21 Best forest trails to escape the summer heat

For hot summer days, you may prefer hiking in a shady forest to hot, melting sun on more exposed trail. Here are our favorite forest trails in various regions around Switzerland.

Near Zürich

These are the most beautiful forest trails near Zürich, most in the mountains. But see also the more low key nature walks near Zürich, most of which are in the forest.

1. Klöntalersee

This trail is along the shady side of the lake, with a big mountain above blocking the sun. Plus you are in the forest most of the time. But you still get nice views of the water and mountains. If you are still too warm, you can always jump in the chilly water to cool off.

See details for Klöntalersee trail

2. Voralpsee

Almost the entire trail around this small lake is in the cool forest. But you are often right next to the water and you still can see the big mountains. There are lots of nice picnic areas and a café with shaded seating. Swimming is allowed here.

See details for Voralpsee

3. Braunwald magic forest

This theme trail for children has activities sprinkled along the forested trail to help motivate kids to keep walking. The full trail starts at Gumenalp, but that top section is mostly not forested. For hot days, I suggest doing the second half of the trail that starts at Grotzenbüel, which is almost all in the forest, with occasional breaks to get the mountain views. It includes a fun water play area where kids may get quite wet if they like.

4. Elm “Giants in the Forest” theme trail

This short theme trail is mostly in the forest, with several fun activities for children along the way, including an obstacle course and small netted suspension bridge. The main picnic area is in full sun, but there are other picnic areas in the shade, which are better for hot days. You can end your day with a fun scooter ride down the mountain.

See details for Elm theme trail

5. Treetop Mogelsberg

This elevated walkway loops 500m through the forest with views of the rolling Swiss countryside. Beneath the walkway, there is a fun playground and interactive signboards educating you about the flora and fauna in the area.

Learn more about Treetop Walk Mogelsberg

6. Jura Crest Lägeren ridge trail

If you want a longer, more challenging hike, I’d suggest the Jura Crest near Baden. It follow a ridgeline above the beautiful Zurioberland countryside shown here, with an interesting section walking along an razor-like rock formation on the ridge. Most of the trail is in thick forest, lots of comforting shade.

See details for Jura Crest trail

Near Lucerne

7. Wirzweli witch trail

This children’s theme trail is all in the forest, with “magical” activities related to the resident witch. At the end of the trail, you do have to walk back to the cable car on a road in the sun, which could be a little sweaty on a hot day. But you can get ice cream as a reward when you reach the playground and alpine slide.

See details for the Wirzweli witch trail.

8. Illgau Ladybug trail

About half of this trail is in the forest, but happily that includes the picnic areas and playgrounds. When you aren’t in the forest, you are mostly walking through wildflower fields with mountain views. So the short time in the sun is definitely worth it. Then you can cool down while the kids play in the shade.

See details for Illgau ladybug trail

9. Lake Lucerne Waldstätterweg (Stage 7)

Not all of this hike is in the forest, but enough to make it manageable on a hot day. There are two waterfalls to visit, lots of shady sections, and a boat ride at the end.

See details for Lake Lucerne hike

Near Interlaken

10. Hasliberg Muggestutz story book & marble run trail

This fun hike has lots of activities along the downhill trail. Much of the trail is in the forest but also lots of mountain views when you step out of the trees. The first half  of the trail focuses on a children’s storybook and the second half has elaborate marble runs. You can hike just one section or combine them into a longer day.

See details for the Hasliberg Muggestutz trail and Marble Run trail

11. Giessbach falls

This outing starts with a breezy boat ride and a vintage funicular to skip a sweaty climb. Then you can optionally hike up the falls, in the forest, enjoying the waterfall spray. You can even walk behind the falls and get quite wet. If you want lunch at the hotel, reserve a table in the shade.

