Planning outings for Easter weekend in Switzerland can be tricky. Everyone wants to plan an epic getaway for the long weekend. But often ski resorts are starting to close and summer trails won’t be ready for several weeks.
If you want to explore Switzerland over Easter weekend, below are my suggestions for “Easter weekend worthy” hikes and other ways to enjoy mountain views.
Contents
Note: Conditions can change, with late snow storms or bursts of warm, sunny weather. So carefully check opening times and conditions before making plans.
Top Picks for Easter Weekend
Here are my top picks for Easter 2026 based on current opening times and conditions.
| Activity | Top pick for Easter |
| Alpine playground | Sattel Hochstuckli |
| Coaster & zip lines | Kronberg |
| Scenic hike, no gondola | Swiss Path, Ibergeregg |
| Mountain viewpoint | Rigi or Hoher Kasten |
| Waterfalls | Giessbach Falls, Staubbach Falls, Seerenbach Falls |
| Bike ride | Greifensee, Rhine river, Lake Lucerne |
| Lakeside picnic | Turlersee or Katzensee |
What to expect on Easter weekend
Easter is on Sun 5 April 2026. Both Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays and most stores and some restaurants will be closed on these days. Stores at train stations often stay open on Sundays and holidays.
Some ski resorts will still be open over Easter weekend. So if you want to be in the mountains, your best option is still skiing, sledding and winter hikes. But depending on snow conditions, some activities may not be open. So check opening times before making plans.
Note that most spring flower hikes won’t be blooming by Easter. The popular Frick cherry blossom trail doesn’t bloom until about 15 April.
Ticino for Easter
Since the Ticino region is warmer and sunnier than the rest of Switzerland, it’s a popular choice for Easter weekend.
If you want to be in the mountains, the snow in Ticino usually melts there sooner and the mountain lifts start their summer schedule earlier in the season.
1. Monte Generoso
Open Easter weekend, daily service starting 30 March 2026
This mountain is south of Lugano, near the Italian border. You can ride a cogwheel train to a viewpoint at 1600m, where you can admire many mountains and Lake Lugano from a safely enclosed terrace. At the top, there’s a restaurant, a small playground and plenty of room to wander.
You can do a short hike up to a higher viewpoint, definitely recommended. If there’s no snow, you can do a longer that starts along the ridge, dips into the forest, and traverses back around the mountain ending on some cliffs near the restaurant.
Learn more about Monte Generoso
Location: Monte Generoso train – Via Famiglia Carlo Scacchi 6, 6825 Capolago
Website: www.montegeneroso.ch • webcam
2. San Salvatore
Open year round
Just south of Lugano, you can ride a vintage funicular up San Salvatore. Then a short walk up some stairs to a beautiful panorama viewpoint over Lake Lugano. There is a restaurant up there, with a lovely outdoor terrace, reservations definitely recommended.
San Salvatore is the starting point for a popular hike to Morcote, considered by some the most beautiful village in Switzerland. If there’s no snow, that would be a nice choice, returning to Lugano by boat after the hike.
Location: San Salvatore funicular – Via delle Scuole 7, 6900 Paradiso
Website: montesansalvatore.ch • webcam • forecast
Learn more about San Salvatore
3. Cardada Cimetta – Locarno
The Cardada mountain above Locarno has beautiful views of Lago Maggiore and the surrounding mountains.
From Locarno, you riding a funicular train, then transfer to a cable car to reach Cardada, where you’ll find a restaurant, playground and nice viewpoint.
You can optionally ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to Cimetta for an even nicer viewpoint and another restaurant.
The mountain transport to the top usually starts its summer schedule in mid-March. If the snow has melted, you can usually start hiking in early April.
See details for Cardada Cimetta
Open: daily starting 16 March 2026
Location: Locarno Funicular – Viale Francesco Balli 2, 6600 Locarno
Website: www.cardada.ch • forecast • webcam
Near Zurich
During April, most mountains near Zurich are closed, taking a break until summer season. Below are a few outings I would recommend in early April for Easter weekend. See also April Spring Walks for Zürich Families and easy nature walks near Zurich.
