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. But make sure to check conditions before heading out to make sure the trails are ready for hiking.
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Low elevation hikes
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
1. Seerenbach falls
Spring ferry schedule starts 16 April 2022
This is one of our favorite spring outings, particularly nice starting end of April. After a ferry ride on the Walensee lake, it’s a short 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.
See details for Walensee hike
2. Flims to Rhine gorge viewpoint
Open year round, also a winter trail
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
3. Berschner falls
Possible in mid April
Hike into the hills above a little village to reach these big waterfalls spilling over a cliff. This is a quiet, locals only hike, nice area for a picnic.
See details for Berschner falls
4. Altnau Apple Blossom trail
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
5. Bachtel Kulm
Short climb up to this little peak overlooking Lake Zürich and the mountains beyond. There’s a restaurant, picnic area, playground and tower to climb for a higher perspective.
See details for Bachtel Kulm
Mountain hikes for April and May
The following mountains are lower elevation, so the gondolas open in late April and May. However, the trails might not be ready until later in the season, especially if we have a late snow storm. So check conditions and webcams carefully before heading out.
6. Kronberg
Cable car running from 15 April 2022
If you want to hike in the Appenzell region, you might try Kronberg, which is relatively low elevation at 1663m. It has fab views of the Alpstein mountains and fun amusements for the kids including an alpine coaster, big playground and ropes course. If the snow has melted, you can hike along the ridge towards Appenzell or back to the cable car station. I’d expect this place to be very busy on Easter.
See details for Kronberg
7. Ebenalp
Cable car running from 15 April 2022
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. However, the mountain trail from Ebenalp down to the Seealpsee lake probably isn’t safe to hike until mid May. In the meantime, you can instead hike up the service road to the Seealpsee.
See details for Ebenalp • check webcam
8. Kerenzerberg
Scheduled to open 20 April 2022
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. There is a short hike to a goregous alpine lake shown here, where you can grill a picnic. You can also rent kick scooters to ride down the mountain, one of our favorites.
See details for Kerenzerberg
9. Atzmännig
Open daily starting 9 April 2022
This small mountain area near Zürich is one of the first resorts to open for summer season, usually early April. It’s low elevation so the snow melts faster here. Besides hiking, they have lots of amusements including a ropes adventure course, alpine slide, trampolines and large playground.
See details for Atzmännig
10. Amden
Open daily starting 30 April 2022
Since Amden faces the sun, the snow melts here a bit quicker and hiking can usually start in mid May. 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.
See details for Amden hike
Mountain Tops
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 late June.
11. Säntis
You can ride up to Mt Säntis year round. 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
12. Hoher Kasten
Cable car starts 15 April 2022
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. Hiking season usually doesn’t start here until June (see the summer trail from here).
See details for Hoher Kasten
13. Chäserrugg
Easter & Ascension holiday weekends only
On holiday weekends in April and May, you can ride up to the Chäserrugg to enjoy the view and eat at the restaurant (Easter & Ascension). Hiking season starts mid June when the cable car starts running daily (see the summer trail here).
See details for Chäserrugg
See also our rainy day list.
