Switzerland offers an incredible variety of mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes. With borders to Austria, Germany, France, Liechtenstein, and Italy, it attracts tourists from all directions. Whether you want a relaxed family tour, an easy, moderate, or difficult hike, you will certainly find what you’re looking for in Switzerland. Thanks to the many diverse landscapes and natural features, every route is unique and special.
The hiking areas of Switzerland are structured according to landscape regions (Alps, Jura, Central Plateau, and Ticino), and additionally by level of difficulty as well as themed routes. This makes hiking very diverse – from a leisurely walk in the lowlands to high alpine tours across glaciers. The landscape regions are:
In addition, there are 11 central hiking regions that hikes are based on. They cover all major landscape regions (Alps, Jura, Central Plateau, and Ticino). The central hiking regions are:
Switzerland has 48 mountains that are over 4,000 m high. More than 60,000 marked trails invite you to admire the country’s incredibly majestic landscape. This fantastic variety of hiking areas offers something for everyone – whether you’re seeking relaxation in nature or athletic challenges. In the middle of summer, you can hike across glaciers, cool off in the snow, and then swim in a lake. Later, you can wander through romantic villages and explore the culinary specialties LINK of Switzerland.
We would like to introduce you to the 11 central hiking regions of Switzerland’s hiking landscapes to give you a first overview.
One of the most famous and popular hiking regions is the Bernese Oberland. Majestic peaks, deep valleys, and calming lakes provide a beautiful backdrop. The world-famous trio of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau forms the most imposing sight of the Jungfrau region. The Eiger’s north face drops vertically for over 1,600 m, offering daring and talented climbers countless opportunities.
The Eiger Trail is a challenging hike that starts by taking the Jungfrau Railway to the “Eigergletscher” station. From there, it’s only a short walk until you’re standing before the famous wall. The trail runs for about an hour along the base of the Eiger North Face, offering views of the Wetterhorn and Grosse Scheidegg. Some sections are secured with ropes. With binoculars, you can watch climbers on the wall. Afterwards, the trail zigzags down to the Alpiglen train station. Another hike is the Sigriswiler Rothorn Panorama Trail, a strenuous route requiring good fitness and sure-footedness. You should only attempt it if you already have alpine experience. The effort is well worth it for the stunning views and natural scenery.
We wish you a wonderful trip to Switzerland. Don’t forget to inform yourself about the country’s toll regulations. You can find more information about the toll in our guide. You can also use our route planner to better plan your trip and see toll-related products. If you have questions, we are happy to help. Contact us via e-mail.
