During winter, you can still hike in Switzerland on groomed winter hiking trails at many ski resorts. The snow on these trails is smoothed with machines so you can walk on the snow with regular hiking shoes, not snowshoes. Swiss winter trails are well marked and easy to follow, a great way to enjoy the mountain views for non-skiers.
Below are our favorite winter hiking trails within a day trip distance of Zürich. I have included a variety of trail distances and difficulty levels, so there’s something for everyone including kids and beginners. If you want more challenging winter hikes, try a snowshoe trail.
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See also Best winter hikes near Lucerne – also close enough for a day trip from Zurich.
Map of Winter Hikes near Zurich
This maps shows the winter hikes described below. For an interactive map, get my Swiss Winter Guide.
Heidiland region
1. Pizol winter hike
This winter hike is at the top of the Pizol ski resort. The mountains here are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona. It sounds impressive and it is!
It’s an easy loop trail connecting two sides of the ski resort, with restaurants at both ends. You’re above the trees, so wide open views the whole way.
On the way back down, you can stop at the Furt middle station and enjoy a 3.5 km sled run (sled rental on site).
- Hike: Easy • 1h15 • 3.7 k • 30m up & down • see trail map
- Location: Bad Ragaz Pizolbahnen gondola – Loisstrasse 50, 7310 Bad Ragaz
- From Zürich: 1h by car, 1h10 by train/bus
- Cost: return ticket for mountain lifts from Bad Ragaz to Laufböden – “Panorama Höhenweg” ticket. Discount for Swiss travel cards. See current prices.
See details for Pizol Panorama Höhenweg Winter Hike
2. Flumserberg Winter Hikes
Flumserberg is a ski resort south of Zurich, with a few groomed winter trails to choose from.
We usually do the winter trail from Tannenboden to Seebenalp, where you’ll find a frozen lake and mountain restaurant. This trail is “free” since it starts directly from the main parking lot, no gondola required.
The path heads up through the forest, crossing the ski hill once. Then the trail wraps around the mountain until you reach the Seebenalpsee lake.
The hike is not super difficult, but is uphill the whole way to the lake and takes some endurance. The trail has nice views, but it’s often in the shade, so it can be a bit chilly.
- Hike: moderate • 2h30 • 7.1 km there & back • 290m up & down
- Cost: no gondola required, so hike is free / fees for parking or public transport to reach trail
- Location: Flumserberg Tannenboden – See on map.
- Distance from Zürich: 1h15 by car or train
See details for Flumserberg Seebenalpsee winter hike
More winter trails at Flumserberg
We also like the winter trail betwen Panüol and Prodalp. For an easy day, you can ride mountain lifts to Panüöl and walk downhill to Proadalp, about 1h15. For a less expensive day, ride the gondola just to Prodalp and hike uphill to Panüöl and back the same way, about 2h30. Learn more.
For a short loop, try the Mädils winter trail, which loops around an alpine meadow also used for cross-country skiing. It’s easy walking, about 1 hour and minimal up and down. You can access it directly from the Tannenboden parking and bus stops, no gondola required. See trail map.
3. Amden-Arvenbüel
This mountain area above the Walensee lake is rather low elevation, so it doesn’t always have snow. But when it does, their winter trails are very charming.
In Amden-Arvenbüel, you can hike up to the Vorder Höhi pass, where you see over the other side to the Toggenburg region. This hike is 7km round trip, gaining 380m of elevation, taking quite some effort as it is uphill all the way to the pass. See Amden Vorder Höhi Pass trail map.
We suggest stopping at Restaurant Vorder Höhi for refreshments on the way back. This winter hike is not always open so check the trail status before going.
- Hike: moderate • 3h • 7 km there & back • 380m up & down • see trail map
- Cost: free
- Location: Parking Arvenbüel ski hill at Chapfstrasse, 8873 Amden
- Distance from Zürich: 1h15 by car, 1h45 by train
- Conditions: Amden snow report • webcams • forecast
Shorter winter hike at Amden
For an easier hike, you can ride the Mattstock chair lift (open-air and inexpensive), then walk to the pass at Hinter Höhi (1400m), with beautiful mountain views the whole way. You just walk as far as you like on the groomed path, then return the same way.
