10 Best Hikes in Switzerland (And How To Actually Do Them)

Explore the best hikes in Switzerland with immaculate lakes, ridges and alpine huts, all woven together into your ultimate Swiss Alps hiking guide.

Switzerland is wired for hiking: trains drop you at trailheads, funiculars haul you up to ridges, and half the time there’s a hut on top serving Rösti. Still, not every path is worth your day.

This list trims it to ten of the best Swiss hikes that make the cut for good reason. Some circle lakes that flash turquoise, others follow ridges as thrilling as tightropes. Most reward the uphill with spectacular views, plus the occasional cow or marmot keeping you company. Distance, elevation, difficulty, how to get there, and the chance of finding a cold beer at the end, it’s all spelled out. The only thing left is deciding which trail to lace up for first.

Disclaimer: I’ve hiked all of these routes over the past summer, cross‑checking with official trail maps and each GPS file on site, so you’re getting this from someone who’s actually walked the paths.

1. Stoos Ridge Hike (Klingenstock to Fronalpstock)

↔ 4.4 km (2.7 mi)  | ↗ +205 m (+673 ft)  | ⏱ 2 h  | ⚡ Easy  | 📍 Schwyz (Lucerne)

How to get there
From Lucerne, hop a train to Schwyz, then bus 501 to the Stoosbahn valley station. The funicular, which is the steepest in the world, whisks you up to the car-free village of Stoos. A short walk brings you to the Klingenstock chairlift, your real starting point.

Access / lifts and costs
The funicular to get to Stoos is about CHF 23 return. The Klingenstock chairlift is CHF 23 one way, or CHF 35 return. If you want the full ridge experience, grab the “Gipfelerlebnis-Ticket” (around CHF 56) which covers the funicular plus both chairlifts.

Trail description
The classic route is a one-way ridge walk from the top of the Klingenstock chairlift to the top of the Fronalpstock’s one, 4.4 km of undulating singletrack, dramatic without being dangerous or technically difficult. Think narrow ridges with rails and chains where you need them, and views that keep switching between Lake Lucerne, Lake Uri, and snow-streaked peaks.

Route details: Komoot | AllTrails.

If you want more of a workout, you can skip the first chairlift and hike up from Stoos (+800 m), or go big and skip also the chairlift to go down, turning it into a loop Stoos–Klingenstock–Fronalpstock–Stoos (~12 km, ~5 h).

Food / drink
At the finish line, the Fronalpstock summit restaurant has a terrace with ten lakes in view, the kind of place where a beer disappears fast. Back in Stoos, plenty of inns and cafés wait near the funicular.

• If this hike sounds like your kind of adventure, 👉 here’s the full guide to dive into.

2. Oeschinensee Panorama Trail

⟲ 8.9 km (5.5 mi) | ↗ +460 m (+1,509 ft) | ⏱ 3,5 h | ⚡ Moderate | 📍 Bernese Oberland 

Getting there
From Bern it’s just over an hour by train to the town of Kandersteg, then a 15-minute walk to the Oeschinensee gondola. The lift whisks you above the valley and drops you practically at lake level, where the panoramic loop begins.

Lifts & tickets
Return tickets for the gondola run about CHF 36–40 in summer (half-price with Swiss Travel Pass). A boarding-pass timeslot is required for the ascent in peak season, and I highly suggest booking online at least 2-3 days ahead. If you’re feeling very ambitious, skip the lift and climb from Kandersteg on foot (+500 m, ~1 h 15).

On the trail
The Panorama Trail circles Lake Oeschinen on balcony paths and forested tracks, almost 9 km of walking where the turquoise water is always in view and the Blüemlisalp massif looms overhead.

GPS details: Komoot | AllTrails.

The classic loop takes 3–3.5 hours, but you can stretch it tacking on the Heuberg detour for the famous postcard angle. On warm days, expect plenty of swimmers braving the glacial water, as this is one of those alpine lakes where a dip is almost a tradition. And yes, it does get busy in peak summer, so start early if you want the quiet version.

