Our favourite themed trails for families
If Globi, Schellen-Ursli or dwarves are along for the ride, children's legs will walk on their own. The many themed trails in Switzerland are a great alternative for parents with children who are tired of walking. We have put together some tips for you from the editorial team and our community.
Fruttli Trail Melchsee-Frutt OW
The Fruttli trail around Lake Melchsee starts at the top station of the cable car in Melchsee-Frutt. There, every child receives a Fruttli pass and then it's time to set off. Together with the marmot Fruttli, you solve great tasks at 10 stations and learn lots of exciting things about the marmots.
Duration: The pure hiking time is about one hour, but you should definitely allow more time to solve the tasks and to play, climb or splash around at the individual posts.
Arrival: The starting point is the Stockalp valley station in Melchsee-Frutt. There are numerous car parks there, which are free in summer, but it can also be reached by public transport (by train from Lucerne to Sarnen and then by bus in the direction of Stockalp to the terminus). Then take the cable car to the mountain station.
Other: There are a total of four fire pits around the lake, including seating. So it's a good idea to take something to barbecue with you.
During the summer and autumn holidays, Fruttli can be found at the mountain station every day and outside the holidays on Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 5 pm. There is also a reward for successfully solving the tasks.
Further information: www.melchsee-frutt.ch
Zwergenweg Leuggern AG
The Dwarf Trail was created in 2022 on the occasion of the village festival in Leuggern. Nine posts take visitors into the magical world of dwarves. In addition to great activities that await young and old at the nine posts, a dwarf story also provides entertainment, which can be scanned using a QR code or listened to on the website.
Distance: 4.7 km
How to get there: Start and finish at the multi-purpose hall car park in Leuggern. If travelling by public transport, take the train to Döttingen and then the Postbus to Leuggern (Turnhalle stop).
Other: The trail is suitable for pushchairs. There is a fire pit at post 6 and various benches along the route where you can have a picnic.
Further information: www.zwergenweg-leuggern.ch
Globi hiking trail: Arosa/Lenzerheide GR
Globi motivates children, parents and grandparents alike to hike on the mountain. The beautiful Globi trail was modernised in 2018 and the distance between the individual posts was shortened to keep the excitement alive, especially for children. The 13 posts shed light on the areas of nature and technology and show, for example, what tasks a mountain farmer has or how long incorrectly disposed waste pollutes the environment.
Duration: Pure hiking time is 3h 30, but the tour can easily be split into two stages.
Arrival: Easily accessible by train and bus, in summer there is also a free sports bus from Lenzerheide Post to the Scalottas chairlift. Paid car parks are available at the chairlifts.
Other: The circular trail is only partly suitable for pushchairs. However, the posts can also be walked individually in shorter tours.
Further information: www.arosalenzerheide.swiss
Muggestutz: Hasliberg BE
Der Muggestutz in Hasliberg ist ein Klassiker. Mittlerweile gibt es zwei Wege mit liebevoll gestalteten Stationen rund um die Abenteuer des Haslizwergs Muggestutz und seinen Freunden. Empfehlenswert ist auch der dritte, erst kürzlich eröffnete Weg mit elf verschiedenen Kugelbahnen. Und, falls das Wetter es erlaubt: Der The Hasliberg bathing lake with its fantastic view and fine bistro is a great way to round off the hike.
Dauer: Reine Wanderzeit bei allen drei Wegen rund 1.5h bis 2h. Es empfiehlt sich, mehr Zeit einzuplanen und zwischendurch einen feinen Grillplausch einzubauen, es gibt mehrere Grillstellen unterwegs.
Anreise: Es gibt kostenpflichtige Parkplätze in Hasliberg oder Meiringen, auch hier empfiehlt sich die Anreise vor allem am Wochenende mit den ÖV. Alle Wege starten an unterschiedlichen Stationen der Bergbahnen Meiringen-Hasliberg.
Sonstiges: Nicht kinderwagentauglich, ansonsten einfache Touren, zumal meist «im Nitzigang». Als Vorbereitung kann man schon zu Hause die Geschichte über Zwerg Muggestutz von Susanna Schmid-Germann als Buch oder Hörspiel lesen oder hören.
