All hikes: Along Water

It's hard to imagine just how much industry (glazier’s workshops, sawmills, mills) there was on the Doubs 200 years ago. Today only a few signs of this intense industrial activity remain, as in Le Theusseret shortly before Goumois, the finish of the second stage.

This circular route around the Schwarzsee lake in Canton Freiburg is located in the midst of wonderfully picturesque scenery. With it's impressive mountain panorama and glistening lake, the region is ideal for extended tours.

Start in beautifully-conserved, historic Fribourg; off the major traffic routes, through peaceful cultured landscape to the lake shore. Sightseeing attractions along the way: Greng (18th century castle) and a little further on, the obelisk commemorating the Battle of Murten.

After Orbe, the ViaFrancigena reaches the medieval town of Romainmôtier with its Cluniac Abbey. You then reach the centre of the world, where one part of the River Nozon flows to the Mediterranean, the other to the North Sea.

From Brugg, climb up to the Gebenstorfer Horn, the perfect viewing platform for the Switzerland's «Wasserschloss». Along the Jura ridgeway to Baldegg with views of the Alps, then down to the former Habsburg Stein Castle and down to the beautiful Baden old town.

Alongside the Bisse de Vex to Mayens de Sion. Mighty concrete church in Hérémence, the fairytale world of the earth pyramids in Euseigne is an invitation to daydream. Ascent to St. Martin, which clings to the side of the Val d’Hérens like an eagle’s nest.

Brünig offers a magnificent mountain panorama with the high Bernese Oberland summits and eternal snow. The trail leads along sunny slopes above the Brienzersee lake, allowing you to experience an exceptionally lovely landscape.

The ViaSurprise leads through the Chaltbrunnental valley, over small bridges and walkways, past caves and traces of prehistoric landscapes. Running alongside the Birs river, the trail makes its way to Zwingen and its secluded moated castle.

The channelled Thur winds its way through the valley and past the small town of Lichtensteig with its covered arcades. The castle ruins at Rüdberg reveal breathtaking views of the river. A suspension bridge leads on to Bütschwil. Rejoin the Thur at the old wooden bridge in Lütisburg.

From Bodensee through orchards and vineyards through a varying cultural landscape with castles and alps. Views of the Rhine Valley and the mountain landscape are constant companions along the Rheintaler Höhenweg.

On water or on land - this is an inspiring route thanks to stunning views of the Urnersee lake, the southern arm of the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne), embedded in a magnificent mountain panorama and surrounded by an opulent, generously renatured plant world.

From Lenk, over rolling meadows, up into lynx territory, through a damp, eroded limestone region with views far into the distance. Over the Trüttlisberg Pass and through the long Turbachtal Valley with its varied history, down to the sophistication of Gstaad.

Zernez is situated in the upper part of the Lower Engadine. It is the starting point of many hiking tours leading to the National Park. But even the tours on flat terrain along the Inn River are very scenic.

A feast of facts on flora and fauna along the fragile shores of the «La Sauge» nature reserve. By boat through the Broyekanal or climb Mont Vully with superb views of «Three Lakes Country». Murten, a medieval old town with city walls and towers.

Solothurn, known as a magnificent baroque town, also has picturesque spots on the River Aare to discover on this route. The riverside path quickly leaves the bustling town behind and takes you into a relaxing natural world.

A touch of southern ambiance - from Brunnen on the Waldstätterquai and the Auslandschweizerplatz on the Seestrasse to Brünischart and the start of the mountain trail through almost Mediterranean-like forest vegetation with wonderful panoramic views. Vitznau is reached via Gersau.

The trail leads alongside the Klöntalersee (lake) between mighty cliff faces down to Glarus. Anyone chancing a dip in the Klöntalsee may find the Russian war chest. It's reputed to have been sunk in the lake as the French attacked.

The path along the embankment begins at Ottenbach, on the border between the cantons of Aargau and Zürich. This elevated path runs alongside the River Reuss to Rottenschwil and reveals magnificent views of a beautiful natural environment.

15 kilometres of meditative hiking pleasure and one of Switzerland's most beautiful "water trails" run between Soubey and St-Ursanne.

From Sigriswil the trail leads to the lakeside at Merlingen and the pilgrims' path to Interlaken, past the St. Beatus-Höhlen (caves) below the Niederhorn. In addition to the lakeside walk through the nature reserve (mouth of River Aare /Lake Thun) Unterseen and Interlaken are also inviting.

Picturesque and rugged ravines that could almost be called fiords open up after Les Brenets. Polished by natural forces, the rock faces have the shape of a human face and the head of a legendary monster. The trail leads to the Saut du Doubs, a spectacular, 27m high waterfall.

The section leads alongside the River Aare to the Weissenau nature reserve on the Thunersee lake. From Neuhaus it continues through woodland, often with clear views of the lake and the Bernese Alps. The Beatushöhlen (caves), former place of pilgrimage of St. Beatus are particularly impressive.

Stunning rocky landscapes, wonderful forests, a clear blue mountain stream and perfect photographic opportunities: the hike along the old Zügenweg offers a wealth of diversity - for families, nature lovers and hikers.

The around 500-year-old suone (irrigation channel) «Bisse des Sarrasin» and its 17 information panels are of great historical and technical interest. The route then leads via the «Grand Bisse de St-Jean» suone to the typical Valais village of Grimentz.

The Thur is reached through the Murg-Auen-Park in Frauenfeld. After a short detour to Ittingen Charterhouse, the trail rejoins and follows the river. At the hamlet of Fahrhof, the straightened river course gives way to the natural, meandering Thur.

The ViaJura leads through the Birs and Schüss valleys from Basel via Delsberg to Biel. It runs over historically valuable sections, including the legend-steeped Glögglifelspass, the exposed Mont Raimeux and the Pierre Pertuis Roman rock arch.

The Thur is crossed several times after Weinfelden, for instance over the Ganggelisteg, a 120-metre steel cable bridge at Bussnang, and the 1837-built wooden bridge at Eschikofen. The route to Frauenfeld leads through the Allmend nature reserve.

A level path along the banks of the Rhine with natural riverside areas, past the Wagenhausen Propstei church and St. Katharinental Monastery and Alt Paradies; through the Schaarenwald nature reserve with its historic fortifications and on to Schaffhausen.

In Yverdon-Clendy, the menhir surprise you, immediately followed by the «Champ-Pittet» Pro Natura Center. Walk along wooden catwalks, immerse yourself in the reed landscape of the Grande Cariçaie marshlands, climb a watchtower and spot aquatic animals.