths. Apart from the scenic beauty of the trail, there are also many interesting attractions on the way like the Sound Trail that attracts a number of tourists on its own each year. If the pathway looks to simple for seasoned climbers, you can also mix up things by adding a climb to the Selun or by finding out about the secret myths of the Toggenburg Fable Trail on the way.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trek Length: 6 kilometers
- Duration: 2 hours
- Best time to visit: June – October
11. Walenpfad – Engelberg
If you have some experience of mountain trekking and want to catch an incomparable view of the Alps, then the Walenpfad should be your ideal trekking hotspot in Switzerland. Small rewards like the mountain-top restaurant on Oberfield await you with treats of goat’s milk and cheese, while you can opt to take a refreshing dip in the waters of the adjacent Tickle Trail for some relaxation. If you feel unsure about conquering the trail way back, there is also an option for a cable car, from where you can enjoy jaw-dropping views of the Alps all around.
- Difficulty Level: Hard
- Trek Length: 10 kilometers
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Best time to visit: June – October
12. Historic Water Route – Nendaz
Called the historic water route for its huge, quite ancient irrigation network that is surprisingly in use till date by the locals of the area, the extremely scenic hiking trail also gives travelers an opportunity to catch long glimpses of Mount Blanc and Matterhorn. Because of the availability of water in abundance, the route is also pretty full of apricot and raspberry trees, which further beautifies the path. On the way, you can also enjoy meals at the various small restaurants that serve several refreshment options for weary travelers.
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trek Length: 12 kilometers
- Duration: 4 hours
- Best time to visit: May – October
13. Following the Doubs – Soubey
Perfect for enthusiastic anglers, Following the Doubs trail has a number of sports where fishing lovers can enjoy a great catch, and also try out some excellent trout at establishments serving the local dishes. Also, the unearthly beauty of the route, combined with a perfect mix of flora and fauna, further increase the desirability of this hiking trail. Along with the natural attractions, hikers can also catch glimpses of famous monuments built in the area as long back as even the 12th century!
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trek Length: 15 kilometers
- Duration: 4 hours
- Best time to visit: March – November
14. The Swiss William Tell Path – Rutli
Considered to be one of the best hiking trails in Switzerland, the Swiss William Tell path starts from the very birthplace of Switzerland Rutli meadow, and crosses all the way through various cantons, sighting several exotic flowers, plants, and trees. The whole route is vividly beautiful and shows the true beauty of Switzerland, the likes you would never be able to see on a simple tourist package of the country. The whole landscape is considered to be so beautiful, that it was painted by Charles Giron, and the mural now hangs in the National Assembly at Bern!
- Difficulty Level: Medium
- Trek Length: 9 kilometers
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Best time to visit: April – November
15. Furstin Gina Path – Malbun-Steg
The Furstin Gina Path is as beautiful as it is difficult to complete. Though the views are almost poetic at times, certain patches of this steep hike can prove to be problematic to even the most experienced hikers. Crossing the Pfalzerhutte can be especially difficult at times because of its steepness, and sometimes the pathways can turn quite narrow and small. The challenges though are nothing when you compare it all to the end result, that is, the panoramic views and a tranquil feeling after the whole trek has been accomplished.
- Difficulty Level: Medium to Hard
- Trek Length: 12 kilometers
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Best time to visit: May – October
Intrigued by all the beautiful trails in Switzerland? Want to find out more about this heaven on Earth? Well prepare your Swiss itinerary, pack your bags and catch a flight this very instant to truly comprehend the beauty of this great nation!
Source: triphobo.com
