If you are visiting eastern Switzerland in April and May, you’ll need to carefully choose your hikes and activities because most mountain areas are closed during this time. Most hiking trails and mountain transport doesn’t open until June.
But there are still some great options for springtime, which I list below. Always check conditions before heading out to make sure services are open and trails are ready for hiking.
Top Picks for Zürich Spring 2026
| Activity | Top pick for spring |
| Alpine playground | Sattel Hochstuckli |
| Coaster & zip lines | Atzmännig or Kronberg |
| No gondola hike | Ibergeregg |
| Mountain viewpoint | Säntis or Hoher Kasten |
| Waterfalls | Seerenbach Falls |
| Scenic hike | Appenzell Panorama Trail or Swiss Path |
| Lakeside picnic | Voralpsee |
See 2026 opening dates for mountain transport below ⬇️.
Where to stay in Zurich
Cute boutique hotel: Sorell Hotel St Peter Zurich (4 star) • Hotel Townhouse (3 star)
Budget near train station: Fred Hotel Hauptbahnhof (3 star) • Hotel Marta (2 star)
Family rooms: Hotel Bristol Zurich (3 star) • MEININGER Hotel Zürich Greencity
Amusements
1. Kronberg Ropes Park & Coaster
Open 3 April 2026
This mountain area has lots of fun activities including an alpine coaster, ropes climbing park with lots of zip lines, and big playground. The amusements usually open in early April.
Kronberg has a cable car that takes you to a viewpoint over the Alpstein mountain range. There is a restaurant here, nice place to bring visitors. The hiking trails from here are usually open by May.
Location: St. Josefstrasse 2, 9108 Jakobsbad • train station Jakobsbad
Open: usually from beginning of April. Check Kronberg open status.
➡️ Learn more about Kronberg
2. Atzmännig Leisure Park & Ropes Course
Official open from 3 April 2026 • status
This small mountain area near Zürich is one of the first resorts to open for summer season, usually in early April.
They have lots of amusements including a ropes climbing park, summer toboggan, trampolines, and large playground.
Location: Atzmännigstrasse, 8638 Goldingen SG-CH • Bus stop: Atzmännig, Schutt
Open: mid April to mid October. Live status.
While they typically open for summer season in late April, they may open the summer toboggan and Leisure Park as early as mid March if conditions allow.
➡️ Learn more about Atzmännig Leisure Park and Ropes Park.
3. Sattel Hochstuckli Playland
Open from from 18 April 2026
Sattel Hochstuckli is a lower elevation mountain with a big play area, including bouncy castles, trampolines, tubing slide and summer toboggan. It also has a fun activity trail for kids that leads to a goat farm.
Location: cable car at Eumatt, 6417 Sattel
Open: usually third weekend of April – check status
➡️ See more about Sattel Hochstuckli
4. Seilpark Zürich Kloten
Open Easter weekend, then daily from 20 April 2026
This fun ropes climbing park is in a forest near the Zürich airport, so close to the city but feels far away. It has a wide variety of courses, most suitable for kids aged 8+, also with smaller courses for kids aged 4 to 7.
Open: Easter weekend, then daily from 20 April 2026. Check opening times
Location: Schluefweg 10 8302 Kloten • Bus stop: Kloten, Schluefweg
➡️ Learn more about Kloten Ropes Park
Waterfalls
5. Rhein Falls
These falls north of Zürich are the largest volume waterfalls in Europe.
You can visit them year round. But starting in April, you can do the boat ride that brings you to the tall rock in the middle of the falls.
With sporty kids, you could add on Adventure Park Rheinfall, a ropes climbing park with zip lines next to the falls (opens 28 March 2026). For more sightseeing, visit nearby Stein-am-Rhein, a picturesque medieval village along the river.
Location: southern entrance: Areal Schloss Laufen, 8447 Dachsen
➡️ Learn more about visiting the Rhine Falls
6. Seerenbach falls
Spring ferry schedule starts 3 April 2026
Hiking to the Seerenbach falls along the Walensee lake is one of our favorite spring outings. You can hike here as soon as the soon melts, but it starts looking really pretty when the flowers pop out in mid April.
