Hiking in Switzerland

Feature Photo by Joao Branco on Unsplash

Switzerland is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and its exceptionally well-maintained hiking trails. While the prices can be just as stunning as the mountain views, if your budget allows, the Swiss Alps provide some of the most spectacular hiking experiences in the world. This guide will help you plan your next hiking adventure in Switzerland.

When is the Best Time to Hike in Switzerland?

The ideal hiking season in Switzerland is generally from June to September, when most trails are open, well-maintained (some sections need repair or rebuilding after winter), and free of snow. However, this is also when the most accessible routes can be crowded with tourists. In the high Alps, the season is usually restricted to July and August due to lingering snow, aligning with peak summer travel times.

For lower-altitude areas like the Jura Mountains and the foothills of the Alps, hiking can often begin as early as April in the valleys, with trails in the lower mountain regions becoming accessible in May, offering a fantastic way to enjoy the Swiss spring. In autumn, the hiking season extends well into October, and in areas near Switzerland’s large lakes, you may even enjoy mild hiking conditions into November.

Winter doesn’t necessarily mean a break from hiking. Many ski resorts now maintain dedicated winter hiking trails and snowshoe routes, allowing you to explore parts of the mountains from late December through March—even if you’re not a ski tourer.

Hiking Trails in Switzerland

Popular Hiking Trails in Switzerland

If you’re heading to Switzerland to explore the Alps, the Via Alpina—available in both its red and green variants—could be the perfect challenge. If you’re looking for something even more demanding, consider the Walkers Haute Route, the hiker-friendly version of the famous Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. However, this trek requires solid mountaineering experience.

Prefer admiring the Alps rather than climbing them? The Alpine Panorama Trail might be your best choice. Covering 510 km (317 miles), it stretches from Rorschach on Lake Constance to Geneva, following panoramic trails along the foothills of the Alps. The route also offers stunning views of the Swiss Midlands and the Jura Arc.

Looking for mountains without extreme altitude? The Jura Crest Trail could be ideal. Spanning around 300 km (186 miles), it follows the Swiss Jura and is considered one of the most scenic high-altitude trails in the country.

Among the European long-distance trails, the E1 and E4 cross Switzerland, while the E5 and E2 only pass through briefly but still provide some remarkable sections.

For those drawn to pilgrimage routes, the Via Jacobi is a great option. This trail runs from Lake Constance to Geneva, taking a different route than the Alpine Panorama Trail, passing numerous churches and monasteries along the way. From Geneva, it connects seamlessly to the French Camino routes, eventually leading to the Camino Francés towards Santiago de Compostela.

Plan Your Hike with Official Swiss Resources

Switzerland provides some of the best official hiking resources in the world. For detailed trail planning, maps, and real-time conditions, check out these platforms:

• SchweizMobil (SwitzerlandMobility): The official Swiss route planner for hiking, biking, and outdoor sports, with maps and route details.
• Swiss Tourism – Hiking in Switzerland: Offers inspiration, recommended trails, and general hiking tips.
• SwissTopo: The official topographic map of Switzerland, essential for detailed route planning.
• SwitzerlandMobility App: Available for iOS and Android, offering offline maps, route suggestions, and GPS navigation.

Where to Sleep While Hiking in Switzerland

Switzerland offers a wide range of accommodation options for hikers, from mountain huts to hotels in the valleys. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly stays or high-altitude luxury, here are the best options:

Hotels, Guesthouses, and Budget Stays

• In valleys and mountain villages, you’ll find hotels and guesthouses (Pensionen) offering comfort and convenience.
• For more affordable options, look for youth hostels or Naturefriends Houses (Naturfreundehäuser, German & French, but listings are easy to browse), which provide budget-friendly stays for outdoor enthusiasts.
• Some campgrounds also offer camping huts, a good option for those traveling without a tent.
• Along pilgrimage routes, you may find monastery stays or simple pilgrim hostels.

