Northwest Switzerland Archives

Aarau Carrot Market (Rüeblimärt)

What to expect at this one-day carrot festival held each November in Switzerland. Discover what to see and why this colorful market is worth a visit.

Northwest Switzerland

Des Franches-Montagnes au Doubs – forest hike to viewpoint

Moderate
4.5 h
11.5 k
640m
639m

Circular hike through a forest leading to a rocky viewpoint over the rolling countryside of Doubs National Nature Park. Combine with dinner and overnight at a cozy inn on the Doubs river where you end the hike.

Etang de la Gruère – easy walk around secluded lake

Easy short trail around small secluded lake in an nature preserve near Neuchâtel in western Switzerland. Nice place for picnics and swimming.

Foxtrail Laggs Basel • Erkundet die Stadt und bringt den Lachs zurück!

Easy
2.5 h
3.5 k

Erkundet Sie die Stadt Basel und spaziert entlang des Rheins auf einem Rätselweg und dabei unterstützt das WWF Lachs-Comeback Projekt zur Wiederansiedlung des Lachses in der Schweiz.

Foxtrail Laggs Basel • Explore the city & bring back the salmon!

Easy
2.5 h
3.5 k

Explore Basel city and walk along the Rhine river on a fun puzzle trail and support the WWF project to bring salmon back to Switzerland.

Poëta-Raisse Gorge • Day hike in Val de Travers

Moderate
3.5 h
10.8 k
210m
720m

Start with a mountain coaster and scooter ride, then hike through alpine fields and forest to this dramatic river gorge with waterfalls. Relative low elevation so a good choice for spring time.

Val de Travers • 2 day itinerary for families

A weekend full of fun and beauty in this quiet valley in western Switzerland including a speedy alpine coaster, mountain scooters, dramatic river gorges, dark mine tunnels, and impressive cliffs.

Weissenstein • hike to two panorama viewpoints

Moderate
3 h
7 k
210m
430m

From the top of a gondola, hike to two beautiful panorama viewpoints with cliffs, overlooking the Jura region and Swiss farmland dotted with bright yellow fields in spring. A good choice for May and June because of the lower elevation.

Wolfsschlucht” river gorge & bear cave hike

Moderate
2 h
4 k
220m
260m

Hike up to an enormous cave in the side of a cliff wall with a view, then ramble down a beautiful forested gorge. Not too long, so a good choice for families that want a little adventure.

Chez Camille Bloch • Swiss Chocolate Visitor Center

A fun visitor center for the maker of Ragusa and Torino chocolate, with a live chocolate making demonstration and tasting.

Creux du Van • easy hike along the cliffs

Easy
1 h
4 k
90m
70m

Short hike along the top of an impressive natural rock arena in western Switzerland, with a half circle of sheer cliffs 150m tall.

5 Best Hikes near Solothurn for Families

The Solothurn region in northwest Switzerland has beautiful lakes, dense forests, and amazing gorges. I asked Hana from Our Swiss Experience, who lives near this area, to tell us about her favorite family activities in this region.