4. Boat to Rapperswil & city stroll
Rapperswil is a small town at the south end of Zurich lake. It has a nice castle, attractive old town to wander, fun playground, and pretty wooden walkway over the lake. If you have kids, you can combine this with a visit to the nearby Knie Kinderzoo.
For a nice day trip, we like to start by riding the ferry boat from Zürich to Rapperswil, about two hours. It’s a relaxing way to enjoy pretty views of the lakeside villages and mountains in the distance.
If you want to hike, instead of taking the boat, you can start in Pfäffikon and walk on the “Holzbrücke” trail that goes through a nature reserve and across a wooden walkway that crosses the lake.
See details for Rapperswil outing
5. Kronberg Coaster & Ropes Park
Kronberg is a small mountain area near Appenzell. They have a coaster, large ropes climbing park with lots of ziplines and big fairy tale playground.
Since the amusements are at the valley station at a low elevation, they are usally snow-free by the end of March.
Open: 3 April 2026 • check status
Location: St. Josefstrasse 2, 9108 Jakobsbad. Train Station: Jakobsbad, 10 mins from Appenzell
More about Kronberg coaster and ropes park in our Switzerland Travel Guide
6. Walensee Waterfalls Hike
The Seerenbach waterfalls should be running big and beautiful on Easter weekend. The falls are easy to reach, with a short hike through alpine meadows along the Walensee lake.
The trail starts in Betlis, which can be reached by car or boat. The boat starts its spring schedule 3 April 2026 and will be running on Easter weekend.
After the falls, you can hike to Betlis 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 catch the ferry there.
Theses hike will be much prettier in early May when the trees fill in. But the waterfall, lake and mountains are still beautiful in early spring.
Open: boat starts spring schedule
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
7. Etzel Kulm Hike
This small mountain near Zurich has a beautiful panorama view across Zurich lake and the Einsiedeln region.
It’s a short hike up to the viewpoint, where you’ll find a restaurant and small playground. The restaurant has a popular Easter Monday brunch, reservations required.
My photo below was taken in early May. In April, it won’t be quite so green yet.
See details for Etzel Kulm
8. Rhine Gorge Viewpoint
Open year round
This hike does not rely on mountain transport, making a good choice for spring. Starting near the Flims village, you walk through the forest on a wide dirt path, suitable for strollers.
Along the way, you’ll pass the beautiful Caumasee lake, worth a short detour for some pictures.
The one way trail ends at a viewpoint over the Rhine river gorge, nicknamed the Swiss Grand Canyon. You can climb a tower for a better look. Near the tower, there are picnic areas and a nice restaurant (reservations recommended!). On weekends, there is a kiosk serving sausages and fries.
See details for Rhine river gorge hike
Near Lucerne
Below are my top choices in the Lucerne area for Easter. See more spring ideas for the Lucerne area.
9. Mt Rigi
The Rigi mountain railways are open year round, so you can always visit the spectacular Rigi Kulm viewpoint. You can even do the Rigi Round Trip from Lucerne, which includes a boat ride, making the day trip a little more fun and special.
The panorama trail is a hiking trail for both summer and winter (on groomed snow). In April, the trail is usually a bit messy, with melting snow and mud. But if you don’t mind that and have waterproof shoes, it can be a fun adventure.
The picture here was from our spring hike at Rigi on 7 April 2018, when it was still very snowy but warm enough for just a light jacket.
Definitely check the Rigi webcams and website before heading out. They usually post the trail status so you know if you can walk on it or not.
Note that the Rigi Scheidegg cable car at the end of the full panorama trail has a maintenance break in late April. So if you visit during this time, you’ll need to do a shorter version of the hike as described in my post. Also, if there is snow, the cliff walk portion of the hike will be closed.
Location: Rigi mountain train in Arth-Goldau or Vitznau
Website: www.rigi.ch • webcam • forecast
See details for Rigi Panorama winter walk
10. Lake Lucerne Boat Cruise
If the snow prevents a hike, you can still enjoy fantastic mountain views from a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. You can cruise the full lake from Lucerne to Flüelen in about 4 hours.
If you want a shorter tour, I’d suggest Lucerne to Brunnen or Brunnen to Flüelen, both of which are about 2 hours.
Depending on which boat you take, they sell drinks and snacks or have a full restaurant on the boat. They also offer a special Easter brunch on their historic paddle steamer boat (reserve here).
