25 Best Spring Hikes in Switzerland

Spring hikes near Lucerne

The Lucerne area is a great choice for spring as there are many lower elevation areas to explore. See also our Lucerne in Spring guide.

3. Zug Cherry Blossom Trail

Best around mid to late April

This trail hikes in the hills above the Zugersee lake, where you can find many cherry trees blossoming in mid to late April. It’s about a three hour walk, starting at the lake, wandering through small villages. Then it heads up the hills, often in the forest with occasional views across the lake to Mt Rigi.

The trees are usually blossoming in the second half of April. You can check the bloom status buy contacting the Zug flower hotline: 041 723 68 00 or tourism@zug.ch 

Hike: moderate • 3 h • 8 k • 240m up, 225m down

Location: Near Zug. Start at Zug Fridbach train station, end at Walchwil Bahnhof

Learn more about the Zug Cherry Blossom Trail

4. Zug Alpine Panorama Trail

Best starting late April

This trail wanders through the countryside near Zug, passing through farms and fields filled with dandelions. It’s a long trail, but not difficult, with only one short uphill climb.

This trail also has lots of cherry trees, which blossom around the end of April. We did this trail in mid May, missing the peak bloom, but the weather was sunny and warm and plenty of other flowers along the way. 

Hike: Easy • 3.5 h • 11.6 k • 200m up, 500m down

Location: start in Unterägeri and end in Zug

Learn more about Zug Alpine Panorama Trail

5. Hochstuckli Engelstock LOOP trail

Usually late April

This family mountain is one of the first to open in spring because of its low elevation. A gondola takes you up to 1200m, where you find lovely views, restaurants and a family amusement center with bouncy castles, trampolines, summer toboggan, suspension bridge and more.

The Engelstock LOOP trail hikes around the mountain, with panorama views of many mountains and lakes. The dirt path is suitable for strollers and has activities for kids with a goat theme.

Hike: Moderate • 2 h • 5.7 k • 140m up, 130m down

Location: Sattel Hochstuckli gondola, about 45 mins by car from Lucerne or Zurich

Learn more about Sattel Engelstock Panorama Loop

6. Stäuben Falls

Best starting mid May

You can reach these impressive waterfalls with an easy one hour walk on a service road along the river. If the snow has melted (or you have snowshoes), you may be able to visit the falls in late March or early April. But we think it’s prettiest starting in mid May when the flowers are blooming and trees green.

Once spring hits, the walk itself is very lovely, with lots of green meadows that fill with wildflowers. Near the falls, there is a picnic area and the Gasthöfli Aesch restaurant, though they typically don’t open until June.

Starting in late May, you can take an alternate route, riding a cable car up the mountain and hiking around the alps above the falls before reaching this viewpoint. This narrow dirt trail is best for those with hiking experience and a good fitness level.

Hike: easy • 2 hours round trip • 6 km there and back • 200m up & down

Location: Unterschächen, about 50 mins by car from Lucerne

See details for Stäuben falls.

7. Fürenalp Engelberg

Usually late April

The Engelberg valley west of Lucerne is classic Switzerland, exactly how you imagined Switzerland would look like, speckled with mountain huts on green hills, surrounded by towering peaks. The Fürenalp hike here (1800m), which usually opens in May, is one of the nicest (and most affordable) spring hikes we’ve done. It has big views and a roaring waterfall and river in the middle of the hike.

If you want even bigger views, you can combine this with a ride up to Mount Titlis, where you can stand on the glacier and soak in 360 views from one of the highest peaks in the region. The cable cars to Titlis run year round, with a short maintenance break in November.

Get more details about the Fürenalp hike and Mount Titlis

8. Grosser Mythen

Starting early May

This tall peak is a defining feature of the Mythen Region. Starting the middle of May, you can ride a cable car to the base of the peak. From there, it’s a little over an hour of steep rocky switchbacks to the top, gaining about 400m elevation over 2 km.

