Welcome to
Hiking in Switzerland

The stoutest inhabitant of Dielsdorf is 400 years old: the thick oak tree is the record holder in Canton Zurich. Otherwise Dielsdorf, at the foot of the Lägern, is mainly known for its equestrian sport centre; the scene of regular horse races.

The small town of Baden has Switzerland’s most mineral-rich thermal spring water. But it is also Baden’s cultural offerings and the redeveloped areas and buildings from the time of its industrial heyday which add to the appeal of this small town situated at the gateway to Zurich.

The small Canton Aargau town of Brugg lies at the confluence of the rivers Aare, Reuss and Limmat . The town’s chequered history spans Helvetii, Roman and Habsburg times up to the more recent industrial era.

Staffelegg between Küttigen and Asp/Densbüren in Canton Aargau is a major pass over the Jura Mountains on the route between cantonal capital Aarau and the Fricktal (Frick valley).

Deep inside the mountain, railway and motorway sweep through the Jura. The Canton Solothurn landscape on the Unteren Hauenstein is reserved for those in less of a hurry: hikers, golfers and maybe motorbike buffs.

When travelling from Oensingen through the narrow Klus, it is surprising to find a large and wide valley open up. The Klus transverse valleys were defended in medieval times by fortresses, of which many remains are still visible today.

The Weissenstein peak (1284m) in Canton Solothurn in the first and highest Jura mountain chain is one of the Jura’s most distinctive vantage points, awarding a fantastic view over the Swiss Mittelland and the Alps from the Säntis to Mont Blanc.

Frinvillier belongs to the municipality of Vaufellin and lies between Biel and Tavannes. Throughout centuries of erosion, the River Suze has gouged through the first Jura mountain fold to create the wild and romantic Taubenlochschlucht (Dovecote Gorge).

The Chasseral at 1607 m altitude is one of the highest summits in the Swiss Jura. It lies on the southernmost chain and dominates the Swiss Mittelland. The regional nature park can be explored on foot, by bike or on horseback.

Chézard-Saint-Martin lies in the charming landscape of the Val de Ruz. An extensive grid of hiking and mountain biking trails runs through the Jura hills and the neighbouring village of Cernier is home to the «Evologia» nature and culture park.

This pass crossing between Neuchâtel and La-Chaux-de-Fonds is a popular winter and summer leisure destination. Activities include hiking, mountain biking and paragliding in summer and downhill and cross-country skiing and snowshoe trekking in winter.

Noiraigue lies at the eastern end of the Val de Travers. Scenic highlights of the area include the naturally-formed Creux du Van amphitheatre in the largest nature conservation area in Canton Neuchâtel.

Sainte-Croix / Les Rasses lies on a protected sunny terrace (1100m) in the middle of the width of the Jura landscape in the Lake Geneva region. The township is world-renowned for its music boxes and nickelodeons. Rambling and cycling in the natural surroundings of the Jura meadows prevail in the summer. In winter, the region is a much-loved cross-country skiing paradise.

Iron ore deposits and large supplies of firewood made Vallorbe an industrial site from very early on. The location on the French border also awarded the town in the Vaud Jura strategic importance and made it a traffic hub.

Le Pont lies at the northern end of Lac de Joux and also close to tiny Lac Brenet. The Vallée de Joux with its long tradition of watchmaking is a world of its own nestling in austere, untouched nature between two Jura chains.

The Jura village of Saint-Cergue (1041 m), in the foothills of the Jura high above Lake Geneva, enjoys wonderfully wide views of the Savoy Alps as far as Mont Blanc. The sunlit woods and high alpine meadows of the Jura in the Vaud Jura Park and the impressive peak of La Dôle are ideal for long walks. In winter, the Vaud Jura is a paradise for cross-country skiers.

The little town of Nyon is situated on Lake Geneva, half way between Geneva and Lausanne, amid the vineyards of La Côte. Many excavations and sights from the times of the Celtic Helvetians and the Romans, and from the Middle Ages, bear witness to its eventful history. Nowadays the town is the starting place for many excursions into the area around Lake Geneva.