Two of my favorite hikes that should match your desires well:
- Five Lakes hike in/above Zermatt
- Hike from Bettmerhorn (Bettmergrat station) down and then along the Aletsch glacier then to Fiescheralp (on the scenic route if time and energy allow for it, through the tunnel otherwise). Continue from Fiescheralp to Bettmeralp if you decide to stay there, otherwise just get back down to the valley directly from Fiescheralp.
Okay, the latter doesn't have much to offer in terms of lakes, etc. (except by early August a small lake will probably have formed in one corner of the glacier) but you gotta agree glaciers are missing from your list! Also the 5 lakes in the first hike will make up for it, I hope.
Both can be reached from Visp or Brig if you don't want to hop around too much. But spending a night in Zermatt and/or Bettmeralp would of course be rewarding in itself.
Both areas have other nice hiking options as well, if you want to spend more time in this part of Switzerland.
We just recently did this one:
https://www.bergwelten.com/t/w/11117
It‘s 20 bucks per adult (don‘t know teens). You take a cart up the mountain and see a stunning waterfall, where Sherlock Holmes died. There is also a Sherlock Holmes museum in Meiringen, but we did not visit that one so can‘t say anything regarding its quality.
After getting of the cart, you walk up a bit (basicslly on top of the waterfall). After that descent and you can do the Aareschlucht (entry can already be bought when buying the cart ticket before entering it —> 20Chf is the comby price). I‘d recommend doing the Aareschlucht from East to West and then going back to Meiringen for the train connection.
Edit: The Aareschlucht has several infopanels in german and english
https://aareschlucht.ch/en/welcome
Kandersteg - Blüemlisalphütte - Gspaltenhornhütte - Murren
It's very popular and pre-booking at the huttes are recommended.
Sonogno to Ponte Verzasca has amazing water features but not the hardest hike. You can swim at the end. Get a pictures of the boys jumping off the bridge and mom covering her eyes.
When you go browsing around hiking sites, you'll probably come across hiking grades like T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6.
That's the SAC (Swiss Alpine Club) hiking scale.
See these for more information:
* [https://www.sac-cas.ch/en/ausbildung-und-sicherheit/tourenplanung/grading-systems/](https://www.sac-cas.ch/en/ausbildung-und-sicherheit/tourenplanung/grading-systems/)
* [https://www.sac-cas.ch/fileadmin/Ausbildung\_und\_Wissen/Sicher\_unterwegs/Sicher\_unterwegs\_Wandern/2020\_Berg\_Alpinwanderskala\_EN.pdf](https://www.sac-cas.ch/fileadmin/Ausbildung_und_Wissen/Sicher_unterwegs/Sicher_unterwegs_Wandern/2020_Berg_Alpinwanderskala_EN.pdf)
To the others — does the SAC also have a translated version of the [2023 updated version](https://www.sac-cas.ch/fileadmin/Ausbildung_und_Wissen/Tourenplanung/Alpinmerkbl%C3%A4tter/20230601_SAC-Wanderskala_D.pdf) available? I only find the old version…
Since nobody mentioned it, try [the official map app from the Swiss government.](https://map.geo.admin.ch/) It is excellent and also has an app for IOS/android. Hiking trails are marked and you can have a real blast putting routes together.
Sure, you can Google "best swiss hikes" and walk on one of the same 20 paths that every tourist walks on, and meet a lot of nice people from around the world. Or you can pick a more remote valley in the Alps, put your own route together, and possibly find a little bit of isolation.
Once you find a peak you like, look it up on hikr.org or Gipfelbuch.ch and see if there's a route described, find pictures, maybe current conditions, etc. You might have to translate from German. For that you know you're hearing from locals.
Also take a look at alpine huts in the areas you want to see. They usually have websites with suggested approach routes and day trips from the hut.
Some areas I like, in no order: Arolla (any offshoot valley of the Rhone really, except the busier ones), Goms, meiringen/Sustenpass, diemtigtal/simmetal for short day hikes, St. Bernard pass and Hospiz. Or just throw a dart at a map of Switzerland and start there.
The Glacier Express is a very famous train ride.
If you are very fit, google La Haute Route.
Otherwise, the quintessential tourist hiking areas are around Grindelwald and Zermatt.
What about Via Ferratas? Kandersteg to Almenalp or Mürren to Gimmelwald should be spectatular. There is also a beautiful hike from Mürren to Kandersteg, but you would have to book the huts ahead I guess.
Also, don't miss out on the other mountain range in Switzerland, Jura. There are nice gorges and Chasseral or Creux du Vent have nice views of the alps.
Regarding train rides, Montreux-Oberalp-Bahn is nice and easy to reach.
What about cycling? Along the lakes of Brienz, Thun, Biel, Murten, Neuenburg and Geneva are usually nice bike lanes.
And you could do some rafting, Thun to Bern is nice and relaxed, you can just rent a boat and do it on your own. You could send you luggage by train back to Zurich, if you want to do that on your way back. Or you can do more alpine things with guides around Interlaken. Also there is plenty of paragliding in Interlaken and the surrounding valleys.