Where to eat & drink
Halfway round you’ll pass a couple of smaller mountain huts serving coffee and alpine basics, before the bigger cluster of restaurants on the far side of the lake. Gasthaus Oeschinensee is the classic stop.

• Want more trail details and scenic scoop? 👉 The full Oeschinensee hiking guide’s just a click away.

3. Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee and Faulhorn hut

↔ 10.6 km (6.6 mi) | ↗ +663 m (+2,175 ft) | ⏱ 4 h | ⚡ Moderate | 📍 Bernese Oberland

Reaching the trailhead
From Interlaken it’s 35 minutes by train to Grindelwald, where the First gondola begins. The gondola ride itself takes almost 25 minutes, which is unusually long for a Swiss lift, giving you time to watch the valley fall away and the Eiger’s north face loom closer.

Cable cars & prices
Gondola tickets are about CHF 32 one way / CHF 64 return (discounts with Swiss Travel Pass or Half-Fare). If you want a devastating workout, hike up from Grindelwald instead, adding +1,100 m and around four hours to your day.

Route overview
The easy version of the hike is First to Lake Bachalp (about an hour each way), which is why the lake tends to feel overrun on sunny days. But if you keep climbing past Bachalpsee, the crowds drop off and the scenery takes over. The trail winds up toward Faulhorn (2,681 m), with marmots often spotted on the grassy slopes if you’re quiet enough. The summit offers a sweeping panorama that runs from the Eiger–Mönch–Jungfrau trio across to Lakes Thun and Brienz.

GPS details: Komoot | AllTrails.

Bonus: at the top gondola station in First, you’ll find a mini adventure hub — cliff walk, zipline, mountain carts — just in case you want to mix one of the best hikes in Switzerland with even more adrenaline.

Huts & restaurants
At First there’s a big terrace restaurant by the gondola, but the real payoff though is at the Berghotel Faulhorn, one of the oldest mountain inns in the Alps. It’s simple inside, but the kitchen turns out hearty alpine classics and cold beer that taste even better after the climb.

• Curious to know more about the route? 👉 You’ll find everything in the full Bachalpsee guide right here. 

4. Augstmatthorn (from Lombachalp)

↔ 6.4 km (4.0 mi) | ↗ +533 m (+1,749 ft) | ⏱ 3 h | ⚡ Moderate-Hard | 📍 Bernese Oberland

Trailhead directions
There isn’t great public transport to Lombachalp, so this one is far easier if you’re driving. The trail starts at Lombachalp / Juslenberg, a rustic mountain restaurant with parking right outside.

Lift info
No lifts, you earn this ridge the old-fashioned way.

Trail notes
The climb from Lombachalp heads straight into meadows before tilting up steeply toward Augstmatthorn (2,137 m). The difficulty rating comes from that first lung-busting incline, sections that can be muddy after rain, and a ridge that’s occasionally narrow and exposed. Once on top, it’s nothing but balcony views of Lake Brienz below and the Eiger–Mönch–Jungfrau trio lined up across the horizon.

This is technically the “short cut” version of the legendary Hardergrat, a full-day ridge hike that usually starts in Interlaken or Harder Kulm. By beginning at Lombachalp you skip the long approach and keep only the good part, and you don’t miss a single view. Many hikers also tag Suggiture next door before heading back down the same way.

GPS tracks: Komoot | AllTrails.

The slopes around Augstmatthorn are home to one of Switzerland’s best-known ibex colonies. Stay quiet near the final climb and you’ll often spot them grazing.

Refreshments on the way
No huts once you’re on the ridge. Stock up at the Juslenberg restaurant at the trailhead, then celebrate your return there with something hot and alpine.

