Hiking Trails & Walking Routes in Switzerland

We’ve selected five of the best hiking trails and walking routes in Switzerland, using Wikiloc‘s GPS data to provide the most accurate trail maps.

They are all short-distance loop trails with an acceptable difficulty level, which makes them suitable for short breaks and day hikes, and for any kind of hiker or walker. You can download these GPS trails and waypoints from Google Maps.

Schnebelhorn, near Boden (Canton of Zürich)

Distance: 14 km – Uphill: 869 m – Downhill: 869 m – Time: 5:20/6:30 hrs

The Schnebelhorn, located near Fischenthal in the Töss Valley, is the highest peak of the Canton of Zürich. Most of the massif is covered by forests.

Val Trupchun (Swiss National Park), near Cinuskel (Canton of Grischuns)

Distance: 14 km – Uphill: 491 m – Downhill: 491 m – Time: 4:40/5:40 hrs

Val Trupchun is a pedestrian only area of the Swiss National Park, which is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest protected area of the country.

Oeschinen Lake (Oeschinensee), near Kandersteg (Canton of Bern)

Distance: 12 km – Uphill: 809 m – Downhill: 809 m – Time: 4:20/5:20 hrs

Oeschinen Lake, part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO Heritage site, stands at 1,578 m in the Bernese Oberland and is frozen from Dec to May.

Zermatt Lakes Trail, near Ried (Canton of Valais)

Distance: 12 km – Uphill: 562 m – Downhill: 562 m – Time: 3:50/4:50 hrs

Zermatt is a world-renowned mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps. This charming and eco friendly village is almost completely surrounded by high mountains, including Monte Rosa and the iconic Matterhorn (aka Cervino).

Vers Champ & Col de la Croix, near Les Diablerets (Canton of Vaud)

Distance: 10 km – Uphill: 533 m – Downhill: 533 m – Time: 3:20/4:10 hrs

This circular route goes up from the village and ski resort of Les Diablerets, crossing the Grande Eau river, Le Droutzay, Vers Champ, and Col de la Croix.

Best time to go to Switzerland: Apr-Jun and Sep
Backpacker cost per day: 112 USD = 106 EUR
For more inspiration, check out our Switzerland Travel Guide.

Sources: some text excerpts from Wikipedia; GPS data from Wikiloc.