Gorges Archives | Swiss Family Fun

10 Most Beautiful River Gorges in Switzerland

Switzerland has many impressive gorges cut by rivers and glaciers over millennia, some that are tourist attractions you must pay to visit and other others wild in nature and require a hike to visit. Here are ten that we recommend.

Zermatt Gorner Gorge

Easy
1 h
2.75 k
100m
100m

Explore the breathtaking beauty of this narrow river gorge on an wooden walkway suspended over stunning rock formations and turquoise waters.

Valais

Aare Gorge • Tips for your visit

Easy
1 h
1.6 k

Explore this narrow river gorge on elevated walkways built into the rock walls, admiring the interesting curved formations and icy blue water running through the middle.

Bernese Oberland

Grindelwald Glacier Gorge

Walk through a narrow river gorge on an elevated walkway. Plus a few amusements include walking on a net over the river and an exciting canyon swing.

Bernese Oberland

Areuse Gorge • Hike along river

Easy
3.5 h
11.5 k
120m
350m

Beautiful walk along a rushing river, through fields and forests, with several narrow sections with dramatic cliff walls, waterfalls and stone bridges. It’s a long hike at 11km, but mostly downhill and not difficult.

Rhine Gorge: Hike down the “Swiss Grand Canyon”

Moderate
7.8 k
110m
550m

After an easy walk through fields and forests to the dramatic lookout over the Rhein Gorge, you can continue hiking all the way down the gorge to the river below, where you can admire the interesting cliff formations from a different perspective. The river below is a great spot for a fire and picnic. One way hike 7.8 km, return by train.

Tamina River Gorge

Easy
1 h
1 k

Explore this narrow river gorge on a safe walkway above the roaring river below. For a longer outing, add on a canyon walk and swim at nearby thermal baths.

Eastern Switzerland

Rhine River • Hike thru “Swiss Grand Canyon”

Easy
3 h
9.1 k
150m
200m

Easy walk along the Rhine river through the “Swiss Grand Canyon” with lots of interesting formations in the limestone walls lining the gorge plus open-air train ride to get there.

Rhein Gorge • Forest Hike to “Swiss Grand Canyon” Viewpoint

Easy
2 h
6.7 k
240m
240m

Beautiful forest walk to lookout over the Rhein Gorge, with interesting cliff formations dropping into a river below. Good choice for spring. Easy 7 km round trip, possible with strollers.

Graubünden

Wolfsschlucht” river gorge & bear cave hike

Moderate
2 h
4 k
220m
260m

Hike up to an enormous cave in the side of a cliff wall with a view, then ramble down a beautiful forested gorge. Not too long, so a good choice for families that want a little adventure.

Viamala Gorge Viewpoint & Treasure Hunt

Easy
.5 h
.3 k

Viewpoint over this narrow gorge with short walkways in the rock wall to get a closer look. Kids can do a treasure hunt using binoculars to spy hidden clues in the canyon.

Tüfelsschlucht • Hike through Devil’s Gorge

Easy
1.75 h
4.2 k
10m
420m

Hike through beautiful river gorge, following 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.

Northwest Switzerland