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12 Short and easy hikes near Zürich (for beginners!)

The best places to experience the beauty of the Swiss alps near Zurich for non-hikers and beginners, on short trails with minimal uphill.

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Want to enjoy the Swiss alps, but you or your visitors don’t have much experience hiking? Don’t worry! There are lots of easy and beautiful hikes near Zurich that offer stunning views of the Swiss alps without having to be an experienced hiker.

Living in Zurich, I have a lot of experience hosting friends and family that rarely hike. Each of these hikes is relatively short, ranging from 30 mins to 2 hours, with minimal uphill. The trails are well-marked and well-maintained, making it easy for beginner hikers to follow. The paths are safe and mostly on smooth paths, so you don’t need technical hiking shoes, just comfortable walking shoes.

Whether you are a local or tourist, these easy hikes near Zurich are a great way to spend a fun day in the mountains and get some exercise.

See also: Best hikes for kids near ZurichMost spectacular hikes near ZurichEasy nature walks near Zurich

Mountain Trails

1. Flumserberg Alpine Flora Trail

This trail is super easy, just a 2 km around a little mountain peak. No up and down. It’s a flat smooth dirt path, suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There are benches along the way if you need a rest. 

It’s very beautiful in summer with lots of wildflowers and green alpine meadows in every direction. If you want to walk a little farther, you can continue along the ridge to another part of the mountain. 

Hike: 40 mins • 2 k loop • 80m up & down
From Zurich: 1hr15 by car or train • See on map

See trail map and directions for Flumserberg Alpine Flora Trail

2. Hoch Ybrig panorama ridge trail

This ridge trail is one of the most impressive easy hikes near Zürich. You ride a cable car then chair lift to reach the ridge. The first part of the trail along the ridge is a wide dirt path, possible with strollers. After about 2 km, the trail turns into a paved service road that leads back to the cable car.

It’s easy walking, all downhill. For some non-hikers, the distance may be a little too long at 5km and the constant downhill might stress their knees. So consider this before choosing this hike. In my post, I have multiple options for this trail. If you want the easy version, follow the “stroller version” of the hike.

Hike: 2 hrs • 5 km • 330 m down
From Zürich: 50 mins by car, 1hr30 by train/bus • see on map

See trail map and directions for Hoch Ybrig ridge trail

3. Stoos Fronalpstock

Ride the steepest funicular in the world up to a lovely alpine village. Then chair lifts up to a viewpoint over the cliffs to Lake Lucerne. You can wander along the cliffs on the easy panorama trail, with a wide dirt path set back from the edge. 

Trail: 40 mins • 1.5 k loop • 30m up, 40m down
From Zurich: 45 mins by car, 1hr20 by train/bus – see on map
Cost 2023: 

See details for Stoos Fronalpstock Panorama Trail

4. Chäserrugg Panorama Trail

This easy trail on a high alpine plateau near the cliffs makes non-hikers feel like they have really experienced mountain hiking. It starts with a short wander through an alpine flower garden with info signs.

Then you can optionally circle around the plateau, walking through the grass. If your guests can’t manage the hike, you can still enjoy these fab views from the top of the cable car without walking much.

Hike: 1 h • 3 km loop • 80 m up & down
From Zurich: 1hr20 by car, 2hr by train • see on map

See details for Chäserrugg Panorama Trail

5. Pizol High Mountain Trail

Ride a gondola and chair lifts high up in the mountains. Then stroll along this short panorama loop to spend more time with the views. The path is wide and relatively flat, suitable for little kids and sturdy strollers.

You can lunch and lounge at the mountain hut near the chair lift. If you are with children, stop on the Furt middle station on the way back down so the kids can enjoy the playground in the forest. 

Hike: 1hr15 • 3.7 km loop • 80 m up & down
From Zurich: 1hr by car, 1hr30 by train • see on map

See details for Pizol Panorama Trail

6. Ebenalp Aescher cliff restaurant

Everyone wants to see this famous view, with the Aescher cliff restaurant built into the side of the cliff. It’s relatively easy to reach by riding the Ebenalp cable car up the mountain. Then a short walk down through a cave and on a wooden walkway built into the rock wall. It’s a lumpy path and can be wet and slippery inside the cave. So you may want hiking sticks for balance.