- Hike: moderate • 1h • 4 km there & back • 140m up & down • See trail map
- Cost: chair lift return ticket CHF 15 (2023/24)
- Location: Amden chair lift – parking at Dorfstrasse 18, 8873 Amden
Toggenburg Region
4. Chäserrugg Rosenboden winter hike
This short loop on groomed snow wanders around the cliffs at the top of the Chäserrugg ski resort. The views down the cliffs and across the valleys are some of our very favorite in Switzerland. In summer, this is beautiful alpine flower trail, so you should definitely come back in July.
We like the restaurant at the start of the trail, which has both a self-serve window and table service in a beautiful indoor space (reservations recommended). On your way back down, you can stop at the middle station and sled 3.6 km to the valley (if snow conditions allow).
- Hike: Easy • 1h15 • 3 k • 160m up & down
- Cost: Mountain lifts CHF 58/adult. Discount for children and Swiss travel cards. (2022/23)
- Location: Unterwasser Iltiosbahn funicular – Früeweidstrasse 1, 9657 Unterwasser
- Distance from Zürich: 1h20 by car, 1hr45 by train
See trail map for Chäserrugg winter winter hike
5. Toggenburg Gamperfin winter hike
This beautiful winter hike was my favorite of the 2021/22 season. The groomed trail leads from the busy ski resort into a quieter landscape with mountain views. Eventually the path leads to an alpine hut for refreshments before looping back.
With over 300 m elevation gain, it’s definitely more of a hike than a stroll, working off some calories along the way. If you prefer an easier outing, you can shorten the loop to 4 or 7 km, with the two sides of the trail briefly meet.
- Hike: Moderate • 3 h • 10 k • 360m up & down
- Cost: Chair lift Adult CHF 20, discount with Swiss travel cards
- Location: Wildhaus-Oberdorf chair lift – Munzenriet 12, 9658 Wildhaus
- Distance from Zürich: 1hr30 by car, 2hr by train/bus
- Conditions: Wildhaus snow report • webcams • forecast
See trail map and details for Toggenburg Gamperfin winter hike
Glarnerland Region
6. Weissenberge Winter Walk
This short loop wanders through an tiny alpine village perched on a sunny mountain. There’s no ski resort here, so it’s a peaceful atmosphere.
Near the end of the hike, you reach a mountain restaurant, often quite busy on weekends. For a little excitement, you can sled 3km down the mountain instead of riding the cable car. But decide this first, since you need to rent and pick up your sled at the valley station.
- Hike: moderate • 1h30 • 4 km loop • 180m up & down • see trail map
- Location: Weissenberge cable car – Alte Strasse 7, 8766 Matt
- From Zürich: 1h by car • 1h30 by public transport
- Cost: return ticket on Weissenberge cable car • one way ticket if you sled down • see current prices
7. Elm – Bischofalp
The views from this short winter hike at the Elm ski resort are spectacular. The trail leads from the gondola to a restaurant, where you can enjoy refreshments on their outdoor terrace. If you have snowshoes, you can hike another 2 km out to a wildlife observation point.
The groomed trail is not particularly difficult, but I was huffing and puffing at times as I ascended to the restaurant. After the hike, you can sled 4 km down the mountain instead of riding the gondola. You can rent sleds (cash only) at the gondola station.
- Hike: moderate • 1h20 • 3.5 km there & back • 160m up & down • see trail map
- Location: Elm Sportbahnen – See on map.
- From Zürich: 1h15 by car, 1h45 by train
- Cost: return ticket on Elm-Ämpachli gondola • one way ticket if you sled down • see current prices
See details for Elm winter hike
8. Braunwald – Winter hike to Ortstockhaus mountain restaurant
This winter trail leads to the Ortstockhaus, a mountain restaurant with fantastic mountain views.
The groomed winter trail starts at the top of the Grötzenbüel gondola, about one hour to the restaurant. They have a big outdoor terrace, where you can enjoy a meal and soak in the sun from their lounge chairs.
Then back the same way. After the hike, you can pick up sleds at Grötzenbüel and sled down instead of riding the gondola. If you want a longer hike, you can skip the gondola.
