Switzerland Activities Mini Guide
Information and Photos

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Hiking on the Mannlichen - Kleine Scheidegg trail, with Jungfrau mountain in the distance
Image © A Grosskrueger Dreamstime.com

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Switzerland has organised the most ambitious network of totally integrated, non-motor transport routes in the world, with around 20,000 kms [12,500 miles] of superb trails for walkers, cyclists, inline skaters, mountain bikers and canoeists over 169 routes. Furthermore, SwitzerlandMobility - as the umbrella organisation is known - also runs a fleet of vehicles that conveniently transport baggage to the next destination for anyone who prefers to travel light, while bicycles can be rented at one station and dropped off at another, or carried on trains and some buses that are equipped with bike racks. Some bikes even have a battery-powered assist feature if a cyclist needs help up hills.
See bottom of page for useful web addresses.

Hiking: With magnificent views of mountains, flower-carpeted meadows and alpine valleys, waterfalls and superbly organised and supported trails, this is a must-trek destination. Possibilities are too many to list with 6,300 kms [4,000 miles] of hiker-dedicated footpaths out there!
Biking: There are over 150 well designed mountain bike routes in Switzerland, ranging from the easy to the insane, all with breathtaking views and totalling 3,300 kms [2,000 miles] .
For regular cycles there are over 8,500 kms [5,300 miles] of mostly asphalted trails.
Inline Skating: Around 1,000 kms [625 miles] of specially asphalted, reasonably flat, scenic routes, such as the Rhine, Lake Constance and around Mittelland lakes, make this possibly the world's best wheel-based skating destination.
Canoeing: SwitzerlandMobility has set up 410 kms [256 miles] of waterways for kayaks and canoes. The Muota River [Schwyz] and the Doubs [Jura] are most wanted.
Windsurfing: Wind can be erratic due to altitude or rock interference, but some popular spots are these lakes: Leman, Bieler, Urner, Alpenmacher, Maggiore [north], Lugano.

Canoes on a lake near Interlaken
Photo © Xdrew Dreamstime.com

White-water rafting: The Rhine and Saane rivers are well known but the Alps provides many more possibilities.
Mountaineering: Zermatt, Pontresina and Meiringen are areas favoured by serious climbers.
Gliding: yet another use for those huge hunks of rock...hang and paragliding are well provided for in most larger resorts.

The highest turning restaurant in the world, Swiss Alps

Snow sports: Vast quantities of the white stuff are just about everywhere of course, but what makes this country a bit special is firstly, doing the white thing in the shadow of a truly awesome mountain, such as Zermatt near the base of the Matterhorn, adds infinitely to the experience, and secondly that in some places the snow is available nearly all year.
Zermatt and Verbier are the best targets for skiing [tho' not, perhaps, for beginners] and nightlife.
Apart from skiing, dog sleds and horse-drawn sleigh rides are popular with tourists.
Wellness: With pure alpine air and a teutonic attitude to health, Switzerland offers a mass of spas, saunas and therapy centres in stunning locations.

Leukerbad natural hot springs in the Swiss Alps

Unusual activities:
Switzerland goes in for some off-the-wall sports too, such as canyoning, zorbing [rolling down a mountainside in huge transparent ball] or house running [abseiling down tall buildings at high speed]. Interlaken and Lucerne are centres for these mad moments.

Two luscious Swiss ladies at the Fasnacht Carnival in Basel

Switzerland Festivals Guide:
Snow freaks have plenty of wacky winter festivals to attend, such as: pop festivals at 1,800m in deep snow [Fuchstival, mid March or Kleine Scheidegg early April]; dog sled racing [Zinal, mid March or Chandolin early April]; Waterslide Contest [Bettmeralp, late March or Valais, April]; downhill mountain bike races [on snow] from 3,600m [Allalin, early April]...
Feb/March, Fasnacht [carnival] - especially colourful in Basel, but makes an appearance elsewhere too.
July, Montreux Jazz Festival.
August 1, Swiss National Day - with various activities including fireworks, dancing and accordion performance overload.

Useful Swiss activity web addresses:

www.SwitzerlandMobility.ch [for equipment hire, accommodation, public transport timetables]
www.MySwitzerland.com [for public transport information]
www.swisstrails.ch [for activity packages]

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If you plan to travel Switzerland you may find information in these neighbouring Bugbog guides useful:

Germany Travel Guide | Austria Travel Guide | France Travel Guide | Italy Travel Guide