Since many of our readers have teens and older kids, including our family, I thought it was about time to make a post just for you. Here are the most challenging hikes we’ve done with our kids, starting when they were about 8 years old. The hikes below are all longer than 10 km, with a fair amount of elevation ascent and descent. Some have slightly dangerous sections because of narrow trails and steep slopes, but none that require special equipment or guides. These are suitable for tweens & teens that are confident hikers.
See also Longer hikes for older kids, which has hikes in the 6 – 9 km range that are not difficult or dangerous.
1. Pizol Five Lake Hike
We were so excited that our kids were finally old enough to tackle this challenging hike to five alpine lakes. The up and down switchbacks were difficult but views were definitely worth the effort. So glad we took friends on this one to help distract our kids from the hard work. I was actually the slowest one of the trail, lagging behind taking pictures.
Stats: about 11 km, total 550m up and 900m down, took us about 5 hours
Get details for the Pizol Five Lake hike
2. Aletsch Glacier Suspension Bridge Hike
You can easily ride up the cable car to admire the Aletsch glacier with no effort. But this longer trail lets you really enjoy the beautiful details of this area. The trail descends to a gorge cut by the glacier, which you cross with a suspension bridge. Then tough climb back up the other side. It’s particularly nice in fall when the larch trees turn bright yellow. It’s a long day but one you won’t regret.
Distance: 11km with 700m descent and 600m ascent, took us about 5 hours
Get details for the Aletsch Glacier Suspension Bridge Trail
3. Flims Waterway
This hike has three special attractions: a gorgeous high alpine river plain, a huge waterfall, and a river gorge with seven artistic bridges. The walking isn’t particularly difficult and thankfully it’s mostly downhill. But kids will need some endurance to complete the 14 km. The landscape is so special here, I really hope you try it.
Distance: 14 km with about 1000m of elevation descent, took us about 6 hours
Get details for the Flims Waterway hike
4. Brienzer Rothorn
This epic ridge trail may give you vertigo but I think the views make up for it. First, you ride an old school open air cogwheel train up the Rothorn peak. Then join this narrow alpine trail working its way up and down the ridgeline, seemingly even more dramatic at every turn. It’s a difficult and slightly dangerous hike sometimes with steep slopes on either side of the trail. But older kids and teens with hiking experience and common sense should be able to manage it. Budget tip: On the first leg of the journey, kids up to 15 ride free and the early bird ticket give a huge discount, especially worth it if you are paying full fare.
Distance: 10.5 km, about 1020m down and 260m up, about 4-5 hours
Get details for the Brienzer Rothorn ridge hike
5. Mythenrundreise
This hike is the easiest on this list, mostly the length that puts it in the “tough” category. If you’re not sure your child can walk 10 km, this is a good place to start. It alternates between alpine trails and wider paths, between wide open panoramas and forest. It ends at Sattel Hochstuckli, where they can be rewarded by bouncy castles, an alpine slide and even a trotti scooter down the mountain.
Stats: 10km, 266m up and 445m down, took us about 4 hours
Get details for the Mythenrundreise hike
6. Schilthorn to Gimmelwald Hike
This hike is all about the mountain peak views, admiring the famous Bernese Alps as you wind your way around the mountain, then down into a forested river valley that leads back home. The difficult part is here simply the distance and constant downhill pounding on the knees, which is frankly harder on the parents than the kids. We went in fall, when the hills were all sorts of beautiful yellows and reds. Best to go on a clear day when you can see all the mountains.
Distance: 10.7 km, 1300m descent, took us about 5 hours
Get details for the Schilthorn Hike to Gimmelwald
See more longer hikes on this map.
See also Longer hikes for older kids
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