With over 7000 lakes in Switzerland, it’s hard to pick which ones to visit. So I’ve picked a bunch of our favorite alpine lakes to give you a starting point. Some of these lakes are famous and popular, but most aren’t on the tourist trail. Most lakes require at least a short hike, most relatively easy, suitable for families while others are more challenging climbs that make you earn the view. Enjoy!
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Zurich & Eastern Switzerland
1. Ebenalp Seealpsee in Appenzell
This famous lake is the jewel of Appenzell area, surrounded by impressive spiky mountain peaks. After the hike, we like to rent a row boat then picnic on the shore. Or you can visit the restaurant and let the kids play on the playground.
See details for the Ebenalp Seealpsee hike
2. Voralpsee
Drive or take a mountain bus up a one-lane mountain road then a short walk to this quiet alpine lake in an idyllic setting, surrounding by big mountain peaks. You can optionally walk around the lake on a narrow footpath in the shade of the forest. You can even swim on a warm day.
See details for Voralpsee lake walk
3. Pizol Wildsee
This trail is super popular for good reason, with 5 lovely lakes to enjoy along this spectacular trail. The Wildsee lake shown here is the most famous of the five but they all have a different character and charm. Make sure you start early so you have time to stop and enjoy each one, instead of having to hurry along to catch the last chair lift down. And bring your swimsuit so you don’t get FOMO when you see other other brave souls jumping in.
See details for the Pizol 5 Lake Hike…
4. Fälensee
This lake is the cherry on top after admiring the amazing Saxer Lücke peaks above. There’s a mountain restaurant with a view of the lake serving the absolute best rösti in the region. So good! It’s worth the short detour down the mountain to eat even if you have to hike back up with a very full tummy. Or you could stay overnight here and enjoy the fading light over the water.
See details for the Saxer Lücke hike to the Fälensee…
5. Braunwald Oberblegisee
Although we love this in summer when it might be just hot enough to justify jumping in the cold water, we also love it in fall when the trees in this area turn lovely bright colors. Part panorama, part lush forest, part dramatic peaks, this hike changes a lot over the journey.
See details for the Braunwald Oberblegisee…
Lucerne & Central Switzerland
6. Trübsee
Just one gondola ride up the mountain to reach this beautiful lake in Engelberg. You can admire the view from the restaurant patio, walk down to the water and grill up a picnic, or do the easy walk around the lake on a fun theme trail for children. Lots of amusements here.
See details for Trübsee lake walk
7. Melchsee-Frutt
There are many trails that lead to the beautiful mountain lakes of Melchsee-Frutt. The easiest is riding up the gondola and riding a shuttle to the short trail around the lake shore. For a more dramatic entrance, try the Bönistock ridge trail or Horizontweg Skline trail from a neighboring mountain resort. You can even snowshoe here in winter.
See details for Melchsee-Frutt lakes
8. Arnisee
So easy to reach this alpine lake with a tiny gondola and short walk. It’s a popular place for a family picnic with mountain views. The new climbing park has a Via Ferrata course suitable for families (ages 10+). We’ve also snowshoed here in winter.
See details for Arnisee lake
9. Golzernsee
You can easily reach this lake by riding a cable car up the mountain, then a short walk on a wide path through an alpine village to reach this idyllic spot. In summer, it’s a popular spot for picnics and swimming even though the water is always a bit chilly. If you want to hike more, there are spectacular mountain trails leading farther up the valley towards a glacier.
Learn more about the Golzernsee
10. Glattalpsee
It looks like you worked really hard to reach this lake, but it’s a relatively easy walk from the top of a small cable car and optional 7 km loop around the water. We’ve been in rain, fog and snow but mid-summer is the best when the hills are green with wildflowers. This is a great choice for non-hikers that want to experience something off the tourist radar.
See details for the Glattalpsee…
11. Lag di Tuma • Source of Rhein River
This is a special place with water bubbling up into this marshy landscape, the tiny source of the great Rhein river that flows many miles all the way to the north sea. This trail is the first stage of the 5 day “Vierquellenweg” that visits the source of four mighty river in the Swiss alps. There’s a hut above this lake if you want refreshments or accommodations before carrying on to the next source.
See details for the Lag di Tuma hike…
12. Spilauersee
Ride a tiny open-air cable car up the mountain, then a short mountain hike to reach this hidden lake surrounded by alpine pastures and big mountain peaks. If you like to hike, we suggest the longer loop trail that explores more of this landscape includes a dramatic ridge with views to Lake Lucerne. At the hut, you can sample cheese from the cows on this alp.
Learn more about Spilauersee hike
13. Seewlisee
This adventure starts with a slightly unnerving ride in a tiny open-air cable car and ends with the solitude of this remote alpine paradise. In between is a steep climb straight up the mountain, testing your endurance. It was just us and the cows up there, staring each other down. After all that work, we were happy to get some refreshments at the small nearby hut, with wild herb tea gathered from these hills and, of course, some Swiss chocolate.
See details for the Seewlisee hike…
Interlaken & Bernese Oberland Region
14. Oeschinensee
After a gondola ride, it’s an easy easy walk to the lake, suitable for strollers and families. If you prefer not to walk, you can pay extra to ride a shuttle. Enjoy the view from a restaurant or picnic area on the lakeshore. Plus a summer toboggan run to add a little adventure.
