Snowshoeing in Switzerland

I had never snowshoed before moving to Switzerland, and now, five winters later, I quite literally can’t imagine the season without it. Too dramatic? Maybe so, but the key to surviving - even thriving - in winter is to find at least one winter activity that you enjoy. Preferably one that makes you feel like you are inside a snow globe. Enter: Snowshoeing in Switzerland!

It’s athletic, adventurous, and allows me to get immersed in that dreamy winter world. What’s particularly great is that there is that there are low “start-up” costs and learning curves: snowshoe rentals are pretty cheap, you don’t need a special type of boot (you can strap them onto any waterproof winter boot), and if you can walk, you can snowshoe! Poles are useful (but it is best to have poles that have “snow baskets” on the ends), but I think they only make a big difference if you are going through deep or super powdery snow. Dress warm, but in layers - I definitely work up a sweat! If you are a beginner, make sure to stick to marked snowshoe trails. They will be marked as normal winter wanderweg signs, but with a little snowshoe icon. If there is no sign, look for the pink poles. Most mountains have little shops to rent snowshoes, but for those coming from Zurich, Transa is a easy spot to rent gear for the day. It’s an outdoor gear mecca (insert chorus of angels singing here) - and plus, it is right by the main train station, so very convenient for day trips.

**And PLEASE: always check mountain websites and trail statuses beforehand, for snow conditions and any avalanche warnings**

So without further ado, here are my 20 favorite snowshoeing trails in Switzerland.

---

1. Furggelen Trail - Mythen Region (Schwyz)

The trail was challenging in the best way, with an ideal combination of silent forest, wide open terrain, and panoramic views of all the peaks in the Ybrig region. Starting from Brunni, there is a steady ascent as you climb all the way up to the highest point of Furggelenstock. The beginning of the hike winds up tightly through the forest, and it’s particularly gorgeous after a fresh snow. The second half of the trail is more open, and is wonderful on a sunny bluebird day. The descent can be a little confusing, as some of the trail crosses over ski pistes and at one point, shares with the sledging track - just follow the signs to Holzegg. The Furggelen trail is rated as difficult, and I’d say that is more or less accurate. But, the difficulty is in terms of physical fitness rather than technical skill. I felt tired, in that really satisfying, whole-body-is-exhausted, way. So very good.

Furggelen-Schneeschuhtrail: 8.5 km, 825 m ascent, 3.5 hours, difficult.

2. Erzegg trail - Central Switzerland (Obwalden)

To start this trail, we first took a gondola up 1800 meters to the tiny car-free village of Melchsee-Frutt. There are only a few snowshoe routes in this area, and the Erzegg trail (#790) seemed like the best challenge. It’s marked as difficult, but I would rate it closer to moderate. The first few hundred meters are definitely tough - it felt like we were trudging straight up - but once we reached the highest point at Erzegg, it was all downhill or flat from there until the end! No sweat, right? P.S. Stopping for a beer at Tannalp is definitely a good choice.⁣
⁣⁣
I really like these higher altitude snowshoe trails. What they may lack in quiet winter forests, they more than make up for in big mountain views or wide snowy plateaus. And this trail not only had both of those, but also two frozen lakes and a pretty river, too. The only downside? It does lack a bit of seclusion. Melchsee-Frutt is a bustling ski village, so you’ll see nearly every winter sport at once (skiers, hikers, sledders, igloo campers, even snowkiters!) and chairlifts galore. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but part of the draw of snowshoeing is the remoteness it can offer. Although, there were lots of moments on this trail when all that melted away, and it was just us and the mountains (and that eerie sepia light from the unexpected Sahara sand storm!). And that was pretty dang cool. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Erzegg Trail: 10.5 km, 350 meters ascent/descent, 3-4 hours. ⁣⁣

