If you’re visiting Switzerland for the first time, of course it’s worth taking a cable car or mountain railway up into the mountains and enjoying the incredible views.
But if you’re making the trip all the way to Switzerland, I really think you should experience the Alps on foot at least once.
Start walking from a town, pass through forests, cross small streams and walk past farms, gradually gaining elevation.
When you look back, the town you were just in has become tiny, while mountains and lakes stretch out in front of you.
And after several hours of walking, glaciers and the Alps suddenly appear right in front of you.
What I loved about hiking in Switzerland wasn’t simply seeing beautiful scenery, but the feeling of walking into that scenery on my own two feet.
In this post, I’m sharing seven hikes I actually did during my time in Switzerland that I’d recommend to first-time visitors.
From famous tourist destinations to relatively quiet areas, each trail offers a different kind of experience.
Overview of Trails
| Trail | Level | Distance | Elevation Gain | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oeschinensee | ★★☆☆☆ | 12.4 km | 459 m | 3h | Relaxed hike, iconic views |
| Aletsch Glacier | ★★☆☆☆ | 13.3 km | 414 m | 3h 30m | Glacier & Valais scenery |
| Stoos | ★★☆☆☆ | 13.8 km | 946 m | 5h | Ridge walk, Lake Lucerne |
| Turren – Brienzer Rothorn | ★★★☆☆ | 9.5 km | 1,092 m | 3h 30m | Quiet trail, Lake Brienz |
| First – Schynige Platte | ★★★☆☆ | 17.6 km | 793 m | 6h | Alpine views, mountain hut |
| Grindelwald – Eiger Glacier | ★★★☆☆ | 14.1 km | 1,580 m | 5h 30m | Eiger & Alpine scenery |
| Zermatt – Gornergrat | ★★★☆☆ | 11.4 km | 1,408 m | 4h | Matterhorn & glaciers |
| Lenk – Wildstrubel Hütte | ★★★★☆ | 19.7 km | 1,550 m | 8h | Quiet mountains, hut experience |
1. Oeschinensee｜A Relaxed Hike with an Iconic Swiss View
Best for: Those who want to enjoy spectacular scenery while taking a relatively relaxed hike
Level: ★★☆☆☆
Distance: 12.4 km (if walking all the way to Kandersteg)
Elevation gain: 459 m
Time: 3 hours
When you hear “Swiss scenery,” this is probably the kind of landscape many people imagine.
Lake Oeschinen is exactly that.
The beautiful, almost emerald-blue lake surrounded by enormous mountains.
Many of you may have already seen photos of it, but it’s still incredibly beautiful in person.
Standing there, I couldn’t help but think, “Of course this place became famous.”
The hiking trails around Lake Oeschinen are relatively relaxed and enjoyable.
Once you reach the lake, there’s no need to rush off to the next destination.
Sit on a bench and take in the scenery. Have lunch. Just spend some time there.
I think these kinds of “doing nothing” moments are also an important part of being in the mountains.
A hike doesn’t have to be difficult to become a memorable mountain experience.
Lake Oeschinen was one of the places that reminded me of that.
And if you have enough time and energy, I recommend hiking from Kandersteg to the lake.
2. Aletsch Glacier｜Experiencing the Scale of the Swiss Alps
Best for: Those who want to enjoy dramatic glacier scenery and high-Alpine landscapes
Level: ★★☆☆☆
Distance: 13.3 km
Elevation gain: 414 m
Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
The Aletsch Glacier was one of the most breathtaking landscapes I saw in Switzerland.
It is often described as the largest glacier in the Alps, and its scale is truly overwhelming.
I started from Bettmerhorn and walked while taking in views of the glacier.
What impressed me most was being able to see how the glacier connects with the surrounding mountains.
Seeing the Mönch from the other side was also fascinating. It made the geography feel much more real than it does on a map — I could actually understand how the glacier flows down from these high mountains.
The trail passes through Märjelensee before turning back down through the valley.
The walk through the valley felt relatively peaceful, offering a completely different experience from the dramatic glacier views higher up.
Within a single hike, I got to see several different sides of Switzerland.
Another thing I loved about the Aletsch Glacier area was that it offered a different side of Switzerland from the Bernese Oberland.
Grindelwald and Interlaken are extremely popular destinations, including among Japanese travelers.
But once you travel further into Valais, you encounter a somewhat different Alpine landscape.
If you’re staying in Switzerland for a little longer, I definitely recommend venturing beyond the most famous areas.
3. Stoos｜Turning a Scenic Attraction into a “Proper” Hike
Best for: Those who enjoy ridge walks and want to explore central Switzerland
Level: ★★☆☆☆
Distance: 13.8 km
Elevation gain: 946 m
Time: 5 hours
The Stoos Ridge is one of the most popular hiking routes in Switzerland.