Weitere Informationen:
Dwarf trail Mägisalp - Bidmi
Dwarf trail Käserstatt - Lischen
Ball trail Hasliberg
Zwärgliweg Bannalp: Oberrickenbach NW
Take the cable car from Oberrickenbach up to Bannalp. The Zwärgliweg trail starts here with a total of seven stations: The aim is to uncover the secret of the sparkling stone. Together with the dwarf children, the trail leads over hill and dale through pine forests and cow pastures.
After the fifth station, it's worth taking a break at the idyllic spot where the Bannalpbach stream flows into the mountain lake. There are fire pits, plenty of wood, water features and numerous opportunities to splash around in the shallow water.
Route: Circular hike around the Bannalpsee lake near Oberrickenbach
Distance: 3 km
Duration: 1.5 h
Suitable for: little ones from three to four years old
Good to know: The Bannalpsee mountain inn is located directly on the lakeshore, and other alpine inns and mountain inns in the surrounding area offer food, drink or a bed.
Further information: www.bannalp.ch
Gäggersteg: Gantrisch BE
The beautiful Gantrisch nature reserve offers various activities for families in both summer and winter. In the snow-free months, the Gäggersteg is a great adventure for young and old. The circular trail was reopened in June 2020 and provides information in a playful way about the destruction of the forest by Lothar and its regeneration. Children follow the wild forest dweller Türst using a cute little booklet and search for letters at eight stations to find a solution word at the end. (The reward can be collected in various restaurants).
Duration: pure hiking time approx. 1.5h, with the stations approx. 2h
Arrival: There are a few paid car parks at the starting points. Especially on sunny weekends, we recommend travelling by public transport and the special shuttle bus to the Gäggersteg, details can be found on the website.
Other: Not suitable for pushchairs, otherwise an easy tour. It's worth packing a jumper even on warm days, you can feel the altitude! There is an official barbecue site, otherwise fires are prohibited in the nature reserve.
Further information: www.gantrisch.ch/gaeggersteg
The two books «161 adventure hiking trails for the whole family» and «157 adventure hiking trails for the whole family» by Sandra Schaub and Céline Solenthaler offer plenty of inspiration and tips for themed trails throughout Switzerland and in the Principality of Liechtenstein. The trails are organised by canton and each trail is described in detail on a double-page spread.
Further information and order: www.kids-tour.ch
Wooden sculpture trail: Reinach BL
The sculpture trail near Reinach has been in existence since 2005 and is commonly known as the «Märliweg». Each individual sculpture carved from wood is based on a fairy tale. A QR code refers to the respective story and also tells something about the respective artist.
Duration: Around half an hour to an hour of pure hiking time, it is advisable to plan around 2 hours, there are also various seating and barbecue options.
How to get there: Take tram no. 11 from Basel SBB station to the Reinach Süd stop, then continue along the Fiechtenweg (past the Fiechten school building) to the edge of the Leywald forest. Parking is available at the Fiechten cemetery, walk straight ahead to the edge of the forest.
Other: Take large marbles, tennis balls or other balls with you for the large «Gluggerbahn» at the fairytale castle. The (forest) path is suitable for pushchairs.
Further information: www.bgreinach.ch
Schellen-Ursli Trail Guarda GR
Every child and now probably all parents and grandparents know the wonderful books by Selina Chönz and Alois Carigiet. The former kindergarten teacher and the famous illustrator both lived (temporarily) in Guarda, which is also the home of Schellen-Ursli, Flurina and the other characters created by Chönz and Carigiet. The Schellen-Ursli trail leads through the beautiful Engadin forest above Guarda, the highlight being the reconstructed hut with the giant bell.
Duration: Hiking time approx. 2 hours, but quite steep at times
Arrival: To Guarda, take the post bus from Scuol train station or use the paid car park on the edge of the village.