3. Brambrüesch - Eastern Switzerland (Graubunden)

This snowshoe trail, from Brambrüesch to Feldis, had some of the best views to date. It’s a tough one, but worth it. The climbing starts pretty immediately from Brambrüesch, and doesn’t let up for 4 km and 580 meters (whew!) until you reach the highest point of Furggabüel at 2174 m above sea level. There’s a chairlift you can take to skip the majority of this part, but in my opinion, the challenging work makes the reward that much sweeter. The views at the top are extraordinary. Mountains in every direction, as far as the eye can see. The Flims mountains, the Laax mountains, the Lenzerheide mountains, the Arosa mountains. All the mountains. It’s really amazing. There’s a wide plateau at the top, where snowkiters were taking advantage of the wind and flat surface, which made for great entertainment during lunch. The second half of the hike is more leisurely, a smooth descent that allows for a full drinking in of the landscape. Finally, the Feldis ski hutte, with its sun terrace and huge menu of drinks and treats, is a perfect way to end. So good.

You can do the trail from both ways, but I’d recommend starting at Brambrüesch. Yes, it means steeper climbing, but I’d much rather snowshoe up a steep incline than snowshoe down. There’s also a special combi ticket for the gondolas/chairlifts specifically for this trail, and you can rent snowshoes at one end and return at the other, AND (!) it’s surprisingly accessible from Zurich - just an easy train ride to Chur, and then a gondola up to Brambrüesch.⁣ What are you waiting for?!

Brambrüesch-Feldis: 8 km, 760m ascent/380m descent, 4 hours, challenging. ⁣⁣⁣

4. Wirzweli Trails - Central Switzerland (Obwalden)

Wirzweli is an unassuming little village with some excellent snowshoe paths. It’s close to Engelberg, which means there are all the big mountain views you could ever want. But because it’s not a big bustling ski resort, it’s really easy to feel like you are just tramping around in a remote wintry forest. Best of both worlds, right? We combined two of the red trails - the Panoramwelt on the way up, and the Tannenpfad on the way down - that made a really fun loop. The Panoramawelt has the big climb and the big views (don’t skip on the final push up to Gummenalp), the Tannenpfad has the steep descent through a truly magical untouched forest, and the Berggasthaus Gummenalp makes for a perfect mid-way gluhwein break.

All the trails are very well-marked, there are snowshoe rentals at the Dallenwil-Wirzwel cable car station, and it’s less than an hour from Zurich by car. A new favorite!

Panoramawelt + Tannenpfad: 8 km, 400 ascent/descent, 3-4 hours, moderate

5. Janzi Trail - Central Switzerland (Obwalden)

The Jänzi Trail is pretty magical, friends. It’s an area near Langis, tucked away in the canton of Obwalden, far from any ski slopes. A real hidden gem. The entire landscape is pristine, unspoilt, and above all - quiet. So quiet. Quiet enough to hear the snow fall. It’s that feeling of remoteness, more than anything else, that I seek in a great snowshoe trail. This is advertised as a panoramic trail, and while I’m sure the views are amazing (said snow and clouds blocked most of it for us), it was the sections through the forest that I loved the most. With fresh snow clinging to all the tree branches, it felt like we had just walked into Narnia.

A couple extra tips for this one:
-Check the schedule for the Post Bus at Langis (the start/end point). The timings are irregular, and you might have a 1.5 hour wait ahead of you if you just miss it.⁣
-The trail ends very abruptly on the mountain road, and you’ll need to shed your snowshoes for the final walk back to Langis. I was a bit annoyed by this, but it’s only about 10 minutes and not so bad!⁣

Jänzi: 12 km, 4-5 hours, 580 meters ascent/descent, moderate to challenging.⁣

6. Obertrübsee Trail - Central Switzerland (Obwalden)

This one holds a special place it my heart because it was our very first snowshoe trail in Switzerland - the one that got us hooked! The Obertrübsee snowshoe trail is marked as medium, but as a first-timer, I think it’s definitely approachable for beginner snowshoers. It is just a step above winter hiking, and a great way to wade into a new snow sport. The trail is a large loop around the frozen Trübsee, with views of Titlis and the whole of Engelberg valley. It’s all very-well marked: look for the bright pink wanderweg signs with the snowshoer icon or pink poles with an orange top, to find your way. The whole round-trip tour is just under 6 km and took us about 2.5 hours to finish.