The most famous section is the ridge walk from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock.
Since lifts take visitors close to both peaks, many tourists take the lift up, walk along the ridge, and then take a lift back down.
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. You can still enjoy spectacular scenery.
But personally, I’d like to walk a little more.
You can actually turn it into a loop starting and ending in Stoos.
Doing this makes it feel more like a proper day hike rather than simply visiting a scenic viewpoint.
The views remain open throughout the ridge walk.
Lake Lucerne stretches out below you, with mountains surrounding it, and the scenery changes slightly depending on which direction you’re walking.
Because Stoos is located in central Switzerland, the landscape also feels quite different from the mountains around Grindelwald.
Even at a famous tourist destination, changing the way you experience the place can completely change the experience itself.
That’s something I felt particularly strongly at Stoos.
4. Turren – Brienzer Rothorn｜Instead of Taking the Train, Walk There
Best for: Those who want a quieter trail and a different perspective of Lake Brienz
Level: ★★★☆☆
Distance: 9.5 km
Elevation gain: 1,092 m
Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
When you think of Brienzer Rothorn, one of the first things that comes to mind is its famous steam train.
Riding a train through the Swiss mountains to the summit is a popular experience in its own right.
But there are also many hiking routes in this area, with different options depending on your experience and fitness level.
I chose to hike to Brienzer Rothorn from a place called Turren.
Because this route is somewhat removed from the more popular tourist routes, I was able to enjoy a relatively quiet hike.
Along the way, I passed a local farm and gradually gained elevation while walking along sections that felt almost like ridges.
And then there was the view of Lake Brienz from above.
Lake Brienz is famous for its beautiful color, but seeing it from the mountains gives you a completely different perspective.
Of course, I can also recommend taking the mountain railway as an experience in itself.
But if you love hiking, I think walking to a destination rather than simply visiting it gives you a different kind of experience.
Note: The mountain railway has limited departures and can get extremely busy during high season, so you may not be able to board without an advance reservation. If you plan to take it, I recommend checking the latest timetable and reservation information in advance.
5. First – Schynige Platte｜My Favorite Hike in Switzerland
Best for: Those who want to spend a full day enjoying a wide variety of classic Swiss landscapes
Level: ★★★☆☆
Distance: 17.6 km
Elevation gain: 793 m
Time: 6 hours
If I had to recommend just one hike from this list, this would be it.
The hike from First to Schynige Platte.
What I love about this route is the sheer variety of scenery.
First, you pass the famous Bachalpsee.
Instead of returning the way you came, you continue climbing toward Faulhorn.
Once you reach the top, the ridge opens up, with mountains on your left and Lake Brienz on your right as you walk between them.
That day, I decided to stay overnight at Berghaus Männdlenen, a mountain hut.
Spending the night in a traditional Swiss mountain hut and sleeping in the mountains was an incredible experience.
And then, the sunrise from the mountain the following morning.
It was truly unforgettable.
From there toward Schynige Platte, there were still patches of snow along parts of the trail, adding a little adventure to the hike.
After crossing a small valley and continuing onward, the landscape suddenly opens up again.
And then, right in front of you, appear the three famous peaks of the Jungfrau region — Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
On the right, you can see Lake Brienz and Interlaken.
It was one of those views that made me think, “I’m so glad I came to Switzerland.”
If you can only choose one hike in Switzerland, this is the one I would recommend.
6. Grindelwald – Eiger Glacier (Eigergletscher)｜Walking Toward the Eiger
Best for: Those who want to enjoy classic Alpine scenery while experiencing it on foot
Level: ★★★☆☆
Distance: 14.1 km
Elevation gain: 1,580 m
Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
Grindelwald is one of Switzerland’s most famous mountain resorts.
From the moment you arrive in town, enormous mountains rise around you, creating that quintessential Swiss landscape.
From Grindelwald, I decided to hike toward the Eiger Glacier.
Of course, you can also use a cable car or other mountain transport to get up quickly from Grindelwald.
But I would really recommend walking from the town.
The trail initially takes you through the forest, crossing small streams as you gradually gain elevation.
And as you walk, the Eiger gets closer and closer.
Instead of the spectacular scenery appearing all at once, I loved the feeling of gradually getting closer to the mountain as I walked.
And waiting for you at the end is the spectacular view of the glacier.
Because I had walked there on my own two feet, the view felt even more rewarding.
Taking a cable car from the valley and arriving at the viewpoint is of course enjoyable too, but that feeling of
“I walked all the way up here myself”
is something you can only get from hiking.
If you’re hiking in the Swiss Alps for the first time, this is definitely a route worth considering.
