15 Swiss hikes for November

November in Switzerland is not the best time for hiking. Most mountain resorts are closed, taking a break until ski season in mid December. Also weather and conditions are unpredictable, with many mountain trails either covered in snow or impassable due to mud, ice, landslides, maintenance, etc.

However, you can still hike in Switzerland in November if you choose your hikes carefully, usually at lower elevations under 1500m.

Here are a few hike suggestions for November, focusing on hikes with nice views (rather than forest rambles). As always, make sure to check the webcams, weather reports and websites to judge current conditions before heading out.

See also:

• If trails are closed with snow, you can still visit the best mountain viewpoints for November.
• If there’s lots of snow, check out where to ski in November.

Near Zürich

I’ve selected hikes with big views. But of course, there are lots of other low elevation nature walks, rambling through forests and along rivers. For a start, see Easy Nature Walks near Zürich.

1. Uetliberg Panorama Trail

This trail along this mountain ridge just west of Zürich city is a great choice for November because it rarely has snow and has nice panorama views across Lake Zürich.

If you want a workout, you can hike up and down the mountain (see Three trails to the top of this Zürich mountain). Or take the easy way and ride the train to the Uetliberg viewpoint then hike across to Felsenegg, where you can ride a cable car down and a train back to the city.

See Uetliberg Panorama Trail.

2. Pizol

Although Pizol closes most of the resort near the end of October, it usually continues to run the Bad Ragaz – Paradiel gondola on weekends with good weather. This means you can access some of the mountain trails, starting at 1633m.

Pizol status: operating status • webcams • forecast
Location:

With kids, you can do the Heidi activity trail, which has 12 interactive stations along the loop path. It’s only of the only fun hikes for kids you can access in November.

Part of the trail is in the forest, so it can get chilly. Best to start earlier in the day before the shadows cover the whole area.

Heidi trail: 1h30 • 4km loop • 120m up, 110m down See trail info.

If you want a longer trail, we like the mountain trail up to the Vilterser Seeli lake. Most of the trail is in the sun (if you get an early start), with big panorama views across the valley towards Liechtenstein.

Trail: 2h30 • 7.2 km loop • 440m up & down • see trail map

3. Palfries

This sunny mountain is not well known, but a favorite of locals. If there is nice weather and no snow, the cable car usually stays open through mid November. But you need to book a timeslot in advance via their website.

The trail wanders through the meadows below these tall peaks, then loops back on a service road. Pretty easy and mostly in the sun.

Trail: 2h30 • 7km loop • 190m up & down

Location: Palfries cable car –  Ludiweg 11, 8888 Mels • 50 min drive southeast of Zürich

If you want to hike more, you can do a longer loop, about 4h and more elevation ascent and . See trail map.

Learn more about Palfries hike.

4. Etzel Kulm

It’s a short hike to this viewpoint over Lake Zürich and the Einsiedeln countryside . The restaurant is still open, so you can get a warm drink and lounge under a blanket with a view.

See details for Etzel Kulm hike

5. Türlersee

I’m always recommending this little lake near Zürich, but for good reason. It’s nice in all seasons, even when it snows. There’s a 4 km loop around the lake, easy walking, a little bumpy but possible with an all-terrain stroller if you are determined.

See details for Türlersee winter walk

Lake Lucerne region

6. Ibergeregg pass

This easy hike starts at the top of the Ibergeregg mountain pass (1400m), accessible directly by car or bus, no gondola required. So it’s a good choice for a mountain hike when most cable cars are closed for the season.

The wide dirt path traverse the mountain through alpine meadows and forests, with spectacular panorama views around the idyllic Mythen Region. The full lollipop trail takes about 2-2h30. But you can make it shorter by just walking 20-30 mins out and back the way you came.

Trail: 2h30 • 6.85 km • 230m up& down • see trail details

Location: Ibergeregg pass, about 1h drive south of Zurich

The restaurants along the path usually close for a couple weeks in November. So better to bring your own snacks and thermos with a hot drink.

Even if this area gets snow in November, it often melts again if we have sunny weather. So check the webcams to see the current conditions. 

