Switzerland is a hiker’s dream with emerald lakes, rugged peaks, and picturesque valleys. There are countless trails offering everything from short walks to multi-day treks. This guide will introduce you to four of the best hikes in Switzerland for the average hiker. These trails aren’t exceptionally challenging, but they pack a punch with the most jaw-dropping beauty!
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4 of the Best Hikes in Switzerland
Table of Contents
Saxer Lücke via Staubern
Trail Information:
- Distance: 3.5 miles out and back
- Difficulty Rating: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 475 ft
- Fee: 40 CHF ($45.21) round trip cable car ticket
- Seasonal Opening: The trail is not maintained in the winter and is open seasonaly from May to October. The Staubern cable car runs year-round if you would like to visit the Staubern mountain hut.
Saxer Lücke is such an iconic landmark in Switzerland, and it’s a relatively easy hike to reach it. This impressive formation is found in the Alpstein Mountains where the jagged karst landscape and deep valley were formed by an ancient geological fault.
To reach the trailhead, you’ll need to take the cable car from the town of Frümsen to the Staubern mountain station.
Each cable car seats 8 people and there is only one cable car going up and down at a time. The ride takes about 12 minutes, so you can expect a long wait, particularly during peak season.
The cable car ticket is a little on the pricey side and there is no discount for the Swiss Travel Pass. However, this hike is worth the cost and effort! Click the link for the cable car schedule and pricing.
Once you reach the top, the Gasthaus Staubern has a restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat either before or after your hike. You can also spend the night here and enjoy a sunrise or sunset hike.
The trail starts with a steeper incline and descent before leveling out. It continues with more gradual hills as you make your way along the ridgeline.
The views over the valley are spectacular and you can see Fählen Lake (Fählensee) in the distance. As an interesting side note, the trail overlooks Appenzell Valley where yodeling first originated over 500 years ago. The early farmers would yodel to call their cattle back home. So while you’re there, you’ll have to give yodeling a try!
It took us about one hour to hike 1.75 miles to reach the viewpoint for the Saxer Lücke. Once you get there, you’ll be blown away by this imposing sawtooth ridge that looks like something from another planet!
To reach this particular spot, keep your eye out for a dirt trail that leads to the top of a hill just off the main trail.
After spending time admiring the view, you can either continue down the trail another mile or so to reach the banks of Fählensee, or you can return back to the cable car station.
The Schafler Ridge Trail is also an awesome hike that is located in the Appenzell region. It offers incredible views and even passes by the famous Aescher cliffside restaurant.
Oeschinensee Panorama Trail
Trail Information:
- Distance: 5.4 mile loop
- Difficulty Rating: Challenging
- Elevation Gain: 1,624 ft
- Fee: 32 CHF ($36.15) round trip cable car ticket. Swiss Travel Pass good for half-off fare.
- Seasonal Opening: The trail crosses through avalanche territory, it is not recommended to hike in the winter.
Hiking around Lake Oeschinen (Oeschinensee) at sunset was one of our favorite experiences during our time in Switzerland.
Oeschinensee is arguably the most beautiful alpine lake in Switzerland and has even been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The turquoise lake is surrounded by towering mountain peaks, glaciers, and waterfalls flowing into the lake. It’s hard to imagine that places this beautiful really do exist!
To reach this hike, you’ll take the cable car from Kanderstegg. There is a fun toboggan track at the top by the mountain station, be sure to take a few runs while you’re there!
This hike is a loop trail that begins and ends at the cable car station. You’ll first make your way across the trail high above the lake with spectacular views over the water.
The trail descends down to the shore of the lake where you can stop and enjoy a meal at one of the two restaurants on the water. You can also rent a rowboat to explore the lake before heading back up to the cable car station.
If you are doing this hike as a day trip, be mindful of the cable car timetable so that you don’t miss the last car down. You can hike back down to Kanderstegg if you miss it, but it will add a few miles onto your hike!
However, I highly recommend booking a night at the Arva Berggasthaus where you can enjoy a sunset hike after the crowds have left.
For more information, I have put together a complete Weekend Guide to Oeschinensee.
Stoos Ridge Trail
Trail Information:
- Distance: 2.9 miles point-to-point
- Difficulty Rating: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 902 ft
- Fee: 23.20 CHF ($26.19) Stoosbahn round trip ticket and 33 CHF ($37.26) chairlift round trip ticket. Free with the Swiss Travel Pass, the half-fare card is also accepted.
- Seasonal Opening: Mid-May to the end of October
Stoos Ridge is the most impressive short hike in Switzerland. The trail is less than 3 miles, but the views all along the way will have your jaw dragging on the ground!
It does take some effort to reach the trailhead, but it is worth it. First, you’ll need to take the Stoosbahn from Schwyz. This is the steepest railway funicular in the world, so it’s a fun adventure!
The Stoosbahn will take you to the mountain town of Stoos. From there, you’ll walk to the Klingenstock chairlift. You’ll then take the chairlift to the beginning of the trail where you can finally begin the hike!
Your effort will be rewarded with the most incredible views every step of the way. You’ll be hiking along the ridgeline with views on both sides over countless mountain peaks, lakes, and picturesque villages.
Although the trail is relatively short, it is a hilly terrain with lots of uphills and downhills. Your knees will be feeling it and the higher elevation will give your lungs a workout as well.
The trail ends at Fronalpstock where you can enjoy lunch with a view at the Fronalpstock Restaurant. You can also spend the night at the Fronalpstock Hotel and wake up to the most spectacular sunrise!
From Fronalpstock, you’ll take the chairlift back down to Stoos. You can walk around the village, stop by the beautiful Maria Hilf Chapel, and get some ice cream before taking the funicular back down to Schwyz.
For more details and information, see our Guide to Hiking the Stoos Ridge Trail.
Bachalpsee Trail
Trail Information:
- Distance: 3.8 miles out and back
- Difficulty Rating: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 810 ft
- Fee: 68 CHF ($76.74) roundtrip cable car ticket. Half-price tickets with the Swiss Travel Pass and half-fare card.
- Seasonal Opening: The trail is open year-round, but the cable car is sometimes closed for maintenance in the winter.
The trail to Bachalp Lake (Bachalpsee) starts at the Grindelwald First mountain station.
To reach the trail, you’ll take a cable car from Grindelwald with stops at two different middle stations before reaching the top mountain station at Grindelwald First.
The total ride takes about 25 minutes and is pretty pricey. Check the Grindelwald First website for the cable car schedule and updated pricing.
Once you reach the top, you’ll find fun mountain activities like the First Cliff Walk, Mountain Carts, the First Flyer, and First Glider. There is also a restaurant and cafe.
The trail to Bachalpsee is well marked and easy to follow from Grindlewald First. It begins with a steeper incline that will get your blood pumping, but soon levels out.
The scenic trail winds its way through alpine meadows backed by snowy mountain peaks before reaching the lake.
Your first impression of the lake might be a little underwhelming, but keep following the trail until you reach the backside of the lake.
You’ll get a completely different perspective from this side where you can soak in the beauty of the jewel-toned lake surrounded by rugged snowcapped mountain peaks.
For more information about this trail and recommended things to do in the area, see our guide 8 Fun Things to Do in Grindelwald.
I hope you get a chance to hike one or all of these trails while visiting Switzerland, they are each so unique and will leave you speechless!
A few more posts you might like:
- An Ambitious 7-Day Switzerland Itinerary
- Best Things to Do in Meiringen (A Swiss Hidden Gem)
- 9 of the Best Things to Do in Lauterbrunnen
- 9 Things to Do in Lucerne in One Day
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