Best Easy Panoramic Hikes in Switzerland

One of the main draws of visiting Switzerland is experiencing the beauty of the Swiss Alps. Hiking is the best way to immerse yourself in that natural beauty. However, you don’t have to be an avid outdoorsman to enjoy some of the best alpine views in Switzerland. We are by no means super outdoorsy people, but these easy hikes in Switzerland offer maximal views with pretty minimal hiking effort. I use the term hike loosely here – some of these are really just pleasant walks on flat paved ground, but with amazing views. If you are kinda outdoorsy like us, and want to experience the best of the Swiss Alps without dedicating whole days to hiking, then definitely check out this list of our picks for the best easy hikes in Switzerland.

1. Felsenwegg Cliff Walk

Location: Lucerne

Time needed: 1 hour

The Felsenwegg cliff walk hike at Rigi Kaltbad-First was one of my favorite easy hikes in Switzerland. The views along the hike from the train station to the cliff walk were already amazing. But when we got to the cliff walk portion I literally gasped. The views really do take your breath away. Couple that with the chimes of the cowbells echoing around you and it’s just quintessential Switzerland. It’s a very easy, relatively flat hike, so the views to hiking effort ratio is high. There are some benches at the cliff walk, so it would be a peaceful place for a picnic lunch. We sadly did not plan ahead for this and had to make do with snacks.

How to get there: This hike starts at the Rigi Kaltbad-First station. There are two ways to get to Rigi Kaltbad-First from Lucerne which are both completely covered by the Swiss Travel Pass:

• Take the boat from Lucerne to Weggis, then take the cable car from Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad-First
• Take the boat from Lucerne to Vitznau, then take the cogwheel train from Vitznau to Rigi Kaltbad-First

After getting off at Rigi Kaltbad-First station, cross the train tracks and continue along the path, following signs for Chalet Schild restaurant (30 min walk). You will pass a small playground just after crossing the train tracks. To get to the cliff walk, walk until you get to Chalet Schild restaurant. Kitty corner to the restaurant there will be a small path leading to the cliff walk (if you are facing the restaurant, the path will be behind you. Follow the signs to the Felsenwegg).

Cost: Completely covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.

Where to eat: We read good things about the Chalet Schild restaurant kitty corner from the Felsenwegg cliff walk and were planning on eating there, but they are cash only (this was the one time on the trip we actually needed cash). The cliff walk is a great place for a scenic picnic, and there are some restaurants and small markets just outside the Rigi Kaltbad-First station to pick up a sandwich or picnic provisions.

Kid-Friendly Factor: The hike is do-able with a stroller. However, the cliff walk itself is pretty narrow, so would recommend switching to a carrier for that.

2. Grutschalp to Murren Trail

Location: Bernese Oberland

Time needed: 30 minutes for the Winteregg-Grutschalp portion

This panoramic and flat gravel trail runs right next to the train line between Grutschalp and Murren. The bit between Grutschalp and Winteregg is the most scenic. The best views are actually walking in the direction from Grutschalp to Murren, when you’re facing the views of Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau. However, we did this hike on the way back from Winteregg (the small station with a restaurant and playground between Grutschalp and Murren) to Grutschalp because we wanted to get to Murren as early as possible in the morning. The views are still amazing, you just need to stop and turn around more often to see them. This short, flat trail is one of the best easy hikes in Switzerland because you can stop and get on the train midway at Winteregg if you get tired.

How to get there: Take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp. The trail starts just outside the cable car station.

Cost: Completely covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.

Where to eat: There is a restaurant at Winteregg station (in between Grutschalp and Murren) that has an attached playground.

Kid-Friendly Factor: The trail is flat and borders the train line, so it is an easy walk and fun for kids to see the trains go by. The Winteregg restaurant has an alpine playground attached to it, which kids love.

3. Murren to Gimmelwald Trail

Location: Bernese Oberland

Time needed: 30 minutes

The road from Murren to Gimmelwald is an easy downhill paved walk with panoramic alpine views all the way. This hike is best done on the way down from visiting the Schilthorn. While you could easily take the cable car from Murren to Gimmelwald, this trail is a good opportunity to experience one of the scenic and easy hikes in Switzerland. Gimmelwald is a traditional alpine farming village and felt a little less commercialized than the rest of the region. We found an honor-system based farm store here, and a couple farms selling locally made cheese. If you’re looking for more authentic Switzerland, then Gimmelwald is it.

