The most beautiful natural sites to discover German-Speaking Switzerland

The Jungfraujoch: top of Europe! Imagine reaching Europe's highest railway station at 3,454m. The view from the summit is breathtaking! An unmissable excursion awaits you. Plan to live the experience intensely using the Eiger Express cable car (open since December 2020) or opt for the traditional route by train. The Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe, a Unesco Alpine World Heritage Site, is the pride of the region. For over a hundred years, this train has been linking towns on the plains to this observation deck, which is truly enthroned in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Up there, it's another world, one of eternal snow, perpetual cold (bring warm clothes!) and almost constant sunshine. It's hard to believe just how much titanic work went into making this line carved out of the mountain possible.

Incredible activities not to be missed on the summit:

The Jungfraujoch site houses a research laboratory for geology, climatology, physics, meteorology and astronomy. On site, you can sample chocolate or try your hand at snowtubing down the Snow Fun Park run on tires (May to October).

The Jungfraujoch observatory. Once you've reached the 3,454 m summit, the observatory is a real attraction! In addition to views of the entire surrounding Alpine chain, the circular walkway features a gallery of ice with sculpted animals, a 360° panoramic screen replicating the view from the summit, a collection of miniatures, restaurants and various observation terraces, including the glacier plateau - the ideal place to take photos with the Swiss flag and the longest glacier in the Alps: the Aletsch glacier.

The Ice Palace, lining the old galleries dug out by mountain guides, invites you to discover ephemeral works of art such as an eagle, a penguin... A special and unusual dimension for an art gallery made of ice.

The footpath to the Mönchsjoch hut. This is the one you absolutely must take, equipped with good hiking boots, to get away from the noisy crowds rushing to take selfies at the summit. Even in summer, the route is snow-covered, but it is marked and tamped by the hut keeper, the ultimate goal of this 45-minute hike. Beware: hiking at this altitude requires a lot of energy! Walk slowly to save your energy.

The view above Engelberg, at an altitude of 3,020 metres in a land of lakes and mountains, is of course magnificent. To make the most of it, you can take the Rotair cable car from Engelberg, which has the special feature of a steerable cabin. The experience continues with multiple activities on site such as the Titlis Cliff Walk at 3,041m. For a more fun activity to do with the family, snowtubing (a large buoy on the snow) will take you into great moments of laughter.

The Rhine Falls are a must for Swiss tourism! Formed some seventeen thousand years ago, the largest waterfall in Europe is an impressive sight: several hundred cubic metres of water per second, 23 metres high, 13 metres deep and 150 metres wide. The impressive waterfalls can be admired from various vantage points (free of charge)! The majestic castles of Wörth and Laufen are also accessible by boat.

For lovers of hiking and nature, the Gondelbahn cable car allows you to discover the Swiss Jura, from the sky to the Wasserfallen station, where several hiking trails are located in an exceptional natural setting. The adventure park located here overlooks the famous waterfalls. Perfect for a family trip in the air.

Overlooking Zurich's skyline, this small (by Swiss standards) 871-metre-high mountain is affectionately known as "Zurich's mountain". A trip to the top of the Uetliberg promises a day out in nature and a breath of fresh air on the outskirts of the city (30 minutes from downtown). The highlight? A splendid panoramic view of the city, the lake, the Limmat and the Alps in the distance. Each season has its own charms: in summer, the mountain offers superb walks and bike rides, in November, Zurich locals come to seek the sun hidden above the stratus clouds, while in winter, the hiking trails transformed into toboggan runs delight the young (and not so young). The panoramic tower of the Hotel Uto Kulm, which proudly bears the title of "Top of Zurich", ensures an even more spectacular view. The hike from Uetliberg over the mountain range to the Albis Pass offers splendid views of the city of Zurich, the lake and the Central Swiss Alps. The route is perfectly signposted and there are hardly any climbs. At the end of the trail, you'll be rewarded with a natural treasure, Lake Türlen, where in some places you can even go for a swim. Departure point: Uetliberg station, Zürich. Arrival point: Türlen Landhus bus station. Duration: 4 hours. The "Planet Trail" links Uetliberg to Felsenegg in 2 hours via a ridge path. It offers a reconstruction of the solar system and a discovery of the planets. Fun and unusual.

This cave serves as the basis for student research at the Swiss Federal Technology Institute (ETH). Several posters at the entrance to the cave provide detailed information on the history of the glacier.

The Swiss National Park is a nature reserve protected from all human influence and intervention. The founding of the Swiss National Park in 1914 was a milestone in the history of nature conservation. It was the first national park in the Alps and Central Europe. At 172 km², it is Switzerland's largest nature reserve. According to the criteria of the International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is a category 1 reserve, the highest level of protection. Discover it on a hike.

