All hikes: Over a pass

The mule track over the Simplon, developed over 300 years ago by Kaspar Stockalper, has long handed over its economic importance to new roads. However, a few years ago it was reborn as a cultural hiking trail.

The Sentiero Cristallina links Bignasco in Valle Maggia with Airolo in Val Bedretto. Between them lie steep mountain slopes, a waterfall on a village outskirts, crystalline rock, Alpine lakes/reservoirs, idyllic alps and remote hamlets.

The circular trail brings the history of the Heinzenberg landslides to life. With stunning views of Piz Beverin and the Safien valley, various stops along the way offer insight into a unique landscape that has been shaped by both nature and man.

Through Alpine flora to the Tannalp with a dairy, guesthouse and lake. The ridge hike over Balmeregghorn with wonderful views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains is truly impressive. Muggenstutz the dwarf and a sculpture garden promise variety on the way to Meiringen. Connoisseurs will find much to love on this stage: fresh cheese, exquisite desserts – both sure to delight gourmets.

Around 1270, the Walser people migrated from the Valais, Pomatt and Gurin over the glacial landscape of Passo del S. Bernardino to Hinterrhein. The appearance of the village is reminiscent of the times of mule-trains and waggoners.

On the seventh stage, a small cable car and stone steps lead from Altdorf into Central Switzerland, with much green, a little snow, and the Surenen Pass awaiting hikers along the way, as well as goats, cows and horses, before finally arriving in Engelberg.

Along the «King's Stage» from northern Italy to the southern portal of the tunnel and over the pass. The mountain hike leads past the crystal-clear Palpuognasee lake, over Weissenstein Alp or Crap Alv up to the Fuorcla Crap Alv (2466 m altitude) and steeply down into Val Bever to the idyllic stage destination of Spinas.

An impressive route over sunny terraces with colourful dry grassland and superb views of the mountain world. On the way: a typical Engadine village, an old convalescent hotel, hanging bridges and mountain trails, passing lakes, waterfalls and glacier residue.

An undulating route between the Isonetal valley and Gola di Lago before the Capriasca region. Nature rules here on the pass from Sopra- to Sottoceneri, where forests alternate with pastureland. Tesserete is reached along old tracks and pack-animal trails.

Worthwhile tour over the head of the Glaubenbielen Pass with superb views of the Sarnersee lake and Titlis summit. From time to time you meet the pass road but also repeatedly find quiet sections at Alpoglen or Pörterwald.

A valley hike alongside the babbling Jaunbach crossing the language boundary to Charmey, following Lac de Montsalvens, with its many coves, to the dam and the spectacular Jaun-Schlucht gorge down to Broc and the famous Gruyère Castle.

Descent on the south side of the Simplonpass through fascinating Alpine cultural and natural landscape with alp settlements and hamlets to Simplon village. Almost always along the Stockalperweg trail. Museum on the history of the pass in Simplon village.

A tough climb to Stöcklichrüz and a superb high-level hike around the northern end of Sihlsee lake to Einsiedeln. The St. Meinrads Chapel on Etzelpass and the house where Paracelsus was born are popular resting places, not just for pilgrims.

The aerial cableway takes you to the departure point at Eggen. After a short ascent you reach the Storegg, a pass from Nidwalden to Obwalden. Along the mountain flank and through a wild, craggy area and on to Frutt.

From lively Davos through the peaceful Dischma and Susauna valleys into theEngadine. Passing many impressions left by past trade-route days, the section leads through almost untouched landscapes over the Scaletta-Pass, the highest point of the ViaValtellina.

The Sernftal valley with the striking Glarus overthrust is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona. Leave this impressive area by following an extensive route over the Richetli Pass. Following the steep ascent, you arrive in the Durnachtal valley and then the largest village in the Glarus – Linthal.

A marvellous high-level trail, a scenic tour from Oberwald to Andermatt: Day 1: sensational panoramic views of the Rhone Glacier, Lauteraarhorn and Finsteraarhorn. Day 2: pleasant hike on the Urschner Höhenweg with much to discover en route.