Mountain Huts & Alpine Lodges

• In the mountains, mountain huts (Berghütten) are the standard choice. These range from simple shelters with dormitories to more comfortable Alpine Club huts run by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC).
• If you prefer more comfort at altitude, Switzerland also has mountain hotels offering private rooms and breathtaking views—but at a premium price.
• Many huts do not have electricity or running water, though solar panels and renewable energy sources are becoming more common.

Camping & Wild Camping Rules

• Switzerland has numerous well-maintained campgrounds, which are the best option for tent campers.
• Some mountain huts allow tent camping nearby—it’s always best to ask the hut warden in advance.
• Wild camping regulations vary:
  • Above the treeline, it is often tolerated for individual hikers.
  • In national parks and nature reserves, wild camping is strictly prohibited.
  • On private land, always ask for permission.

Find official campgrounds:

• TCS Camping (Swiss Touring Club)
• Camping.info – Switzerland

What Gear Do You Need for Hiking in Switzerland?

The gear you’ll need for hiking in Switzerland depends heavily on the region and terrain you plan to explore. Here’s what to pack based on where you’re heading:

Foothills & Lower Alpine Regions

For hiking in the Swiss Pre-Alps and lower mountain regions, you’ll generally be fine with these essentials:

• Footwear: Sturdy hiking shoes with good grip, even trailrunners with a good grip can be fine if you have trained in them
• Clothing: Durable hiking attire suited to the season.
• Backpack: A comfortable pack for carrying water, snacks, and a first-aid kit.
• Rain Gear: A lightweight rain jacket or poncho for unexpected showers.
• Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun hat for exposed trails.

This setup works well for most well-maintained trails and ensures a comfortable experience.

Hiking in the Alps & Jura Mountains

If you’re heading into the high Alps or the Swiss Jura, you’ll need to be better equipped, as conditions can change rapidly.

• Shoes: More stability and ankle support may be necessary, depending on your experience and preference. Some Swiss hikers use trail-running shoes for moderate trails, but this requires strong ankles and light gear.
• Layering: Weather can shift quickly, so bring a fleece or insulated jacket for colder moments.
• Rain & Wind Protection: A windproof and waterproof jacket is essential in case of sudden changes in weather.
• Accessories: A windproof sun hat, light gloves, and at least a scarf or neck gaiter, even in summer—snowfall in July isn’t unheard of at higher elevations.

Trekking Poles & Additional Equipment

Trekking poles (or a traditional Alpenstock) can make steep descents easier on your knees and provide better balance on rough terrain. They’re particularly useful on uneven or rocky trails.

For more advanced mountain routes, you may need extra equipment like crampons, ropes, helmets, and ice axes, especially if attempting alpine trails marked white-blue-white.

How to Replace or Supplement Your Gear While Hiking in Switzerland

If you lose or break a piece of gear while hiking in Switzerland, you’re in a good position to replace it.

Buying Gear Locally

• Sport & Outdoor Stores: Most larger towns have at least one sporting goods store where you can find hiking equipment.
• Mountain Villages: In major alpine resort villages, you’ll often find outdoor stores, though selection may be limited and prices higher than in cities.
• General Outdoor Chains: Stores like Bächli Bergsport and Transa specialize in mountaineering and hiking equipment.

Online Orders in Switzerland

Switzerland has several reliable outdoor retailers offering fast shipping (usually 1–3 days) within the country. Payment by credit card is standard, and local delivery is generally quick thanks to the Swiss postal system. You can have your package sent to:

• A pick-up location (Swiss Post branch or partner store)
• Your accommodation (Confirm with your hotel or guesthouse beforehand)

Some reliable Swiss outdoor retailers include:

• Transa
• Bächli Bergsport (De/Fr/It)

Ordering from Outside Switzerland

Avoid international orders unless necessary. If you order from outside Switzerland, your package may be delayed by customs for several days to a week, making it impractical for hikers on a long-distance trail.