At the top, you can get warm drinks and snacks at the hut to enjoy while you take in the panorama views. It’s a demanding trail, best for those with hiking experience and a head for heights.

If snow melts early, you can do this trail without the cable car, either by hiking across from the Ibergeregg pass or from Brunni Alpthal (the valley cable car station). I did this once for a sunrise hike before the cable car opened for the day. But first check the status of the trail to make sure it’s open and free of ice.

Hike: challenging • 2 h round trip • 3.8 km up and back • 410m up & down

Location: Brunni-Holzegg cable car – Brunnistrasse 14, 8849 Alpthal

Learn more about Grosser Mythen hike

Spring hikes near Zurich

Zurich has dozens of low elevation hikes that are great for spring. So I’ve only chosen a few favorites for this list. See also Easy Nature Walks near Zurich and Zurich Walks for April

9. Walensee & Seerenbach Waterfalls

Best starting mid April

One of my favorite spring traditions is hiking to the Seerenbach Falls near the gorgeous Walensee lake. You can start your day with a short ferry ride to reach the trail. Then walk on a private road past a few farms, greeting cows and goats along the way. Near the cliffs, a dirt foot path leads into the forest and up to a viewpoint close to the falls.

There are a couple picnic areas with fire pits and a restaurant near the start of the trail. If you want to hike longer, you can follow the trail past the waterfalls and traverse the mountain couple hours, ending at the tiny lakeside village Quinten and catch the ferry there instead.

Hike to falls: easy • 1h30 round trip • 3.5 k there & back • 110m up & down 

Location: Weesen boat dock – from Zurich, 45 mins by car, 1 hour by train/bus

Learn more about the Walensee hike

10. Chli Aubrig

Best starting in May

Because of the relative low elevation at 1642m, you can usually hike to this peak starting in May. No gondola required either. You just drive to the mountain pass where the trail starts.

The trail starts on a service road for dairy farmers, through alpine pastures bursting with wildflowers. Then a narrow dirt path up the mountain and steep scramble to the peak, where you can enjoy panorama views across the Einsiedeln region. After visiting the peak, the trail loops below the peak through some marshy fields that can be flooded right after rain.

Trail: Moderate • 3 h • 9.5 k • 400m up/down

Location: Sattelegg – from Zurich, 45 mins by car, not possible by public transport

See details for Chli Aubrig Hike

11. Näfels Obersee

Best starting mid May

This alpine lake is hidden in the mountains above Glarus, accessible via a narrow, winding road. There is an easy path around the lake, with a few nice picnic spots where you can build a fire and linger to enjoy the view.

As spring arrives in the mountains in late May, this area turns bright green, absolutely gorgeous with the mountain peak reflecting in the water.

You can drive directly to this small alpine lake, no gondola required. However, the narrow one lane road could be impassable or dangerous if there is recent snow. 

Hike: Easy • 1 h • 2.7 k loop • 20m up & down

Location: Näfels Glarnerland – from Zurich, 50 mins by car

Get the details for Näfels Obersee

12. Amden

Chair lift opens 29 April 2023

Amden is a small mountain area south of Zurich where the snow melts earlier than other mountains because of the low elevation and excellent sun exposure. The Höhenweg is a lovely loop that wanders through alpine meadows, moor and rocky forest with beautiful mountain views.

The chair lift that services the trail usually opens at the end of April. But if there’s no snow before that, you can just hike down the mountain without the lift, adding about 2 km and 380m of elevation.

Hike: Moderate • 2.5 h • 8.5 k • 280m up, 290m down

Location: Amden – from Zurich, 50 mins by car and 1h15 by train

Learn more about Amden Höhenweg

13. Ebenalp Wildkirchli

Scheduled to open 1 May 2023 

Starting in May, the Ebenalp cable car opens for summer season, enabling you to easily access the famous cliff restaurant, Berggasthaus Aescher. From the top of the cable car, it’s a short walk down through a cave and around the mountain on a wooden walkway built into the cliffs.

