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Loop Trails in Switzerland

There are 337 hikes in Switzerland in our database that fit. They average 7.8 km and 332 m (1,089 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 166 km.

That is 4 percent of the 8,422 routes we map in Switzerland. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 7.8 km against 4.8 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 332 m (1,089 ft) on average versus 224 m (735 ft) across the wider area.

Circular routes: park once, finish where you started, and never walk the same section twice. The mix is broad: 60 are rated easy and 42 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day. A good share of them are loops, so you can park once and finish where you started.

Trails

Mountain tour from Prasüras, through the Val Trupchun to Alp Purcher in the Swiss National Park . cabin on Alp Purcher. (Detail).
Hard

Senda Val Trupchun

Swiss National Park · Grisons

Distance
14.1 km
/ 8.7 mi
Elevation gain
601 m
Typical duration
3 hr 50 min
  • Waymarked route
Moonlight over Spiez and Lake Thun. Månsken över Spiez och Thunsjön. Location: Spiez, Thunersee, Canton Bern, Switzerland, Suisse, Schweiz Photograph by: Berit Wallenberg Date: Taken on 19 June 1921 Format: Film Persistent URL: kmb.raa.se/c
Expert

Panorama Rundweg Thunersee

Bern · Switzerland

Distance
60.1 km
/ 37.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,239 m
Typical duration
15 hr
  • Mountain
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Bt 68 at Châtelard-VS station.
Expert

Tour de la Vallée du Trient

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
66.3 km
/ 41.2 mi
Elevation gain
4,157 m
Typical duration
21 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Dents du Midi seen from the Haute Cime
Expert

Tour des Dents du Midi

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
47.1 km
/ 29.3 mi
Elevation gain
2,604 m
Typical duration
14 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Six Noir, Petit Muverand
Expert

Tour des Muverans

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
54.5 km
/ 33.9 mi
Elevation gain
3,545 m
Typical duration
17 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Ferrette (Haut-Rhin, France), with the ruins of the castle
Expert

Circuits des Trois Châteaux

Basel-Landschaft · Switzerland

Distance
77.9 km
/ 48.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,743 m
Typical duration
20 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Grand Combin from lac de Louvie, Switzerland
Expert

Tour du Val de Bagnes

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
96.5 km
/ 60.0 mi
Elevation gain
5,042 m
Typical duration
30 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Ranunculus glacialis , Ranunculaceae, Glacier Crowfoot, Glacier Buttercup, habitus; Diavolezza, Engadin , Switzerland, altidude ca. 3.000 m. The plant is used in homeopathy as remedy: Ranunculus glacialis (Ran-g.)
Moderate

Glacier Experience Trail

Grisons · Switzerland

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
211 m
Typical duration
39 min
  • Mountain
  • Glacier
  • Waymarked route
Jost Ribary Gedenkstätte in Oberägeri
Expert

Panoramaweg Aegerital

Zug · Switzerland

Distance
30.5 km
/ 19.0 mi
Elevation gain
985 m
Typical duration
8 hr 18 min
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Dalec
Expert

Alta via della Val Fontana

Grisons · Switzerland

Distance
46.7 km
/ 29.0 mi
Elevation gain
3,285 m
Typical duration
15 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Matro from Northwest (Serravalle/Sobrio, Ticino, Switzerland)
Hard

Giro delle Tre Valli

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
11.8 km
/ 7.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,076 m
Typical duration
4 hr 5 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Piz Cavradi mountain in Tujetsch.
Hard

Pazolastock-Rheinquelle-Weg

Grisons · Switzerland

Distance
11.1 km
/ 6.9 mi
Elevation gain
854 m
Typical duration
3 hr 35 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Arosa in volo
Hard

Schiesshorn-Weg

Grisons · Switzerland

Distance
13.3 km
/ 8.3 mi
Elevation gain
968 m
Typical duration
4 hr 14 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
NAW/Hess BH4-23N, built in 1994, of PU Zegg at Samnaun.
Moderate

Stammerjoch-Weg

Grisons · Switzerland

Distance
9.9 km
/ 6.2 mi
Elevation gain
882 m
Typical duration
3 hr 24 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Nesslau-Krummenau, Switzerland
Expert

Appenzeller Alpenweg

Appenzell Ausserrhoden · Switzerland

Distance
28.3 km
/ 17.6 mi
Elevation gain
1,364 m
Typical duration
8 hr 20 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Glaubenbielenpass at Giswil OW, Switzerland, with summit sign "Glaubenbielen Passhöhe 1611 m"
Hard

Bärgmandlipfad Giswil

Obwalden · Switzerland

Distance
12.7 km
/ 7.9 mi
Elevation gain
875 m
Typical duration
3 hr 57 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
An overhead shot of Pontenet, Canton of Berne, Switzerland.
Hard

Chemin de Moron

Bern · Switzerland

Distance
15.6 km
/ 9.7 mi
Elevation gain
785 m
Typical duration
4 hr 26 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Trail to Silberenalp
Hard

Karstspur Silberen

Schwyz · Switzerland

Distance
13.8 km
/ 8.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,018 m
Typical duration
4 hr 23 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Hochspannungsleitungen westlich der Breite bei Nürensdorf (Schweiz). Von links: Vorableitung , 380-kV-Leitung Bonaduz-Breite , 220-kV-Leitung
Easy

Naturlehrpfad

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
78 m
Typical duration
43 min
  • Lake
  • Wildlife watching
  • Waymarked route
This is an image of a cultural property of regional significance in Switzerland with KGS number
Hard

Tour du Lac des Toules

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
14.6 km
/ 9.1 mi
Elevation gain
769 m
Typical duration
4 hr 12 min
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
Grande Dixence Dam
Moderate

