May is a beautiful time to hike in Switzerland, with the wildflowers blooming and waterfalls roaring.
But you must choose your trails carefully, as many mountain areas are closed in May, waiting for the snow to melt. In May, we focus on lakes, rivers, lower elevation mountains, and countryside wanders.
Below are our favorite hikes for May that we’ve done over the years.
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Note: These routes are popular with Swiss locals, away from the tourist crowds. If you are checking off a bucket list and want to visit the most famous areas, see my Top 10 Spring Hikes in Switzerland.
What to expect in May on trails
Please note that in spring, trails may not be at their prime. Trails can be muddy and covered with debris. Fire pits probably aren’t yet stocked with wood. Some trails might still be covered with snow.
So use common sense and be flexible. If you’re hiking in April, some of these aren’t open yet so check my list of April Hikes.
Mountain Views
1. Kronberg Alpine Panorama Trail (Appenzell)
This trail starts with views of Mt Säntis and Alpstein mountain range from the top of the Kronberg cable car. Then you wander along a mild ridge into the rolling countryside, leading down to Appenzell.
Trail: Moderate • 3.5 h • 9.8 k one way • +30m -870m
For a longer hike, you could the entire Stage 3 of the Alpine Panorama Trail, which hikes Schwägalp – Kronberg – Appenzell. This version is 16 km long, 1150m up and 580m down. See trail map.
More info for Kronberg Alpine Panorama Trail
2. Ebenalp Aescher Cliff Restaurant & Seealpsee Lake
This is one of the first mountain areas to open for hiking, usually in mid May. You can ride a cable car up the mountain, then short walk down to the Aescher cliff restaurant for lunch.
If there is no snow or ice, you can do a steep hike down to the Seealpsee. But the safer version is to ride the cable car down, the hike up to the lake via the service road.
It’s a popular area, so on a sunny day, expect the locals out in force.
Get more details for Ebenalp Wildkirchli
3. Rigi Panorama Trail
Mt Rigi near Lucerne has some of the best views for May hiking, enjoying sweeping views across Lake Lucerne. The snow is usually gone by May, with the meadows green and starting to flower.
Of the many trails on this mountain, Rigi Panorama Trail has some of the best views, visiting the Rotstock viewpoint and cliff walk. It ends at Rigi Scheidegg where you’ll find restaurants and a playground with a view.
The full Panorama Trail is about 3 hours. If you prefer a shorter hike, try the Rigi Lake View Trail that still visits the cliff walk, but is half the time.
Hike stats: Easy • 3 h • 8.2 k • 230m up, 320m down
Get the details for the Mount Rigi Panorama trail
4. Engelstock Panorama Trail
Because of its low elevation, this is one of the first mountain areas to open, as early as the second week of June. It has a very nice panorama trail that winds around the hills, with views of the taller surrounding mountains.
At the top of the cable car, there is an entertainment complex with bouncy castles, trampolines and an alpine slide. These attractions sometimes open later in spring, so check the website for opening times so the kids aren’t disappointed.
> Get the details for Sattel Panorama trail
5. Ibergeregg to Rotenflue
You can drive or take a bus to the Ibergeregg mountain pass to access many nice spring hikes. We often do the easy trail to the Rotenflue viewpoint overlooking Lake Lucerne.
There are multiple mountain restaurants along the loop. We usually stop at Alpwirtschaft Zwäcken for soup and freshly baked treats.
Trail: easy • 2h30 • 6.85 k loop • +230m -230m
See info for Ibergeregg Pass to Rotenflue Peak Hike
Alpine Flowers & Countryside Wanders
The alpine meadows are bursting with wildflowers, a great time to do countryside wanders. Here are a few of our favorites.
6. Zug Alpine Panorama Trail
This trail wanders the pretty hills between Oberägeri and Zug. You’ll find lots of flowers here, start with cherry blossoms in late April and dandelions in mid May.
In Oberägeri, you start with a flat walk through the fields near the lake. Then climb up and over a big hill, descending with a view of Lake Zug. You end in the Zug old town, where you can have lunch and ice cream by the lakeside.
Trail: moderate • 3h30 • 11.6km one way • +200m -500m
See info for Zug Alpine Panorama Trail.
7. Illgau Countryside Wander
This hike wanders through the peaceful alpine meadows near the sleepy village Illgau. You start with a tiny cable car (closed at lunch!), then traverse the alp, passing by cute farmhouses and many fields filled with flowers in spring.
Trail: Moderate • 2 h • 6.7 k loop • +214m -578m
See trail info for Illgau Countryside Wander
8. Morgartenberg viewpoint
This unassuming trail leads to Morgartenberg, a lovely viewpoint across the countryside near Sattel. Lots of wildflowers in the valley and on the alp. No mountain transport needed, so it’s free.
Trail: Moderate • 3 h • 9.6 k loop • +410m -410m
See trail info for Morgartenberg hike
9. Heiligkreuz
Hike up to a spectacular view of the these impressive mountains in the Entlebuch region. On a clear day you can even see the Eiger from here.
We went in early May to see the crocus, which bloom near the melting snow patches. But it gets even prettier as the meadows wake up and get more lush.