For a short day, you can start with a ferry ride on the Walensee lake. Then 45 min hike up to the second highest waterfall in Switzerland. There’s a nice picnic area near the falls. Or you can eat the restaurant near the ferry dock.
Open: boat starts early April. See timetable.
Location: Weesen, 45 min southeast of Zürich
➡️ See details for shorter hike to the falls
For a longer hike, you can skip the ferry and hike from Weesen, adding an hour walking before reaching the main trail. You can also keep hiking after the falls, another 90 mins or so to Quinten where you can catch the ferry back to your starting point.
➡️ See the longer trail here.
7. Berschner falls
Mid April
Directly from the Berschis village, you can do a short hike into the hills to reach these big waterfalls spilling over a cliff. This is a quiet, locals only hike, nice area for a picnic.
It does not require public transport and is in the valley, so this hike is usually possible in mid April as long as there is no snow.
Location: Berschis, about 1h drive from Zürich
➡️ See details for Berschner falls
Alpine Lakes
8. Kerenzerberg
Open weekends in April & May with good weather • status
A slow chair lift takes you up to this small mountain resort with views of the Walensee lake. At the top, there is a restaurant and playground. You can rent kick scooters to ride down the mountain, one of our favorites.
Because of the low elevation, the snow melts here early. The chair lift, restaurant and scooter run are open on weekends in April and May, if there is good weather and no snow. Check opening status.
Once the snow is all gone, you can do a short hike to a goregous alpine lake, the Talpalpsee, where you can grill a picnic. This trail is probably possible end of May. See trail info.
9. Voralpsee lake
Bus service from 9 May 2026
This beautiful lake is hidden up on the mountains in the Toggenburg region. You can drive or take a bus up a narrow mountain road to get quite close to the lake.
After a short walk, you reach the idyllic lake, surrounded by mountain peaks.
There is a little cafe and nice picnic areas near the lakeshore, with tables and fire pits. There is a path around the lake, but sometimes it’s flooded if the water level is too high.
Location: Grabserberg, Höhi bus stop
➡️ See details for visiting the Voralpsee.
10. Seealpsee lake
Usually possible in April
In spring, you can hike up to the Seealpsee lake via the service road trail from Wasserauen. It’s free and doesn’t require a gondola.
The path is a bit steep, so you wouldn’t want to walk on it if there is any snow or ice. Check Seealpsee webcams
If there hasn’t been snow for awhile, you can usually hike up there starting in April. But it won’t look super green and spring-y until May.
In 2026, the restaurants at the lake opened in March and will remain open daily (except Mondays) through October.
Location: Wasserauen
➡️ See info for Wasserauen to Seealpsee hike.
Flowers Trails
11. Altnau Apple Blossom trail
Blooming late April
This theme trail near Lake Constance loops around a small farming village, passing by thousands of apple trees and idyllic country landscapes. In late April, the apple blossoms are blooming, making it a particularly charming outing.
Along the way, there are 24 signboards with interesting information about apple growing. Many of the stations have a fun activity for the kids to help keep them moving along the trail.
See details for Altnau apple trail
12. Zug Alpine Panorama Trail
We love this countryside ramble near Zug, wandering up and over hills filled with wildflowers in spring. This area has lots of cherry trees that usually bloom around the end of April.
It’s a one way trail, from Unterägeri to Zug. We parked in Zug and took a bus to the start of the trail. Then ended in Zug, where we had lunch and ice cream along the lake.
Trail: moderate • 3.5 hours • 11.6 km • 200m up, 500m down
Location: start Unterägeri, end Zug
➡️ See details for Zug Alpine Panorama Trail
River Trails
13. Forest Walk to Swiss Grand Canyon viewpoint
Best starting early May
Starting near the Flims village, you walk through the forest past the beautiful Caumasee lake, then to a viewpoint over the Rhine river gorge. It’s nicknamed the Swiss Grand Canyon. You can climb this tower for a better look. The trail is easy and suitable for strollers.
Near the tower, there are picnic areas and a nice restaurant. Reservations recommended for the full service restaurant. On weekends, there is a kiosk serving sausages and fries.
See details for Rhine river gorge hike
14. River Walk thru Rhine Gorge
Best starting mid May
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.