See details for Giessbach falls

Valais & Zermatt

12. Zermatt Gorner Gorge & Furi trail

You can hike directly from Zermatt village, through the forest to reach the Gorner Gorge. For a small fee, you can walk through this narrow gorge on an elevated wooden walkway above the river, cutting dramatically through the cliff walls.

Then you loop around the forest near the Furi cable car station and make your way back to Zermatt village. You get occasional views of the Matterhorn as you dip in and out of the forest, giving plenty of shade on a hot day.

See details for Zermatt Gorner Gorge and Furi hike

13. Leukerbad Dala Gorge

From the Leukerbad village, there is a lovely trail up the river valley, mostly in the forest. On your way back, you can walk through the Dala Gorge on an elevated metal walkway over the river. So much drama! The cold water cools down the gorge and the waterfall spray is refreshing.

See details for Leukerbad Dala Gorge.

Ticino near Locarno

Ticino is the warmest part of Switzerland, with summer temperature routinely reaching over 30C (high 80s to low 90s F). If you want to hike here in summer, best to choose either forested hikes or slightly cloudy weather at higher elevations.

14. Valle Verzasca

Hiking along this gorgeous river leading to the popular swimming spot is a perfect choice for a hot day. Most of the trail is under the trees and near the water, making for cooler temperatures. Using the bus, you can customize your distance so you don’t have to walk the full length of the river if you get tired.

There are many places where you can safely cool off in the river. Please use extreme caution if you get in the water, selecting only calm shallow pools.

See details for Valle Verzasca river hike

15. Foroglio waterfall

You can easily reach this enormous waterfall directly by car or bus. Then you can enjoy the views from the shade in the surrounding forest or walk up close to cool off in the spray.

If you want to hike, it’s a steep climb to the top of the falls, but all in the shady forest, which helps with the heat. At the top, the temperatures are lower and you are still mostly in the forest as you follow the river up a long alpine valley.

See details for Foroglio waterfall hike

Graubünden (southeast Switzerland)

16. Rhine river walk near Flims/Laax

Lots of shade as you walk along the Rhine river below Flims/Laax. You can picnic on the riverbanks, in sun or shade and cool your feet in the water. The river is a little too fast for casual swimming though – be careful. 

See details for Rhine river walk

17. Lake Cavloc near St Moritz

We visited this beautiful lake near St Moritz in fall, so temperatures then were quite chilly. But in summer, it’s a popular destination, not just for the lake, but presumably because the loop hike to the lake is almost all in the shady forest. You can visit a second quieter lake on your way back, also in the forest. 

See details for Lägh da Cavloc

18. Lai da Palpuogna • the prettiest lake in Switzerland

The trail around this small lake is almost all in the forest. Plus it’s at a high elevation, so it tends to be cooler than in the lower valley. There are a few picnic areas around the water where you can lounge in the shade. It’s quite far from everything else. So perhaps stop here on your way to the Engadin St Moritz region.

See details for Lai da Palpuogna

Northwest Switzerland (Jura & 3 Lakes, Aargau, etc)

The “Pre-alps” region in northern Switzerland has lots of beautiful forests to explore. Here are few shady hikes in this area we recommend.

19. Areuse Gorge near Solothurn

Beautiful walk along a rushing river, through fields and forests. There are several narrow sections with dramatic cliff walls, waterfalls and stone bridges. Lots of shady places to picnic along the water.

See details for Areuse Gorge hike

20. Weissenstein

If you want a mountain hike, Weissenstein would be a good choice. Although you start in the sun on grassy fields, you can quickly dip into the forest as you approach the viewpoints over the cliffs. The second half of the hike is almost all the forest as you hike to more viewpoints over the Swiss countryside.

See details for Weissenstein

21. Devil’s Gorge hike (aka Tüfelsschlucht)

Lots of charms on this short hike through beautiful river gorge, following a stream through a lush forest, with many small and big waterfalls and interesting rock formations. There are several places to picnic along the way.

See details for Teufelsschlucht hike