And FYI, the trains from Engelberg back to Luzern (with further connections to Zurich, etc) only run about once per hour, so if you juuuuust miss it, like we did - the Kafikaufbar Engelberg is right across the street from the station, open on Sundays, and serves massive mugs of gluhwein (and lots of other things to eat and drink).

Obertrubsee Trail: 6km, 320 m ascent/descent,, beginner to moderate.

7. Vorder Höhi Trail - Central Switzerland (St. Gallen)

My go-to, close to Zuri, snowshoe trail. Arvenbuel is a really lovely area in Amden, above the Walensee. It’s got lots of variety - tough climbing, quiet forests, and views of both the Glarus and Appenzell Alps (on clear days, you can see all the way to Säntis!). I did my first hike here late in the season in 2021, when the snow was more slush than powder, and still really enjoyed it. I’ve been back quite a few times now, mixing and matching the different paths - but this trail is still my favorite. Definitely stop at the namesake Vorder Höhi. It’s is a small alpine farm, that turns in a bare-bones restaurant in the winter months. Don’t expect a ton of traditional hut amenities - you’ll be eating in a literal stable without any heat - but they serve up warm food (soup, sausages, and hot drinks) that tastes amazing after a cold hike. And if it’s a sunny day, there are rows and rows of tables outside that face the sun.

Vorder Höhi: 9km, 520 m ascent/descent, moderate

Tip: If you want to lengthen this trail, keep to the right at Alp Looch. This will loop you around the Flugespitz, and then you’ll connect back with the above trail at Schiblerwiti.

8. Alter Schwyzerweg - Central Switzerland

When the weather conditions are less than ideal, but I still want to get out on a hike, this is the type of trail that I look for: one that is close to home (for me, that’s Zurich), has a mountain hut or restaurant around the halfway point (eating sandwiches while it is dumping snow is very sad. And cold), and winds through forests or fields (no need for big panoramic views when visibility is zero, right?). This trail checked all those boxes. It was snowing pretty heavily the day we did it, but the powder was fresh and fluffy, the forest was quiet, and the trail nearly empty. I particularly like seeing all the mountain pines heavy with snow - I always feel like I’m in Lapland or something when the trees look like that, all draped in white. After an initial steep climb from Oberiberg, the path gently ascends up to Ibergeregg, where we warmed up inside the restaurant before returning the way we came. I’m not sure how crowded this trail might get on a sunny day, but we only saw three other snowshoers, and I just get that sense that this trail is quieter than others. It’s not the most exciting trail in the books, but it’s one of the most peaceful we’ve done.

Edit: It looks like as of 2023, this is now a groomed winter hiking trail.

Alter Schwyzerweg: 9km, 400 m ascent/descent, 3-4 hours, moderate.

9. Panoramaweg Braunwald - Glarus

A snowshoe hike that you need to save for a clear, sunny day! The views from the Chnügrat lookout point are some of the best in the region - and then, they somehow get even better once you get to Gumen. Throw in a ridge section, an ice cave, pine forests, and a semi-sweaty climb, and you’ve got an excellent day in the snow. The only downside, in my opinion, is that some portions of the trail are multi-use (which I don’t love on my winter hikes). But honestly, for these views, it’s worth dodging the occasional skier, right?⁣

Note: Depending on the level of snow, this can be done with snowshoes, or simply winter boots (although it is not groomed).

Braunwald Panoramaweg: 9 km, 500m ascent/descent, 3-4 hours, moderate.⁣⁣

10. Stäfeli Trail, Weissenberge - Glarus

The more I’ve been snowshoeing, the more I’ve tried to seek out trails that are away from big ski resorts. And this trail, in the little Walser settlement of Weissenberge, is such a hidden gem. It leads through open meadows and forests, with gorgeous views into the Glarus Alps. And it’s quiet. When we went, the weather was cloudy and slightly snowy, and the whole area was just so serene and so pretty. There are few flat bits - it’s steeply up or steeply down for the most part - but nothing technical, so as long as you have the stamina, you’re good to go.

Stafeli Trail: 7 km, 520m ascent/descent, 2.5-3 hours, moderate.