- Hike: moderate • 1h30 • 5 km there & back • 190m up & down • see trail map
- Location: Braunwald Funicular – Stachelberg 2, 8783 Linthal
- From Zürich: 1h15 by car, 1h32 by train
- Cost: “Winderwandern” ticket that covers the lifts you need for this hike • see current prices
Mythen Region
9. Sattel Hochstuckli panorama loop
This easy trail loops around a small mountain, with panorama views of neighboring peaks like Rigi and Grosser Mythen. It includes walking over the 100m long suspension bridge.
After the hike, you can add a little excitement by sledding 3.5 km down the mountain. It’s a good choice for any non-skier, but particularly parents that are waiting for their kids in ski school.
Since this trail is rather low elevation, it doesn’t necessarily have snow all winter season. But you can usually still walk this trail, though it might be muddy.
- Hike: Easy • 2h • 5.75 k • 140m up/down
- Cost: cable car Adult CHF 26, discounts for Swiss travel cards and children, free with GA
- Location: Sattel-Mostelberg cable car: Eumatt, 6417 Sattel
- Distance from Zürich: 45 mins by car, 1hr20 by train
See trail map and details for Sattel Hochstuckli winter hike.
10. Ibergeregg – Rotenflue
I love this trail not only because it’s so beautiful, but also because it doesn’t require a gondola. That means it’s free and can be done in the shoulder seasons when the ski resorts are closed.
To reach the trail, you can drive directly to the trailhead on the Ibergeregg pass, making it free except for parking fees. If you don’t have a car or prefer not to drive on narrow mountain roads, you can instead ride up the Rotenflue gondola and start on the opposite side of the loop from the pass.
The trail is on groomed snow, but it can be a bit messy right after a snowstorm or in warm weather when it gets slushy and wet. The trail passes a few mountain restaurants along the way. We typically eat at the
We typically hike the longest loop, which a little over 2 hours with a bit of a steep climb near the Rotenflue gondola. But you could just walk to the Alpwirtschaft Zwäcken hut for refreshments and walk back, about 3.5 km round trip and much easier than the full loop.
- Hike: moderate • 2h20 • 7.7 k loop • 220m up/down
- Cost: cable car Adult CHF 42, discount with SBB Half-fare, free with GA / free if you drive to Ibergereggpass
- Location: Ibergeregg pass or Rotenfluebahn gondola
- Distance from Zürich: 1hr by car, 1hr20 by train/bus
- Conditions: open lifts & trails • webcams • forecast
See trail map and details for Ibergeregg winter hike
11. Stoos Fronalpstock cliffs
Ride the steepest funicular train in Switzerland to the quaint Stoos village. Then two chairlifts to a spectacular viewpoint over Lake Lucerne and many mountains.
If you want to walk a bit, you can follow the short groomed trail along the cliffs to give yourself more time to soak in the beauty. Afterwards, enjoy a meal at the restaurant and optionally sled 3.5 k down the mountain back to the village.
- Hike: Easy • 30 mins • 1 k • 10m up & down
- Cost 2023/24: return ticket to Fronalpstock CHF 54/adult. Discounts for children and Swiss travel cards.
- Location: Stoos funicular southeast of Lucerne. See on map.
- Distance from Zürich: 50 mins by car, 1hr20 by train
- Conditions: Stoos live status • Stoos snow report • webcams • forecast
See details for Stoos Fronalpstock winter hike.
12. Mount Rigi panorama trail
The viewpoint on Mt Rigi is a popular tourist destination all year round. In winter, they groom the snow on the panorama trail so you can enjoy the hike without snowshoes.
There are a few variations of this winter trail. For most visitors, I recommend starting at Rigi Kulm (the top) and following the trail to the Rotstock viewpoint, down to Rigi First. Then walk through the little village to the Rigi Kaltbad-First train stop, where you can ride down to Vitznau.
- Hike: Moderate • 1h30 • 4.2 km • 50m up, 350m down • See trail map.
- Cost: Pedestrian ticket for mountain trains. Discount with Swiss Half Fare Card. Free with Swiss Travel Pass, GA, and children to age 15.
