32 most enjoyable hikes

From St. Saphorin in a diverse route going uphill and downhill through the vines to Lutry. Indeed, it is on the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces where bon vivants get into top gear.

Here is a chance for unique mountain adventures and mountain railway experiences - the Walen Trail is a sophisticated pleasure tour with panoramic views.

In the Creux du Van across Lake Neuchâtel, nature presents itself as a giant natural amphitheatre. Admittedly, though, the prime seats in the 160 metre high wall seem to have been reserved for the ibex!

This pilgrimage does not always have to lead to Santiago de Compostela – an impressive section of the Way of St. James is the ViaJacobi, a five hour walk from Schwarzenburg to Fribourg. This stretch is considered the most exciting part of the Way of St. James in Switzerland and has been used by the Jakobspilger - the St. James pilgrims - since the Middle Ages.

Pure hiking pleasure – the trail that is dedicated to Switzerland is just as diverse as the country itself.

39 tunnels, 55 bridges, a 1123-meter height difference: the Albula section of the Rhaetian Railway is a superb example of how railways have opened up access to the Alpine countryside. On the Preda to Bergün section, there is an railway adventure trail: a 2.5-hour hike with information about the world's most spectacular railway line.

A cultural and long-distance hiking trail through exceptionally charming landscape. This trail is 65km long and runs from Thusis through the Viamala Gorge, the Roffla Gorge and on stone paths over Splügen Pass to Chiavenna. It is on the third leg, from the Walser village of Splügen to Isola in Italy, where you'll find the most beautiful historic remains of trails.

The views here are unrivalled: This ridge walk from Monte Lema to Monte Tamaro is a classic amongst the Swiss high-altitude hikes. The panoramic views are unbeatable, extending from the Leventina region over the surrounding valleys and up into the Valais Alps to the west and the Graubünden Alps to the east.

The king’s stage over the 2778m-high Hohtürli. Rewarding detour to the Blümlisalphütte and eternal glacier ice. Down over moraine to beautiful, deep-blue Oeschinensee backed by steep cliffs; one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Alps.

15 kilometres of meditative hiking pleasure and one of Switzerland's most beautiful "water trails" run between Soubey and St-Ursanne.

No trail comes closer to the famous Eiger North Face – with the Eiger Trail you are guaranteed two hours of top notch thrills.

The Üetliberg railway (with regular scheduled trains) takes summiteers to Zurich's "own" mountain, 871 meters high. The high-altitude hike following the train trip is also suitable for families; after visiting the restaurant terrace on the Felsenegg, the gondola lift is waiting to take walkers down to Adliswil, where the S-Bahn (train) runs back towards Zurich.

Top class cuisine and spectacular landscapes - the road to the "Grand Canyon" of Switzerland is a pleasure in every respect.

Flanked by 32 4,000-metre peaks and only a few minutes from the Bettmerhorn upper station, a spectacular experience awaits you in the form of the Great Aletsch Glacier.

The trail follows the high banks of the Rhein river, which here are strongly influenced by the industrial and traffic infrastructure of Basel's catchment area. The ruins of Augusta Raurica, the Rhine harbour, river power stations and Basel's city-silhouette are outstanding.

The ViaRhenana, one of Switzerland's longest hiking trails, runs for ten days along the historic waterway between Untersee and Hochrhein. The fourth stage takes four hours from Schaffhausen to Rheinau with its baroque monastery church.

The old mule track is a walk through history and the world of the Kraftwerke Oberhasli power company. From the dam to the works railway, many facilities are accessible – guaranteeing many memorable moments.

An emerald green river, a spruced up little village, the ruggedly picturesque landscape - the Verzasca Valley is a real Ticino gem.

In 1989 the government of the Principality of Liechtenstein declared the entire Alp region of their country, except for the grazing areas, an integral plant conservation area. From Malbun along the Fürstin Gina Path one can experience how diverse and exotic the alpine flora is. And not only that, but the most beautiful views await you from places such as the peak of the Augstenberg (2222m).

Towering 1,679 metres above sea level, Mont Tendre is the highest peak in the Swiss Jura and offers superlative 360-degree panoramic views.

The superb panoramic mountain of San Salvatore is one of Lugano’s landmarks. The hike from the summit through chestnut forests along the banks of the lake to Morcote is a true classic.

With its more than 20 mountain lakes, Val Piora is considered to be one of the most beautiful regions of Ticino and famous for its wealth of fauna and flora. The tour from Acquacalda over the Passo del Sole to Lake Ritom is a chance to experience a natural paradise in all its diversity.