The most beautiful hikes in Switzerland

Less than an hour by train from Bern, the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch await you to be admired up close. The region, and especially the Eiger North Face, attracts climbers from all over the world. But the Bernese Oberland also has plenty to offer hikers.

My hiking tip
I start in the small village of Lauterbrunnen and follow the paths of the “Eiger Ultratrail”, a rather crazy trail running event. I pass very close to the Eiger North Face and end the hike in Grindelwald. Yes, the place really exists. In summer, it can get crowded in both places, but the hiking trails were comparatively empty when I was there in August. The majority of visitors take the comfortable route up to the Jungfraujoch by gondola.

Hike from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald

• 30 km
• 1,700 meters of elevation

  You can shorten the hike by taking the train to Kleine Scheidegg.  You can get back to the starting point by train.

Where to stay:

Campingplatz Jungfrau in Lauterbrunnen. The campsite is very popular, so be sure to book in advance. Even without a car and with a small one-woman tent, I only managed to get a place there spontaneously with a lot of luck. But there is a kitchen and refrigerators that you can use, as well as a cozy lounge.

We continue to the east of Switzerland to the Bernina Pass. 2,328 meters have to be overcome to reach the Pass. Fortunately, there is the Bernina Express, which takes you comfortably to the pass. On the way, you can get off at various stations and make your hike very flexible.

My hiking tip

At Stazione Cavaglia, you can hop off the Bernina Express and hike to Lago Palü. I still remember the delicious Swiss cheese that I ate there during an extensive lunch break. Once you’ve regained your strength, it’s up the last few meters to the Bernina Pass, where you can board the Bernina Express again.

The hike at a glance:

• 10km
• 759 meters of elevation

Good to know:

The hike can be extended or shortened as you like by taking the train. In addition to the official Bernina Express, regular regional trains also run on the route, which are cheaper and also can be used with an Interrail ticket. The only advantage of the Bernina Express are the panoramic windows. But you also have spectacular views from the regional train.

The Matterhorn in Valais is not the highest, but one of the most demanding summits in the Alps. Many mountaineers have already experienced adventures here. In and around Zermatt, the Matterhorn is clearly visible everywhere, unless it is hanging in the clouds.

My hiking tip

This hike is the last stage of the Via Valais, a multi-day hike that leads from Verbier to Zermatt. It starts at Riffelalpe. From there you get very close to the Matterhorn. Via Zmutt and the Trift mountain hut (be sure to stop for a bite to eat or stay overnight there) there are incredible views over Zermatt and some 4,000-meter peaks.

• 23km
• 980m ascent (when starting at Riffelalpe)
• 1,570m descent

Getting there

Zermatt is car-free, so the only way to get there is by train. You can park your car in Täsch.

Staying overnight

In Zermatt, there is a small campsite directly behind the train station. It’s not the nicest, but it’s by far the cheapest option for spending the night in Zermatt. You’re also bound to meet other hikers there. If you want to stay a bit higher up, I recommend the lodge Ze Seewijnu with amazin views of Matterhorn.

Alternatively, there is a very nice campsite in Randa. There are also camping options for cars and vans, modern sanitary facilities, and small bivouac huts that you can rent.

Book recommendation

I discovered the book “Matterhorn – Mountain guides tell” during my hike on the Via Valais and read almost all of it in one evening, it was that exciting: mountain guides report on their work on the Matterhorn. The stories are sometimes sad, sometimes exciting and sometimes quite funny.

The only downside: unfortunately, almost only male mountain guides have their say in the book.

In my opinion, the Valais is THE hiking paradise in Switzerland, which is why I have two hiking tips for this canton. The Great St. Bernhard Pass is known for its St. Bernard dogs, which have been bred at the pass for centuries. In summer, you can also visit the St. Bernard dogs. In addition, the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia both cross the Great St. Bernhard Pass.

My hiking tip

This hike starts at the St. Bernhard Pass, which marks the border between Italy and Switzerland. After a steep ascent, the route descends to the lakes. There are incredible views of the Mont Blanc massif, which encourage you to take a break or two. The rest of the descent to La Fouly also remains spectacular, with incredible views.

• 13.7 km
• 430m ascent
• 1,290 m descent

Accommodation tips

Right on the St. Bernhard Pass, there is a monastery that welcomes pilgrims and hikers. The group room serves delicious food and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with other travelers. For example, with a cyclist who quit his job and is now cycling from Belgium to Turkey using only his own muscle power.

At the pass, there is also a St. Bernard Museum where you can learn more about the sweet dogs and even go for a walk with them.