Location: ferry dock near Lucerne main train station
Website: www.lakelucerne.ch
Learn more about cruising Lake Lucerne.
11. Mt Pilatus
This mountain close to Lucerne city offers spectacular views of lakes and mountains in every direction. To reach the top, you ride a series of cable cars up to an observation deck on the rocky peak, as shown here.
If the snow is melted by Easter, you can walk to three different peak viewpoints above the observation deck. But these may close if there is recent snow.
The amusements like the summer toboggan and ropes park are not scheduled to be open on Easter.
Note that on Easter weekend, the “Pilatus Golden Round Trip” is not possible, as the boat and cogwheel train do not open until early May.
Location: Pilatus gondola in Kriens – Schlossweg 1, 6010 Kriens
Website: www.pilatus.ch • forecast • webcams
Learn more about visiting Mt Pilatus
12. Lake Lungern
This beautiful lake east of Lucerne is a great choice for an easy spring stroll. You can drive or take a train directly here, no gondola required. So you can visit any time of year.
In April, the water level will be low and the trees not yet super green. But the mountain views are still very nice.
Along the lakeshore, there are lots of picnic areas with fire pits, as well as the Kaiserstuhl restaurant at the east end of the lake that offers an Easter brunch (reservations required!).
Since there is public transportation on both ends of the lake, you can easily just walk half the trail instead of the full loop.
Location: Parking – Loppstrasse, 6078 Lungern
Website: forecast • webcam
Learn more about the Lungernsee lake walk
13. Swiss Path
This long distance path wraps around the southern half of Lake Luzern, aka Vierwaldstättersee, is my go-to hike for the shoulder season. It has beautiful mountain and lake views and passes through lovely meadows and forests.
It’s low elevation so usually possible in early April unless we get a late snow storm. But don’t expect the trees to have leaves or wildflowers to be blooming until early May.
The trail is broken up in sections, so you can hike as little or far as you like. Even though some of the path is along busy roads and you are never that far from civilization, we still like this path quite a lot.
See details for the Swiss Path
Near Interlaken
Most of the ski areas in the Jungfrau Region are open through mid April. During this time, you may be able to hike on the winter trails, assuming good conditions. There are also some lower elevation activities like waterfalls and gorges that are also fun to visit during this time. See more spring hikes for the Bernese Oberland.
Note that Ballenberg and Giessbach Falls are not open for Easter weekend, but open a couple weeks later.
14. Aare Gorge
Opens 3 April March 2026
The Aare Gorge usually opens the beginning of April, so a good choice for early spring. There is a 1.6 km walk through the gorge on raised walkways, so you can enjoy the river rushing through without getting wet.
There is a restaurant and playground at the entrance to the gorge. It’s also nice to visit the nearby town Meiringen. Typically I suggest combing the gorge with the nearby Reichenbach falls, but they do not open until the end of April.
Location: Aareschluchtstrasse, 3860 Schattenhalb
Cost: CHF 13/adult, CHF 8/children age 6-16, under 6 free
Website: www.aareschlucht.ch
See details for Aare Gorge.
15. Giessbach falls
Services open starting 3 April 2026
These waterfalls near Interlaken are a special excursion, starting with a ferry ride to the base of the falls, a vintage funicular ride up to the hotel/restaurant, and a hike along the upper falls.
The ferry, funicular and hotel all open on 3 April 2026. However the ferry schedule is very infrequent in April, maybe just once a day each way. So plan your day carefully. Definitely make a reservation if you want to eat. See timetable.
Location: boat departs from Brienz or Interlaken
Website: giessbach.ch
16. Lauterbrunnen Valley Walk
Open year round
If you are in the Jungfrau Region and want to avoid the snow, stay in the valley where you can stroll year round, with beautiful mountain views and cliff walls on both sides.
The “path” is on a quiet country road with restricted traffic. You can walk all the way to Stechelberg (4.3 km), where you can catch a bus back to your starting point. Or you can simple walk as far as you like and walk back. You may also be able to visit the Trümmelbach Falls on your way back, which open in April.
Location: start walk at Lauterbrunnen train station
Cost: free
Website: Lauterbrunnen weather forecast & webcam
See details for Lauterbrunnen Valley Walk
17. Grindelwald First Cliff Walk
If you want a beautiful mountain viewpoint in the Jungfrau Region, Grindelwald First would be my top pick.