The other mountain hikes in this area usually aren’t ready until June due to snow. Check the Ebenalp website for trail status and restaurant opening times.

Hike to cliff restaurant: moderate • 1 h round trip • 1.4 km there and back • 120m up & down

Location: Wasserauen, Appenzell Region • from Zurich, 

Get the details for the Ebenalp Wildkirchli hike

14. Rhine Gorge (aka “Swiss Grand Canyon”)

Best starting late April

The Rhine Gorge is a section of the Rhine river in central Switzerland, where the water has created a unique craggy rock formations in the limestone walls. It has been affectionately nicknamed the Swiss Grand Canyon. Since this area is low elevation and doesn’t require gondolas, it’s a good choice to visit in spring.

There are many ways to enjoy the charms of this area. Our favorite is to ride the vintage open-air train up the gorge, admiring the dramatic gorge walls on the way. Then walk back along the riverbanks, about three hours, then catch the train back to your starting point. Since the trail parallels the train route, you can walk as little as one hour or as long as 27 km. 

Learn more about the Rhine Gorge river walk

Another popular choice is starting in Flims and hiking out to the gorge lookout tower at Conn. Next to the tower, there’s a picnic area and nice restaurant (reservations recommended!). The path is easy walking through the forest, on a wide path suitable for strollers. Along the way, you’ll pass the beautiful Caumasee lake, worth a short detour for some pictures before they start charging in late May (26 May 2023). 

After enjoying the view, you can hike back the way you came or hike down the canyon to the river and catch a train back back to your starting point. 

Learn more about Hike to Rhine Gorge lookout tower 

Jungfrau Region & Bernese Oberland

Most popular summer trails in the Jungfrau Region and Bernese Oberland won’t be open until mid June or later, depending on when the snow melts. So even if the mountain railways are running in spring (like Grindelwald First or Schynige Platte), the trails probably won’t be open (check trail status). 

If you want to hike here in spring, here are a few lower elevation options. See more spring ideas for Bernese Oberland.

15. Lauterbrunnen Valley

Open year round

A walk down the Lauterbrunnen valley is a good choice any time of year. It’s particularly nice in spring when the many waterfalls falling down the cliff walls will be in their prime. The full path is about 2 hours from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, where you can take a bus back to your starting point. But you can walk less, just wandering out and back as far as you like.

Right as you start the path, you’ll see the big Staubbach falls and I suggest a short detour on the path that leads close to the water and to a lookout behind the falls. I also suggest combining this walk with a visit to the Trummelbach Falls, a tourist attraction that opens in early April. 

Get details for the Lauterbrunnen valley walk

16. Oeschinensee lake

Summer season starts 14 May 2023

This gorgeous lake is one of the first mountain lakes you can visit in spring, with the gondola and other services usually opening in early May. From the top of the gondola, it’s an easy walk about 40 mins to reach the lakeshore. This is a wonderful place to enjoy a lakeside picnic, admiring the impressive mountain peaks above.

One advantage of visiting the Oeschinensee in spring is that the waterfalls are much bigger. In May and June, there is usually a huge waterfall right next to the lakeshore. But by June, that waterfall often dries up and disappears altogether.

Note that the Panorama Trail above the lake usually isn’t free of snow until early June, so don’t plan to do that (check trail status). If you want to visit before the cable car opens for summer season, you can hike up from the Kandersteg village, about 1hr.

Hike: easy • 1.5 h round trip • 4 k • 110m up & down

Location: Kandersteg – from Interlaken, 40 mins by car and 1h30 by train

Get details for Lake Oeschinen

17. Giessbach Falls

Open starting 7 April 2023

The lovely Giessbach falls are a popular spring outing, when the water volume is at its highest. You can reach the main falls by riding a ferry to the base of the falls, then a vintage funicular up to the hotel/restaurant.

For a short hike, you can follow the narrow footpath up along the upper falls. It leads to a walkway underneath the roaring water and nice view down to the lake far below. Instead of taking the funicular back down to the lake, you can walk down a paved path where you can enjoy a few views of the lower falls.

