Hiking Tours Switzerland

Top 5 Hiking Trails in the Swiss Alps

1. Mont Blanc Bovine Route
Being the tallest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc is a beautiful beast of a mountain and a seriously challenging trek, but the scenery you’ll encounter is well worth the effort. The Tour de Mont Blanc is split into 11 stages and the Bovine Route to Champex is a popular trail on hiking vacations in Switzerland, which leads you through high alpine pastures and larch forests overlooking the Sion Valley. Along the trail you’ll pass pretty mountain cafes, perfect for taking a quick break and enjoying the traditional Swiss Rosti. From Champex Lac, a magnificent alpine lake surrounded by dramatic peaks, you can peer over to the Val Ferret from its eastern shore.

2. The Gasterntal and the Klus Gorge
The UNESCO-listed Gasterntal, known as Kandersteg’s ‘Hidden Valley’, sets the scene for one of the best trails on Switzerland hiking tours. Cascading waterfalls tumble down its rugged rock faces into the River Kander and the sound of water and scent of pine trees is like a sweet elixir for the senses. You can opt to hike higher up the valley or continue through the alpine meadows and woodlands to the Waldhaus Nature Reserve, where the landscape erupts with orchids and fire lilies. Following the stunning ravine of Klus Gorge with its roaring waterfalls, you’ll hike beneath the lofty slopes of the Balmhorn, Tatlishore and Atels.

3. Blausee and the Nordrampe
Imagine a dreamlike scene where bright turquoise and emerald waters are fringed by a canopy of towering firs and gnarled trees and it will give you some idea of how idyllic Blausee Nature Park is. Its natural beauty is so intense, it almost seems unreal, but then hiking in Switzerland never ceases to amaze you at every turn. From here you can continue through the Kanderground valley to join the Nordrampe Bahnwanderweg. Hike along the mountain railway and past the ancient ruins of Felsenburg Tower where you’re hugged on all sides by breath-taking views.

4. Edelweiss Trail, Zermatt
Perhaps most synonymous with the song from ‘The Sound of Music’, Edelweiss is a pretty, alpine flower that carpets Swiss meadows, creating a sea of white stars across the landscape. The Edelweiss Trail in Zermatt is one of the most picturesque you’ll find on hiking trips in Switzerland and guides you up to a spectacular vantage point where the views are beyond compare. From here, as you ascend to Trift, views of the unmistakable Matterhorn begin to unfurl.  With one last push uphill, you’ll reach Höhbalmen for even more spellbinding views of the Matterhorn.

5. The Golden Madonna Pass
Gazing down over the Monto-Moro Pass, which lies on the border of Italy and Switzerland, the Golden Statue of Mary takes center stage atop a rocky summit. Winding around the central lake, explore this ancient hiking route along the pass. The menacing peaks of Monte Rosa soon come into sight, and you can pause to inhale some of the most remarkable views you’ll find while hiking in Switzerland

Where’s best for hiking in Switzerland?

Although the Swiss Alps are arguably most well-known for skiing, these rugged peaks also provide an idyllic backdrop for hiking tours. In the spring and summer months the pretty foothills are filled with wildflowers and present fabulous walking trails with uninterrupted panoramas of the mountains and valleys. Two of the most famous long-distance routes include the Tour du Mont Blanc and Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. The alpine village of Kandersteg is another scenic destination for exploring the Alps. Nuzzled high in the mountains, the village is within easy reach of Lake Oeschinen, Blausee Nature Park and the Allmenalp region.

When is the best time to trek the Tour du Mont Blanc?

Although late June to early October is considered the best time to trek the Tour du Mont Blanc owing to the drier weather conditions, mountains can be extremely unpredictable, and you should expect rain at any time. On the higher trails it can also get very cold, even in summer. One of the quieter times when there are less walkers is late June, and you’ll also enjoy the lush scenery of flower filled meadows. July and August tend to be the busier months so you’re probably best avoiding them if you prefer to go off-peak.