It’s a one-way trail with train stations on either end. The train ride through the gorge is also very beautiful if you don’t feel like walking.
Trail: Easy 3 h 9.1 k 150m up, 200m down
Location: start Castrisch train station, west of Chur
⚠️SAFETY: Do not hike after rainstorms as this area could flood. Check weather warning before heading out.
➡️ See info Rhine River Trail
Low elevation trails with mountain views
These hikes are at lower elevations, meaning the snow should be melted by mid April.
They also do not rely on mountain railways, so you can hike them as soon as the snow melts. Of course, all of these are prettier in May when the leaves are back on the trees.
See also Hikes near Zürich without cable cars
15. Alpine Panorama Trail from Kronberg
Usually possible early May
This trail starts at the top of the Kronberg cable car with a fantastic view of the Alpstein mountain range. Then you wander down the ridge through green alpine meadows filled with wildflowers in spring.
Since the elevation is relatively low 1663m, you can often do this hike around the end of April. But it’s prettier starting mid May when more flowers are blooming. Check webcams.
Trail: Moderate • 3.5 h • 9.8 k • 30m up, 870m down
Location: Jakobsbad, Kronberg cable car
➡️ Details for Kronberg Alpine Panorama Trail
16. Amden High Mountain Trail
Open from end of April
Since Amden faces the sun, the snow melts here a bit quicker and hiking can usually start in late April.
We like the Höhenweg trail that leads up a moor and traverses under the mountains. In late spring, you’ll see lots of wildflowers filling the alpine meadows.
Location: Amden Mattstock chair lift – Ruestelstrasse 20, 8873 Amden
Open: daily from 26 April 2026. Check status.
➡️ See details for Amden hike
17. Ibergeregg Pass
We often find ourselves at the Ibergeregg Pass in spring. You can drive directly there, so you don’t have to worry about the gondola being open.
From the pass, you can follow the walking path towards the Rotenflue peak (cable car station there). It’s also a winter hiking trail, so if there is snow, it’s usually packed down and possible to walk over.
Location: Ibergeregg pass • bus stop Ibergeregg, Passhöhe
Status: Iberberg webcam • Mythen Region opening times
➡️ See trail info for Ibergeregg pass
Mountain Viewpoints
The following mountains run their cable cars in April & May so you can reach the panorama viewpoints and restaurants at the top. Hiking in these areas usually isn’t possible until June or later.
18. Ebenalp – Aescher Cliff Restaurant
Cable car running from 29 April 2026
Ebenalp is home to the much photographed cliff restaurant shown here. The gondola starts running again for summer season starting mid April, so you can visit the restaurants.
Open: cable car usually open beginning of May • check webcam • check operating status
See details for Ebenalp
Note: Do not expect to hike on the mountain trails in this area until late May. They are too dangerous if there is any snow, ice, or trail damage from winter.
19. Säntis
Open in April • status
You can ride up to Mt Säntis year round (usually short maintenance break in March). A cable car takes you to a tourist complex where you can wander around observation decks enjoying 360 panorama views.
There are two restaurants and some multimedia displays. Hiking season starts in late June and there are only advanced trails from starting point.
See details for Säntis
20. Hoher Kasten
Cable car starts 3 April 2026
The cable car up to the Hoher Kasten viewpoint at 1794m usually starts running in mid April. You can ride up to enjoy the view over the Alpstein mountain range and eat at the restaurant.
See details for Hoher Kasten
Hiking season usually doesn’t start here until June (see the summer trail from here).
21. Chäserrugg
open weekends starting 1 May 2026
Chäserrugg is a spectacular cliff viewpoint in the Toggenburg region. You reach the top with a funicular train and cable car.
The ski resort here is usually open through early April. Then the cable car remains open for sightseeing journeys to Chäserrugg.
If conditions are safe, you can do a short walk at the top. Otherwise, the hike down from the top is usually possible at the end of June, when the snow has melted.
Open: The funicular and cable car up to the Chäserrugg viewpoint is open daily starting 1 May 2026. Check status.
Location: Unterwasser-Iltios funicular: Früeweidstrasse 1950, 9657 Alt St. Johann
➡️See details for Chäserrugg.