The ferry, funicular and restaurant all open for summer season at the beginning of April. But the ferry doesn’t run every day until mid-May. So check the schedule carefully before heading out.

If you want a longer hike, you might like the Brienzersee Drei Wasserfälleweg (aka “Three Waterfall Trail”). It along the southern shores of Lake Brienz. The full trail is about 18 km from Bonigen to Brienz, with stops in the pretty village Iseltwald and the Giessbach Falls. See trail maps for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of this trail. 

Hike up falls: moderate • 1 hour • 2.1 km up and back • 220m up & down

Location: boat from either Brienz or Interlaken to Giessbach (See)

See details for Giessbach falls

Montreux & Lake Geneva region

18. Les Pleiades narcissus flower hike

Flowers bloom in late May/early June

In early June, the hills near Montreux and Lausanne are full of narcissus flowers. The easiest places to see them in the easy hike at Les Pleiades, shown below. Even if the flowers aren’t in full bloom, this area is a lovely area for walking in spring.

Hike: Easy • 2 h • 5.45 k • 200m up & down

Location: Les Pleiades – from Montreux, 25 mins by car and 1 hr by train

See details for Les Pleiades hike

19. Lavaux vineyard terraces

Possible year round, best starting in May

The Lavaux terraces along the shores of Lake Geneva are a beautiful place to hike in spring. The contrast of the green grape vines against the bright blue lake makes for fantastic photos.

There are several trails crisscrossing through the vineyards, connecting the villages and wineries that speckle the hillsides. We suggest the trail from St Saphorin to Cully (about 2 hours) or a bit farther to Lutry (about another 90 mins). In both villages, there are restaurants and lovely promenades along the lakeshore. 

On weekends, some vendors have stands where you can taste and purchase local wines. I suggest combining this with a lake cruise and visit to Chillon Castle back in Montreux. 

Hike: moderate • 4 h • 12 k • 230m up, 240m down (can shorten)

Location: start in St Saphorin, 30 mins drive west of Montreux

See details for Lavaux terrace hike 

Northwest Switzerland (Jura, Solothurn)

20. Creux du Van

Best starting in mid April

Creux du Van is a natural amphitheater located in the Jura Mountains in western Switzerland. The semi-circular cliff face rises over 160 meters above the surrounding landscape, and it stretches for more than a kilometer.

You can visit this area year round by driving close to the cliffs and doing a short walk through farm fields to reach the viewpoint. Then you can walk along the cliff arena, behind a stone wall for safety.

If you are coming by public transportation, you must hike up the mountain to reach the cliff viewpoint. Since that could be dangerous with snow or ice, we don’t recommend doing that trail until around late April.

Hike along cliffs: Easy • 1 h • 4 k • 90m up, 70m down

Location: Val-de-Travers, west of Neuchâtel

Get the details for Creux du Van 

21. Areuse Gorge

Best starting in late April

This hike follows a river through forests and meadows, with a few narrow gorge sections with cliff wall rising up on both sides. It’s a bit long, but easy walking mostly downhill. One highlight is this classic bridge where everyone takes a photo. 

You can hike this trail any time of year. But it will be prettiest in spring when the trees have filled in, around early May.

Hike: Easy • 11.5 k • 120m up, 350m down

Location: Val-de-Travers, west of Neuchâtel

See details for Areuse Gorge 

22. Weissenstein

Open mid April, best starting in May

This mountain north of Bern is a good choice for spring because of its relatively low elevation at 1280m. The cable car runs year round, usually with a short maintenance break at the beginning of April. And even if the cable car isn’t running, you can drive to the top of the mountain and park near the trailhead.

The trail visits to two viewpoints, peering cliffs down to Swiss farmland dotted with yellow fields. If there’s no snow, you can start hiking here in April, but we find it best in late May when the trees have turned green again. 

