These are the 5 best day hikes in Switzerland and the 3 best day hikes in Switzerland that you should turn into overnight hikes
The 5 best day hikes in Switzerland
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| Augstmatthorn |
1. Augstmatthorn: best ridge hike near Interlaken
Why is the Augstmatthorn one of the best Swiss day hikes?
The Augstmatthorn hike is one of the most breathtaking hiking trails in Switzerland. You’ll be able to see the two turquoise lakes Thunersee and Brienzersee below as well as the city of Interlake, all while hiking along a stunning, grassy green ridge.
Quick facts about the Augstmatthorn hike:
Canton: Bern, more specifically the Bernese Highlands (Bernese Oberland)
Nearest city: Interlaken
Hiking duration: 3 hours (round trip without breaks)
Gondola ticket price: No gondola needed if you do the alternative Lombachalp route.
Parking costs: 8 CHF per car (4 hours parking).
Hike the alternative route to the Augstmatthorn to avoid the crowds
What if I told you there was a way to see these same breathtaking views, but cheaper and with less hiking involved? I’ll let you in on the secret cheaper and shorter route to hike the Augstmatthorn so you can beat the crowds!
Further reading: Everything you need to know about the Augstmatthorn hike.
2. Schäfler (Schaufler): most dramatic ridge
Why is the Schäfler hike one of Switzerland's best day hikes?
Schäfler is rocky, rugged ridge that is easily accessible with only a few hours of hiking. It’s perfect to fill a morning or afternoon.
Quick facts about the Schäfler hike:
Canton: Appenzell
Nearest city: Ebenalp
Hiking duration: 2 – 2,5 hours (return)
Gondola ticket price: 31 CHF pp (gondola, return)
Parking costs: 3 CHF parking
Further reading: Everything you need to know about the Schäfler hike.
3. Oeschinensee: bluest en prettiest lake
Why is Oeshinensee one of Switzerland's best hikes?
Turquoise coloured Lake Oeshinen is one of a kind. It’s only a short walk from the gondola to the lake’s edge. But for the really great views you should do the Panorama loop hike!
Quick facts about the Oeschinen Lake hike:
Canton: Bern, more specifically Bernese Oberland (German: Berner Oberland)
Nearest city: Kandersteg
Hiking duration: 20min (one way) to the lake’s edge + an additional 3 hours (for the entire Panorama loop hike)
Gondola ticket price: 30 CHF return
Parking costs: 8 CHF (full day until midnight)
Further reading: Everything you need to know about the Oeshinensee hike.
4. Säntis
Why Säntis is one of the best day hikes in Switzerland?
Säntis is one of the highest peaks in the area. The hike has great variations: grass hills with grazing cows, rocky moonlike landscape and a glacier near the summit (even in summer!). Make sure to hike up this peak if you’re up for a challenge! If you’d like a hike which is easy on the knees I’d recommend hiking up and taking the gondola down.
Quick facts about the Säntis hike:
Canton: Appenzell
Nearest city: Urnäsch
Hiking duration: 5 – 6 hours (ascent) + 4 hours (descent)
Gondola ticket price: 54 CHF return/38 CHF single
Parking costs: Free
5. Rigi Panorama hike
Is the Panorama hike Rigi worth it? What is the Rigi hiking route?
There are many different hiking routes in the Rigi area, but here’s an example. Take the train up from Arth-Goldau and go to the top of Rigi-Kulm to admire the view. Take another train down to Rigi Staffelhohe to start your hike. Hike from Rigi Staffelhohe via Rigi First, Heiterenboden and Hinter Dossen to the finishing point Rigi Scheidegg. From there you will need to take a cable car and train back to the parking lot in Arth-Goldau. This is an easy going 2 – 2,5h hike with relatively flat terrain and pretty panoramic views of the lakes and farmland.
Quick facts about the Panorama hike Rigi:
Canton: Schwyz
Nearest city: Goldau
Hiking duration: 2 – 2,5 hours
Gondola ticket price: 101 CHF gondola (depending on the route you take)
Parking costs: 8 CHF parking
The 3 best day hikes in Switzerland that you should turn into overnight hikes
Though most people do these Swiss hikes as a day hike, I recommend doing them as an overnight hike. This way you’ll beat the crowds and have the places all to yourself!
1. Limmernsee hike (with optional overnight stay at Muttseehütte)
Is the Limmernsee hike worth it?
Ever get the feeling that a place is so magnificent it’s going to become really popular with tourists? Well I have that with the Limmernsee hike in Switzerland! A unique tunnel hike, views of the bluest lake and majestic vistas for the the best photo’s; the Limmernsee hike has it all. And the best part? This place is still undiscovered by tourists, so you’ll have the scenery all to yourself!
Quick facts about the Limmernsee hike:
Canton: Glarus
Nearest city: Linthal
Hiking duration: 4 hours (round trip, without breaks)
Gondola ticket price: 15 CHF pp gondola (return)
Parking costs: Free parking
Turn Limmernsee day hike into overnight adventure
Turn the Limmernsee hike into an overnight hike by sleeping in the Muttsee hut.
Further reading: Everything you need to know about the Limmernsee hike.
2. Saxer Lücke (with optional wild camping/bivouac)
Why the Saxer Lücke hike is one of the best day hikes in Switzerland?
Saxer Lücke is one of Switzerland’s most dramatic rocky ridges. It’s a relatively short hike, but with rewarding views of two valleys.
Quick facts about the Saxer Lücke hike:
Canton: Appenzell
Nearest city: Frümsen
Hiking duration: 2,5 hours (return)
Gondola ticket price: 36 CHF pp return
Parking costs: Free parking
Wild camping at Saxer Lücke instead of a day hike
Do you want to enjoy one of Switzerland’s best wild camping experiences? Most people do Saxer Lücke as a day hike. But better yet, wild camp (bivouac) at Saxer Lücke and have the scenery all to yourself! Get ready for adventure and amazing scenery! Saxer Lücke can easily be done as a day hike! But wild camping adds to the experience!
Further reading: Everything you need to know: where and how to wild camp at Saxer Lücke.
3. Pizol 5 Lakes hike (with optional wild camping/bivouac)
Why is the Pizol 5 Lakes hike of the best Swiss day hikes?
As the name already suggests, you’ll pass five lakes, that are all very different lakes and all with their own beauty. Some have a blueish turquoise colour, while others have amazing vista’s.
The Pizol 5 Lakes hike is relatively easy because you loose altitude between the starting and finishing point of the hike. But don’t worry! The Swiss have everything well organised and the start and finish are easily accessible by gondola, so there’s no hassle like some other one way hikes have.
Quick facts about the Pizol 5 lakes hike:
Canton: Sankt Gallen (St. Gallen)
Nearest city: Wangs
Hiking duration: 4 – 5 hours total
Gondola ticket price: 46 CHF for the 5 Lakes hike gondola ticket
Parking costs: Free parking
Avoid the crowds by camping along the Pizol 5 Lakes hike
This hike is no secret anymore and can get busy during the day. To avoid the crowds, make it into an overnight hike!
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