Bike Rides
Spring is a perfect time for cycling while we wait for the snow to melt at higher elevations. Here are a few of our favorite rides near Zürich.
22. Cherry Blossom Bike Ride near Basel
SchweizMobil has a bike route specifically designed to pass by many blooming cherry trees in the countryside south of Basel. We rode this route in mid April and happily caught many trees at peak bloom.
It’s a one-way route from Liestal to Laufen. We rented bikes in Basel, rode the bikes to Laufen to join the cherry bike route, then continued to Laufen. At the end, we rode the train with the bikes back to Basel.
This route has a lot of hills, so better with an E-Bike. If you are cycling with kids, you would probably need a tandem or trolley system.
Bike route: 38 km • 1100m up & down • about 3 hours
➡️ See route for Cherry Blossom Bike near Basel
23. Rhine River Cycle
On official Route 2: Rhine Route, you can cycle for many days along the Rhine river.
We really like the section between Schaffhausen and Kreuzlingen, which pass through a few cute villages along the way, including the medieval Stein am Rhein. You can also do a detour to the Rhine Falls.
For a one-way tour, you can return by train back to your starting point. We did a “out-and-back” ride, renting bikes in Germany (cheaper than in Switzerland).
➡️ See details for Rhine River cycling tour.
24. Cycle around Greifensee lake
When the kids became more confident cyclists, we often found ourselves at the Greifensee, which has a cycle route that loops around the lake. It’s particularly lovely in spring when the meadows are bursting with daffodils.
Bike route: easy • 2h • 19km • loop • 80m up & down
Location: parking near Breitistrasse 1, 8606 Greifensee
➡️ See details for Greifensee bike route
25. Apple Orchard Cycle Tour
In late April, the apple orchards near eastern Switzerland are in bloom. There’s a fun and easy bike ride through these orchards, passing through cute villages and past farms with honesty shops.
I have a suggested route in my article. But you can easily customize this to ride shorter or longer. We rented bikes at the Kreuzlingen train station and did a loop back to our starting point.
Bike route: easy • 28 km loop • 3h • 170m up & down
Location: start at Kreuzlinen train station for bike rental
➡️ See details for Thurgau Apple Blossom Bike Ride
Extra-Credit: SlowUP Schweiz Bike Events
SlowUp Schweiz runs fun cycling events almost every weekend across Switzerland, where they close the roads to car traffic so all ages and abilities can cycle safely. It’s not a race, just a fun day out.
You might like Liechtenstein on 3 May 2026 Schaffhausen on 10 May 2026.
➡️ Learn more about SlowUp Bike Events
Summer Opening Dates 2026
Here’s a quick reference for the scheduled summer opening dates for popular cable cars and mountain railways in Eastern Switzerland.
⚠️Just because the mountain transport opens, does not necessarily mean the trails and other services are open. Check trail status and opening times carefully before making plans.
Fri 3 April 2026 (Easter Weekend)
- Kronberg
- Hoher Kasten
- Säntis – open all April
- Walensee boats – see timetable
- Kerenzerberg – weekends April/May if there is good weather, daily service in June
- Felsenegg – open Easter weekend, then daily service from 11 April 2026. Status.
Sat 18 April 2026
- Atzmännig – ropes park, toboggan, hikes (may open earlier in good weather)
- Sattel Hochstuckli – alpine playground, toboggan, suspension bridge
Sun 26 April 2026
- Amden Mattstock (status)
Wed 29 April 2026
Fri 1 May 2026 (Labor Day)
- Chäserrugg
- Mettmenalp – tenative date for cable car to open, trails probably not open until June
14-17 May 2026 (Auffahrt weekend)
- Braunwald – maybe
- Palfries
- Pizol Bad Ragaz to Paradiel (Heidi Trail) – status
Sat 23 May 2026 (Pfingsten weekend)
- Toggenburg Tone Trail – open Auffarht weekend, the daily from 23 May 2026
- Elm
- Flumserberg – open this weekend, then daily service from 6 June 2026
Sat 27 June 2026
- Pizol Wangs lifts to 5 Lakes Trail
Sat 6 July 2026
- Hoch Ybrig (tentative date)
