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Family-Friendly Hikes in Switzerland

We track 315 routes that match this search in Switzerland. They average 2.2 km and 46 m (151 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 6.5 km.

That is 8 percent of the 4,054 routes we map in Switzerland. They are shorter than the local average, 2.2 km against 6.8 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 46 m (151 ft) against 172 m (564 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Altdorf UR, Kirchenviertel
Easy

ViaGottardo

Uri · Switzerland

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
108 m
Typical duration
54 min
  • Waymarked route
Bi de Sibe Brünne
Easy

Alpness trail

Bern · Switzerland

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
44 m
Typical duration
16 min
  • Waymarked route
Pfäffikon ( Switzerland )
Easy

Fryheitsweg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Typical duration
16 min
  • Waymarked route
Villa, ID 17701000
Easy

Fryheitsweg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
3.6 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
14 m
Typical duration
47 min
  • Waymarked route
Completed bridge of the construction side of the duty-free-street near Basel (Bridge not yet in use)
Easy

Hebel-Wanderweg

Basel-City · Switzerland

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Typical duration
12 min
Easy

Moron/Sommet- fixme

Bern · Switzerland

Distance
3.9 km
/ 2.4 mi
Elevation gain
86 m
Typical duration
56 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Easy

Eienwäldli - Wasserfall

Obwalden · Switzerland

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
47 m
Typical duration
31 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Holzkapelle - Wasserfall

Obwalden · Switzerland

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
45 m
Typical duration
29 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Panoramaweg Monte Rosa Hütte

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
5.5 km
/ 3.4 mi
Elevation gain
120 m
Typical duration
1 hr 19 min
  • Mountain
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Easy

La Côte-aux-Fées - fixme

Neuchâtel · Switzerland

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
31 m
Typical duration
20 min
  • Coastal
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Les Chablotays - Crête de Seu

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
45 m
Typical duration
30 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Les Cugnets -Mont Dar

Neuchâtel · Switzerland

Distance
2.2 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
48 m
Typical duration
31 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Naturlehrpfad

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
63 m
Typical duration
42 min
  • Lake
  • Wildlife watching
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Nidelbad - Wildpark Höfli

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
57 m
Typical duration
37 min
  • Lake
  • Wildlife watching
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Glacier Experience Trail

Grisons · Switzerland

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
36 m
Typical duration
24 min
  • Glacier
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Glacier Trail Mattmark

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
65 m
Typical duration
43 min
  • Glacier
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Matterhorn glacier trail

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
6.3 km
/ 3.9 mi
Elevation gain
138 m
Typical duration
1 hr 31 min
  • Glacier
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Alpenzeiger - Ufem Berg

Aargau · Switzerland

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
28 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich3.8 km53 m53 minEasyApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailAargau3.5 km29 m46 minEasyApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailAargau4.9 km37 m1 hr 5 minEasyApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailAargau3.4 km16 m44 minEasyApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailAargau0.8 kmflat10 minEasyApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailSchaffhausen5.3 km42 m1 hr 10 minEasyApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailSchaffhausen1.1 km8 m14 minEasyApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailSchaffhausen1.3 km47 m20 minEasyApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailSchaffhausen2.6 km24 m35 minEasyApril to October
Huguenot and Waldensian TrailZurich3.2 km40 m43 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with ViaGottardo, Huguenot and Waldensian Trail, Huguenot and Waldensian Trail. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

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