5. Panoramaweg Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg

↔  4.4 km (2.7 mi) | ↗ +188 m (+617 ft) / ⏱ 1,5 h | ⚡ Easy | 📍 Bernese Oberland

Arrival / access
From Wengen or Grindelwald, gondolas take you up to Männlichen (2,227 m), where the trail begins. Trains also reach Kleine Scheidegg directly if you prefer to walk the opposite way.

Gongola prices
Gondola Wengen–Männlichen or Grindelwald–Männlichen: around CHF 30–35 one way (discounts with Swiss Travel Pass). The lifts run all summer and save more than 1,000 m of climbing from the valley.

Path & highlights
This is one of the best hikes in Switzerland for families and entry-level hikers, a fun traverse with almost no effort and nonstop views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau towering ahead. The wide gravel path follows the ridge in gentle ups and downs, making it accessible even for kids. Along the way you pass meadows full of wildflowers in early summer, with benches placed at obvious photo stops.

GPS: Komoot |  AllTrails.

The entire hike takes around 90 minutes, though most people stretch it into half a day with photo breaks and long pauses to just stare at the peaks. For a tougher option, skip the gondola and hike up from Wengen (+1,200 m).

Alpine inns
Both ends of the trail are stacked with restaurants: the Männlichen summit inn has a terrace with sweeping views, while Kleine Scheidegg has multiple hotels and cafés clustered around the train station.

6. Seealpsee Lake (from Wasserauen)

↔ 7.8 km (4.8 mi) | ↗ +358 m (+1,175 ft) | ⏱ 3 h | ⚡ Easy | 📍 Appenzell

Start point & transport
The town of Wasserauen is one of Switzerland’s best trailheads, with trains straight to the village station and multiple big-name hikes fanning out from here. This is the easiest of them: the Lake Seealp outing starts a few minutes from the platform.

Lifts info
No lifts. Just a straightforward uphill on foot.

What the hike is like
Follow the signed path from Wasserauen toward Seealpsee. The route in your links is the classic balcony road and path combination: steady climb through pastures, cowbells in stereo, and then the lake appears tucked under the cliffs with Säntis above.

GPS tracks: Komoot | AllTrails.

On warm days you’ll see swimmers all along the shore; it can get properly busy on weekends and holidays, so go early if you want the quiet version.

Food stops
Right on the water you’ve got Berggasthaus Forelle and Berggasthaus Seealpsee for simple Appenzell plates and a beer before the walk down. It’s an easy win of a hike, which is why locals treat it like a lake day with boots on.

7. Ebenalp & Schäfler Ridge Hike (from Wasserauen)

↔ 12.0 km (7.4 mi) | ↗ +389 m (+1,276 ft) | ⏱ 4,5 h  | ⚡ Hard | 📍 Appenzell

How to get there
As previously mentioned, the tiny village of Wasserauen is basically the launch pad for the entire Alpstein. Trains from Appenzell roll straight into the station, and if you sleep here you can stack multiple treks back-to-back without ever touching a car. From the station it’s a short walk to the Ebenalp cable car, which lifts you 800 vertical meters in about five minutes. The descent will be entirely on foot.

Cable cars and costs
The Ebenalp cable car runs seasonally; expect around CHF 22 one way / CHF 28 return (discounts with Swiss Travel Pass, or completely free if you stay in Wasserauen at least 3 nights).

Trail summary
Out of the top station, you can make the quick detour to the Wildkirchli caves and chapel, tucked under the cliff. From there the ridge path rises gently toward Schäfler (1,925 m / 6,316 ft), where the inn sits on a spine with Alpstein peaks on one side and Lake Seealpsee hidden far below.

The path up to the ridge itself is easy enough and straightforward, but once you turn downhill the character changes: steep, uneven paths that zigzag down past Mesmer toward the lake. This is where the “Hard” rating comes from. The climb is tame, but the descent is long, technical in places, and unforgiving on knees.

GPS tracks: Komoot | AllTrails.

Food & drinks
Plenty of excuses to stop: the Ebenalp restaurant right off the lift, the famous cliffside Berggasthaus Aescher, the ridge-top Berggasthaus Schäfler, and finally the two inns on Seealpsee’s shore (Forelle and Seealpsee).