It’s a steep climb up in the forest, but thankfully shady for the hard work. Then reward yourself with cold drinks and hot fries at the mountain restaurant on the way.
Trail: moderate • 3h • 7.9 km loop • +535m -535m
See trail map.
10. Seewis wildflower trail
The narcissus flowers are blooming now in Seewis, a small village near Klosters. They had their Narcissusfest last weekend, so now is your last change to see the blooms.
If you follow the instructions in my post, you can skip the tough climb and drive directly to the good stuff (must purchase permit to drive on private road).
Hike stats: Easy • 1.25 h • 3.2 k • 130m up/down
See details for Seewis wildflower trail
Lakes
11. Swiss Path: Sisikon to Brunnen
This multi-stage trail works its way around the southern end Lake Lucerne, passing through the original cantons where Switzerland was born.
Our favorite section is Sisikon to Brunnen, with stunning views across the lake and lots of sun lighting up the pretty alpine meadows.
Trail: moderate • 3h30 • 9.5 km • +470m -500m
Get details for the Swiss Path: Sisikon to Brunnen
12. Oeschinensee
The Oeschinensee gondola usually opens the second weekend of May, making it easy to reach this gorgeous mountain lake. From the gondola, it’s about a 30-40 min walk with mountain views to the water.
Which the popular Panorama trail sometimes opens by late May, absolutely do not hike on that trail unless it’s label open! They monitor conditions for risk of landslides and avalanche in spring and will let you know when it is safe for hiking. Check the trail status.
Hike to lake: easy • 90 mins round trip • 4 km • 110m up & down
Learn more about visiting Oeschinensee
13. Klöntalersee
The Klöntalersee is a large reservoir in the Glarnerland mountains. You can drive or take a bus directly to the lake and have a picnic on the lakeshore.
If you want to hike, you can ride the bus to the far side of the lake and walk back. But it can be a little chilly in the shade. Note that the water level can be quite low this early in the season.
Optional Trail: easy • 2h15 • 6.5 km one way • +17m -28m
See details for Klöntalersee
14. Caumasee & Swiss Grand Canyon
This trail meanders through the forest, walking by the bright blue Caumasee lake. The water is low in spring, but still pretty and you can visit for free until summer swimming season starts.
Then continue thru forest and green fields thick with wildflowers to a lookout tower over the Swiss Grand Canyon (aka Rhein Gorge), with interesting cliff formations.
Have lunch at the nice restaurant near the viewpoint. Or hike down the cliffs to the river and catch a train to your starting point.
Trail: easy • 2h15 • 6.7 km there & back •
Get the details for the Rhein Gorge hike
TIP: With kids, you may prefer the Connbächli trail, which parallels the main trail. It follows a tiny stream so children can float boats, leaves or other flotsam on the water as they walk.
Waterfalls
15. Stäuben Falls
In spring, it’s an easy walk along a river to reach this powerful waterfall. Lots of green meadows and wildflowers to enjoy along the way. Near the falls, there is a restaurant and nice picnic area with tables.
Once the snow melts, you can do a longer hike in the mountains above the falls before reaching the main event.
Hike: easy • 2 hours there & back • 6.25 km • 200 m up/down
See details for Stäuben falls and trail map for easy version
16. Walensee & Seerenbach Falls
The Seerenbach waterfalls are running big and beautiful now that the snow is melting.
The falls are easy to reach, with boat ride and a short hike through alpine meadows along the Walensee lake. Then hike back the way you came and stop at the restaurant near the ferry dock for refreshments.
Or you can keep hiking on a longer trail through the forest to Quinten, where there are restaurants on the lakeshore. Then you can take the ferry back from there.
Location: Trail starts in Bettlis, where you can park. Or start in Walen and take the boat.
Trail: easy • 3.5 km round trip from Betlis • 110m up and down
See details for Walensee hike
17. Berschner Falls
It’s a short hike up a rushing river to reach the dramatic Berschner Falls, about 46m tall. On the way there, you’ll passing several smaller waterfalls and nice picnic spots where you can build a fire.
Hike stats: Easy • 1 h • 2.75 k • 200m up/down
Location: Parking at Schulhausstrasse 4-8 8892 Walenstadt / Bus at Berschis, Unterdorf
See hiking map & directions for Berschner Falls
Rivers
18. Rhine River Gorge
This path goes along the Rhine river, leading to the interesting limestone cliff formations in the “Swiss Grand Canyon.” The low elevation means the trees are leafy by early May, making for a pretty forest when you veer away from the water.
It’s a one-way trail with train stations along the way, so you can make it shorter or longer as needed.
Trail: easy • 3h • 9.1 km one way • +150m -200m
Get the details for the Rhine River Trail
19. Areuse Gorge (Neuchâtel)
I’m glad spring forces us to try hikes that in summer we don’t consider because we love the mountains so much.
We really enjoyed this popular hike through a long river gorge in northwestern Switzerland. I had seen pictures of its iconic stone bridge on social media and we excited to get my picture taken there!
>> Get the details for the Areuse Gorge hike
20. Devil’s Gorge
The hike follows 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.
Trail: easy • 1h30 • 4.2 km one way • +10m -420m
See info for Devil’s Gorge trail.
