Best hikes in Switzerland
Find the best Swiss hikes by canton
(Canton names in French and German)
Fribourg (Freiburg) | Luzern (Lucerne) | Valais (Wallis) | Vaud (Waadt)
Plan your next hike in Switzerland
Switzerland is our home – and so where we go hiking the most.
The mountains in different parts of the country are quite different. The Jura stretch along the northwestern border with France, from Geneva to Basel. These peaks are generally gentle and easily accessible, reaching a maximum height of around 1,700 m. The pre-Alps in the western cantons of Fribourg and Vaud are also accessible, though higher and more alpine than the Jura.
And then there’s the Alps proper. This massive mountain range stretches almost the entire length of the southern border with France and Italy, and extends into Austria, Germany and all the way to Slovenia. This is where you’ll find the postcard view of Switzerland: high alpine pastures, glaciers and rocky peaks soaring to over 4,000 m. But even here the vistas are different in different areas. Cross over into the southern canton of Ticino and there’s definitively a more Mediterranean feel.
Swiss hiking trails & huts
Hiking trails in Switzerland are usually well maintained and clearly marked. Be aware though that some trails are very steep, slippery and/or exposed – and altitude can be an issue in the Alps.
The mountain huts are fabulous – comfy beds or dorms, great food, beer and wine. You need to book to sleep in a hut (often called a cabane, refuge or chalet), but you can usually drop in for lunch, afternoon tea or a drink without a reservation. So civilized to eat a good meal while hiking!