8. Saxer Lücke Ridge Hike (from Brulisau)

⟲ 16.5 km (10.3 mi) | ↗ +500 m (+1,640 ft) / ⏱ 6 h | ⚡ Difficulty: Hard | 📍 Appenzell

Getting there
Brülisau is just a few minutes from Wasserauen, making it another prime base in the Alpstein. From here you take the Hoher Kasten cable car, which lifts you straight onto the ridge and saves the first big climb.

Access / lifts and costs
Cable car Brülisau–Hoher Kasten: around CHF 22 one way / CHF 33 return. On this route you also only ride it up, the descent is entirely on foot back to Brülisau.

Route overview
From the top of Hoher Kasten (1,794 m / 5,886 ft), the trail immediately traverses an exposed rocky section, possibly the trickiest bit of the day. After that, it undulates gently toward Staubern, where a mountain inn clings to the ridge. Continuing along, the path climbs again toward the dramatic rock window of Saxer Lücke, with sheer limestone walls dropping into the Rhine Valley. The descent from here is long but varied, weaving past alpine meadows and finally dropping to the small lake Fälensee, before returning through forest tracks all the way down to Brülisau.

This is a day for good knees: more than 1,200 m of descent, but most of it is straightforward hiking that demands stamina more than skill.

GPS routes: Komoot | AllTrails.

Huts and restaurants
On the ridge there’s just one proper stop: Berggasthaus Staubern, good for a break before the push to Saxer. At the start/end in Brülisau you’ll find a couple of simple restaurants, but otherwise it’s a bring-your-own-snacks kind of trail.

9. Zermatt Five Lakes Trail (5-Seenweg)

⟲ 9.8 km (6.1 mi) | ↗ +491 m (+1,611 ft) / ⏱ 4 h ⚡ Easy-Moderate | 📍 Zermatt

Arrival / access
From Zermatt village, take the Sunnegga funicular. You can start hiking from there, or take the Blauherd gondola, which places you even closer to the first lake. The lifts run frequently in summer and are included in many of Zermatt’s pass options.

Funicular costs
Expect around CHF 30-40 for the combined Sunnegga + Blauherd ride (discounts with Swiss Travel Pass or local guest cards).

Trail description
The 5-Seenweg is one of the best hikes in Zermatt and probably one of the most famous hikes in Switzerland. As the name suggests, it is a loop linking five alpine lakes, each with its own character and Matterhorn reflection angle. Stellisee is the most photogenic, with the Matterhorn mirrored perfectly on calm mornings. Grindjisee and Grünsee bring wilder, reed-fringed settings, while Moosjisee shows its turquoise from glacial runoff. The circuit finishes at Leisee, a popular family swimming lake just above the Sunnegga funicular.

The path itself is mostly wide alpine tracks with rolling ups and downs.

GPS details: Komoot | AllTrails.

Food / drink
There are several benches and picnic spots along the lakes, plus mountain restaurants near Blauherd and Sunnegga. Many hikers finish with a swim at Leisee followed by lunch back in Zermatt.

10. Limmernsee (via Kalktrittli and Muttseehütte)

↔ 12.0 km (7.5 mi) | ↗ +700 m (+2,297 ft) / ⏱ 5 h | ⚡ Hard | 📍 Linthal, Glarus

Trailhead directions
Linthal is best reached and navigated by car. The trail begins with the Luftseilbahn Tierfehd–Kalktrittli, a tiny, automated gondola that feels more like an industrial lift than a tourist ride. It brings you up to 1,860 m in minutes and drops you right at the starting point.

Access / lifts and costs
Tickets are about CHF 15 return, bought at the unmanned station. The ticket stays valid for a week, which means you can spontaneously decide to spend the night at the hut.

