9 great hikes for families in Switzerland
Panorama trail Hasliberg BE
Route: from Hasliberg Reuti to Brünigpass
Distance: 9 km
Duration: 3 hours (4 or 5 hours depending on the age and motivation of the children)
Suitable for: children aged 6 and over who enjoy hiking
Description: The hike goes up and down again and again, which makes it easier for families to keep going. Colourful flower meadows alternate with forest sections and there are always fantastic views, for example of Lake Brienz.
Highlights: The absolute highlight of this hike awaits hikers of all ages at the bathing lake in Hohenfluh, where a cool kiosk offers cool drinks, tasty snacks and lots of water fun with discarded surfboards. If the children are threatening to run out of steam beforehand, it's worth tempting them with this place.
Good to know: We have also walked parts of the route in winter with snowshoes, which was just as beautiful!
Further information about the Hasliberg Panorama Trail can be found here.
Prättigauer Höhenweg GR
Route: From Malanser Älpli via Schesaplana and Carschina hut to St. Antönien (also possible the other way round)
Distance: 37 km (15 km on each of the first two days, last day only 7 km down the mountain)
Highest point: 2261 m
Lowest point: 517 m
Duration: 3-day hike with about 5.5 hours of pure walking time on each of the first two days, on the last day only one hour to Partnunsee
Suitable for: children aged 10 and over who enjoy hiking and are sure-footed; the hike is medium to challenging
Description: This popular long-distance hike along the Swiss-Austrian border leads past the majestic Drusen and Sulzfluh mountains and is an absolute dream with spectacular views.
Highlights: The limestone backdrop of the Rätikon (looks like the USA), alpine flora and fauna (you can see and hear countless mongooses!), the two SAC huts with delicious food and a super-friendly crew, swimming in Lake Partnun on the third day and the scooter ride down to St. Antönien.
Good to know: Älplibahn and overnight stays in the Schesaplana hut and the Carschina hut must be booked in advance (quickly booked out); there are no catering facilities en route (take enough food and drink with you); the route is very popular and therefore not deserted (but it spreads out well). Further information about the Prättigauer Höhenweg can be found here.
Hiking pearl in the Alpstein AI
Route: Ebenalp - Wildkirchli - Äscher mountain inn - Seealpsee - Wasserauen
Distance: 6 km
Duration: 2 h 10
Suitable for: Families with children aged 6 and over, although the descent to Seealpsee is a little demanding and you need to be sure-footed and free from giddiness.
Description: From the Ebenalp mountain station, the trail leads to Wildkirchli with its prehistoric caves, with a panoramic view over the scattered settlements of Appenzellerland all the way to Lake Constance. After Wildkirchli, the trail leads eastwards along the rock face, past a wooden gallery, to the Äscher mountain inn. The mountain inn built against the rock face is spectacular. From there, a steep mountain path leads down to the Seealpsee lake. At the bottom of the Seealpsee, a beautiful beach invites you to swim and barbecue. Wasserauen can be reached from Seealpsee in around an hour.
Highlights:
- Varied: cable car ride, cave, lake (swimming and barbecuing) - there's something for everyone.
- Spectacular: fantastic views and far-reaching views (Alpstein mountains)
- Culinary: The Äscher mountain restaurant, voted the «most beautiful place in the world» by National Geographic in 2015, serves delicious rösti, while the Seealpsee restaurant serves tasty blue trout.
Further information can be found here.
Above Lake Walen SG
Route: from Weesen by bus to Amden, Lehni, then on foot to Quinten and back by boat to Weesen
Distance: approx. 8.5 km
Duration: 3 h
Suitable for: children aged 10 and over who enjoy hiking
Description: The hike from Amden to Quinten along the shores of Lake Walen is a lively up and down and at times you feel like you're in the south, the ambience is so Mediterranean.
Highlights: The imposing Seerenbach Falls await hikers in the middle of the route. And finally, the pub in the charming hamlet of Quinten invites you to bridge the time until the next boat with a cold spritzer.
Good to know: For the really wild ones or if the last boat has already departed, the hike can be continued to Walenstadt. But then it gets really strenuous ...
Further information can be found here.