Scenic pass and valley landscapes on the Jakobsweg route through multifaceted Graubünden. Historic cultural signs of the Santiago pilgrim’s path – and stunning scenery inviting one to reflect on own values and the beauty of nature.

From Elm the ViaSuworow continues over the Panixer pass, which led to Suvorov's troops suffering disastrous losses in the snow. The route leads through the Jetzbachschlucht gorge up to the pass and then over alp Mer and alp Ranasca down to Pigniu.

A challenging mountain stage over the 2207-metre-high Jochpass, the boundary between Inner Switzerland and the Bernese Oberland. The hike is enhanced by magnificent landscapes with mountain meadows, lakes and impressive peaks, above all the snow-capped Titlis.

The Walserweg Graubünden follows the tracks of the Walsers in the high valleys of Graubunden in 23 one-day stages (total 300 km). The route leads along historic trails through breathtaking nature and intact cultivated landscapes. Hikers gain insights into the culture and history of the Walser folk.

From Rossinière to the Col de Solomon, via a bridge dating back to 1650. After the descent into the Hongrin Valley, the climb up the Col de Chaude with superb views of Lake Geneva awaits. From there, the route continues uphill to the intermediate station of the Rochers de Naye cog railway.

Unspoilt nature every step of the way. You walk past streams, lakes and even a waterfall on this memorable stage of the Tour des Muverans.

Squirrels accompany one to the Schatzalp, after which every step of the way changes with a view of the Jakobshorn. On over the Strelapass - inhabited in the 14th century by the Walser Arosa - followed by a rocky valley descent to pastures and the Walser settlement, Dörfji – as well as the homely Graubünden mountain village, Langwies.

The Senda Sursilvana affords an insight into a whole region, one which holds many natural and cultural treasures. A high-level hike with several detours to the banks of the young Rhine.

This trail takes you to the alpine foothill landscape of Appenzellerland, from Urnäsch to Alpweiden at the foot of Säntis and Schwägalp. From the Hochalp to the Schwägalp you will walk through the Schwägalp natural park, a protected natural site with a very special appeal.

The Kesch Trek offers four days of spectacular hiking in the Graubünden mountains. Stunning mountain scenery with wild valleys, rugged peaks and imposing glacier landscapes.

The trail leads over two rises to the scenic Trübsee lake at the foot of the Titlis and on over the Joch Pass into the Bernese Oberland. The destination is the Engstlenalp, an idyllic power spot with a lake, a nostalgic hotel and thousands of Alpine roses.

The sweeping view of Lake Geneva and the descent into the unforgettable Pro Natura nature conservation area of Vallon de Nante make this a truly beautiful stage.

Surrounded by an impressive mountain landscape from Pontresina through the Val Bernina and over the Bernina Pass to Alp Grüm. Insight into the effects of climate change in Pontresina and Morteratsch and views from Alp Grüm into Val Poschiavo.

Traces of past centuries are evident between Bivio and the Septimerpass. On the other side of the pass is the Bergell, where Segantini painted some of his most significant works in Soglio. Segantini was buried in Maloja in 1899.

The Walser people settled in Schlappin in the 14th century. Through the protective forest up to the area of Saaser alp. Karst landscape on Rätschenjoch, former mining area in «Butzchammera», rockfall landscape in Gafital, scattered settlements on the slopes, at the end a closed-off settlement in St. Antönien Platz.

The Senda Segantini is a unique hiking route through the incomparable Engadin and Sursetter mountain landscape. It follows the footsteps of Italian painter Giovanni Segantini (1858 -1899), the great master of combining realism with symbolism.

Gentle climb alongside the Glisbach stream, through forest and moorland, over the Hahnenmoos Pass, then down to Lenk, superbly set in the Hinter Simmental basin, with spectacular waterfalls and the perfect backdrop of the Wildstrubel massif.

Here the focus is on the spectacular rock path through the upper Val d’Uina, a former smugglers’ route recommended for those with a head for heights. Up on the pass and already on Italian soil is the generously dimensioned Sesvenna-Berghaus.