If you must order internationally:

• Use couriers like FedEx or UPS, which offer faster customs clearance—but at a price.
• Ensure you stay in one place long enough to receive the package before moving on.

Food & Meals: How to Stay Nourished While Hiking in Switzerland

Planning your food supply is essential for a smooth hiking experience in Switzerland. Here’s what you need to know:

Buying Food & Supplies

• Supermarkets: The best place to restock is in larger towns, where supermarkets offer the widest selection at standard prices.
• Small Stores: Traditional small grocery stores are rare but can still be found in some larger mountain villages. In most valley towns, you’ll find at least one local store.
• Farm Shops & Cooperatives: More and more farms and local cooperatives sell fresh produce, dairy products, and regional snacks—great for topping up supplies with local specialties.

Opening Hours

• Supermarkets: Typically open Monday–Saturday, 08:30–19:00. Smaller stores may operate from 09:00–12:00 and 13:30–18:30.
• Restaurants & Cafés: Monday is often a rest day—sometimes just in the afternoon, but some places close for the whole day.
• Sunday & Public Holidays: Most grocery stores are closed. However, bakeries and small supermarket branches in major train stations or gas stations may stay open on Sunday mornings, offering limited but essential supplies.

Meal Planning on the Trail

• If no restaurants or mountain huts are available on your route, ask your accommodation about packed lunches.
• In tourist-heavy areas, food is usually easy to find—but takeout options can be limited.
• Google Maps is helpful for checking supermarket and restaurant hours, but be aware that information in remote areas may sometimes be incomplete or outdated.

Drinking Water: Tips for Staying Hydrated on the Trail

Access to safe drinking water is usually not a problem in Switzerland, but there are a few important things to keep in mind while hiking.

Tap Water & Public Fountains

• Tap water is drinkable everywhere in Switzerland, so you can safely refill your bottles at accommodations, mountain huts, and public facilities.
• Many hiking trails pass by small water fountains, which often provide fresh drinking water. If they are marked with a drinking water symbol, you can use them without concern.
• Unmarked fountains or natural springs should be treated with caution—it’s best to use a water filter.
• Avoid decorative fountains in cities and gardens, as they often recirculate stagnant water that isn’t safe for drinking.

Using Surface Water

While mountain streams and alpine lakes may look crystal clear, they are not always safe to drink from.

• Biological contamination: Animal waste, carcasses, or bacteria can make water unsafe. A high-quality water filter can usually handle these risks.
• Chemical & agricultural pollution: In lower foothill regions and agricultural areas, avoid drinking from streams and rivers. Unlike bacteria, pesticides and chemical residues cannot be filtered out easily.
• Glacier water: If collecting water from a glacier source, pre-filter it to remove sediment and then run it through a standard filter before drinking.

Planning for Water Access

• Hiking in villages or populated areas? You’ll frequently find public fountains to refill.
• Remote alpine routes? Plan ahead—some trails may have few or no water sources. Especially in high altitude water can be completely inaccessible and missing once snow is gone.
• Late summer? Some natural springs dry out in hot weather, so don’t rely on seasonal water sources.

Travel Information for Visiting Switzerland

Safety & Emergencies

General Safety

Switzerland is a very safe country for travelers. However, as in any tourist destination, be mindful of your belongings, especially in busy tourist areas, where pickpocketing can occur. In shared accommodations like mountain huts, misplaced or “accidentally swapped” gear is always a possibility, so keep an eye on your items.

That said, hiking in Switzerland is generally safe and well-organized, provided you take normal precautions.

Animal Hazards

Cattle on Alpine Pastures

• Many hiking trails pass through grazing areas, where cows roam freely. These pastures are rarely fenced, so it’s best to keep at least 10–30 meters (30–100 feet) away from the herd.
• If avoiding the herd isn’t possible, walk slowly and calmly through widely spread-out cattle, but only if they appear relaxed and only if you are not with a dog (cows can see dogs as a threat).
• Avoid moving herds—a startled or angry cow weighing 750 kg (1,650 lbs) can do some serious damage and alpine cows are semi-wild after the summer in the mountains.