11. Brisenhaus - Central Switzerland (Nidwalden)

The standard snowshoe loop from Niederrickenbach is nice - but the **real** fun, in my opinion, is extending the hike all the way up to Brisenhaus. Do it for the views, of course…but also for the rösti (add the cheese, you won’t regret it) and the hut’s all-around good vibes. I loved that it was just snowshoers and ski-tourers up there, too. If you are feeling really ambitious, you can continue on past the hut for 300 more meters to the Glattgrat. We were too full from the rösti and too lazed by the sunshine to go further, but next time!⁣
⁣
Brisenhaus snowshoe: 12 km, 750 meters, 4 hours.⁣ (Niederrickenbach – Ahorn – Brisenhaus SAC – Return)

12. Spitzmeilenhütte - Flumserberg (St. Gallen)

A new twist on an old favorite! The Flumserberg ski resort is a popular one to all us Zurich-based folks, given how easy it is to get to from the city (the S2 train drops off right at the valley gondola station!). But even if you’ve been to Flumserberg many times before, this snowshoe hike up to the Spitzmeilenhütte will feel completely different. It’s a more wild, open landscape than the forested ski-slope side of the mountain, and feels far away from the hustle and bustle. Once you pass Alp Fursch, the hills here are sweeping and wide, and only criss-crossed by other snowshoers and ski-tourers. The climb is tough, but the views from the hut, perched at the very end of the cliff, are all the reward you need. The fact that the hut’s menu is also **chef’s kiss** delicious is just an added bonus.
⁣
A few tips:
-Get the “Heidi” hiking ticket. This will cover all the gondolas and chairlifts you’ll need to get to from Flumserberg Tannenboden the start of the hike (Panüöl)⁣
-On that note, take the chairlift down from Maschgenkamm to Panüöl. You can also walk this portion, but it’s not that exciting and you’ll be constantly dodging skiers. Save the time, and spend it later lounging in the sun at the hut or Alp Fursch post-hike instead.⁣
-Check the hut’s website first to make sure it is open!

Spitzmeilenhütte: 10 km, 450m ascent/descent, 3.5-4 hours, moderate.

13. Muottas Muragl - Engadin (Graubünden)

This place took my breath away. First off, the views from the Muottas Muragl (near Pontresina in the Engadin) are INSANE. The whole Silvaplana valley and the Bernina Alps spill out before you - and that’s just when you get off the funicular. You don’t even have to work for that! But you’ll get even more with the snowshoe. There is an official marked snowshoe trail that starts from the mountain station. It was a little short for us (only 3.5km), so we followed a trail from SwissTopo to extended it further. The mountains feel deliciously close. I took an inordinate amount of photos on this hike, because the light on the peaks and the valleys kept slightly changing, somehow getting more and more beautiful, and I just couldn’t believe my eyes.

14. Rätikon-Panoramaweg (Graubünden)

Is there anything better than a Panoramaweg on a sunny winter’s day? This trail will treat you to gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous views of the Rätikon mountain chain (which are referred to as the “Bündner Dolomiten” ) the entire hike. The first kilometer or so of the trail is on a groomed winter hiking trail through the forest. That was my least favorite bit, but once you pop out of the forest, the real fun begins! There are a couple steep climbs, but because the entire trail is very well-marked with pink poles, I’d say it’s accessible to anyone with some stamina! The buses from Mollis don’t run that often, but that’s OK, because if you did this trail on a sunny day (and you should!), there is a lovely sun terrace at Gasthaus Mollis where you can wait.

Rätikon-Panoramaweg: 640m up/580 down, 3-4 hours, moderate

15. Mettmen to Leglerhutte (Glarus)

Ever since I hiked to the Leglerhutte one summer, I wanted to snowshoe here in the winter. This is a beautiful, sporty tour. It starts at the mountain station of the Kies-Mettmen cable car, and winds past the Garichti reservoir and the Matt flood plains. The climb is gentle for the first half, but gets noticeably steeper in the second half. It’s the type of climb where you keep thinking “we’ll must be there right after this next part,” and then you get to the next part and there is somehow still more to climb. But then - finally - you reach the hut and it’s all worth it. The Leglerhutte is in a truly fantastic location, and since it’s open in the winter, it’s the perfect place to stop for a hot meal, while you enjoy the view of 192 (!!) mountain peaks. The way back is the same.

