The 9 Best Hikes in Switzerland (and Where to Soak After) — 2026
Switzerland has over 65,000 km of marked trails. You need nine. This list is built for a first or second trip: every hike is reachable by public transit, most use a lift to skip the boring climb, and every one is paired with a spa hotel or thermal bath within 45 minutes — because the best part of a Swiss hiking day is the hot water at the end.
The list
| Hike | Region | Distance | Difficulty | Soak after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five Lakes Walk | Zermatt | 5.6 mi | Easy | Zermatt spa hotels |
| Oeschinensee Panorama Trail | Kandersteg | 5.6 mi | Moderate | The Cambrian, Adelboden |
| Bachalpsee from First | Grindelwald | 3.7 mi | Easy | Grindelwald spa hotels |
| Stoos Ridge | Lake Lucerne | 2.5 mi | Moderate | Bürgenstock, Villa Honegg |
| Gemmi Pass & Daubensee | Leukerbad | 4 mi | Easy | Leukerbad Therme |
| Rigi Kulm to Kaltbad | Lake Lucerne | 2.5 mi | Easy | Rigi Kaltbad mineral baths |
| Mürren to Gimmelwald | Lauterbrunnen | 1.9 mi | Easy | Interlaken spas |
| Lavaux Vineyards | Lake Geneva | 3.7 mi | Easy | Le Mirador |
| Uetliberg Planet Trail | Zurich | 3.7 mi | Easy | Thermalbad & Spa Zürich |
EasyFive Lakes Walk, Zermatt
5.6 mi · 790 ft up · About 2.5 hours
♨ Soak after: Mont Cervin Palace, The Omnia
ModerateOeschinensee Panorama Trail
5.6 mi · 1,640 ft up · 3–3.5 hours with photo stops
♨ Soak after: The Cambrian, Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
EasyBachalpsee from Grindelwald First
3.7 mi · 390 ft up · 2 hours round trip
♨ Soak after: Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel, Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald
ModerateStoos Ridge Hike
2.5 mi · 1,250 ft up · About 2 hours (1 h 50 official)
♨ Soak after: Wellness Hotel Stoos, Swiss Holiday Park
EasyGemmi Pass & Daubensee, Leukerbad
4.0 mi · 260 ft up · 1.5–2 hours
♨ Soak after: Leukerbad Therme, Walliser Alpentherme & Spa
EasyRigi Kulm to Rigi Kaltbad
2.5 mi · 100 ft up · 1–1.5 hours
♨ Soak after: Rigi Kaltbad Mineral Baths & Spa, Hotel Rigi Kaltbad
EasyMürren to Gimmelwald, Lauterbrunnen Valley
1.9 mi · 70 ft up · 45 minutes to 1 hour
♨ Soak after: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel
EasyLavaux Vineyard Terraces
3.7 mi · 490 ft up · 2 hours (plus tastings)
♨ Soak after: Le Mirador Resort & Spa, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace
EasyUetliberg Planet Trail, Zurich
3.7 mi · 660 ft up · About 1 h 40
♨ Soak after: UTO KULM – Top of Zurich, Thermalbad & Spa Zürich
How we picked
- Reachable by train + lift — no rental car needed.
- Big payoff for the effort — lakes, glaciers, ridges.
- A soak within 45 minutes — a spa hotel or public thermal bath.
Plan your base
If hiking is the priority, base yourself in Grindelwald or Zermatt, not a city. See where to stay in Switzerland for hiking and every spa hotel on the Switzerland spa map.
FAQ
What is the most beautiful hike in Switzerland?
For views per minute walked, the Five Lakes Walk in Zermatt (Matterhorn reflections) and the Oeschinensee Panorama Trail are the two most photographed. For drama, the Stoos Ridge.
When is the best time to hike in Switzerland?
Late June to early October for high-alpine trails. July and August are busiest; September is the sweet spot with stable weather, fewer crowds and the first fall colors.
Are there good hikes in Switzerland without a cable car?
Yes: the Lavaux vineyard terraces, the Uetliberg Planet Trail near Zurich, and the Mürren–Gimmelwald path (once you're up) need no lift. You can also walk up most cable-car routes, but expect 800–1,200 m of climbing.
Do I need a Swiss Travel Pass for hiking?
Not required, but if you plan 3+ mountain days, compare it with the Half Fare Card. Many lifts (Rigi, Stoos) are fully or partly covered; Jungfrau-region lifts are discounted.
Do I need hiking boots in Switzerland?
For yellow-marked hiking trails, sturdy sneakers are fine. For white-red-white mountain trails (Stoos Ridge, Oeschinensee Panorama Trail), wear shoes with real grip.