You can’t reserve at the restaurant and it’s super popular. So best to go early if you want to get a table.

Hike: 1hr • 1.4 km out & back • 120m up & down
From Zurich: 1hr by car, 1hr30 by train • see on map

See details for Berggasthaus Aescher hike

7. Rigi Panorama

Mt Rigi is a popular tourist destination and lovely hiking area overlooking Lake Lucerne. It’s one of my first choices for bringing visitors because it’s so close to Zurich and open year round.

A cogwheel train brings you up to the panorama viewpoint at Rigi Kulm. Then you can optionally hike down along the train tracks to get a different perspective of the mountain. The full trail is a little over 8 km, but you can easily shorten it to 1km or 4km by catching the mountain train sooner. I did the shortest version with my 83 year old grandmother and it was a highlight of her trip.

Shortest hike: 20 mins • 1 km one way • 150 m down
From Zurich: 1hr by car, 1hr30 by train • see on map

See details for Rigi Panorama Trail

Lake Walks

8. Türlersee

Türlersee is a small lake near Zürich with a nice walking path around the shores. It’s an easy escape from the city to feel like you’re far away in the countryside. 

The path is mostly flat and easy, but there is some lumpy terrain and a couple short uphill bits. It’s a lovely walk any time of year. But it’s also a good place to test my visitor’s hiking fitness, so I know what they can handle before I take them on harder hikes.

Hike: 1hr30 • 4.2 km loop • 20m up & down
From Zurich: 25 mins by car, 45 mins by bus • see on map

See details for Türlersee lake walk

9. Näfelsee Obersee alpine lake walk

If you don’t mind driving up the narrow winding mountain road to reach this lake, then it’s a great choice for visitors on a budget since you don’t have to pay for a gondola to reach the lake. There is a short easy path around the lake, first on a wide gravel path, then on a quiet paved road in the forest next to the lakeshore. 

Hike: 2.7 km • 1 hr • 20m up & down
From Zurich: 50 mins by car, no bus service • see on map

See trail map and directions for Näfels Obersee lake walk

10. Voralpsee lake walk

This walk around a beautiful alpine lake is short and easy with little elevation change. But the footpath is often narrow and lumpy. So it’s good “test hike” to see how your visitor fare on uneven terrain. My dad found hiking sticks useful to keep his balance. If your guests can’t do the lake walk, there are picnic areas and a restaurant next to the lake, so you can lounge with a view.

Hike: 1hr30 • 3.6 km • 50 m up & down
From Zurich: 1hr25 by car, 2hr25 by train/bus • see on map

See trail map and directions for Voralpsee lake walk

11. Glattalpsee

This hike around a beautiful alpine lake is a bit longer than the others on this list. But the trail is so easy, I had to include it. Plus it’s not on the tourist radar at all, so it’s not crowded. The first half of the trail to the lake is a wide smooth dirt path, easy walking and suitable for strollers.

You can optionally loop back on the opposite side of the lake, but the trail becomes a narrow footpath with lots of rocks. If that doesn’t work for you, just walk back the way you came.

Hike: 2 hr • 7 km loop • 60m up, 50m down
From Zurich: 1hr10 by car, 2hr by train/bus • see on map

See trail map and directions for Glattalpsee lake walk

12. Walensee Waterfall

We like this hike because it’s super close to Zürich, so beautiful for relatively minimal effort and free except the parking meter. You walk along a road almost all the way to the falls.

It does gain 110m, so some people may need to go quite slow as you walk uphill. Near the falls, the path forks into the forest, following a narrow dirt footpath uphill to the falls overlook.  

Hike: 1hr30 • 3.5 km • 110 m up & down
Location: Weesen, from Zurich 45 mins by car, 1hr by train

See details for Walensee Waterfall Hike

See also: Best Swiss Trails 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.

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Welcome

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…

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