Rathouse walks

Four-day tour through the cantons of Zurich and St. Gallen. This route offers views of Lake Zurich and the peaks of the Bernese Alps, the Glärnisch massif and the Alpstein, including the Säntis Winterthur, the starting point, and Rapperswil, the finish, both have remarkable historic centres.

For this first stage, starting from Winterthur station, after exploring the old town, you will very quickly find yourself in the countryside. You will cross an animal park. The route is quite varied, following the Töss river and passing through the peaceful village of Kollbrunn. Then, a ridge path will lead you to Gyrenbad, a place of tranquillity and rest.

This stage will take you from Cham to Lucerne. The Michaelskreuz chapel offers a splendid view of Lake Lucerne. Gradually, as you walk along the Lucerne golf course, you will reach the shore of the Luzernersee. The magnificent lakeside promenade will take you to the old town near the famous Kappelbrücke.

This second stage will take you from Gyrenbad to the Hulftegg Pass. The Schauenberg offers a magnificent view of the Alps. The route to Sitzberg offers more interesting views, particularly of the Bichelsee. From Sitzberg (on the border between the cantons of Zurich and St. Gallen) to Allenwinden, the route follows a small road, which fortunately is not very busy. When you arrive at the Hulftegg Pass, you will enjoy a superb view of the Toggenburg and the Appenzell region.

This stage will take you from Unterägeri to Cham. You will gradually arrive at Lake Zug after a short climb to the Brunegg mountain pasture. On the way down, you will pass the pretty chapel of St. Verena. You can enjoy a lovely walk along the lake in Zug.

This stage will take you from Einsideln to Unterägeri. You will enjoy a superb view at the Chatzenstrick pass. You will descend to Unterägeri on the shores of Lake Ägeri via a ridge path.

This third stage will take you from the Hulftegg Pass to the isolated inn at Chrüzegg. The start of the route alternates between forest and pastures before taking a ridge trail at Roten. You will follow this ridge between the cantons of St. Gallen and Zurich to the Schnebelhorn, the highest point in the canton of Zurich and also the highest point of the hike. This summit offers a splendid panorama stretching from Lake Constance to Lake Zurich. The scenic route then passes through the Schindelberg, Rossegg, Habrütispitz and Chrüzegg peaks, offering more superb views.

This stage will take you from Siebnen to Einsiedeln. After the long climb up the Stöcklichrüz, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of Lake Zurich and the Sihlsee. At the Etzelpass, you will pass the St. Meinradskapelle chapel and the birthplace of Paracelsus. In Einsiedeln, a major pilgrimage site in Switzerland, don't miss a visit to the monastery.

This fourth stage will take you from Chrüzegg to Rapperswil on the shores of Lake Zurich. The trail quickly leads to a ridge line, passing through Tweralspitz. In the distance, you will recognise Chrüzegg. You will then descend gradually towards Rotstein, Schwammegg and Köbelberg, with panoramic views on both sides. From Rüeterswil, the Züri Oberland-Höhenweg and the Via Jacobi merge. The arrival in Rapperswil is achieved by avoiding roads as much as possible.

This version of the Albsteig (Black Forest) takes you on a 112-kilometre journey through the Alb Valley along the river from Albbruck to the Feldberg, the highest peak in the southern Black Forest. The first stage takes you upstream from Albbruck through and along the picturesque Alb Valley and, towards the end, through the Höllbach Valley up to Göhrwihl.

This variant of the Albsteig (Black Forest) takes you through the Alb Valley along the river from Albbruck to the Feldberg, the roof of the southern Black Forest, covering around 111 kilometres. Along the route, the Albsteig crosses two other long-distance hiking trails, the Schluchtensteig near St. Blasien and the Westweg on the Feldberg. The multi-day tour described here takes you along the western route to the Feldberg and back down to Höchenschwand via the eastern route. From there, the Wolfssteig (23 km) takes you down to Waldshut-Tiengen and finally by train back to the starting point in Albbruck.

This ten-day itinerary follows the Alpenpanorama Weg from Lucerne to Schwarzsee. With Mount Pilatus within easy reach, it is well worth stopping off to enjoy the unique panorama of the Alps. You will cross the following cantons: Lucerne, Niedwalden (at Pilatus), Bern and Fribourg. This beautiful route offers numerous panoramic views of the Bernese Alps and the Jura.

Mount Pilatus, which towers over Lake Lucerne and Lucerne, quickly comes into view on the Alpenpenpanorama Weg trail. It is clearly visible from the heights as soon as you leave Lucerne. This summit is well worth a detour. You will have unforgettable memories of the panorama of the Alps and the Jura in the evening, when you can enjoy the absolute calm and a magnificent sunset over the Bernese Alps.

Starting in Vitznau, climb to the summit of the Vitznauerstock/Gersauerstock for a superb view of Lake Lucerne.

A beautiful loop starting from Innerthal (906m) on the shores of the Wägitalersee. This loop will take you to the Bockmattli (1932m), with beautiful views of the lake during much of the ascent. After the Bockmattlihütte, the terrain becomes rockier until you reach the summit.

