These are the best regions for Hiking & Walking in Switzerland
Switzerland is a paradise for hiking, trekking, walking and trail running. More than 65,000 kilometers (40,000 miles) of marked hiking trails criss cross the country. Of those trails, 64% are gentle-to-moderate hiking trails, 35% are mountain hiking trails (classified as mostly steep, narrow and sometimes exposed with chains, ladders, and cables to aid the hiker), and 1% are rough alpine hiking trails (with snow & glacier crossings, rock climbing & scrambling, and pathways that are not always visible). If a person were to hike all of the trails in Switzerland, they would circle the globe one and-a-half times!
In addition, more than 200 alpine huts and guest houses, combined with thousands of country inns, guest houses, and grand hotels, are spread across Switzerland making it easy to hike from inn-to-inn with nothing more than a day pack. Switzerland also has one of the densest public transportation systems in the world. Using a combination of trains, boats, buses, cable cars, and funiculars, a hiker in Switzerland enjoys nearly unlimited options for designing the perfect hike. Moreover, while Switzerland’s hiking infrastructure is sophisticated, the trails don’t feel crowded. The Alps cover around 60% of Switzerland’s total surface area, yet only about 11% of the population actually lives in the alpine area.
With limitless hiking opportunities, choosing the right inn-to-inn hiking in tour in Switzerland can seem a bit overwhelming. It helps to break the country down by region. Here are some of our favorite spots for inn-to-inn hiking, walking, and trail running in the Swiss Alps.
Appenzell
One of the most endearing regions of Switzerland is the German-speaking district of Appenzell. Visiting this country paradise of rolling hills, velvet-green pastures, and colorfully muralled houses feels like stepping into a children’s fairy tale.
Bernese Oberland
The Berner Oberland is quintessentially Swiss and has a rich tradition of tourism that leaves a lifetime of memories with all who visit. The scenery is breathtaking, especially the landscape around a sub-region of peaks within the Berner Oberland called the Jungfrau.
Engadine
The Engadine is a picturesque valley that follows the En River on the eastern side of Switzerland. An understated gem, the Engadine is treasured for its unique blend of Swiss, Austrian and Italian influences.
Jura
Known mostly by Swiss locals, the Jura mountains offer abundant hiking trails and a relaxed, authentic Swiss experience with a variety of quiet hills, wind-swept peaks, medieval towns, and serene valleys with quiet farming villages that have mastered the art of slowing down.
Ticino
An inn-to-inn hiking tour in Ticino typically includes palm-covered shorelines, secluded coves, romantic lakeside villages, and a temperate climate. Quiet trails, hidden waterfalls, and time-forgotten villages, also await the intrepid explorer.
Valais/Wallis
The Valais, located in the southwest corner of Switzerland, has the highest concentration of 4,000-meter peaks in the Swiss Alps. The Valais is also home to the famous Hiker’s Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt.
