The Swiss Alps is a stunning mountain range located in Switzerland, a dramatic peak which nestled above 3,000 to 15,000 feet sea level. Swiss Alps renowned for their breathtaking landscapes, towering peaks, and pristine natural beauty therefore it cover around ⅗ of the total Switzerland’s land areas.
Place is full of abundant glaciers, snow covered mountains, scenic valleys, and tranquil lakes. Making it one of the picturesque regions especially in southern Europe. Its train travel is really a fantastic experience, like the glacier train express which travels a 7.5 hours route through the Swiss Alps from Zermatt to St. Moritz.
However Swiss Alps is a place full of many outdoor enthusiasts including cultural and historical treasure. Some of the activities which you should do like skiing and snowboarding in winter, while hiking and mountain biking attract visitors in the warmer months. The area is dotted with many adventurous and scenic villages such as Zermatt and Interlaken, where we can find abundant Swiss culture and hospitality. Overall, the Swiss Alps are a captivating destination for all sorts of backpackers who really want to showcase their real travel spirit with natural wonders and vibrant traditions.
Top 10 Things to do in Swiss Alps
1. Swiss Alps hiking
Swiss Alps are all about hiking and trekking and not just travel. Landmark contains many beautiful highest peak mountains and glaciers like Matterhorn, Eiger and Jungfrau. Switzerland is a place for perfect travel adventure seekers with more than 40,000 miles of marked hiking trails around the country. However, Swiss Alps offer a plethora of scenic hiking trails for all levels. Popular route of the Aletsch Glacier hike rewards trekkers with breathtaking views of mountains and glaciers.
2. Skiing and Snowboarding
Skiing is one of the most recommended and popular things you should do in the Swiss Alps. Due to low altitude mountains, mellow, sky peaks and vertical drops making a perfect spot for skinny and snowboarding. Its powder covered glaciers and rolling Alpine are so supportive to your skiing. With world-renowned ski resorts such as Zermatt, St. Moritz, and Verbier, offers most of the Swiss Alps as a winter sports paradise. Not only is that country heaven for many winter sports enthusiasts. Surely visitors can enjoy well-maintained pistes and stunning mountain scenery here.
3. Climb to Matterhorn
Most challenging and Switzerland’s most famous mountain, Matterhorn, is well known for very difficult to climb. Iconic and breathtaking, the Matterhorn is one of Switzerland’s most photographed mountains. Matterhorn is considered Europe’s 12th highest peak mountain and 48 Swiss peaks above 4000m. It looks like a Pyramid in shape 4,478 above the sea level. Summit to Matterhorn is as equal as Summit to Mount Everest and probably it already took more than 500 people’s lives during their summit. Don’t panic if you really want to take a panoramic view or hike in the area for close-up experiences take the Gornergrat Railway.
4. Explore jungfraujoch
Popularly called the “Top of Europe,” by its cogwheel train, Jungfraujoch is the highest accessible point in Europe. Approximately 3,454 feet, most visible through its centennial railways. Year round cog railway runs through a tunnel to the Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg. Visitors can explore the ice palace and snow and rocks very closely. Never forget to enjoy the views of glaciers, and even go skiing in summer. From the terminal in Grindelwald, a 3S cableway takes you directly to the station Eiger glacier in 15 minutes.
5. Visit Lake Geneva
Largest lake in the Alps spread across 580 square kilometres of area considered as the 23rd largest lake in Europe. Interestingly Lake Geneva is spread across 2 countries, 60% belongs to Switzerland and the rest 40% to France. You will not believe that Lake Geneva contains the world’s largest fountain named Jet d’Eau which is 147 metre high. However, the area around Lake Geneva, including towns like Montreux and Lausanne. The lake offers many beautiful lakeside views, walking paths, and opportunities for boat trips on the lake.
6. Travel in Gornergrat Railway
Gornergrat Railway is the first fully electrified cog railway. Gornergrat is a place nestled in the 3,089 altitude, where you can spend time in observation platforms. After a decade Gornergrat Railway is going to become a more advanced, famous and eco-friendly one. This railway system will help you to reach one of the highest viewpoints in the Alps, in order to offer breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks, especially at sunrise and sunset. Interestingly today Gornergrat Railway introduced a regenerative braking system that generates electricity on the descent and saves energy.
7. Take adventure sports at Interlaken
Interlaken is located in the west of Switzerland between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Got global recognition by its wide range of adventure sports activities and top resting destinations. Interlaken is surely an adventure sports hub, however it also offers scenery and amazing views. Therefore it is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland. You are so fortunate to see the most amazing villages and local arise while taking activities like paragliding, skiing, hiking, bungee jumping, and cannoning in the surrounding Alps.
8. Visit Swiss National Park
Would you like to experience the extraordinary richness of flora and fauna of Swiss National Park? National park located in the Zernez of Engadine Valley, Where you can feel the untouched nature with diverse wildlife. It is together with regional nature park biosfera Val Mustair. Due to its nature and prosperous wildlife Biosphere Park today became a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. However you can also find countless plant species, which are visible in this landscape dominated by dolomite and large temperature differences. Never forget to take crazy hiking opportunities, and stunning landscapes that showcase Switzerland’s natural beauty.
9. Take a cable car in Mount Pilatus
Located in the city of Lucerne, and steeped in legends is Lucerne’s own mountain named Pilatus. Where you can easily take a cable car or cogwheel train to Mount Pilatus. It is 2073 metres above sea level and offers almost 73 Alpine peaks, considered as the most scenic place in the entire Switzerland. The views from the summit are incredible, and there are great hiking trails to explore. Reaching Mount Pilatus is much easier when you choose by train, boat or bus. Its new aerial cableway dragon ride normally takes a mere 3.5 minutes of ride from the intermediate station Frakmuntegg. Which offers panoramic views of the Lucerne and its lake.
10. Taste local Cuisines
Even from the spectacular mountain range to some of the famous national parks, the Swiss Alps attract millions of visitors. Not just that, it attracts visitors even from its taste in local cuisines. Like traditional Swiss cuisine, including cheese fondue, raclette, and chocolate. With its agricultural landscapes shape makes it one of the most famous culinary heritage sites in Europe. Fondue Chinoise, Riz Casmir, Cordon Bleu, Pizokels, Capuns and Malakoff are more famous dishes you can try even in local restaurants. Never forget to visit local markets or dine in mountain restaurants for a taste of Swiss culture.
The Swiss Alps are a dream for many visitors around the world. They wish to explore its beautiful landscapes, snow mountains, crazy adventures activities and to take many travel activities. Surely it is a place where you can indulge yourself in a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences in the stunning Swiss Alps.
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Q: What Country is the Swiss Alps in?
A: Swiss Alps in Switzerland. Alps runs through Southern Germany especially the state of Baden- Wurttemberg and Bavaria.