Hike: Moderate • 2h40 • 7 k • 210m up, 430m down

Location: near Solothurn north of Bern –  Weissensteinstrasse 187, 4515 Oberdorf

See details for Weissenstein hike.

Ticino

Spring comes earlier to Ticino, the southern part of Switzerland south of the alps, so it can be warmer and greener at this time of year. These are our top picks in Ticino for spring. See more Ticino hikes.

23. Valle Verzasca

This river is famous for its arched stone bridge and summer swimming area with crystal clear water. Before the hot weather arrives, we love the long trail along the river, starting far up the valley in the tiny village Sonogno.

The trail winds through forests and lush fields and past clusters of charming “Rustico” stone houses. The full trail takes about four hours, but since it parallels the bus route, you can easily shorten it down to about 90 mins. The last part of the trail has activities for kids, with elaborate marble runs built into the landscape.

Hike: easy • 4h • 14 k • 10m up, 390m down (can easily shorten)

Location: Lavertezzo, near Locarno

Get the details for the Valle Verzasca river hike

23. Monte Generoso

Opens for summer season 25 March 2023

This mountain sits at the southwest end of Lake Lugano, so you can start your day by riding ferry boat to the base of the mountain. A cogwheel mountain train takes you to 1704m, where you can enjoy fantastic views of both Swiss and Italian alps.

Near the station, there is a panorama terrace along the cliffs and a restaurant. There is a short 1 km loop that goes up to the Monte Generoso peak and viewpoint. Or for a longer hike, there is a lovely 8 km loop that starts along the mountain ridge and dips down into the forest before looping back through alpine meadows to your starting point. 

Hike: Moderate • 3 h • 8 k • 390 up/down

Location: 25 mins by car, 15 mins by train

See details for Monte Generoso hike

24. San Salvatore to Morcote

Best starting in April

The San Salvatore peak is just south of Lugano, almost part of the city. To get to the top, you can ride a vintage funicular or hike up if you want some fitness. From the panorama terrace, you can enjoy spectacular views across Lake Lugano.

San Salvatore is the starting point for a popular hike to Morcote, considered by some the most beautiful village in Switzerland. The trail follows the ridge shown in the above photo, visiting a few villages before arriving at Morcote at the southern end of this range.

Location: San Salvatore funicular – Via delle Scuole 7, 6900 Paradiso

Hike: moderate • 3h • 9.2 km • 190m up, 750m down (see trail map)

Learn more about San Salvatore

Zermatt

If you want to hike, Zermatt is not the best choice in spring. Since Zermatt is at a high elevation (the village is at 1620m), the snow stays longer and summer hiking season doesn’t really start until late June/early July.

You can always visit the beautiful viewpoints at Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. But the mountain hiking trails will definitely be closed.

25. Füri to Zermatt

If you must visit Zermatt in May or June, I would suggest the hike from the Füri cable car station down to Zermatt, assuming that is free from snow. From your starting point at Füri, you have very nice views of the Matterhorn.

On your walk down, you have beautiful views of the Zermatt village as shown below. If you visit Zermatt in April, the hiking trails will probably be under snow and you should do a winter hike instead.

See Füri trail and more Zermatt spring hikes.

Don’t go here in spring

Some parts of Switzerland are at such high elevations, that spring comes late and you will have a hard time finding things to do there. Don’t misunderstand: we love these areas in summer! But in spring, you will probably enjoy your time more in the parts of Switzerland mentioned above.

St. Moritz in the Engadin valley is very high at 1856m, as high as mountain tops in other regions. We’ve been skiing in this region as late as mid-May! If you do go to this area in spring, probably best to do walks in the valley, along the lakes, maybe rent bikes and do a long valley ride.

Davos, Lenzerheide, Arosa – These areas are also higher elevations (valley stations around 1400 to 1600m) and don’t open for hiking until June. On holiday weekends in May, the cable cars will take you to the top for pretty views and a meal but don’t expect to hike.

See also mountain peaks you can visit year round