Five Favorite Family Hikes in Switzerland

When you start hiking with your kids, it can be difficult to figure to where to go and which hikes are best for families. Luckily, Switzerland has lots of great trails for families, many with fun activities and playgrounds along the way to keep little walkers motivated. After a dozen years of Swiss hiking, our family has lots of favorites. Here are our top five:

Allmendhubel Flower Park & Mountain View Trail

If you are visiting tourist sites in the Jungfrau Region, we recommend the stunning Mürren Mountain View trail, which ends at an enormous playground in the flower filled hills below the Schilthorn. While the kids play, you can lounge at the restaurant and enjoy breathtaking views of the famous Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch peaks across the valley.

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Toggenburg Tone Trail

This theme trail in Eastern Switzerland is the gold standard when it comes to children’s theme trails, with over 20 interactive musical “instruments” scattered along this stroller-friendly trail. Your kids will be motivated to keep walking because you can usually either see or hear the next thing to kling, clank, or bang before you get there.

There are playgrounds at either end and the middle, as well as picnic areas with grill pits and mountain restaurants along the way. All this in the beautiful Swiss alps, with dramatic mountain peaks and rolling hills filled with wildflowers.

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Mooraculum Alpine Playground & Theme Trail

For little hikers, we recommend the adorable 1.5 km theme trail at Mooraculum in Central Switzerland, with 18 interactive posts along the trail, educating you about the moor. It includes a little barefoot path, a scavenger hunt, forest megaphones and other sensory experiences. It starts and ends at a giant playground, with water play, swings, slides, climbing stuff, obstacle courses, games, etc. All this fun is nestled below impressive mountain peaks that parents can admire while the children play.

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Oeschinensee Panorama Trail & Alpine Coaster

For older children with hiking experience, we suggest the panorama loop above the gorgeous Lake Oeschinen in the Berner Oberland. It’s takes some hard work and secure footing, but the views are more than worth the effort. You can enjoy a leisurely meal at one of the mountain restaurants or grill up a picnic on the lake shore. On a hot day, you can even take a quick dip in the cold lake if you’re brave enough. At the end of the hike, reward the kids with a ride on the alpine coaster.

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Elm “Giants” Trail & Mountain Scooters

Kids big and small love Elm, with so many fun amusements with a view. The short “Giants in the Forest” theme trail has more than a dozen play stations, including a giant xylophone, an obstacle course, a suspension bridge, and much more to play with.

The trail loops back to a restaurant with a panorama terrace and a playground with lots of trampolines. You can end your day with a thrilling ride down the mountain on a scooter or three-wheeled monster bike.

Get details for Elm “Giants” Trail

Tanya Deans is the founder and editor of MomsTotsZurich.com, helping families enjoy the best of Switzerland. Since 2005, Tanya has been writing about family-friendly hikes and activities in Switzerland, providing lots of details to help you maximize the fun and minimize the fails. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.