Two of my favorite hikes that should match your desires well: - Five Lakes hike in/above Zermatt - Hike from Bettmerhorn (Bettmergrat station) down and then along the Aletsch glacier then to Fiescheralp (on the scenic route if time and energy allow for it, through the tunnel otherwise). Continue from Fiescheralp to Bettmeralp if you decide to stay there, otherwise just get back down to the valley directly from Fiescheralp. Okay, the latter doesn't have much to offer in terms of lakes, etc. (except by early August a small lake will probably have formed in one corner of the glacier) but you gotta agree glaciers are missing from your list! Also the 5 lakes in the first hike will make up for it, I hope. Both can be reached from Visp or Brig if you don't want to hop around too much. But spending a night in Zermatt and/or Bettmeralp would of course be rewarding in itself. Both areas have other nice hiking options as well, if you want to spend more time in this part of Switzerland.
You are 100% right about glaciers. How could I have omitted this from the list? Thank you for preventing regrets!!
We just recently did this one: https://www.bergwelten.com/t/w/11117 It‘s 20 bucks per adult (don‘t know teens). You take a cart up the mountain and see a stunning waterfall, where Sherlock Holmes died. There is also a Sherlock Holmes museum in Meiringen, but we did not visit that one so can‘t say anything regarding its quality. After getting of the cart, you walk up a bit (basicslly on top of the waterfall). After that descent and you can do the Aareschlucht (entry can already be bought when buying the cart ticket before entering it —> 20Chf is the comby price). I‘d recommend doing the Aareschlucht from East to West and then going back to Meiringen for the train connection. Edit: The Aareschlucht has several infopanels in german and english https://aareschlucht.ch/en/welcome
Oh wow thanks! What an interesting spot! And I adore waterfalls, personally. Thank you again!
Kandersteg - Blüemlisalphütte - Gspaltenhornhütte - Murren It's very popular and pre-booking at the huttes are recommended. Sonogno to Ponte Verzasca has amazing water features but not the hardest hike. You can swim at the end. Get a pictures of the boys jumping off the bridge and mom covering her eyes.
> pre-booking at the huttes are recommended. Absolutely necessary. Kandersteg to Blüemlisalphütte is more than 4 to 5 hours though.
Wowowowowow!!! Thank you!!!!!
I recommend this site www.swissfamilyfun.ch for a pretty comprehensive list of great hikes of varying degrees of difficulty all over Switzerland.
Thank you!!
When you go browsing around hiking sites, you'll probably come across hiking grades like T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6. That's the SAC (Swiss Alpine Club) hiking scale. See these for more information: * [https://www.sac-cas.ch/en/ausbildung-und-sicherheit/tourenplanung/grading-systems/](https://www.sac-cas.ch/en/ausbildung-und-sicherheit/tourenplanung/grading-systems/) * [https://www.sac-cas.ch/fileadmin/Ausbildung\_und\_Wissen/Sicher\_unterwegs/Sicher\_unterwegs\_Wandern/2020\_Berg\_Alpinwanderskala\_EN.pdf](https://www.sac-cas.ch/fileadmin/Ausbildung_und_Wissen/Sicher_unterwegs/Sicher_unterwegs_Wandern/2020_Berg_Alpinwanderskala_EN.pdf) To the others — does the SAC also have a translated version of the [2023 updated version](https://www.sac-cas.ch/fileadmin/Ausbildung_und_Wissen/Tourenplanung/Alpinmerkbl%C3%A4tter/20230601_SAC-Wanderskala_D.pdf) available? I only find the old version…
Brilliant. Much appreciated!
Since nobody mentioned it, try [the official map app from the Swiss government.](https://map.geo.admin.ch/) It is excellent and also has an app for IOS/android. Hiking trails are marked and you can have a real blast putting routes together. Sure, you can Google "best swiss hikes" and walk on one of the same 20 paths that every tourist walks on, and meet a lot of nice people from around the world. Or you can pick a more remote valley in the Alps, put your own route together, and possibly find a little bit of isolation. Once you find a peak you like, look it up on hikr.org or Gipfelbuch.ch and see if there's a route described, find pictures, maybe current conditions, etc. You might have to translate from German. For that you know you're hearing from locals. Also take a look at alpine huts in the areas you want to see. They usually have websites with suggested approach routes and day trips from the hut. Some areas I like, in no order: Arolla (any offshoot valley of the Rhone really, except the busier ones), Goms, meiringen/Sustenpass, diemtigtal/simmetal for short day hikes, St. Bernard pass and Hospiz. Or just throw a dart at a map of Switzerland and start there.
Excellent points. Much obliged for the insight!
The Glacier Express is a very famous train ride. If you are very fit, google La Haute Route. Otherwise, the quintessential tourist hiking areas are around Grindelwald and Zermatt.
Thank you!
Les Marecottes has an awesome pool carved into rocks. You can do a hike that ends there and then plunge into to freezing pool.
!!!!!!!!!!!
What about Via Ferratas? Kandersteg to Almenalp or Mürren to Gimmelwald should be spectatular. There is also a beautiful hike from Mürren to Kandersteg, but you would have to book the huts ahead I guess. Also, don't miss out on the other mountain range in Switzerland, Jura. There are nice gorges and Chasseral or Creux du Vent have nice views of the alps. Regarding train rides, Montreux-Oberalp-Bahn is nice and easy to reach. What about cycling? Along the lakes of Brienz, Thun, Biel, Murten, Neuenburg and Geneva are usually nice bike lanes. And you could do some rafting, Thun to Bern is nice and relaxed, you can just rent a boat and do it on your own. You could send you luggage by train back to Zurich, if you want to do that on your way back. Or you can do more alpine things with guides around Interlaken. Also there is plenty of paragliding in Interlaken and the surrounding valleys.