Trail overview
Despite its scenery, the Limmernsee hike isn’t on most Switzerland bucket lists, which makes it feel all the more special, with a vast turquoise lake framed by limestone walls and the unusual twist of a 2.7-kilometer tunnel to reach it.

From the gondola top station you immediately face two doors: left is the outdoor route, right is the entrance to the tunnel. Most hikers choose the tunnel, 2.7 km of chilly, puddled underground walking (vests provided) that spits you out at the Limmern dam in about 30 minutes.

From there, the trail follows the turquoise shore of Limmernsee before climbing steeply toward the Muttseehütte (2,501 m), a high hut with huge views. Expect sure-footed walking along exposed sections near the lake, then a sweaty ascent to the hut. The return is a long downhill back toward Kalktrittli, either via the tunnel again or the outdoor path.

GPS tracks: Komoot | AllTrails.

Where to eat & drink
Bring snacks and water, but if you plan to overnight, the Muttseehütte is fully catered: dorm beds, a hearty three-course dinner, and even vegetarian options. Otherwise, the valley below is your next chance to eat.

FAQs About Hiking in Switzerland

When is the best time to hike in Switzerland?

The core hiking season in the Swiss Alps runs from late June through early October. By late June, most snow has melted from ridges like Stoos and Augstmatthorn, and alpine huts are open. July and August bring wildflowers and warmer lake temperatures, but also the biggest crowds. September and early October are quieter and often clearer, though high huts may close.

Are hikes in Switzerland well-marked?

For the most part, yes. Switzerland’s trail system is famous for its yellow signposts and red-and-white blazes on rocks. On popular routes like the Zermatt Five Lakes Trail or Panoramaweg Männlichen–Kleine Scheidegg it’s nearly impossible to get lost. For more niche hikes like Augstmatthorn or Schäfler Ridge or Saxer Lücke, GPS apps are highly recommended.

For live trail updates or alternative routes, check the SwitzerlandMobility platform, it’s what locals use.

Do I need special gear for Swiss Alps hiking?

For all the easy hikes listed here, sturdy hiking shoes, water, snacks, and layers are enough. Trails marked as moderate to hard may have exposed sections or steep inclines where trekking poles can help with balance. If you plan to overnight at huts (like Faulhorn or Muttseehütte), pack a lightweight sleeping liner.

How expensive are the lifts and cable cars?

Cable cars and funiculars usually cost between CHF 15 and CHF 40 one way, depending on the region. Stoos, Zermatt, and Grindelwald all have combination tickets that save money if you’re using multiple lifts in one day. Holders of a Swiss Travel Pass or Half-Fare Card get 30–50% off. If you stay in Wasserauen for a minimum of 3 nights, the gondolas for the Schäfler Ridge or Saxer Lücke hikes are both free of charge.

Which hike is best for first-timers or families with kids in Switzerland?

If you want an easy introduction with huge scenery, try the Panoramaweg Männlichen–Kleine Scheidegg: short, flat, and with the Eiger wall in your face the entire way. For something a bit longer but still manageable, the Zermatt Five Lakes Trail combines alpine lakes with Matterhorn views and plenty of places to stop for food. Stoos is another spectacular option too, although it is usually the most crowded one, and you do have a few steep inclines.

Which hike is the most challenging?

Among the ten listed, Augstmatthorn, Schäfler Ridge and Saxer Lücke are probably the toughest. They all involve either steep climbs, some technical sections or and significant descents that require strong legs and, ideally, poles.

Can you swim in Swiss alpine lakes?

Generally speaking, yes — but it depends on the lake. Leisee (Zermatt) is designed as a swimming lake and is safe for a dip. Oeschinensee and Seealpsee (Appenzell) also welcomes swimmers, though the grassy shores can be tick-prone in summer. Limmernsee is off-limits for practical purposes: it’s a dam reservoir with steep, unstable shores. At Bachalpsee and Stellisee, swimming isn’t banned but strongly discouraged because the water is freezing, and both are better admired than waded into.

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