P.S. This trail is marked with poles, but inform yourself of the avalanche situation before heading out. The hut website also may have up to date information.

Leglerhütte: 12km, 700m gain, 4-5 hours⁣, challenging

16. Biberegg-Herrenboden Loop - Central Switzerland (Schwyz)

We did this trail after a surprise April snow storm, and it was an excellent season-finisher. It’s a great workout (especially if you are breaking trail in fresh powder), and has plenty of variety: forests, flat plateaus, mountain views. Ding, ding, ding! Plus, it’s close to Zurich.

Biberegg loop: 12km, 680meters ascent, 5 hours, moderate/challenging.

17. Oberebs Trail - Elm (Glarus)

For me, the very best snowshoe trails are the ones far away from, well, anything else. Away from chairlifts, busy ski pistes, the hustle and bustle. When I snowshoe, I’m looking for quiet forests, wide open plains, and big mountain views. And this trail hit all three, with a bonus point for having some of the best alpine views to date. ⁣The Glarus Alps feel so close. Like reach-out-and-touch-them close. This trail is a favorite of the 2023 season! Fair warning that the ascent is quite steep, but besides needing a good amount of fitness, I’d say this hike is accessible to anyone, beginners included!
⁣
(And maybe I’ll give a second bonus point for the most fun little ski hütte at the very top that was filled with fellow snowshoers and ski tourers, because while yes, I want to get away from it all, I also won’t say no to a beer in the sunshine in front of the Alps.)⁣

Oberebs Trail: 6km, 580 meters ascent, 3 hours, moderate.

18. Cheibehorn Rundtrail - Stockhorn (Berner Oberland)

Come for the insane alpine views of the Bernese mountains from the Cheibenhorn summit, and stay for everything else: the forest of snow-covered trees, the two frozen lakes, the invigoratingly sweaty climbs, the sunshine above the sea of clouds. The ascents are tough, but since the trail itself isn’t that long, I found it all quite manageable. There is a very short ridge to get to the Cheibenhorn, which is narrow in some places, but not scary or exposed. All in all, this is a great region for snowshoeing, since the Stockhorn mountain doesn’t have any ski lifts (always a plus for snowshoeing, in my opinion). I’ll definitely be back.

Cheibehorn-Rundtrail: 7km, 580m ascent, 3-4 hours, moderate.

19. Parcours Plan Beu - Vichères (Valais)

The Valais Alps are my favorite of all the Swiss Alps, and I think they look the most majestic in the winter. This snowshoe tour is pretty epic from start to finish, but the standout moment is when you reach the top of the Tsamonay plateau, and you find yourself surrounded by 4,000-meter peaks. The Aiguille d’Argentiere on one side, the Grand Combin on the other.

The only (slight) downside is that because the trail ends at a small ski resort of Vichères, there are a few ski piste crossings (never my favorite thing to do on snowshoes).

Parcous Plan Beu: 9km, 600m ascent, 4-5 hours

20. Lobhornhütte (Bernese Oberland)

The Lobhorn Hut is such a perfectly situated mountain hut, and the snowshoe trail to get there is just the right amount of work. Highlights include: Climbing above the valley fog to be rewarded with stunning views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the excellent food at the hut (enjoyed on, IMO, the most perfectly placed sun terrace in the Berner Oberland), and discovering the little frozen Sulseewil tucked away in the hills.⁣

Route

21. Bonus Trails!

Please be aware that the below trails are not marked like official trails. They are mainly used by ski tourers, but can also be accessed with snowshoes. There are no poles or trail markings, they are not groomed or secured, and they may be in avalanche-prone areas. Only attempt these trails if you are an experienced snowshoer, have the proper gear, and are aware of the current snow and avalanche conditions.

• Glaubenberg to Furstein (pictured above)

• Lidernenhutte to Hagelstock