Rivers and lakes

Belle Epoque boats have plied Central Europe's largest lake for 130 years, offering cruises between France and Switzerland and between Geneva and the upper end of the lake (known as the Haut Lac).

The harmonious countryside around Lake Gruyère is home to the black and white Fribourg cows, which provide the milk for the aromatic Gruyère cheese and famous double cream. Another culinary delight on offer in the area is chocolate – and a festival of regional specialities draws in the crowds each year.

With a length of 375 kilometers, the Rhine is the longest river in Switzerland. Although the Rhine flows far to the east of the country, thanks to mighty tributaries it drains 80 per cent of Switzerland’s surface. Now it’s time to leave the water for a short while, because at Neuhausen the mightily grown river plunges at the Rhine Falls into the depth. In the summer about 700 cubic meters of water gush downwards per second, the record quantity, however, is twice as high. The fearless climb under the Rhine Falls into one of the boats that travel very close to the roaring waters.

To stand high above Europe's largest waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water over one's entire body - this can be experienced at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. By ship one can reach castles, the Rhine Falls Basin and even the mighty rock in the midst of the waterfall.

The lake is also known as the jewel of Kandersteg: with its turquoise blue water and unique natural scenery, Lake Oeschinen is a top destination in the Bernese Oberland. Whether you come for the hiking, picnicking, rowing or bathing – you will be amazed at its beauty.

Loud thundering and roaring in the interior of the mountain, gurgling, foaming and churning water: these are the Trümmelbach Falls. They are Europe's largest subterranean water falls and are located in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, often called the valley of 72 waterfalls.

High over Biasca on an Alp you’ll find the source of the Ri della Froda. This small and seemingly insignificant stream flows over a stony landscape shaped by the water over centuries, before becoming the largest waterfall in Ticino: Santa Petronilla.

The “Étang de la Gruère” is a dammed, but natural moor lake situated in a hollow on the highland plateau of the Franches-Montagnes in the canton of Jura.Together with the forested area around the lake itself, the nature reserve covers an area of 1km2.

A natural spectacle in a class of their own are the 600m long Engstligen waterfalls. Under preservation since 1948, these are the second longest falls in Switzerland.

The lake in the Louwene Valley that makes up the Lake Lauenen system are home to moorland meadows, reeds, clumps of heather and groups of dark fir trees.

Lützelsee lake is located in the heart of some of the loveliest scenery to be found in the Zurich region.

In the Bavona Valley, where a large amount of energy is produced (three power plants; three reservoir lakes), there is no electric current, with the exception of Robiei. Therefore, solar cells, gas, small water turbines, candles, petroleum, etc., have to be used instead.

Nearly 6,000 years ago people first began to settle in the Lake Constance region. Remains of this impressive settlement have been found by Lake Nussbaumen near Hüttwilen.

The view from the Blausee to the nearby Valais four-thousand-metre peaks (Weisshorn, Matterhorn and Dom) is breathtaking!

The rolling landscape, the mild climate and a plethora of water sport and other leisure activities are responsible for attracting many holidaymakers and day trippers to Lake Constance, especially in the summer months.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is famous for its many waterfalls.

This beautiful lake is situated 962 metres above sea level in the heart of the Poschiavo Valley, surrounded by mountains. The lake is a natural reservoir in the middle of the Poschiavino river. Its calm and clear surface reflects the surrounding mountains just like a mirror.

On the 24 km² lake up to 145m deep and seldom warmer than 20°C between the steep rock faces of the Churfirsten mountains and the Sardona region, passenger boats run all year round, although in winter the service is limited to the connection from Murg to the remote town of Quinten.

Almost as soon as your trip begins at the Rhine Falls, you will experience the Rhine Falls from up close before gliding down the Rhine into the “Rhineland Amazon”. After around 30 minutes, your party will reach the Rheinau power station, where your boat will have to pass the first weir. This requires you to leave the boat and walk 100 metres along the track while the ship is pulled to the other side on a trolley – a truly unique spectacle!

Idyllic Lake Seelisberg nestles in a hollow at the foot of Niederbauen mountain, at an altitude of 738m.

Lake Leisee, situated below the Sunnega, offers a place for young and old to recuperate, relax, sunbathe, cool down, play and grill.

The Saane is not one of the very large rivers in Switzerland, but it offers a great variety of experiences and adventure potential. The river, here sometimes called “Rösti ditch”, is the dividing line between the German-speaking and French-speaking parts of Switzerland.

North of St. Maurice and the abbey, high above the castle at the Rhone narrows, the Fairies' Grotto has carved its way more than half a kilometre into the mountain. At the end of their walk, visitors will find a small subterranean lake and a 50 metre-high waterfall.

A culinary voyage of discovery between mountains and lakes on lake Brienz. This allows you to discover the Bernese Oberland.

Lake Lugano in Ticino enchants with its Mediterranean flair and the Alps in the background. From idyllic villages such as Morcote to spectacular views from Monte San Salvatore - a paradise for nature and culture lovers, ideal for boat trips, hikes and water sports.

The River Inn begins its life in the Engadin, Graubünden’s high mountain valley. Once past the Upper Engadin’s top destination of St. Moritz. the Inn – known in Romansch as the “En” – flows eastwards and on through the Lower Engadin.

Between Maloja and St. Moritz, the Upper Engadine lake plateau presents itself sometimes almost as a kitschy tableau. Besides the four big lakes (St. Moritz, Silvaplana, Champfèrer and Silser) a large number of romantic mountain lakes are hidden in the forests.

A walk of approximately ten minutes conveys you comfortably from the village square to the Chämmerlitobel.

The waterfall near Jaun remained an unsolved mystery for many years. No one knew where the vast quantities of water came from. In June, up to 6,000 litres of water flow over the Jaun waterfall every second – it is an exceptional thing of natural beauty.