A weekend by the fireplace

Practical with city charm

Opfikerpark ZH
Put your picnic basket in the tram and off you go for a barbecue in Opfikerpark. This is located in the Glattpark in Opfikon, just beyond the city limits in the north of Zurich. The park includes an artificial lake where you can splash around and watch fish, a large lawn and an attractive range of sports facilities. There are several fire pits under the trees at the edge of the lake. Very practical: toilets and showers are available. Opfikerpark can be easily reached by tram lines 11 and 12 to the «Fernsehstudio» stop. www.glattpark.ch/opfikerpark

Dalmazibrücke BE
His name is «Ernie» and he obeys at the touch of a button. Energie Wasser Bern (ewb) presented the city of Bern with the Ernie gas grill for its 175th anniversary. Ernie runs on biogas, switches itself off again after 20 minutes and the tables next to it are usually occupied in summer. Fortunately, you can move to the meadow area or find a cosy spot by the Aare. Incidentally, Ernie has recently been given «ä Kolleeeg»: Wernie is also sponsored by ewb and is available for barbecues in Brünnenpark. www.braetlistellen.ch > Dalmazibrücke

Easily accessible with a feel-good factor

Lauenensee BE
The band Span loved it at «Louenesee», and even years after their hit, the beautiful lake in the nature reserve is a great place to enjoy a barbecue, with or without the catchy tune. Depending on the mood of the children, you can walk around the lake in around 45 minutes and then jump over the jetty into the lake if the temperatures allow. A rowing boat hire service at the nearby Restaurant Lauenensee provides a romantic extra. The barbecue area is in the shade of the trees by the jetty, with a fixed grill, tables and wood to burn. There is a paid car park in the immediate vicinity of the lake, or you can take the Postbus from Gstaad. www.lauenensee.net

Chessiloch BL
The so-called Chessiloch near Grellingen is a popular barbecue site for school trips because it offers plenty of space and entertainment. It is located at the entrance to the Kaltbrunnen Valley on the Birs. You can memorise the cantonal coats of arms on the coat of arms wall or go straight onto the karst nature trail into the picturesque valley. It is pleasantly cool and green there even in summer, and you can play and scramble along the water. Somehow it always feels as if an elf or a troll is about to come round the corner. A special highlight for cold and damp autumn weather is the fire pit under the rock. www.baselland.ch > Chessiloch

Secluded with guaranteed return

Egelsee near Bergdietikon AG
The legendary Egelsee lies in the middle of a beautiful forest, high above the Limmat Valley in the Aargau municipality of Bergdietikon. The barbecue area can be reached on foot from the Hasenberg car park in 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the children's desire to explore. There are various barbecue spots to choose from, including on the edge of the reed meadows or marshes around the lake. The most beautiful spot is right by the lake. Here, a small footbridge leads into the crystal-clear water, where you can cool off in the hot temperatures or watch the small crayfish. A moment in nature to savour, especially as the spot can only be reached on foot or by bike. If you are fit, you can also reach the spot with a pushchair. On the way back, take a break at Haus Morgenstern in Widen with its playground, zoo and catering facilities. www. schweizersee.ch/egelsee_bergdietikon

Lais da Pesch near Ftan GR
This barbecue area is high on the family hit list: Situated in a forest clearing above the picturesque village of Ftan in the Lower Engadine, it makes children's and adults' hearts happy. The barbecue area is spacious, there is a fixed grill and plenty of wood is available. Children can dam up the nearby stream or admire the majestic and mysterious Indian mare pole, which stands somewhat hidden by a small pond not far from the barbecue area. The barbecue site can be reached on foot from Ftan in around 30 minutes or you can drive to a nearby car park, from where it is just a 10-minute walk. www.scuol-zernez.engadin.com > Lais da Pesch barbecue site