All hikes - Autumn

The last stage of the Tour des Muverans heads over Col des Essets pass down to Derborence amid unspoilt nature.

The Areuse stream roars through the gorge. This sometimes bold trail affords incredible views deep into this spectacle of nature. Even on hot summer days, a cool breeze blows.

Gruyères Castle, once belonging to the counts, presides over the medieval town of Gruyères from the top of the hill. The small historic town lies 100 m above the Saane, and that is right where this hike is headed.

A total of 72 waterfalls gush down into the Lauterbrunnen Valley from the vertical cliff faces, some of which are as high as 400m. The roar and rush of these unique natural spectacles accompanies hikers on this picturesque trail from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg.

A roughly five-hour hike along the Dorbonne mountain stream and over Col de la Forcle Pass to the SAC-run Cabane de Rambert.

Nowhere else in Switzerland is the change from the hilly landscape of Central Switzerland to the craggy Alps so abrupt or impressive as in the Alpstein area. Mighty rock formations up to more than 2,500 metres high tower up as if from nowhere.

The superb panoramic mountain of San Salvatore is one of Lugano’s landmarks. The hike from the summit through chestnut forests along the banks of the lake to Morcote is a true classic.

Even though Monte San Giorgio was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, the mountain itself and the area around it remain unchanged. Fossils up to 240 million years old – often in perfect condition – are concealed in this mountain. Some of the most important finds can be admired in the Fossil Museum in Meride.

Towering 1,679 metres above sea level, Mont Tendre is the highest peak in the Swiss Jura and offers superlative 360-degree panoramic views.

With its more than 20 mountain lakes, Val Piora is considered to be one of the most beautiful regions of Ticino and famous for its wealth of fauna and flora. The tour from Acquacalda over the Passo del Sole to Lake Ritom is a chance to experience a natural paradise in all its diversity.

From Reichenau, the confluence of the Vorderrhein- and Hinterrhein (Upper and Lower Rhine), the path leads along the Vorderrhein into the wild Rhine Gorge. It takes you to Trin Station and the 100-meter long suspension bridge across the Rhine.

This hike from the Tracouet mountain station to Haute-Nendaz leads to the largest and oldest larches in Europe. Further highlights include the gondola ride with its beautiful panoramic views, the Lac Noir (Black Lake) mountain lake, the wonderful forest paths and the Bisse de Saxon irrigation channel, the longest in Valais.

The wine trail passes through the vineyards of Weinfelden, Boltshausen and Ottoberg. More than 30 information boards along the way share fascinating facts about vines, types of grape, vinification and winegrowers.

Fricktaler Höhenweg is 60 kilometres long. Thanks to its excellent country and forest paths and the relatively low elevation gain, it’s also suitable for less experienced hikers. Hiking on the Fricktaler Höhenweg is particularly attractive in spring, when the region’s countless cherry trees are in full blossom.

Beneath the gaze of the Valais Alps, this hike winds its way from Sierre to St-Léonard through the region’s vineyards. The sun-kissed Valais offers many interesting vistas and experiences.

The old mule track is a walk through history and the world of the Kraftwerke Oberhasli power company. From the dam to the works railway, many facilities are accessible – guaranteeing many memorable moments.

The former vineyard villages between Coppet and Nyon are picture perfect and worth a visit to soak up their unique atmosphere. This hike follows small lanes past churches, castles, vineyards and villages.

Nestled in the pre-Alpine landscape of Central Switzerland, Lake Sarnen is the perfect place for a leisurely hike. Sachseln and Giswil lie on the edge of the route. The hike starts and ends in the historic town of Sarnen.

Gravel banks, footbridges and countless picnic areas line the River Töss between Turbenthal and Sennhof. The hike’s destination is Schloss Kyburg, which towers majestically over the Töss Valley.

The highlight of this hike is the nature reserve of Etang de la Gruère, where a path takes you around Switzerland’s largest moor lake, and the acidic boggy soil provides the ideal conditions for unique flora and fauna to thrive.

Flanked by 32 4,000-metre peaks and only a few minutes from the Bettmerhorn upper station, a spectacular experience awaits you in the form of the Great Aletsch Glacier.

The hike starts in Malval and follows the entire course of the Allondon, a tributary of the Rhone and hugely important floodplain biotope.

The Üetliberg railway (with regular scheduled trains) takes summiteers to Zurich's "own" mountain, 871 meters high. The high-altitude hike following the train trip is also suitable for families; after visiting the restaurant terrace on the Felsenegg, the gondola lift is waiting to take walkers down to Adliswil, where the S-Bahn (train) runs back towards Zurich.

This hike combines the legendary Val de Travers with the sun-drenched plateau of Ste-Croix. It offers one highlight after another, from the village of Môtiers and the bizarre gorge of Poëta Raisse through to the spectacular viewpoint on the Chasseron.

You can get to know and experience the famous story of Heidi on a hike in Maienfeld – and even walk along the trail with a buggy while being presented with the story of Heidi in a fun way. An experience for the young – and for the young at heart

As with almost every large town Chur naturally has it’s own mountain. In comparison with the hill-like Uetliberg at Zürich, the people of Chur have a really big mountain in front of the town, the Calanda. A three day mountain hike leads from Haldenstein in the Rhine valley up to the Calanda cabin and over the Kunkel pass to the Ringelspitz cabin.

The Tour des Muverans is a four-day trek around the Grand Muveran peak. This little-known tour features six passes, countless mountain huts and magnificent views of the Valaisian and Vaud Alps, the striking Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc. An enjoyable trek off the beaten path.

The views here are unrivalled: This ridge walk from Monte Lema to Monte Tamaro is a classic amongst the Swiss high-altitude hikes. The panoramic views are unbeatable, extending from the Leventina region over the surrounding valleys and up into the Valais Alps to the west and the Graubünden Alps to the east.

Pizzo Leone lies between Centovalli and Lago Maggiore. From the peak, you can enjoy a wonderful, richly contrasted view of the two landscapes.

The sweeping view of Lake Geneva and the descent into the unforgettable Pro Natura nature conservation area of Vallon de Nante make this a truly beautiful stage.

Entlebuch is Switzerland’s first and only biosphere reserve. The moorland path leads into the Mettelimoos, east of Finsterwald. You hike through upland moors, transitional moors and fens. This is a beautiful protected zone with views of Entlebuch.

From the musical box village of Ste-Croix in the Vaud Jura, past Balcon du Jura and on to Val de Travers.

From the Rhône Valley directly into Val de Bagnes, past the Grand Désert Glacier and over Col de Louvie – a challenging trail that requires a high level of fitness.

“Mountains and valleys are side by side, with steep cliff faces watching over views so wide”, as the local folk song goes. This high-altitude hike from Langenbruck to Passwang brings the lyrics of this song to life.

This route is very popular with hikers of all ages. From the Rigi Kulm upper station, the gentle descent to Rigi Kaltbad takes just over an hour. This high-altitude hike offers magnificent views over the Swiss Plateau, reaching as far as the Black Forest and the Vosges mountains.

Pure hiking pleasure – the trail that is dedicated to Switzerland is just as diverse as the country itself.