Best Hikes in Switzerland: Our Top 12 Picks

The Faulhornweg is the kind of hike that makes you fall in love with Switzerland: crisp air, wildflower meadows, and a horizon punctuated by glaciers. The trail starts at First, above Grindelwald, and winds gently toward Bachalpsee, where the famous trio of peaks reflects perfectly on calm water.

From there, you ascend to Faulhorn (2,681 m) — home to one of the oldest mountain inns in the Alps — before descending along a ridge toward Schynige Platte. Along the way, cowbells replace traffic noise and clouds drift lazily across the Eiger’s north face.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it condenses everything people dream of when they picture the Alps: mirror lakes, jagged peaks, and timeless serenity.

The Hardergrat Trail is both feared and adored, a high-wire act along one of the narrowest, most dramatic ridgelines in the Alps. It starts at Brienz Rothorn and runs 24 km to Harder Kulm, overlooking Interlaken.

You’ll spend the day dancing along the spine of the mountains, with dizzying drop-offs on both sides and sweeping views over Lake Brienz. There are no huts en route, so it’s all about self-sufficiency, endurance, and a steady head for heights.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it’s raw, wild, and unforgettable. A hike that leaves you equal parts exhausted and exhilarated.

The Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail follows one of the most astonishing landscapes in Europe: a 23 km ribbon of ice flowing between 4,000-meter peaks. Starting from Bettmerhorn or Moosfluh, the route winds above the glacier through pine forest, alpine pastures, and glacial viewpoints.

The path is well-marked and moderate, with plenty of benches and rest areas. Along the way, you’ll pass the Pro Natura Center Aletsch, a museum dedicated to the region’s ecology and climate.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it’s the rare trail where beauty meets accessibility: glaciers, wildlife, and comfort all within arm’s reach.

If there’s one hike every traveler dreams of, it’s this one. The Riffelsee Trail begins from the Gornergrat railway, winding past alpine tundra to the crystalline Riffelsee Lake, where the Matterhorn’s pyramid reflects perfectly in still water.

You can hike it downhill from Gornergrat to Riffelalp or uphill if you’re feeling ambitious. Either way, the Matterhorn dominates every view, its presence both grounding and otherworldly.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because the Matterhorn never stops being astonishing. And here, it feels close enough to touch.

The Rigi Panorama Trail proves that you don’t have to climb a 4,000-meter peak to feel on top of the world. Beginning at Rigi Kaltbad and ending at Rigi Scheidegg, this well-graded trail follows an old railway line across flower-strewn slopes with panoramic views in every direction.

Along the way, you’ll pass small chapels, alpine farms, and cozy mountain restaurants serving rösti and hot chocolate. It’s a quintessential Swiss experience: tranquil, efficient, and soul-soothing.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it delivers big alpine views for minimal effort. The definition of smart hiking!

Lake Oeschinen is a masterpiece. A jewel of turquoise framed by towering limestone walls. From the gondola station above Kandersteg, it’s a short walk to the lakeshore, where a circuit trail loops around the edge and climbs to panoramic viewpoints.

If you have time, continue higher along the Heuberg Panorama Trail, where the full amphitheater of peaks reveals itself: Blüemlisalp, Doldenhorn, and the glaciers that feed the lake.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it feels unreal, like hiking inside a postcard painted by the gods of geology.

One day in the Alps isn’t enough for you? We get it. Here are our picks for the best multi-day hikes in Switzerland!

The Walker’s Haute Route is a rite of passage, a two-week odyssey from Chamonix (France) to Zermatt (Switzerland). It traverses the spine of the Alps, crossing meadows, glaciers, and ridges framed by 4,000-meter peaks.

You’ll spend your days climbing and descending valleys, and your nights in alpine huts that smell of cheese fondue and mountain air. Each day brings new vistas, Mont Blanc’s icy crown to the final crescendo of the Matterhorn’s pyramid.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it’s the greatest hits of the Alps. All the drama, beauty, and humanity of the mountains, one footstep at a time.

The Via Alpina feels like a pilgrimage through Switzerland’s heart. Starting in Vaduz and ending in Montreux, it winds through iconic landscapes, like Grindelwald’s glacier valleys, Lauterbrunnen’s waterfalls, and the emerald passes of the Bernese Oberland.

It’s long but flexible: you can hike for a weekend or a month, with train links at every stage. The rhythm is pure alpine: ascend, cross a pass, descend into a postcard-perfect valley, repeat.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it’s Switzerland in one grand sweep. Every valley, village, and view woven into a single unforgettable trail.

The Waldstätterweg follows the contours of Lake Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most beloved landscapes. Over 115 kilometers, it passes meadows, pine forests, and landmarks like the Rütli Meadow, where Switzerland’s founding oath was sworn.

It’s a hike rich in culture as much as scenery, with lakeside inns, boat rides, and panoramic hilltop views. Many hikers walk a few stages as day trips from Lucerne, while others complete the full loop over a relaxed week.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it blends nature, history, and comfort, it is the perfect choice for hikers who like their adventure served with espresso and lake views.

The Prättigauer Höhenweg runs parallel to the Austrian border through Graubünden, one of Switzerland’s wildest regions. The trail passes through alpine meadows, over the Drusenfluh massif, and through valleys where traditional Walser culture still thrives.

Each night ends in a cozy mountain hut like Carschinahütte or Schesaplana Hütte, where you’ll share dinner with locals and gaze out over untouched peaks.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it’s authentic, quiet, and wild. A glimpse into the Alps before mass tourism arrived.

The Tour du Muveran is often overlooked in favor of bigger names. But ask any local guide, and they’ll smile knowingly. Over four to six days, you’ll circle dramatic limestone cliffs, cross airy passes, and spend nights in huts like Cabane Rambert or Cabane de Plan Névé.

It’s a loop that delivers solitude and intimacy; small huts, big scenery, and the ever-present scent of alpine thyme on the breeze.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it’s a secret masterpiece: short, wild, and wildly rewarding.

The Bernina Trek feels like walking through two worlds: Switzerland’s crisp alpine north and the sun-drenched Italian-speaking south. You’ll come across turquoise lakes, the towering Piz Bernina (4,049 m), and perfectly placed huts.

Why It’s One of the Best Hikes in Switzerland

Because it unites cultures, climates, and glaciers in one sweeping trail.

Where to Stay for Hiking in Switzerland?

Base yourself in Interlaken, Zermatt, Lucerne, or Grindelwald for day hikes. For hut-to-hut routes, use the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) website. Most huts include dinner, breakfast, and blankets.

What to Wear for Hiking in Switzerland?

Layer up. Weather changes fast at altitude. Bring moisture-wicking layers, a fleece or down jacket, and a waterproof shell. Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and solid hiking boots.

How to Plan a Hut-to-Hut Hike (and Why Go Guided)

If you book a guided hiking tour in Switzerland with 57hours, the guides will handle hut bookings, weather, and tricky navigation. They’ll free you to enjoy the hike. You’ll also learn alpine lore and safety essentials. For solo travelers, going guided adds local depth and stress-free logistics.

The Best Hikes in Switzerland Await

Every one of the best hikes in Switzerland tells a story. A story of glaciers carving valleys, of herders tending summer pastures, of hikers chasing horizon after horizon.

Rigi’s gentle ridges to the wild Hardergrat, from Oeschinensee’s turquoise calm to the glacier-chiseled Haute Route, Switzerland is where hiking transcends travel and becomes transformation.

Pack your boots, your curiosity, and a healthy appetite for rösti, because the Alps are calling, and every trail here leads to awe.