#1  Ridge walk Stoos SZ

The futuristic-looking funicular railway from Schwyz-Schlattli to the car-free holiday village of Stoos makes the journey itself a special experience: with a gradient of 110 per cent (equivalent to 47 degrees) over a height difference of 744 metres, it holds a world record. And when the high plateau of Stoos spreads out as you exit the last railway tunnel, it never fails to impress. But the real highlight is yet to come: The ridge walk from Klingenstock (1,935 metres) to Fronalpstock (1,922 metres) is one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland. The ‘who's who’ of the Central Swiss Alps – Pilatus, Rigi and the two Mythen mountains – line the route and far below, Lake Lucerne attracts the eye. One advantage of the staircase-filled, medium-difficulty trail is that chairlifts operate between Stoos and Klingenstock and between Stoos and Fronalpstock, allowing you to shorten the ascents and descents. Distance: 4.5 km. Hiking time: 1¾ hours.

 

#2  Summit circular trail Stanserhorn NW

You don't necessarily have to travel to Mount Rigi or Mount Pilatus with crowds of group tourists to experience Lake Vierwaldstättersee and the surrounding mountain and lake landscape in all its glory – a trip to the Stanserhorn (1,850 m) is just as good. The summit is considered a place of power, where energy sources from three sides converge. On the 30-minute circular trail, Central Switzerland unfolds in all its beauty: 100 kilometres of the Alps, ten sparkling lakes and 200 different alpine flowers lining the path. If you want to enjoy even more panoramic views, visit the Rondorama restaurant – it rotates around its own axis in 45 minutes. The ascent to the Stanserhorn is made by the unique double-decker CabriO cable car, which has an open upper deck. The surprising thing about it is that the wire ropes run below the open-air passengers.

 

#3  European Circular Trail on the Hoher Kasten AI

In just eight minutes, the Hoher Kasten cable car takes visitors from Brülisau up to 1,794 metres above sea level. From the mountain station, the 300 metres long accessibility-friendly European Trail leads all the way around the striking Kastenkopf peak, giving the term ‘360-degree panorama’ a whole new meaning. The views stretch across six countries: Germany (Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria), Austria (from the Vorarlberg Rhine Valley to Tyrol), Liechtenstein, Italy and France, as well as the Eastern Swiss Alps and the Swiss midlands. Panoramic boards and telescopes help with orientation. Other highlights are the Alpine Garden with around 300 native plant species and the rotating restaurant. Those who are looking for a thrill can set off on a paragliding flight – the take-off point is a ten-minute walk below the mountain station at Kastensattel.

 

#4  Atzmännig ridge and circular hike SG

Atzmännig is best known for its summer toboggan run, but has now developed into a popular local recreation area and leisure park for adventurous families in the greater Zurich and St. Gallen area. The chairlift from the valley station Schutt takes visitors either to the middle station, the starting point of the toboggan run, or further up to the Atzmännig mountain station at 1,200 metres. From here, numerous hiking trails open up with impressive panoramic views: of the Linth plain, Lake Zurich and the Alps of eastern Switzerland and the Bernese Oberland. The classic hiking trail is Route 5 – an easy, approximately three-hour circular tour from the mountain station via Schwammegg and Tweralpspitz to Chrüzegg, where the mountain restaurant with the same name invites you to take a break. The trail continues via Oberchamm and Chopf back to the valley station.

 

#5  High-altitude hikes on Muottas Muragl GR

If you want to experience the most beautiful postcard motives of the Upper Engadine live, take the red funicular railway from Punt Muragl near Pontresina to the panoramic and hiking mountain Muottas Muragl. Even the ten-minute ride, which covers 714 metres in altitude, offers a spectacular sight. From the mountain station and the adjoining Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl, the Engadine lakes appear like pearls on a thread – an breathtaking natural epic that Giovanni Segantini captured in many paintings. Several high-altitude trails invite you to explorethe area, from the leisurely ‘Philosopher's Trail’ with inspiring quotes to the almost entirely flat Panorama Trail (6.8 km, just under two hours) from Muottas Muragl (2,456 m) to Alp Languard (2,326 m). There, hikers will find a mountain restaurant – and the choice between a chairlift ride down to Pontresina (1,805 m) or a steep zigzag path through the forest.

 

#6  Panorama Trail and Alpine Garden Schynige Platte BE

The hour-long ride on the nostalgic cogwheel railway from Wilderswil near Interlaken to the Schynige Platte is a visual experience in itself – and makes you want more. Once at the top, a spectacular panorama of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, the Lütschental valleys and Lakes Thun and Brienz open up. Those who take the Panorama Trail (5.7 km, approx. 90 minutes) are rewarded with fabulous views. Right next to the railway station is the Alpine Garden, a paradise for botany enthusiasts. Around 650 plant species that are native from above the tree line grow on the easily accessible grounds, including alpine classics such as edelweiss, silver root and arnica, as well as rare beauties such as black lobelia and red rock primrose. The mountain hotel Schynige Platte is recommended for a relaxing break or overnight stay – particularly impressive is it when there is a full moon.