Wild Boars

• Boars are present in Swiss forests and some alpine valleys. They usually avoid humans but can be aggressive if surprised—especially mothers with piglets.
• If you encounter a boar, slowly retreat and do not block its escape path.

Wolves & Bears

• Wolves and brown bears have returned to Switzerland but are extremely rare and almost never seen.
• If you do see a wolf or bear, keep your distance, speak calmly to make them aware of your presence, and slowly back away. Never:
  • Leave food or trash behind (it attracts animals).
  • Run away (triggers a chase instinct).
  • Approach, throw objects, or make sudden aggressive movements (can trigger defensive behavior).
• Taking photos? Only do so from a very safe distance—if you need a zoom lens to even see the animal, you might be far enough away.

Livestock Guardian Dogs

• Due to the presence of wolves, many farmers use guardian dogs (often large white breeds like the Great Pyrenees or Maremma Sheepdogs).
• Warning signs are often posted where these dogs are active—pay attention to them.
• If hiking with a dog, avoid these areas—guardian dogs will see your dog as a predator and react aggressively.
• As a general rule, do not insist on your right of way if a guardian dog blocks your path. In most cases, you will only hear a distant warning growl as you pass the herd at a safe distance.

You can check active livestock guardian dog areas using official Swiss maps, though not all locations are registered.

Venomous Snakes

• Switzerland is home to two venomous snakes:
  • Adder (Kreuzotter)
  • Asp Viper (Aspisviper)
• Bites are rarely fatal for adults but can cause severe pain and swelling. For children, bites can be more dangerous.
• If bitten, seek medical help immediately.
• Always watch your step in rocky areas and never reach blindly into holes or under bushes—snakes often bask in warm spots.

Emergency Numbers & Medical Care

• General Emergency (Europe-wide): 112
• Swiss Mountain Rescue (Rega Helicopter Rescue): 1414
• Swiss Air Ambulance (Air-Glaciers in Valais region): 144

Switzerland has good mobile network coverage, but remote mountain areas may have dead zones due to terrain. A well-stocked first-aid kit and basic knowledge of first aid are essential.

Medical Costs & Insurance

• Swiss healthcare is high-quality but very expensive. Ensure you have travel health insurance, ideally covering emergency mountain rescue.
• Helicopter rescues can be extremely costly, so check if your insurance or alpine club membership (e.g., DAV, SAC) covers this.
• Switzerland actively enforces payment for rescue services, even for foreign tourists who assumed they wouldn’t be charged.

Where to Find More Information About Hiking in Switzerland

Switzerland offers some of the best hiking resources in the world, with official platforms providing up-to-date trail information, maps, and planning tools.

• SwitzerlandMobility (SchweizMobil) – The most comprehensive resource for outdoor routes in Switzerland, covering hiking, cycling, mountain biking, inline skating, and winter sports
• SwitzerlandMobility App – A must-have for hikers, this app provides detailed maps, trail networks, and GPS tracking. It’s best used alongside your favorite planning or tracking app, but it remains one of the most complete and practical digital hiking maps available.
• Swiss Hiking Federation (Schweizer Wanderwege) – The official Swiss hiking association offers detailed information on marked trails, safety tips, and hiking conditions. Unfortunately the website is only in German/French/Italian, but they have great trail recommendations.

Switzerland is a dream destination for hikers, offering spectacular alpine landscapes, well-maintained trails, and a vast variety of routes. Whether you’re exploring the high Alps, the Jura mountains, or the rolling foothills, you’ll find a perfect hike to suit your style.

And if you ever want to go beyond Switzerland’s borders, just keep hiking—trails seamlessly connect to France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, waiting to be explored.

Happy hiking!