7. Zermatt – Gornergrat｜The Day When Changing My Plans Turned Out to Be the Best Choice
Best for: Those who want to see the Matterhorn from different angles and don’t mind a substantial ascent
Level: ★★★☆☆
Distance: 11.4 km
Elevation gain: 1,408 m
Time: 4 hours
Toward the end of my stay in Switzerland, I wanted to do one more hike around Zermatt.
My original plan was to do the famous Five Lakes Hike and then continue toward Gornergrat.
But on that day, the cable car to Sunnegga was not operating.
My entire plan had fallen apart.
So I changed my plans at the last minute and decided to hike directly from Zermatt to Gornergrat via Riffelalp.
And in the end, this turned out to be the best decision.
Zermatt is one of the most touristy areas in Switzerland.
But once I left Zermatt and started walking, it was surprisingly quiet.
The trail initially zigzags through the forest.
As I walked, the Matterhorn gradually came closer and closer.
By the time I reached Riffelalp, there were noticeably more tourists.
From there, I continued climbing toward Riffelberg, and the landscape gradually opened up.
The Matterhorn and the surrounding mountains became more and more impressive.
I continued upward, passing many people coming down from Gornergrat.
At Riffelsee, I could also see the famous reflection of the Matterhorn in the lake.
But the thing that surprised me most wasn’t the Matterhorn.
It was Monte Rosa and its enormous glacier.
As I walked toward Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the glacier beside it grew larger and larger.
The scale was absolutely breathtaking.
In the end, instead of doing the Five Lakes Hike I had originally planned, I walked all the way from Zermatt to Gornergrat.
But on this particular day, I was genuinely glad that
“my plans had changed.”
In the mountains, things don’t always go according to plan.
But sometimes, choosing a different route when your plans change can lead you to unexpected landscapes.
Bonus: Lenk – Wildstrubel Hütte
Best for: Those who want to avoid famous tourist destinations, enjoy quieter mountain trails, and experience a more local hiking and mountain hut atmosphere
Level: ★★★★☆
Distance: 19.7 km
Elevation gain: 1,550 m
Time: 8 hours
This isn’t nearly as famous a tourist destination as the seven trails above, but the hike to Wildstrubel Hütte from Lenk, where I was staying, was one of the most memorable hikes I did in Switzerland.
Compared with popular areas such as Grindelwald and Zermatt, there were dramatically fewer people on the trail.
But the scenery was by no means inferior.
If anything, I remember thinking,
“How can somewhere this beautiful be this quiet?”
Walking along peaceful mountain trails, I could take my time and really enjoy the landscape around me.
Another highlight of this route is the opportunity to stay at a mountain hut.
You walk into the mountains toward the hut and spend the night there.
Compared with staying at a hotel and visiting the mountains on a day trip, it gives you a slightly different feeling — almost like “living in the mountains.”
At the hut, you may also naturally find yourself talking to people who have been hiking in the same mountains.
Rather than simply visiting famous tourist destinations, try stepping a little outside the usual tourist routes.
You may find yourself experiencing a more local side of the Swiss mountains and connecting with people who love them.
The sunrise here was also one of the landscapes I will never forget.
On the way back down, I passed Rezligletscherseeli and descended toward Simmenfälle.
This route offered a completely different landscape from the way up.
This isn’t necessarily a place you have to visit on your first trip to Switzerland.
But if you’re staying for a little longer, I really recommend making time for places like this.
Don’t go simply because it’s famous. Go because you want to walk there.
For anyone who wants to experience that kind of mountain journey, this is a route I particularly recommend.
Summary｜Don’t Just See the Swiss Mountains. Walk Them.
Each of the seven trails I introduced offers something different.
Switzerland also has an excellent network of cable cars and mountain railways, making it easy for anyone to access spectacular viewpoints.
But what I loved most about Switzerland was the time spent starting from a town, walking through forests, passing farms, and gradually gaining elevation.
After walking for hours, when a glacier or mountain range finally appears right in front of you, you get to think,
“I walked all the way here myself.”
That feeling is a little different from seeing the same scenery from a viewpoint.
Of course, the famous tourist destinations are incredible too.
But if you’re staying in Switzerland for a little longer, I really recommend setting aside at least one day not for “sightseeing,” but for “walking in the mountains.”
Walk, spend time in the mountains, and if you can, stay overnight in a mountain hut.
You may discover your own version of Switzerland — one that’s a little different from the Switzerland you see as a tourist.
There are still so many places I want to hike, including the Appenzell Alps and eastern Switzerland.
I hope to return to Switzerland again and walk another mountain trail.
A Note on Hiking: Mountain weather, snow conditions, trail conditions, cable car and railway operations, and mountain hut opening schedules can all change depending on the season. Before setting out, always check the latest information and choose a route that matches your experience and the conditions on the day.
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