How to get there: We did this trail on the way down from visiting the Schilthorn summit. To reach Murren from Lauterbrunnen, there are two options:

• From Lauterbrunnen walk or ride PostBus #141 to Stechelberg. From Stechelberg, take the cable car to Murren.
• Across from the Lauterbrunnen train station, take the cable car up to Grutschalp. Then take the train from Grutschalp to Murren.

Once in Murren, follow the signposts for Gimmelwald.

Cost: The Swiss Travel Pass covers transportation from Lauterbrunnen to Murren.

Where to eat: There are many restaurants in Murren or pick up some cheese from a local farm in Gimmelwald for a snack.

Kid-Friendly Factor: This paved downhill trail is easy enough to be done with a stroller. It is pretty traffic-free, so also safe for kids to run along and burn off some energy.

4. Mannlichen Panorama Trail

Location: Bernese Oberland

Time needed: 1.5 hours

The Mannlichen Panorama Trail starts at Mannlichen and ends at Kleine Scheidegg. This down hill hike is easy on the legs and easy on the eyes. The gravel path trail meanders around the alpine wilderness. It is surrounded by fields of wildflowers, with the gentle ring of cowbells in the distance. This hike takes around 1.5 hours to walk from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg (longer if you stop to rest or enjoy the scenery). So it is one of the longer hikes, but because of the gradual rise and fall, I would still consider it to be one of the easy hikes in Switzerland.

How to get there: From Lauterbrunnen take the train to Wengen. From Wengen, take the cable car up to Mannlichen. Head towards the playground downhill to the right after exiting the cable car station. From the playground, head downhill and follow the signs for the Panorama Trail. The trail ends in Kleine Scheidegg, where you can take the train back to Lauterbrunnen or walk a little further to Lake Fallboden.

Cost: The Swiss Travel Pass covers the train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen. The cable car up to Mannlichen is not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, but there is a 50% discount with the pass. You can book tickets online here or just buy them at the ticket window since they don’t sell out. You only need an ONE WAY ticket from Wengen to Mannlichen. After hiking to Kleine Scheidegg, buy an ONE WAY ticket from Kleine Scheidegg to Wengen (not all the way to Lauterbrunnen), since that is the part that is not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. The Swiss Travel Pass gives a 25% discount. You can stay on the train after Wengen and continue to Lauterbrunnen since that part is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.

Where to eat: There is a decent cafeteria in Mannlichen next to the playground with both a cafeteria and a table service section. There are also many restaurants in Kleine Scheidegg at the end of the hike. If you prefer a picnic lunch, the Coop supermarket in Wengen (on the way to Mannlichen) is one of the larger supermarkets in this region and is better stocked.

Kid-Friendly Factor: Kids LOVE the Mannlichen playground, so it’s a great place to tire out the little ones if you’re hoping they will fall asleep during the hike. Definitely don’t attempt this hike with a stroller – toddlers will need to be carried in a carrier.

Check out our recommendations for the best places to stay in Switzerland for easy access to these hikes!

5. Falbodensee Hike

Location: Bernese Oberland

Time needed: 40 minutes

Lake Fallboden (or Fallbodensee in Swiss German) is worth the extra 20 min uphill hike from Kleine Scheidegg station. The lake is man-made, but it perfectly reflects the snow-capped mountains surrounding it. There is a smaller lake (next to the church) with benches in it where you can sit and soak your feet in the cool water after a long day of hiking. There is a button that makes the water bubble like a jacuzzi! A train also passes right in front of the lake, so you can wave at the train going by while soaking your feet. This trail is STEEP but it’s quick. It would be a great addition to the end of the Mannlichen Panorama Trail, which is what we did on our trip.

How to get there: From Lauterbrunnen, take the train to Kleine Scheidegg station. From the Kleine Scheidegg train station, look for the uphill path on the right. After about 20 minutes walking, the lake will be on the left hand side. Alternatively, do the Mannlichen Panorama Trail above first since the trail ends in Kleine Scheidegg.

Cost: The Swiss Travel Pass covers the train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen. The portion of the train from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg is not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, but you do get a 25% discount with the pass. You will need to purchase tickets for the Wengen-Kleine Scheidegg section in Lauterbrunnen before boarding the train if you don’t plan on stopping in Wengen (if stopping in Wengen then you can purchase the tickets there).

