If you love hiking, Switzerland will steal your heart. Every trail feels like it was designed for dreamers — from calm lakeside paths to wild glacier routes high above the clouds.
In 2025, this little alpine country continues to offer some of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth, with well-marked trails, easy transport, and views that stay with you forever.
Switzerland is one of those rare places where nature and convenience coexist perfectly. Trains, cable cars, and boats connect even the most remote valleys, making it easy to reach hiking spots without renting a car.
The Swiss Travel Pass is a great choice if you plan to explore multiple regions — it covers trains, buses, and boats, plus gives discounts on mountain rides like Titlis, Pilatus, and Jungfrau.
🧭 Getting Ready for the Trails
Before heading out, staying connected helps. I used Airalo eSIM to get local data instantly (you can use code MUHAMM7693 for $3 off).
To find cheap flights into Switzerland, I usually check Skyscanner — it’s perfect for comparing routes across Europe.
Why Switzerland Is a Top Hiking Destination in 2025
Switzerland feels like it was made for hiking. Everywhere you look, there’s a trail leading to something beautiful — a lake, a mountain ridge, or a quiet village tucked between green valleys.
The paths are perfectly marked, the trains arrive right on time, and the views change every few minutes. It’s a place where you can hike all day, rest with coffee by a lake, and still catch a train back to your hotel without stress.
🏔️ The Eiger Trail – Bernese Oberland
The Eiger Trail runs right beneath the legendary Eiger North Face, one of the most dramatic backdrops in the Alps. It’s around 6 km long and takes two to three hours if you stop for photos — and you will. The views of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau feel like a painting in motion.
Start in Grindelwald and take a cable car to Eigergletscher station. From there, the trail winds down through alpine meadows and rocky slopes before ending near Kleine Scheidegg. It’s moderate in difficulty but rich in reward.
🏞️ The Matterhorn Glacier Trail – Zermatt
If there’s one hike that defines Switzerland, it’s the Matterhorn Glacier Trail. The jagged pyramid of the Matterhorn follows you along the route like a silent companion. The 6 km trail has steep sections but is manageable with good shoes and water.
Take the cable car from Zermatt to Trockener Steg, and you’ll step into a world of glaciers, thin air, and unreal silence. Few things compare to seeing the Matterhorn so close.
✈️ I booked my travel to Zermatt using Trip.com. It made planning simple and even bundled my return train. You can also check KIWI for last-minute flight and train deals.
❄️ The Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail – Valais
The Aletsch Glacier is the largest in the Alps, stretching for more than 20 km. Hiking alongside it feels otherworldly. The 12 km trail starts near Bettmeralp or Fiesch, and every turn reveals a new perspective — jagged peaks, sparkling ice, and deep blue skies.
Plan around four to five hours if you want to stop for lunch or photos. It’s not too difficult, but bring good shoes and layers; the wind can be cold even in summer.
🌸 The Lauterbrunnen Valley Walk
This is one of the most peaceful hikes in Switzerland — and my personal favorite. The valley is home to 72 waterfalls, including the famous Staubbach Falls, and you’ll pass through postcard-perfect villages like Mürren and Wengen.
It’s an easy half-day walk, perfect if you’re new to hiking or just want to take it slow. The sound of waterfalls and cowbells follows you the whole way. You can reach Lauterbrunnen easily by train from Interlaken — it’s one of the prettiest short rides you’ll ever take.
💧 The Five Lakes Walk – Pizol
If you love reflections, this one’s for you. The Five Lakes Walk connects a chain of alpine lakes, each with a different shade of blue. On a clear day, you’ll see the mountains mirrored so perfectly it feels unreal.
The trail takes about four to five hours at an easy pace. Take the Pizolbahn cable car to the starting point, and don’t forget your camera — this hike defines “Swiss postcard” scenery.
💰 Hiking Costs and Travel Tips
Switzerland isn’t cheap, but with a little planning, you can enjoy it without overspending.
Cable cars usually cost around 20–60 CHF, depending on the route.
Meals in mountain huts are about 30–70 CHF per day, and accommodation ranges between 80–250 CHF per night.
The Swiss Travel Pass (around 244–459 CHF, or 281–529 USD) covers trains, buses, and boats, plus discounts on mountain rides. I often use OMIO to compare ticket options — it’s great for seeing real-time schedules across Europe.
If you plan to stay connected or book on the go, Trip.com and OMIO are both reliable for travel bundles and quick train passes.
| Trail Name | Region | Distance (km) | Difficulty | Highlights | How to Get There |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eiger Trail | Bernese Oberland | 6 | Moderate | Eiger North Face views | Train to Grindelwald, then cable car to Eigergletscher |
| Matterhorn Glacier Trail | Zermatt | 6 | Moderate–Challenging | Matterhorn & glacier landscapes | Cable car from Zermatt to Trockener Steg |
| Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail | Valais | 12 | Moderate | Panoramic views of the largest Alpine glacier | Cable car from Fiesch or Bettmeralp |
| Lauterbrunnen Valley Walk | Bernese Oberland | 10 | Easy–Moderate | 72 waterfalls & alpine villages | Train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen |
| Five Lakes Walk (Pizol) | Eastern Switzerland | 10 | Moderate | Alpine lakes & mountain reflections | Pizolbahn cable car from Wangs |
The best time to hike in Switzerland is from May to October. Spring brings flowers and melting snow, while summer offers clear skies and long daylight hours. By autumn, the colors turn golden and crowds thin out — my favorite season of all.
Always check the local forecast before heading out, as alpine weather changes quickly. The official site MySwitzerland.com updates trail conditions regularly.
Switzerland takes nature seriously — and hikers should too. Stay on marked paths, take your trash back down, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife. Small actions help keep these mountains as perfect as they look in photos.
Switzerland has more than 65,000 km of marked hiking trails, and each one tells a different story. One day you might walk through a quiet valley surrounded by waterfalls, and the next, you’ll be high above glaciers watching the clouds drift past.
For me, hiking here was more than exercise — it felt like therapy. The mix of fresh air, mountain silence, and Swiss precision makes traveling here effortless. So lace up your boots, grab your camera, and start planning your adventure.
Use your Swiss Travel Pass, stay connected with Airalo eSIM, and find your flights through Skyscanner — everything else will fall into place once you step onto that first trail.