- Location: Rigi mountain train – Bahnhofstrasse 7, 6354 Vitznau.
- Distance from Zürich: 40 mins by car, 50 mins by train
Note: If you are using the Rigi train from Arth-Goldau, you can end your hike at Rigi Klösterli station instead and ride the train down to Arth-Goldau instead of Vitznau. See trail map.
For a longer hike, you can hike further to Rigi Scheidegg, about 3 hours total. See trail map.
See details for Rigi Panorama Winter Hike.
Southeast near Chur
13. St Antönien winter hike
This popular winter trail traverses a beautiful mountain in the Prättigau region near Davos. It’s delightfully quiet hike, away from the busy ski hills.
Although there are some sections in the forest, there are plenty of wide open panorama views of the surrounding mountains. No gondola required here as your feet do the work getting you up and down the mountain.
- Hike: Moderate • 3 h • 10.4 k • 350m up, 500m down
- Cost: bus fare to connect trail ends – Adult CHF 4.40.
- Location: Prättigau region near Davos, southeast Switzerland. See on map.
- Distance from Zürich: 1h30 by car, 2h10 by train/bus
See details for St Antönien winter hike
14. Brambrüesch Edelweis Winter Hike
This short and easy loop alternates between wide open panoramas and a peaceful wander in the forest. After the hike, you can sled 5 km down the mountain, a steep and exciting ride at times.
You reach the trail with a cable car that leaves directly from Chur, a short walk from the main train station. The trail starts by passing through the small ski resort
The trail starts near the ski lifts, so this would be a nice choice for a non-skiing parent waiting for kids in ski school.
- Hike: Easy • 1h30 • 5 km loop • 140m up & down • see trail map
- Location: Chur-Brambrüesch cable car – Kasernenstrasse 15, Chur.
- Distance from Zürich: 1h15 by car, 1h25 by train
- Cost: return ticket on cable cars. Discount with Swiss travel cards.
See details for Brambrüesch winter hike
15. Grüsch-Danusa winter hike
Mountain views in every direction on this beautiful trail at the top of the Grüsch-Danusa ski resort. It leads to a panorama viewpoint with lounge chairs.
Then the trail winds around the top, with mild ups and downs, parallel to the cross-country skiing tracks. The last part was quite shady in the forest and we got rather chilly even on a warm day. So definitely bring layers.
We spent the afternoon on the slightly scary 1500m sled run that parallels the beginners ski hill. My kids loved it but it was a little steep and fast for my nerves.
- Hike: Easy • 1.5 h • 5 k • 100m up & down
- Location: Grüsch-Danusa ski resort in southeast Switzerland near Chur. See on map.
- Distance from Zürich: 1h15 by car, 1h40 by train/bus
- Cost: return ticket on gondola. Discount for children, students, seniors and families. No discount for Swiss travel cards.
See details for Grüsch-Danusa winter hike
16. Feldis winter hike
We were delighted to find this easy winter hike near Chur in southeast Switzerland. Since the path is never in the forest, you can stay warmer in the sun and always enjoy beautiful mountain and valley views along the whole hike.
With very little elevation gain or descent, this hike is suitable for any beginner that can go the distance. After the hike, you can have a meal at a mountain restaurant, ice skate on the “infinity” ice rink, and sled 5 k down mountain.
- Hike: Easy • 1h30 • 5.2 km • 80m up/down – see trail map
- Location: Rhäzuns-Feldis cable car near Chur. See on map
- Distance from Zürich: 1h20 by car, 1hr45 by train
- Cost: return ticket on lifts. No discounts with travel cards. See current prices.
See details for Feldis panorama winter hike
What to wear for a winter hike
For groomed snow winter trails, you should wear waterproof hiking shoes, preferably with a high ankle to help keep out the snow. In case you encounter icy conditions, I would suggest bringing traction cleats that attach to your shoes. I also suggest bringing hiking sticks with snow baskets to help with stability.
Wear warm clothing appropriate to the weather forecast. Best to wear layers as you can get quite warm while walking, but also cool down quickly once you stop.
For more tips, see What to wear and pack for a winter hike.