Other: Not suitable for pushchairs. Please note: There is a summer and a winter version of the trail, so keep your eyes peeled for the right starting point! The tourist office provides a small Schellen-Ursli booklet with directions. The picturesque village of Guarda is also home to the Schellen-Ursli Museum, where the story of the courageous boy is brought to life once again.
Further information: maps.graubuenden.ch
Boccia adventure in the Verzasca Valley TI
Grotto, boccia, Verzasca - is your mouth watering already, or even better: are your hiking calves tingling? From Brione Verzasca to Lavertezzo there is a 5.5 km long ball track for children aged 7 and over. The balls roll, are lifted and pushed, it's fun for young and old.
Dauer: Rund 2h reine Wanderzeit. Es lohnt sich, die Strecke je nach Sonneneinstrahlung zu planen. Im Sommer lohnt es sich, eher am kühlen Nachmittag zu starten, im Herbst sind gewisse Abschnitte dann allerdings schon schattig kühl. Die Strecke kann etappiert werden. All details on the website.
How to get there: There is a PostBus stop at each of the four access points: Brione Verzasca Piee, Brione Verzasca Ganne, Brione Verzasca Motta, Lavertezzo. There are also individual paid car parks in the valley.
Sonstiges: Nicht kinderwagentauglich. Die Boccia-Kugeln kosten 7 Franken, wenn man sie vor Ort kauft.
Weitere Informationen: www.bobosco.ch
Smuggli's treasure hunt around the Trübsee: Engelberg OW
In the past, the smuggler Engelbert and his mule Schmuggli are said to have hidden their booty around Lake Trübsee. Today, the treasure hunt attracts countless children around the pretty lake, always on the lookout for the hidden letter snippets. The stations are lovingly designed and the playground at the end of the search is an absolute highlight, especially on warm sunny days.
Dauer: Reine Wanderzeit ca. 1.5h, mit viel Spielzeit lässt sich aber gut ein halber oder ganzer Tag am Trübsee verbringen.
Anreise: Der Trübsee ist autofrei und via Titlis Express von Engelberg aus erreichbar. Bei der Gondelbahn gibt es kostenpflichtige Parkplätze.
Sonstiges: Der Weg rund um den Trübsee ist kinderwagentauglich (Kies). Nach beendeter Schatzsuche lockt der Apéro oder das Glacé auf der sonnigen Restaurantterrasse – mit Hüpfburg nebenan.
Weitere Informationen:www.titlis.ch
Dwarf Bartli Trail: Braunwald GL
The Dwarf Bartli Trail in Braunwald is also a classic: the dwarf flashes up on the side of the railway and the children cheer at every discovery. There is a version of the Zwerg-Bartli-Weg for older and younger children and the car-free Braunwald is a wonderful experience for everyone.
Duration: 3 h 30 pure hiking time, there are shorter and longer variants. Details on the website.
How to get there: Braunwald is car-free, the journey is via the Braunwald funicular railway. Horse-drawn carriages operate in the village!
Other: In Braunwald everyone is happy, there are various fireplaces and paddling facilities. It's worth considering different hiking options.
Further information: www.braunwald.ch
Giant forest: Elm GL
As explorers, the children set off in search of the legendary giant Martin. The themed trail is based on stories centred around the legend of Martinloch. 17 individually exciting stations await the young and old giant explorers, where motor skills, senses and awareness of nature are trained.
Duration: 1.5h without time spent at the stations
Arrival: From Schwanden, take the bus to the Elm valley station and then the gondola lift to the starting point at the Ämpächli mountain restaurant.
Other: Open from 25 June 2022, pram-friendly circular trail, great fire pits and relaxed restaurants at the start and end of the trail with playground, gold digging, trampoline for children and a terrace for parents to enjoy an aperitif.
Further information: www.riesenwald.ch
Which is your favourite themed trail? Write to us!
Wir haben für Sie die Tipps aus der Redaktion und unserer Community zusammengestellt. Wenn Ihr liebster Kinderwanderweg fehlt, schreiben Sie uns bitte! Der Artikel wird laufend ergänzt.
