Swiss Alps
Let's face it: Travelers don't flock to Switzerland for its cities. Spend most of your time getting high in the Alps. Frolic and hike high above the stress and clouds of the real world. Take a vacation from your busy vacation. Recharge your touristic batteries high in the hills, where distant avalanches, cowbells, the fluff of a down comforter, the whistle of marmots, and the crunchy footsteps of happy hikers are the dominant sounds.
Places
At a Glance
▲▲▲ Lauterbrunnen Valley Spectacularly beautiful region in the heart of the Berner Oberland, popular for its cliffside towns and scenic hikes, lifts, and train rides.
▲▲ Zermatt Glitzy ski resort that sports some traditional old-fashioned touches and glorious hiking options, in a valley at the foot of the famous Matterhorn.
▲▲ Central Switzerland Mountains with stunning vistas ringing lovely Lake Lucerne, including hulking Mount Pilatus, with a high-altitude summer luge, and famed Mount Rigi, sporting Europe's oldest cogwheel railway.
▲▲ Alps of French Switzerland High-alpine region east of Lake Geneva, with the accessible and dramatic Diablerets peak, cheese-tastic mountain of Moléson (near Gruyères), and pristine countryside.
▲▲ Appenzell The most traditional Swiss region, known for small towns, cows, and folk museums nestled in pastoral scenery in the shadow of Mount Säntis — and, just a cable-car ride away from the main town, a rustic cliffside retreat at Ebenalp.
▲ Upper Engadine Romansh-speaking, exotically remote alpine valley with unique townscapes and great hikes, connecting several especially scenic roadways and train journeys.
Plan
Photos
Watch
Read
- Going Back in Time in Switzerland’s Appenzell
- Off the Beaten Track in Switzerland
- Above Gimmelwald, in Search of Edelweiss
- ‘Cheese Sharing’ in the Berner Oberland
- Christmas in the Swiss Alps Glistens with Tradition
- Flying with Fritz in Switzerland
- Gimmelwald: The Swiss Alps in Your Lap
- Obeying the Power of the Alps in Switzerland’s Lauterbrunnen Valley
- Peak Experiences in Alpine Europe
- Swiss Bliss on a Berner Oberland Hike
- Switzerland’s High Cow Culture
- Falling in Love with the Matterhorn