10 Best Autumn Hikes near Zurich for Fall Colors

Switzerland has amazing fall colors if you know when and where to look. In mid October, many forests are full of beautiful changing leaves, bursting in harvest colors.

Typically the colors are the best the second half of October, but it’s not the same every year. Also early snow can make some areas inaccessible, so be flexible.

Here are a few of our favorite places near Zurich to enjoy the fall colors with our family, both in the forests and the mountains. These places are great for hiking, but also good for a picnic with a view.

River Walks

1. Zürich Pfadiweg

This forest path on the edge of Zürich city is a little treasure and so beautiful in mid October when the trees change color.

It’s an easy forest path following a stream down through the forest. It’s a great choice for an impromptu family walk when you are short on energy or time.

If you want a longer walk, my post has a loop version that starts with the Pfadiweg and returns on the Elefantenbach, another pretty ravine.

Hike: Easy • 1h30 • 3.8 k • 150m down

Cost: free

➡️ See details for Zürich Pfadiweg >>

2. Jonental

This small forested valley near Zurich is packed with pretty trees turning all sorts of colors. There are many fire pits along the river, a great place for a picnic. It’s easy walking for families and the main trail is suitable for strollers.

Hike: Easy • 1h30 • 6 k • 20m up, 130m down

Cost: free

➡️ See details for Jonental hike >>

3. Sihl River Path

This river on the west side of Zurich lake is packed full of tree that turn beautiful colors during fall. It also has the advantage of the river that reflects those colors on a sunny day.

You can walk and bike on this trail, from as little as 2.5 to 12 km and easily return by train back to the city. Lots of nice places along the water to stop for a picnic and build a fire to keep warm and roast marshmallows.

Hike: Easy • 2.5 to 12 k 

Cost: train fare to return to starting point

➡️ See details about the Sihl River Path…

Lake Walks

4. Klöntalersee

Many trees along this lake turn brilliant colors, contrasting beautifully against the evergreens. We love just having a fall picnic and bonfire on the lake shore, but the 6 km hike along the south of the lake is really nice too.

Hike: Easy • 2h20 • 6.5 k • 17 m up, 28 m down

Cost: free

➡️ See details forKlöntalersee …

5. Walensee

These fall colors were quite unique because the colorful trees were scattered all over the cliffs above the hike, as well as in the forests we hiked through.

You could do the long hike, or simply ride the ferry around the lake and enjoy the colors from a distance.

Hike: moderate • 3h • 7.6 k • 240 m up, 250 m down

Cost: about CHF 23.50 for the boat ride

➡️ See details for Walensee hike…

Mountain Hikes

6. Felsenegg Ridge

You don’t have to go far from Zurich to see brilliant fall colors. The hills surrounding Zurich have just the right kind of trees if you catch them at their peak.

The trees on the Panorama trail near Felsenegg often put on a big show right during the school fall break.

To reach this trail, you can either drive to the Buchenpass or take a short cable car ride from Adliswil. Then a short walk through the forest to the Felsenegg restaurant. Here you will have views across Lake Zurich and to the alps on a clear day.

Hike:	easy • 1h • 3.6 k loop • 60m up, 40m down
Location:	Felsenegg cable car (Rellstenstrasse 17, 8134 Adliswil) or Buchenegg pass
Cost:	free if you drive to the ridge. Or return ticket on cable car (discount with Swiss travel cards)

➡️ See details for Felsenegg Ridge Trail >>>

7. Zugerberg

Lots of colorful trees along the trail that dips in and out of the forest. This one is a good for kids because there are fun activities sprinkled along the trail and nice playground with a picnic area.

It’s particularly nice in the late afternoon, when the fading sun lights up the trees. This picture was taken 16 October. 

Hike: Easy • 1h30 • 5.5 k • 125m up/down

Cost: return trip on funicular, free with Swiss Travel Pass & GA, discounts with Half Fare Card

➡️ See details for Zugerberg trail

8. Atzmännig

This was the first place I saw fall colors in Switzerland and I was so excited to finally experience a real autumn, since I grew up in San Diego where we don’t have seasons.

With clear skies, this hike has nice views of the surrounding countryside. But even in fog, as we had it, the colorful trees were pretty enough to make the hike worth it.

This area also has a short theme trail for children or longer hikes along the ridges. There’s also a big playground, alpine slide and ropes course.

Hike: moderate • 2h30 • 6.9 k • 190 m up, 520 m down

Cost: one way on chair lift, no discounts for travel cards

➡️ See details for Atzmännig…

9. Braunwald

Here you get both mountain views and fall colors. Many of the changing trees were in the valley before we rode up to the car-free village of Braunwald. But the mountain trail also had forested sections with lots of yellow. 

Hike: moderate • 3h • 7.5 k • 10 m up, 600 m down

Cost: for mountain railways

➡️ See details for Braunwald hike …

10. Amden Höhenweg

The colors on this trail were such a surprise. We started in bright green cow fields and climbed up through a totally normal forest that suddenly emptied into a high alpine moor, which was full of bright orange grass and low scrubby trees.

It was a unique landscape, with all sorts of different plants growing there. It was so strange and beautiful in a different way than most of Switzerland. This pic was taken 16 Sept. I think the fall colors will get stronger a week or two after that. 

Hike: moderate • 2h30 • 8.5 k • 280 m up, 290 m down

Cost: about CHF 15 for the chair lift and bus back to start

➡️ See details for Amden Höhenweg…