Hikes in Swiss Alps

Our collection of stunning hiking trails will introduce you to the best walks of Swiss Alps. From iconic routes towards the famous Matterhorn, to secluded valleys that very few know about – you’ll find the greatest trails for you and your family walking holiday.

The Swiss Alps stretch across cantons such as Valais, Bern and Graubünden, from Zermatt and the Matterhorn in the south to the Jungfrau region above Grindelwald. This is some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Europe, with glaciers, turquoise lakes, flower-filled meadows and trails for every level, from gentle valley strolls to airy high-alpine traverses.

Switzerland has one of the best-marked trail networks in the world, with its trademark yellow signposts and walking times, backed by a dense web of mountain railways, cable cars and postbuses and a welcoming network of mountain huts. That combination makes the Swiss Alps superb for self-guided walking, letting you ride a lift to the high country and walk down, or link villages without ever retracing your steps.

The Best Hikes in the Swiss Alps

Hikes beneath the iconic peaks

• Matterhorn Glacier Trail: an easy, mostly downhill trail that runs right beside the Matterhorn’s east flank, close to the Furgg Glacier.
• Eiger Trail: skirts the foot of the Eiger’s north face, with views down to Kleine Scheidegg and the Grindelwald Valley.

Glacier viewpoints

• Aletsch Glacier: an easy walk to an elevated viewpoint over the largest glacier in the Alps, with a good chance of spotting marmots.
• Arolla Glacier Trail: a quiet trail to a glacier viewpoint in a remote Valais valley that stays crowd-free even in summer.

Alpine lakes

• Bachalpsee Hike: an easy walk to a mirror-calm lake that reflects the snow-capped peaks, above Grindelwald.
• Lac Bleu: short but steep, climbing to what is claimed to be the clearest lake in the Swiss Alps.
• Fründen Hut: a very hard climb around and above Lake Oeschinen, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful high-mountain lakes.
• Lacs de Fenetre: a challenging climb to a trio of alpine lakes beneath a glaciated range.

Valleys, passes and gorges

• Pierre Avoi: a short but steep summit above Verbier, rewarding you with 360-degree views.
• Gotthard Pass to Hospental: an easy walk through the Hospen Valley on Switzerland’s great north-south alpine pass.
• Thermal Canyon Walk: an easy family walk into the Dala Gorge above the spa town of Leukerbad.
• Pizzo della Casa: a hard loop that crosses into Italy past two alpine lakes, with superb views over both countries.

When Is The Best Time To Hike In the Swiss Alps in 2026?

The main hiking season in the Swiss Alps runs from late June to early October. High routes and glacier trails are usually clear of snow from July to September, when the cable cars and mountain huts are fully open. Spring and early summer bring wildflowers at lower elevations, while autumn offers crisp air and golden larches. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in midsummer, so start early, and always check the mountain weather and lift schedules before you set out.

Getting Around the Swiss Alps

Switzerland’s public transport is famously seamless. Trains, postbuses, cable cars and funiculars reach almost every trailhead, and passes such as the Swiss Travel Pass or regional cards can take the sting out of lift fares. Because so many routes are point-to-point, you can ride up and walk down, or hike from one village to the next without a car, which is ideal for a self-guided trip.

Planning a Hiking Trip to the Swiss Alps in 2026

July and August are the busiest months, so book mountain huts (many run by the Swiss Alpine Club) and accommodation in hotspots like Zermatt and Grindelwald well ahead, and reserve scenic trains and popular lifts where you can. If you would rather have the logistics handled, our self-guided Switzerland walking tours arrange the routes, hotels and luggage transfers so all you have to do is walk.

Exploring more of the Alps? The Swiss Alps run straight into their neighbours. Discover more hikes in Switzerland, or cross the border to hikes in France and hikes in Italy.