Switzerland is potentially my favourite country in Europe, and I have spent months here over the years. It has some of the most incredible hikes, pristine lakes and charming villages dotted all around. It honestly looks like a filter has been placed over the top of it because the colours are so vibrant.
My Switzerland guides focus on the hikes and places I have loved most, with honest notes on trail difficulty, transport and how to keep costs down in one of the most expensive countries in Europe.
In the Bernese Oberland, the ridge walk up the Augstmatthorn is a properly dramatic day out, and my Lauterbrunnen waterfalls hike is a gentler day in the valley. Down by Lake Brienz, my guide to Iseltwald covers the lakeside village everyone wants to photograph.
In north-east Switzerland, the Schäfler ridge hike in Appenzell and the Saxer Lücke hike are two classic routes in the Alpstein. Visiting in the colder months? My guide to Interlaken in winter has everything you need for a snowy trip.
For all my guides in one place, with my top picks, head to my Switzerland Travel Guide.
Visiting Lauterbrunnen in winter is one of the most magical experiences in Switzerland. The infamous Lauterbrunnen Valley transforms into a winter wonderland when the first blanket of snow covers the village. Having visited Switzerland a number of times over the years – and spending almost a whole month here last time – I’ve gotten to … Read more
What Interlaken is really like in winter, from my two trips: 24 things to do, how to pick your Jungfraujoch day, November to February month by month, costs and where to stay.
Hiking in Interlaken and the surrounding areas is one of the best things to do in Switzerland. It’s an unbelievable hiking destination that offers a variety of trails for a range of fitness levels whilst still providing awe-inspiring and panoramic views over the unbelievable scenery. I’ve spent almost a month in Interlaken exploring all of … Read more
Iseltwald is a tiny fairy-tale village in Switzerland, and fewer than 500 lucky people get to call it home. It’s full of pretty Swiss houses, with lakeside cafés and restaurants dotted around and views of the snow-capped mountains in every direction. I spent a month in Switzerland and visited the village quite a few times. … Read more
Interlaken is one of the most picturesque towns in Switzerland that’s nestled between two spectacular turquoise lakes: Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. With mountains on either side and a plethora of once-in-a-lifetime things to do, this is a place that should be on everyone’s bucket list. After spending just under a month here, I’ve collated … Read more
If you’re heading to Alpstein mountain range in Appenzell in Switzerland, then a Saxer Lücke hike is one thing you’ll want to add to your itinerary. It’s one of the most impressive geological formations that protrudes as part of a fault in the Alpsteins. Whilst there are many routes which lead to Saxer Lücke, the … Read more
If you’re visiting Appenzell and love the outdoors, then a Seealpsee hike is one thing that should be near the top of your list. It’s one of the best alpine lakes in the area – that by comparison to others – is quite easy to get to. Whilst there are multiple hikes which lead to … Read more
If you’re heading to the Jungfrau Region, then it’s highly likely that a trip to Lauterbrunnen Valley will be on your Switzerland itinerary. And, if it’s not, then it definitely should be. It’s one of the prettiest villages in Switzerland and the closest thing you’ll get to a real-life fairy-tale setting. One of the best … Read more
Oeschinensee Hike (Oeschinensee Wanderung in German) is a spectacular 15km hike that has the turquoise Lake Oeschinen in Switzerland as its centrepiece. Beginning in Kandersteg, the hike takes you from the bottom of the cable car station up to the lake where you’ll then commence a challenging and exciting circumnavigation of the lake followed by … Read more
The Schäfler ridge hike is not just one of the best routes in the Appenzell region, but in all of Switzerland. Its peak sits at an altitude of 1925 meters, and whilst it’s not the tallest peak in the area, it’s one of the most popular due to the demanding snake-like trail that cascades around … Read more
If you’re heading to the Jungfrau region in Switzerland, then an Augstmatthorn hike is an epic thing to do. It’s a challenging yet highly rewarding trip, with some of the best views over Interlaken, Lake Brienz and beyond. It’s a great mix of woodland paths, incredible ridgelines and rugged surfaces, making the walk diverse and … Read more
The Harder Kulm hike is a short but steep hike out of Interlaken. It’s a relatively quiet walk as many prefer to catch the funicular railway to the top for the restaurant and amazing views from the viewpoint. The walk will take you up many switchbacks through the woods and provide you with sneak peeks … Read more