Oberblegi Lake GL
Route: circular hike from Braunwald to the Oberblegi lake
Distance: 8 km, 554 m ascent
Duration: 3 h
Suitable for: Children aged six and over
Description: The hike begins at the Brunnenberg cable car mountain station and leads up to the Oberblegi Unterstafel alp and the saddle, which offers a first glimpse of the Oberblegi lake. Both the ridge and the nearby lakeshore are ideal picnic spots with postcard-perfect views. The descent from the lake leads via Alp Bösbächi through alpine meadows and sparse forests into the Bösbächi valley - from there it is not far to the Brunnenberg cable car, which takes you back to Luchsingen.
Highlights: The Oberblegi lake at the foot of the Glärnisch was formed by a glacial moraine. Several streams feed its water - where it drains to has not been fully researched. An adventurous legend about a drowned herdsman surrounds the lake, which adds to its mystical aura, as does its deep blue colour and the echo that reverberates from the Glärnisch massif at its back. However, jumping in is a test of courage, especially due to the icy temperatures - refreshment guaranteed!
Good to know: The ascent to Alp Oberblegi Unterstafel makes hikers work up a sweat, but is on wide paths with a pleasantly even gradient. There are several cosy alpine inns in the area, such as the Bächibeizli.
Further information can be found here.
Engelstock SZ circular trail
Route: Start and finish is the Mostelberg mountain station in Sattel SZ
Distance: 5.4 km
Duration: 1.5 to 2 h
Suitable for: Everyone, including children and inexperienced hikers.
Description: From the Mostelberg mountain station, the route leads around the Engelstock on easy terrain. Along the way you have a wonderful view of the Schwyz valley basin with Lake Lauerz and Lake Lucerne as well as the two Mythen mountains, the Fronalpstock and the Rigi.
Highlights: There are various cosy mountain inns along the way. The Blüemlisberg goat farm serves homemade ice cream and other specialities made from goat's milk.
Good to know: The trail is accessible with a pushchair with large wheels, but wheelchairs are not recommended.
Further information can be found here.
From Lake Cauma to Lake Cresta GR
Route: Flims Waldhaus - Trin Mulin
Distance: 9.4 km
Duration: 2.5 h
Suitable for: everyone - the hike is so varied that it is also easy to manage with small children
Description: From Flims Waldhaus, the first thing you do is head down to the deep blue Lake Cauma, which is popular with influencers. There, a playground invites you to linger, and of course a dip in the lake won't hurt either. The route then continues to Conn, where the restaurant is well worth a visit. Continue to the Il Spir viewing platform, which offers a breathtaking view of the Rhine Gorge. Finally, the route leads to the equally beautiful Lake Cresta, where you can also enjoy a swim and refreshments. In Trin Mulin, where the hike ends, there are bus connections back to Flims or Chur.
Highlights: The view of the Rhine Gorge and the giant cream slices in the Conn restaurant.
Good to know: In the high season, admission to Lake Cauma is subject to a charge.
The Conn restaurant is open from May to October. Booking is recommended in good weather.
Further information can be found here.
Walenpfad OW/NW
Route: Engelberg/Ristis to Bannalp
Distance: approx. 11 km
Duration: 4 h (with children 5 h)
Suitable for: children aged 7 and over who enjoy hiking
Description: The Walen Trail is one of the most beautiful high-altitude hikes in Switzerland. The day tour leads high above the Engelberg Valley from the Brunni to the Bannalp area. There are virtually no steep ascents or descents.
Highlights: The view, the view and the view again, plus beautiful mountain lakes and pubs.
Good to know: Once you have started, you have to walk - or turn back. There is no shortcut to the valley and thus to public transport. Therefore, the children should be fit and the parents should be motivational artists in an emergency.
Further information can be found here.
Downhill from Kronberg AI
Route: from Jakobsbad to the Kronberg and back
Distance: varies
Duration: varies
Suitable for: Families with children aged 6 and over
Description: The advantage of this hike is that it is only downhill, as the mountain railway takes you quickly from Jakobsbad to the Kronberg. At the top, in addition to a magnificent view, numerous hiking trails await hikers. There is a suitable length for everyone.
Highlights: If the children have motivation problems soon after starting the hike, a shy reference to the programme in Jakobsbad is enough to send them trotting euphorically down the mountain. A zipline park, a bobsleigh run and a fairytale world await at the bottom ...
Good to know: As the offer suggests, you are not alone on nice weekend days. However, the happy children's eyes on the rapid descent with the bobsleigh make up for the hustle and bustle.
Further information can be found here.