15. Bachalpsee near Grindelwald
Mild hike to a beautiful alpine lake with spectacular mountain views, a perfect place for a picnic. Lots of amusements nearby, including mountain scooters, zip line, playground, and cliff walk.
See details for Bachalpsee hike
16. Engstlensee
You can drive or ride the bus almost all the way up to this remote lake. Once you are there, it’s a short, easy walk to the far end of the lake, where we played in the icy stream and picnicked. It’s a beautiful setting, an easy hike, and plenty of room for the kids to safely run around and explore.
See details for Engstlensee
17. Gelmersee
While the lake is spectacular, this place is more famous for its ridiculously steep open-air funicular that brings you up to this gorgeous view. The 4 km loop around the lake is a little dangerous with some steep cliff drop-offs but not super difficult. We usually go in late August to pick wild blueberries and dare each other to jump in the icy water if it’s hot enough.
See details for the Gelmersee…
18. Launensee in Gstaad
You can drive or take a bus directly to this lake and do a short easy walk around the water. Or you can start at the Gstaad Wispile mountain and hike along a wide ridge and be rewarded at the end with a swim in these cool waters. Any way you get here, it’s a treat.
See details for Panorama Hike to Lauenensee
Zermatt & Valais Region
19. Zermatt Riffelsee
It’s easy to reach this famous lake with Matterhorn views, only a couple minutes walk from the Gornergrat mountain train. It’s a perfect place for a family photo and picnic. We also love the short and easy trails that lead from here.
See details for Zermatt Riffelsee
20. Saas Fee Langflüh Glacier Lake
I don’t know if this counts as a proper lake but it was so pretty that I have to include it. You can ride cable cars from Saas Fee up to the glacier, then do a short 20 min loop to visit three tiny glacier lakes. When we were there, the area was still covered in snow. Sometimes the snow melts, leaving only the lakes. Either way, the icy blue water makes for magical reflections.
See more about Saas Fee and the Langfluh glacier lakes…
21. Lac de Cleuson
This mountain lake is almost too blue to believe, turned that color by minerals that run off the glacier above. It’s a lovely traverse across the mountain on an ancient “bisse” irrigation channel to reach the lake.
See details for Lac de Cleuson lake hike
Graubünden & Southeast Switzerland
22. Lai de Palpuogna
Once voted the most beautiful lake in Switzerland, this small oasis is just off the mountain road leading to the Albulapass. There’s an easy walk around the lake and lots of places to picnic with a fire.
See details for Lai de Palpuogna
23. Jöriseen
It’s a tough climb and uphill both ways to see the many pretty lakes that make up the Jöriseen. I had a hard time picking just one lake from this area to feature here; they were all so different and beautiful in their own ways. You’ll just have to do this hike yourself so you can see them all. This is a popular place for wild camping if you don’t mind lugging up your gear and packing out your waste. I imagine sunset and sunrise around here would be amazing!
See details for the Jöriseen…
24. Furtschellas Wasserweg
This hike has six little alpine lakes dotting the landscape with fantastic reflections if you spend a little time to get the angle just right. Each lake has their own character. Some big, some tiny, some busy with picnics and children splashing, others with quiet corners for relaxing. You’ll also get panorama views across the whole Engadin valley.
See details for Furtschellas Wasserweg trail…
25. Corvatsch Furocla
This was one of my most popular photos of the summer, so I’m guessing lots of you want to go here. It’s only a short hour hike to reach this pass but it looks like you’ve summitted a mountain. There’s a hut at the pass for a snack or lunch. If you have more time and motivation, you can continue the hike into the lovely Val Roseg valley, traversing the mountain then strolling along the river all the way to Pontresina.
See details for the Surlej Fuorcla hike…
26. Lej Alv near St. Moritz
You can start this hike at the top of the Piz Nair peak and make your way through an otherworldly rocky landscape down to the beautiful Lej Alv reservoir. Or you can start at the middle station and do a short easy stroll directly to the lake. Either way, its a great place to picnic and lounge with mountain views.
See details for Piz Nair hike to Lej Alv
Ticino
27. Tremorgio
Ride a tiny cable car up the mountain, then an easy stroll along this quiet alpine lake nestled into what looks like a crater, surrounded by mountains.
See details for Tremorgio lake
28. Dalpe Four Lake Hike
If If you keep hiking above the Tremorgio lake, you can visit three more goregous lakes hidden between the rocky peaks above. As you hike, it’s a delightful surprise around every corner, each of the four lakes prettier than the last. We loved our hearty meal at the hut with yummy house made cakes.
See details for the Tremorgio – Dalpe Four Lake Hike…
29. Lago Ritom
After riding up a super steep funicular and an easy walk to the dam, you are treated sweeping views over this beautiful lake. There is a lovely rocky alpine trail on one side, but also a wide dirt road on the other side, possible with strollers. You can do a short walk along the lake shore, walk around the whole lake, or walk past the lake to a mountain hut serving tasty traditional Ticinese dishes like polenta with lamb stew.
See details for Lago Ritom
30. Lai de Robiei
Short hike around a beautiful mountain lake with glacier views in the Ascona-Locarno region. If you want to hike longer, there are several reservoirs scattered around the hills here, so you are spoiled for choice.
See details for Lai de Robiei hike
2 Responses
Forget the lakes, it’s the new up arrow button that is the best 🙂
So glad you like it! Thanks for the suggestion.