 

#7  High-altitude hike from Horneggli to Rinderberg BE

The Saanenland region around Gstaad is a true paradise for casual hikers. Those who appreciate wide views and quiet paths away from the crowds will find what they are looking for on the family-friendly high-altitude trail between Schönried and Zweisimmen. Colourful flowers line the path along alpine meadows and wild hay slopes, and shortly before the end, the Rinderberg Lodge at the middle station invites you to take a break. The route: From Schönried (1,231 m), take the chairlift up to the Horneggli mountain station (1,770 m). From there, the 6 km long panoramic trail takes about two and a half hours to climb over the Hornberg, the Parwengesattel and the Gandlauenengrat up to the Rinderberg (2079 m). You can return to the valley either on foot or by gondola lift via the Eggweid middle station (1450 m) to Zweisimmen (941 m).

 

#8  Panoramic trail from Rochers-de-Naye to Jaman VD

From Montreux, the cog railway climbs steadily for just under an hour until you reach the summit of Rochers-de-Naye (2,042 m), where you can enjoy boundless views – from the Eiger to Mont Blanc, from the Rhone Valley to Geneva, from the Jura to the Midlands and the Fribourg Alps. A botanical alpine garden with 1,000 alpine plant species is a wonderful sight to behold, children will love the marmot park, and on the northern flank of the panoramic mountain, a via ferrata attracts experienced mountaineers. Those who prefer flying to climbing can watch the paragliders take off – or let Fly Riviera carry them down into the valley (tandem flight approx. 300 Swiss francs per person). Various hiking trails start from Rochers-de-Naye. A beautiful, medium-difficulty route leads in around 90 minutes towards Dent de Jaman to the Jaman railway station – or alternatively further downhill to the village of Caux.

 

#9  Ridge Trail from Moosfluh to Riederfurka VS

Impressive mountain chains, untouched valleys and the largest contiguous glaciated area in the Alps – for UNESCO, it was clear: this is a World Heritage Site of universal value. The Panorama Ridge Trail leads past the gateway to this natural wonder, starting at the Moosfluh gondola mountain station (2,332 m, accessible from Riederalp). The trail winds gently downhill along the ridge, via Breitebode and Härdernagrat, to the Hohfluh viewpoint and on to the historic Villa Cassel (now an environmental education centre run by Pro Natura) on the Riederfurka. With the Great Aletsch Glacier at your feet on one side and the Valais four-thousand-metre peaks (including the Matterhorn) on the other, it is an unforgettable experience. The last stage is a gentle descent to the starting point in Riederalp (1,909 m). Walking time: 2¾ hours. Distance: 6.7 km.

 

#10  ‘Traversata’ from Monte Lema to Monte Tamaro TI

This classic high-altitude hike in Ticino connects Monte Lema with Monte Tamaro. The tour begins with a gondola ride from Miglieglia up to Monte Lema (1,621 m). From there, the family-friendly hike runs almost continuously along the ridge for around four and a half hours, offering impressive views on both sides: far below, Lake Lugano sparkles, opposite Lake Maggiore, both nestled in the hilly landscape of southern Ticino. There are two notable ascents on the route: to Monte Gradiccioli and later to Monte Tamaro (1,962 m). Those who prefer a more relaxed pace can elegantly bypass both peaks and head straight for Alpe Foppa (1,530 m) – the starting point for the gondola ride down to Rivera.

 

#11  Circular hike from Monte Brè to Monte Boglia TI

This hike requires some fitness, but is easily manageable for anyone with a secure footing. From Lugano-Cassarate, the first 700 metres of elevation can be easily covered by funicular or car to Monte Brè (925 m). After a short descent to the village of Brè (800 m), the approximately two-hour ascent to Monte Boglia begins. At first, the trail runs pleasantly through the shade of a beech and chestnut forest before becoming a little steeper. Typical Ticino stone staircases lead hikers upwards until the path emerges from the forest and runs along a ridge to the summit at an altitude of 1,516 metres. From here, an impressive panorama opens up: Lugano, Monte San Salvatore and the mountains around the ramified Lake Lugano stretch out in front of you – provided the area is not shrouded in the haze of hot summer days. The descent is via the northern flank of Monte Boglia, always along the hillside and via Alpe Bolla (where the capanna with the same name invites you to take a well-deserved break) back to Brè. Walking time: 5 hours. Distance: 13.5 km.