Géo-Weesen-Amden geo-Road was designed as a geological path. A beautiful experience for walkers! There are beautiful walks along the transverse valleys (Tamina, Weisstannen, Schils and Murg). The 30 km of the Walsaweg, which connects Bad Ragaz with New, is a route of choice.

The Five Lakes hike, which happens in one day, is recommended: The walk begins at the Pizol hut, accessible by gondola from Bad Ragaz or Wangs. We're headed to start towards the Wildseeluggen, and then you'll be guided by the small yellow panels. The full walk takes about 3 h 30 if you are only walking on foot. If you go down to the Pizol hut, you will have to forecast the whole day.

There are also itineraries for bicycle lovers. But you can also opt for boat tours on the Wallensee or the lakeside tour (a beautiful day in perspective).

This complex at the top of the Schatzalp mountain is served by a funicular railway which leads to two toboggan runs, one of which is illuminated (in colour!) at night. Sledges can be hired directly from the funicular, which is open in summer and winter with two different types of slopes and sledges. Some blue and red ski runs in winter are also available with the funicular as a lift. The panorama hotel-restaurant at the top is an excellent address for lunch with a sublime view of the Davos mountains.

Once covered by the glacier, the gorge is now accessible through galleries and tunnels cut into the rock. At the end of the Middle Ages, the glacier descended to Grindelwald. By 1864 it had receded to such an extent that pink marble was being quarried. At the exit of the gorge, a crystal museum exhibits the minerals of the region. A visit to the gorge, with its glacial potholes, polished stones and pink and green marble blocks, is always enchanting.

Large park on the edge of the lake with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau trio.

Located in the Lauterbrunnen valley, the Mürrenbach waterfall is Switzerland's highest waterfall. At an altitude of 750 m, it cascades down five levels of cliff. Enormous masses of water tumble down the Mürrenfluh River over these five levels to a height of 417 metres. It's even more impressive when the snow melts or after a summer storm. It is, however, less spectacular than its neighbor, the Staubbach waterfall, as it is hidden in the rocks while its neighbor falls steeply. It's a sublime place to discover during your stay!

The Rothorn is a historical attraction! This little red locomotive has been taking tourists to the summit of the Rothorn since 1892. On board the steam train, you can discover the region from Lake Brienz to the summit at an altitude of over 2300 metres. The view from the top is breathtaking. Accessible from June to October by train, this panoramic site is a must-see. On clear days, you can see more than 100 peaks of the Rothorn. Good to know: the ride on the steam train is free on your birthday.

The glacier waters from the Wetterhorn massif have created a particularly wild landscape in these gorges. The adventure between waterfalls, caves, rocks and the untamed energy of the water is unforgettable. The Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge can only be climbed (up to 115 m) and takes about 45 minutes. The descent is then made through the forest. On arrival, have a snack in the Café Schluchthüttli.

Along almost 1,400 m of trails, you can admire these gorges formed by the Aare glacier in soil that was weakened during the Ice Age. A natural wonder! The steep walls plunge to depths of up to 200 m, and in places are only a metre apart. The trail along these rock faces is a real highlight. These sumptuous gorges are the perfect opportunity to embark on an adventure, alone or with the family, to discover geology - a natural spectacle not to be missed under any circumstances.

In summer, Zurich beach is only located on the lake with a floating swimming pool and first-class facilities. Attended by a diverse clientele ranging from families to gays. The official gay beach is near the restaurant.

5 minutes from the Opera House, the oldest badi in the city was built in the 19th century on the shores of the lake. As elegant as it was at the time with its wooden structures, it includes mixed and single terraces, pleasant access to the lake, a sauna, a good restaurant serving tapas and even a bar with a trendy musical program. Quite chic.

A stone's throw from Burkliplatz, this badi consists of two wooden pools (one mixed, the other for women), set on the lake with a clear view where the Alps point to the horizon. Wellness activities are offered: yoga, massages, shiatsu and sauna in winter. In the evening, the music starts and the atmosphere rises while remaining zen.

100% reserved for women, this Art Nouveau style river badi has a nostalgic charm and a superb view of the old town. During the day, women meet to sunbathe and swim in complete privacy, while in the evening, the place turns into a trendy bar, the Barfussbar (the "barefoot bar") where men are more than welcome!

The St. Peter's peninsula to the west of Lake Biel is a corner of paradise covered with vines and chestnut trees and criss-crossed by wide paths. It is home to an inn (a former cloister built in 1127) where Jean-Jacques Rousseau stayed for two months in 1765. Goethe, Empress Josephine Bonaparte, the kings of Prussia, Sweden and Bavaria also visited the place. The restaurant of the inn offers an authentic decor and a wonderful terrace where you can taste fish specialities.