7. Schachtaler High Mountain Trail

This mountain near the southern end of Lake Luzern is usually open for hiking in November, with the cable running on the weekends. On weekdays from 7-18 Nov 2022, the Eggberge cable car is running a limited schedule on weekdays. Check current schedule.

So as long as there isn’t snow, you could do the beautiful Biel-Eggberge trail or Wild Hay Trail.

8. Rigi Panorama

Since it’s a popular tourist destination, Mt Rigi is open year round. In November, you can usually hike along the Rigi Lake View trail, partway down the mountain to Rigi Kalbad.

Trail: 1h30 • 4.4 km • 50m up, 380m down • see trail map

Rigi status: timetables • Rigi webcams

Learn more about visiting Rigi.

Note: The cliff walk portion of the trail usually closes at the end of the October. The Krabbel-Kleine Scheidegg cable car is closed for maintenance for two weeks in the middle of November.

9. Swiss path

This path around the southern half of Lake Luzern is a good choice for the shoulder season because if its low elevation. This long distance trail is divided into sections, each with a different character.

I’d suggest the sections E & F between Flüelen and Sisikon, which should get more sun than the other sections and less likely to have problems with snow.

Some of the Swiss Path hikes rely on boats to connect the ends of the trail. The boats still run on Lake Lucerne in winter, but with a more limited schedule. So check the schedule and plan carefully.

See Overview of the Swiss Path

10. Lungernsee

This gorgeous lake has an easy walking path along its shores, with mountains to admire on all sides. Check the webcams before heading out.

See Lungernersee Lake Walk

Near Interlaken

If there is no snow and the weather is nice, the following mountains usually stay open on weekends in November: Niesen, Niederhorn, and Oeschinensee. But if there is snow, you could try one of these hikes instead.

11. Lauterbrunnen valley

Most of the mountain transport and many services in this area usually close around the third weekend of October.

In November, your best bet is a simple walk down the Lauterbrunnen valley, which is absolutely gorgeous any time of year. Starting in Lauterbrunnen, you can walk all the way to Stechelberg, about 2h and mostly flat. Then take a bus back to Lauterbrunnen.

See details for Lauterbrunnen valley walk

Lake Geneva region / Western Switzerland

12. Lavaux terraces

Harvest season may be over, but the views are still fantastic from this easy path through the vineyards. You can walk as short or long as you like, as the train connects between the villages along the way.

See Lavaux Terrace Hike

13. Moléson

Standing proudly at 2002 meters, Moléson is one of the La Gruyère region’s most iconic peaks.

It’s easily accessible by the Moléson funicular and cable car, both of which operate on weekends throughout November and early December. Departures are every 20 minutes (timed perfectly to coordinate the connections).

Before starting the 8-kilometer hike, climb from the mountain station to the summit. From here, you can enjoy a magnificent 360° view. Lake Geneva, the peaks of the Alps such as Mont-Blanc or the Swiss Mittelland spread out before you.

The downhill hike from Moléson leads along the Crête de Moléson ridge, winding past charming Fribourg mountain pastures towards the Gros Plané and ending at the middle station Plan-Francey. Not suitable for strollers (Bergwanderung).

While the Magic Pass includes funicular and cable car rides, half-fare travel cards aren’t accepted here.

Trail: 3h • 8km loop • 240m up, 720m down • see trail map

Location: Moléson-sur-Gruyères parking, about 50 min drive from Lausanne or Bern

Contributed by our friend Hana from Our Swiss Experience.

14. Creux du Van

This impressive natural rock arena is nice to visit any time of year. You can drive quite close to the cliffs and walk along the half circle on a path set safely back from the edge. It’s located in northwestern Switzerland, about a 2hr drive from Zürich.

See details for Creux du Van

Ticino region (southern Switzerland)

15. Monte Bre

The funicular to this mountain overlooking Lugano is open year round, except a short maintenance break in late January. If the weather is nice, you can hike down to the lake and walk back along the shore to Lugano or catch a bus (the boat back to Lugano only runs through end of October).

I wouldn’t suggest this hike on wet days as some parts are a bit steep and could be dangerous with mud.

See details for Monte Bre hike

Do you have another hike to add to this November list? Leave a comment!