Family Hiking in Switzerland 101

💥 Get ad-free access with the purchase of our Swiss Summer Guide or Travel Consult!

Category: Swiss Hiking 101

How to avoid crowds when hiking in Switzerland

If you hike on a sunny summer weekend, you certainly won’t be alone on the trail. But here are some tips to help you avoid the big crowds and have a more peaceful day in the Swiss alps.

Audio books on the trail • walk & learn

Audio books can be a great motivator to keep kids moving on the trail and improve their German at the same time. Here are a few suggestions for German-language audio books and where to get them in Switzerland.

20 Easy hikes in Switzerland for beginners

Switzerland makes it easy for new hikers, both young and old, to get started. Here are tips for selecting easy trails and our favorite hikes for beginners.

Best Mountain Hut Hikes in Switzerland

Our guide to hut to hut hiking in Switzerland with shorter, easier options for casual hikers and families that want the mountain hut experience without extreme hiking conditions.

Renting a Group House in the Swiss Alps

See what it’s like to stay in a dormitory style group house in Switzerland, with simple bunks, shared bathrooms, a dining hall and an industrial kitchen.

What to Grill on the Trail – Swiss Style

We love cooking over an open fire, especially in the Swiss alps. Sausages are an obvious choice but can get a little boring if you go hiking every weekend. So here are few other ideas that are easy and still fit in your backpack.

Eating Out in the Swiss Alps

Learn about what food to expect when dining out in the Swiss alps at mountain restaurants and huts.

A Swiss Guide to Hiking Food

What Swiss hikers eat on the trail from snacks to sausages.

Swiss Mountain Restaurants with a View

In Switzerland, you don’t have to always hike to get the big views. You can simply ride to the top of a mountain and enjoy a nice meal from a panorama terrace. Here are a few we recommend that are suitable for families.

Hiking Pack List for Kids

Most hiking in Switzerland is near civilization, so you don’t need to pack that much for a day trip, besides drinking water and snacks. But we still have a few essentials that we like to bring. Here’s a printable pack list for both you and your kids.

Essential gear for hiking with kids

A few essential pieces of equipment can make hiking with kids much easier. Here’s what we have used with our kids over the years including child carrier backpacks, strollers, backpacks, water bottles, knifes and where to shop in Switzerland.

How to Build a Fire – Swiss Style

In Switzerland, every outdoor activity has the potential of fire building, even kindergarten. So you need to be prepared even if you aren’t the”campfire” type. So here are some tips for fire building in Switzerland: rules for fire building, what to expect at Swiss fire pits, how to build a fire, what to cook, etc.

Hi! I’m Tanya and our family has been living & hiking in Switzerland since 2005, collecting dozens of fun hikes and activities for all ages and abilities. More about us…

Short on time? Get our interactive map with curated itineraries. Learn more…

Have questions? Book a video call with me to create a custom itinerary.

Need inspiration? Get our Switzerland Bucket List ebook with twenty “Top 10” checklists.