If you are hiking on a budget, you can easily save money by picking hikes that don’t require gondolas to reach the trail. Here are our favorites near Zürich that are free (minus the public transport to reach the trail).
These hikes are also great for spring before the mountain railways open for summer season. It’s possible that these are not ready for primetime, since usually trail maintenance happens in June. So check trail status before heading out.
Note: Some of these hikes are one-way, so they require a bus or train to get back to your starting point.
Mountain Peak climbs
Short hike to a panorama viewpoint of the Zürich region, with a tall tower to climb, fun playground, restaurant with ice cream sundaes.
Beautiful mountain trail near Zürich, a good choice for early spring because it’s accessibly by car and relatively low elevation. A tough climb at times but the panorama views are worth the effort.
A short loop trail to a beautiful viewpoint over Lake Zürich and Swiss countryside with a restaurant and playground with panorama views.
Hiking up Uetliberg is a great way to get some free fitness and enjoy the best views around Zürich. Here are three trail options that are steep but well maintained.
Hike to this impressive peak in central Switzerland, a short but demanding mountain trail, with steep rocky switchbacks gaining about 400 m of elevation over 2km. Better for older children and those with hiking experience.
A special ridge hike with slanted rock slabs, which makes for some tricky footing, but also a very interesting and engaging trail to walk.
Free Waterfall Trails
These are out & back hikes to reach the falls.
Hike up a narrow river valley to reach three big waterfalls and a bouncy suspension bridge.
This is a short walk along a rushing river, passing several small waterfalls, ending at the dramatic Berschnerfall, about 46m tall.
Free River Trails
These are all one way hikes, so you’ll need to take public transportation back your starting place, which may some costs to your outing.
Easy walk along the Rhine river through the “Swiss Grand Canyon” with lots of interesting formations in the limestone walls lining the gorge plus open-air train ride to get there.
Easy, short walk along the Aabach stream in Horgen. It has beautiful waterfalls, a lush forest, a cozy picnic area and playground.
Hike through beautiful river gorge, following a stream through a lush forest, with many small and big waterfalls and interesting rock formations. There are lots of places to picnic and build fires along the way.
This river on the west side of Zurich lake is mostly on smooth dirt paths away from traffic, along open fields, through the forest. Options from 2.5 to 12 km, easily accessible by train. Lots of green places on the river to stop for a picnic and cook on a fire.
After an easy walk through fields and forests to the dramatic lookout over the Rhein Gorge, you can continue hiking all the way down the gorge to the river below, where you can admire the interesting cliff formations from a different perspective. The river below is a great spot for a fire and picnic. One way hike 7.8 km, return by train.
Lake Walks
Some of these posts are written as bike rides but all of these are also great as walks. In some cases, the walking path splits from the bike path, so pay attention.
Easy walk for families around beautiful Swiss alpine lake south of Zurich. It feels a bit like a secret, hidden above rocky cliffs, reached by a narrow one lane road. Once you get there, it’s easy walking along the lake shore.
Walk or bike around this beautiful lake near Zurich with fun extras for kids, including a tourist farm, lake swimming, and playground.
An easy bike ride around this lake near Zurich, full of green fields and flowers in springtime. Walkers can use narrower dirt paths closer to the lake shore.
Lovely alpine lake, great for leisurely picnics. There is a nice trail along one side of the lake, in the forest and on the lakeshore. We love it in all seasons, but particularly in fall when the trees change colors.
Easy obstacle-free walk around a pretty lake, good for little kids, strollers and anyone who enjoys a relaxing stroll.
Walk around this small lake near Zurich is nestled in a quiet valley. Possible year round. Swimming and SUP in summer.
Theme trails for kids
All of these are loop trails so you end where you started and don’t have any extra costs besides parking.
Children help cave dwarfs living on Zugerberg search for their stolen gems along this interactive theme trail. The big playground, picnic areas and lovely Swiss countryside make this a fun, easy day out for families.
Theme trail for children with 8 interactive stations focused on the five senses. It’s an easy 3.5 km loop through a lush valley, cutting through farm fields and forests. Suitable for strollers.
Fun forest trail with 20+ wooden installations along the way, plus a castle and big playground. Nice for spring and hot summer days.
Short hike along the Walensee lake to some of the tallest waterfalls in Switzerland. Start with a ferry ride across the lake. For kids, there is a treasure hunt theme trail and small playground.
Fun sensory theme trail has 8 play stations related to our senses along an easy path through lush farm fields and forest.
Sensory theme trail near Zug with 8 play stations related to the senses, with two playgrounds and picnic areas.
See also Easy nature walks near Zürich
3 responses
Dear Tanya,
thank you so much for sharing your experience, tips and hiking tricks! We are a family of 5 (our little ladies are just 1, 3 and 6 years old). With that splendid weather and the little ones asking every Saturday morning “which mountain are we are heading to today?”, your “no-gondola” hikes just saved our weekends! Going up the mountain with a gondola/Bergbahn etc was always part of the magic for our little ones… with most of these facilities out of operation during the Corona-Lockdown, one appreciates more their role in making Swiss mountains accessible 😉
Last weekend we visited a couple of places in the Biosphäre Entlebuch region. As family with little kids, I would recommend the village Heiligkreuz (accessible by car/bus, no gondola) and its little hiking trails around. Our little ones definitely loved the Märchenweg Wurzilla (https://www.biosphaere.ch/de/detail/poitype/outdooractivetour/poi/maerchenweg-wurzilla-lerne-das-tannenwurzelkind-kennen/) and the Chessiloch waterfalls close to Flühli (https://www.biosphaere.ch/de/detail/poitype/outdooractivetour/poi/fluehli-wasserfall-chessiloch/). Just thought of mentioning them as another option for a gondola-free excursion.
Keep safe and hiking!
Eleni
Thanks for these great tips! Chessiloch has been on my list forever. Thanks for reminding me to finally go there.
Hello!
I love your recommendations and wondered whether you could help me with something my 10 year old is very keen on!
We would like to organise a camping trip 2-3 nights in June / July. would you know of organisations / individuals who can help me plan and organise – where to go, rent tents etc. we are in the Zurich area.
Many thanks!