Le sentier des bouquetins

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
8.5 km
/ 5.3 mi
Elevation gain
848 m
Typical duration
3 hr 2 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Stierberg and Bishorn
Hard

Turtmanntaler Aussichtsweg

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
11.6 km
/ 7.2 mi
Elevation gain
757 m
Typical duration
3 hr 33 min
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Blick vom Schigebiet Ischgl Richtung Schweiz
Moderate

Flimspitz Rundweg

Grisons · Switzerland

Distance
7.9 km
/ 4.9 mi
Elevation gain
501 m
Typical duration
2 hr 24 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Hochwasserrückhaltebecken Jonenbach : Einlaufbauwerk für den Grundablass mit Rechen und Einlassdrosselung.
Expert

Ämtlerwäg

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
50.3 km
/ 31.2 mi
Elevation gain
728 m
Typical duration
12 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Glärnisch aus dem Flugzeug
Moderate

Panoramaweg Braunwald

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
9.0 km
/ 5.6 mi
Elevation gain
588 m
Typical duration
2 hr 46 min
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Weisshorn , Bishorn and Brunegghorn seen from Giw, Visperterminen .
Moderate

Panoramaweg Gebidem

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
8.6 km
/ 5.3 mi
Elevation gain
478 m
Typical duration
2 hr 31 min
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Mount Rigi , Switzerland
Moderate

Seeuferweg Baldeggersee

Lucerne · Switzerland

Distance
14.4 km
/ 8.9 mi
Elevation gain
130 m
Typical duration
3 hr 11 min
  • Waymarked route
Hallwiler See in den Kantonen Aargau und Luzern, Schweiz
Hard

Rundgang Hallwilersee

Aargau · Switzerland

Distance
21.2 km
/ 13.2 mi
Elevation gain
93 m
Typical duration
4 hr 44 min
  • Waymarked route
Round-headed Rampion close to Moosalp, Wallis, Switzerland
Moderate

Moosalp Panoramaweg

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
6.1 km
/ 3.8 mi
Elevation gain
236 m
Typical duration
1 hr 38 min
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Round-headed Rampion ( Phyteuma orbiculare ) , Schynige Platte , Switzerland
Moderate

Panoramaweg Schynige Platte

Bern · Switzerland

Distance
5.6 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
306 m
Typical duration
1 hr 38 min
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Saaser Gletscherwelt: Hohsaas: Mit der Seilbahn bis zum Kreuzboden 840 Höhenmeter und zum Hohsaas nochmals 750 Meter. Die Aussicht zur Saaser Gletscherwelt ist denn auch ein echtes Panorama.Man steht gegenüber von Saas-Fee mit der Mischabel
Moderate

Weg der 18. Viertausender

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
124 m
Typical duration
26 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
180° panorama view from the Gornergrat in Switzerland. Made from 13 single images by stitching with Hugin.
Moderate

360° Loop Gornergrat

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
11 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Caslano, Tessin, Switzerland - Downtown. In the background Monte Lema (1621 m) and Poncione di Breno (1653 m)
Moderate

Giro/Tour Monte Caslano

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
4.4 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
95 m
Typical duration
1 hr 4 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Fribourg, Switzerland
Moderate

Tour du Lac / See-Rundweg

Fribourg · Switzerland

Distance
8.1 km
/ 5.1 mi
Elevation gain
461 m
Typical duration
2 hr 23 min
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
A Fiat 124 S (Special) in Malvaglia, Ticino (Switzerland) in around 1972.
Moderate

Giro del Castello di Serravalle

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
6.4 km
/ 4.0 mi
Elevation gain
505 m
Typical duration
2 hr 6 min
  • Castle and ruins
  • Waymarked route
Orden dent
Easy

Giro del Lago

Grisons · Switzerland

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
26 m
Typical duration
24 min
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
Derborence, Valais
Moderate

Tour du lac de Derborence

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
38 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
Bahnhof Ettenhausen-Emmetschloo, Aufnahmegebäude mit Güterschuppen, ID 12100134
Easy

Rundweg Burgholz

Zurich · Switzerland

Distance
5.7 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
193 m
Typical duration
1 hr 29 min
  • Castle and ruins
  • Waymarked route
Croix de Fer's sight toward "Les Aiguilles Rouges"
Hard

Sentier des Alpages

Valais/Wallis · Switzerland

Distance
11.3 km
/ 7.0 mi
Elevation gain
1,054 m
Typical duration
3 hr 56 min
  • Mountain
ZB Class De 4/4 , Stansstad , Switzerland
Easy

Burg - Rotzberg

Nidwalden · Switzerland

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
66 m
Typical duration
12 min
  • Castle and ruins
  • 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
Senda Val TrupchunSwiss National Park14.1 km601 m3 hr 50 minHardJune to October
Panorama Rundweg ThunerseeBern60.1 km1,239 m15 hrExpertApril to October
Tour de la Vallée du TrientValais/Wallis66.3 km4,157 m21 hrExpertJuly to September
Tour des Dents du MidiValais/Wallis47.1 km2,604 m14 hrExpertJuly to September
Tour des MuveransValais/Wallis54.5 km3,545 m17 hrExpertJuly to September
Bornes et Forts du Pays de MontbélierdJura117 km1,516 m29 hrExpertApril to October
Circuits des Trois ChâteauxBasel-Landschaft77.9 km1,743 m20 hrExpertApril to October
Tour du Val de BagnesValais/Wallis96.5 km5,042 m30 hrExpertJuly to September
Tour du Mont Blanc - Itinéraire principalValais/Wallis166 km7,379 m50 hrExpertJuly to September
Glacier Experience TrailGrisons1.6 km211 m39 minModerateJuly to September

If you only have time for one, start with Senda Val Trupchun, Panorama Rundweg Thunersee, Tour de la Vallée du Trient. 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

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