The easiest hikes in Switzerland, by the numbers
Of the 270 trails in Switzerland in our dataset, 14 (5 percent) rate easiest on the gain-and-distance scale we use, run 1 to 6 miles and climb 500 ft or less; all 14 are listed here, lowest rating first.
Étang de la Gruère has the lowest rating: 0 ft of gain over 1.2 miles, essentially flat.
Across the 14, gain runs from 0 to 469 ft and distance from 1 mile to 3.4 miles; the median gain is 301 ft and the median distance 1.4 miles.
11 of the 14 are point-to-point routes; the rest are loop (2) or out-and-back (1).
| # | Trail | Miles | Gain (ft) | Ft per mile | Max grade | Elevation (ft) | Rating | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Étang de la Gruère | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 4% | 3,271 to 3,320 | 0 | |
| 2 | Gros-Mont-Flendruz | 1.4 | 104 | 74 | 11% | 4,530 to 4,667 | 17.1 | |
| 3 | GurtenBern | 1.8 | 133 | 74 | 5% | 2,701 to 2,776 | 21.9 | |
| 4 | Männlichen Royal TrailBern | 1 | 288 | 288 | 17% | 7,315 to 7,602 | 24 | |
| 5 | Grunsee to FindelbahnValais | 1 | 297 | 297 | 10% | 7,506 to 7,803 | 24.4 | |
| 6 | Meidpass-Lac de Bella Tola | 1.4 | 236 | 169 | 21% | 8,447 to 8,647 | 25.7 | |
| 7 | GrunseeValais | 1.1 | 331 | 301 | 17% | 7,299 to 7,630 | 27 | |
| 8 | Grunsee to RifflelalpValais | 1.5 | 311 | 207 | 21% | 7,238 to 7,485 | 30.5 | |
| 9 | Col de l'Aiguillon-Grange Neuve | 1.4 | 351 | 251 | 15% | 4,174 to 4,491 | 31.3 | |
| 10 | TürlerseeZurich Region Türlersee | 2.8 | 183 | 65 | 7% | 2,120 to 2,214 | 32 | |
| 11 | Murtél-Fuorcla Surlej | 1.5 | 365 | 243 | 15% | 8,689 to 9,011 | 33.1 | |
| 12 | Monte Generoso | 1.9 | 450 | 237 | 25% | 3,176 to 3,626 | 41.4 | |
| 13 | Berghotel to LoucherhornBern | 2 | 469 | 235 | 26% | 6,285 to 6,707 | 43.3 | |
| 14 | Lauterbrunnen Valley TrailBern | 3.4 | 305 | 90 | 8% | 2,626 to 2,912 | 45.5 |
How this list is ranked
Rating = the square root of 2 x elevation gain (ft) x distance (miles), the gain-and-distance formula Shenandoah National Park publishes for its own trails. Bands: under 50 easiest, 50 to 100 moderate, 100 to 150 moderately strenuous, 150 to 200 strenuous, 200 and over very strenuous.
This list: band easiest (under 50), 1 to 6 miles, no more than 500 ft of gain, ordered by rating asc, miles asc, capped at 25. The rating column is computed from the miles and gain printed in the same row, the numbers each trail page uses, so every row can be checked from the row itself. The rating says nothing about exposure, scrambling, altitude or conditions.
Only trails with a full page count, so "Switzerland" here means the 270 trails in Switzerland in our dataset, not every trail in Switzerland.
Each trail page shows the full elevation profile behind these numbers and the same data drawn as a topographic print, made to order. Start with Étang de la Gruère.
Easiest hikes elsewhere.
The same ranking for other countries in our dataset.