The gondola to Grindelwald First runs mostly year round, accessing the exciting First Cliff Walk, which is a metal walkway built into the side of the mountain. From here you have views of the Eiger and many other impressive mountains.
If you want to hike, you can try the winter walk towards the Bachalpsee lake. But note that you won’t see the water as it will be covered with snow and ice.
There is a restaurant at the gondola station. Over Easter, the zip lines may be open, but the Go Cart and Scooter rides usually don’t open until June.
Location: Grindelwald First gondola – Dorfstrasse 187, 3818 Grindelwald
Website: check status • webcam
Learn more about Grindelwald First
18. Jungfraujoch & Schilthorn viewpoints
For more beautiful mountain viewpoints in the Jungfrau Region, but not necessarily a hike, many travelers visit Jungfraujoch (shown below) and Schilthorn, which are open mostly year round.
For a special experience, you could ride up to the Jungfraujoch then hike to Mönchjochhütte, which opens 21 March 2026. Under the Sphinx Observatory, you can exit the complex to the snow and join the groomed winter trail to the hut (about 45 mins each way). You can eat at the hut and even sleep overnight (reservation required). More info about the Mönchjochhütte.
Zermatt in April
In Zermatt, the ski resort is typically open through end of April, with most lifts closing 20 April 2026, a few open till 3 May 2026.
If you visit Zermatt over Easter and don’t ski, you can visit the tourist viewpoints, go sledding and hike on winter trails. See all winter hikes in Zermatt.
19. Gornergrat viewpoint & winter hike
During April, I would suggest visiting the Gornergrat viewpoint, as shown below. This is reached via the cog railway from Zermatt village. It is open year round.
If you want to hike, I suggest Rotenboden-Riffelberg winter walk (#113) accessed by the Gornergrat mountain railway. It’s about 2.4 km and takes about 1 hr. We did the Rotenboden snowshoe trail parallel to the winter walk and it was fantastic.
20. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise viewpoint
You might also visit the Matternhorn Glacier Paradise, accessible year round by gondolas from Zermatt village. There is a small viewing platform, glacier ice cave, restaurant and other amusements.
Website: Zermatt website • forecast • webcams • live status map
13 responses
How do you do these trips which are further away from Zürich? It would be quite a long day trip – leaving at the crack of dawn, do you stay overnight in the area?
Yes, if you find the travel time too long, definitely stay overnight. Many people use the Easter holiday as an opportunity to book a long weekend in a different part of Switzerland.
I suggest adding to this list some time the hike to Zmutt from Zermatt. No need for a gondola so an excellent option when gondolas close. And excellent on the Easter weekend since the weather was so nice.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll definitely put this on our list for next time.
FYI! Sattel is definitely closed until 17th of April!
This was absolutely amazing content and it came in the right time. I have been searching like crazy to compile a list myself of things to do over easter or April in general.
I would love to see more content like this in the future. One per month maybe :).
Thanks
Glad you liked the post. I’m definitely trying to create more monthly posts like this.
This is exactly what I was looking for! thanks!
Glad I could help!
Thank you for this, Tanya! I enjoy your posts so much. We will be in Switzerland May 4-14 this year. We are starting out in Appenzell. Any suggestions for hikes that time of the year? We have been to Lauterbrunnen before but plan to go again so this post is very helpful to do some things we didn’t get to do last time.
Thanks! Fran
Hi! Sounds like I need to finish up my “spring in eastern Switzerland” guide. Ebenalp where you find the famous cliff restaurant usually opens mid-May but you can walk up to the lake on the service road earlier than that. I need to do more research and write a full post to answer this properly. Check back in the next couple weeks for that.
Thank you sooo much for this post. I was planning a hike during Easter and stumbled on this post. The diverse ideas and detailed information is incredibly helpful. I will probably do my hike in Ticino – so option 7 or 8.
Yay! I’ve been getting lots of questions about this, so I figured it was easier to write about it once and share it. I agree that Ticino is a good choice. I forgot to mention Bellinzona, another nice place in Ticino to visit. https://swissfamilyfun.com/bellinzona/