Where to eat: There are many restaurants in Kleine Scheidegg. Or if you prefer a picnic lunch, the Coop supermarket in Wengen (on the way to Kleine Scheidegg) is one of the larger supermarkets in this region and is better stocked.

Kid-Friendly Factor: The hike up to Falbodensee from the train station is pretty steep, so it is not stroller friendly and toddlers will need to be in a carrier. However, we thought it was worth the trek. Our toddler loved playing in the “bubbly water lake” (as he calls it). And the train going by right in front of the lake was just icing on the cake.

6. Lauterbrunnen Valley Trail

Location: Bernese Oberland

Time needed: 1.5 hours to go from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, but can turn back at any point

The Lauterbrunnen Valley trail is one of the easiest hikes on this easy hikes in Switzerland list since it’s just a flat paved road on the valley floor. But it’s also one of the best ways to appreciate the “valley of 72 waterfalls.” Everywhere you look on this hike you will see waterfalls trickling or rushing down the surrounding cliff faces. We did this as a hike, but you can also rent bikes in town for a scenic bike ride.

How to get there: From the center of Lauterbrunnen, walk towards Staubbach Falls. The trail continues up the valley running parallel to the river. The trail goes all the way to Stechelberg but you can walk as long as you like and turn back.

Cost: free!

Where to eat: There are plenty of restaurants in Lauterbrunnen or a Coop supermarket across from the Lauterbrunnen train station for picnic provisions.

Kid-Friendly Factor: This traffic-free trail is great for kids to run free and burn up some energy. The trail goes past family farms, so kids enjoy all the cow and animal sightings on the walk. It’s pretty low commitment since you can turn back any time.

7. Stellisee Hike

Location: Zermatt

Time needed: 1 hour

The hike to the scenic mountain lake Stellisee is on the Rothorn hillside, which offers the classic view of the Matterhorn. From Stellisee, you get the picture perfect view of the Matterhorn behind the lake. If it’s a clear still day, you may even get a reflection of the Matterhorn on the lake. The hike to Stellisee is mostly level. But because of the elevation, the trail and the gondola up to the station are only open in the height of summer.

How to get there: From Zermatt, take the funicular to Sunnegga. Then transfer to the gondola to Blauherd. From Blauherd station, head towards the photo-op cutout and look for the path marked for 5-Seenweg and Murmelweg. When the path forks, take the upper path. After getting to Stellisee, you can circle the lake and head back towards Zermatt.

Cost: Ticket pricing to Blauherd varies by season. The Swiss Travel Pass offers a 50% discount on the fare.

Where to eat: There are no restaurants at Blauherd station, so best to eat in Zermatt or pack a picnic.

Kid-Friendly Factor: Toddlers should probably be in a carrier for this hike.

8. Riffelseeweg Hike

Location: Zermatt

Time needed: 1.5 hours

The Riffelseeweg hike is an easy downhill hike between two stations on the Gornergrat line. This is the perfect way to maximize the different angles of Matterhorn views on the Gornergrat. The star of this hike is the Riffelsee lake, which is perfectly positioned to offer a reflection of the Matterhorn on its surface on clear days. Because this hike is high up on the mountain, the trail may not be open until late June. We visited in early June and did the hike in the snow. There were still great Matterhorn views, but unfortunately no Riffelsee lake. Since it’s all downhill, it is one of the easy hikes in this region of Switzerland.

How to get there: From Zermatt, take the train up to the Gornergrat summit. After enjoying time on the summit, take the train from Gornergrat summit down to the Rotenboden station. From Rotenboden station, follow the signposts to hike #21 for the official Riffelseeweg trail. Riffelsee lake is just down the hillside from Rotenboden station. Follow the signs to Riffelberg station (take the 35 minutes trail for a more scenic hike). Catch the train from RIffelberg station back to Zermatt.

Cost: Ticket pricing up to Gornergrat varies by season. The Swiss Travel Pass offers a 50% discount on the fare.

Where to eat: There is a restaurant and a self-serve cafeteria at the Gornergrat summit, but both are expensive so would try to eat in Zermatt or pack a picnic.

Kid-Friendly Factor: This trail is downhill, but some parts can be steep. So best to keep toddlers in a carrier for this hike.

Check out our highlights of Switzerland and toddler-friendly Switzerland itineraries to find the best ways to include these hikes on your trip!