The Schluchtensteig trail leads in 6 stages over 119 km from Stühlingen to Wehr across the southern Black Forest. "Exposed paths along steep rock gorges with some spectacular views down into the depths. Wutachflühen, Wutach Gorge, Schleifenbach Falls, Haslach Gorge, Windberg Waterfall, Hohwehraschlucht and Wehraschlucht are destinations for anyone who enjoys hiking through wild gorges, marvelling at thundering waterfalls, enjoying the natural silence and wanting to escape everyday life for a week," according to the Schluchtensteig website, and the trail delivers what it promises. We have changed the third stage slightly to save you the mountain between Lenzkirch and Fischbach. Instead, we hike in Schluchsee to the Riesenbühlturm tower with its panoramic view.

The Schluchtensteig trail leads in 6 stages over 119 km from Stühlingen to Wehr across the southern Black Forest. The first stage takes us from Stühlingen to Blumberg along the Wutachflühen. High above the Wutach, we hike on narrow paths and exposed trails. We pass the Sauschwänzlebahn railway line several times and, with a bit of luck, we will see the museum train steam past. The Buchberg with its long ascent challenges us in the last third of the tour before we descend to Blumberg.

This variant of the Albsteig (Black Forest) takes you on a 112-kilometre journey through the Alb Valley along the river from Albbruck to the Feldberg, the roof of the southern Black Forest. Stage 2 takes you from Göhrwihl back down into the Alb Valley, then over the Dachsberg, to the Albstausee reservoir and up to Häusern.

This ninth stage will take you from Görwihl to Albbruck. The route follows the Albsteig Schwartzwald. You will enjoy the pretty waterfalls of the Höllbach and follow the Alb to its confluence with the Rhine. Once you arrive in Albbruck, the end of the hike, you can choose between Albbruck or Laufenburg, a beautiful German-Swiss village, for your overnight stay.

This short stage will take you from Malters to Wolhusen. You will walk along the banks of the Petite Emme before arriving in Werthenstein. At the entrance to this village, you can admire the imposing cloister, a major pilgrimage site on the Via Jacobi.

Starting from Stansstad railway station, you go straight up above the motorway, thus tackling the steepest part. Then, along the ridge overview of the Alpnachersee lake for a good third of the way, glimpses of views and appreciating the 400-500m ascent: Probably a good time to rest for a lunch break before the Renggpass. The final part is downhill all the way to the village and train station of Hergiswil, passing through fields of cows, farms & green pasture.

After a night at the summit of Mount Pilatus and a last look at the Bernese Alps, you will descend towards the Alpenpanorama Weg. Before reaching the Petite Emme valley, you will have several more opportunities to admire the Pilatus massif.

This variant of the Albsteig (Black Forest) trail takes you on a 112-kilometre journey through the Alb Valley along the river from Albbruck to the Feldberg, the highest peak in the southern Black Forest. Stage 5 is not formally part of the Albsteig. The Wolfssteig is both the continuation and the missing link needed to turn the Albsteig Black Forest into a multi-day circular tour. The Wolfsteig continues down into the Upper Rhine Valley to Waldshut and from there by public transport to the starting point of the tour in Albbruck.

This stage will take you from Wolhusen to Napf. The route climbs fairly quickly and offers several panoramic viewpoints. You will discover the important peaks of the Bernese Alps. Napf enjoys a privileged position offering a panorama of the Alps to the south and the Jura to the north. Shortly before Napf, at (15) exactly, you will leave the Canton of Lucerne and enter the Canton of Bern.

This variant of the Albsteig (Black Forest) trail takes you around 112 kilometres through the Alb valley along the river from Albbruck to the Feldberg, the roof of the southern Black Forest. The third stage of the Albsteig leads via St. Blasien and the Westweg trail to Bernau and the pass at the top of the Feldberg. The highlights of this stage, apart from the impressive landscape, are the Windberg waterfall, the view of the cathedral in St. Blasien and the Herzogenhorn, the highest point of the Albsteig. On a clear day, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Black Forest and the Alps.

This eighth stage will take you from Wittenschwand to Görwihl. The route follows the Albsteig Schwartzwald. You will cross the beautiful Dachsberg forest and follow the Alb. In the evening, you will stop in the pleasant village of Görwihl.

The Schluchtensteig trail leads in six stages over 119 km from Stühlingen to Wehr across the southern Black Forest. In the fifth stage, the trail climbs 300 metres immediately after the start to the Lehenbachkopf. The trail continues to climb steeply. A new route now leads along the monastery pond and briefly along the mining trail. Then it goes over the Horbacher Heide and the Ibacher Höhe, from where you can see as far as the Swiss Jura on clear days. The crowning glory of this stage is the beautiful Hochwehraschlucht gorge.

This seventh stage will take you from Sankt Blasien to Wittenschwand. The route follows the Albsteig Schwartzwald. You will follow the Alb and walk along the Albstausee to the dam. In the evening, you will stop in the charming village of Wittenschwand.