• Mount Säntis: At 2,463m (8,079 ft.), Säntis is the northern outpost of the Alps and the most towering peak in the Alpstein massif. The quaint village of Appenzell is a good place to base yourself. The walk itself begins in the village of Wasserrauen, which is linked to Appenzell by hourly trains. After 8.9km (5 1/2 miles) -- 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours, depending on your stamina -- it ends at the village of Schwägalp, from which you can take a cable car to the viewing platform overlooking the summit of Säntis. Schwägalp is the terminus of the roads coming in from Urnäsch and Neu-St-Johann.

  • Grosse Scheidegg: This popular walk ("the Great Watershed" in English) takes you through some of the most dramatic scenery in the Jungfrau region of central Switzerland, known for stunning white glaciers and soaring summits. One of the highlights of the walk is the awesome beauty of the Wetterhorn's massive gray rock walls. Setting out from the village of Meiringen, the walk ends 21km (13 miles) away (6 1/2-9 hr.) in the resort of Grindelwald. If you get tired, take advantage of the bus stops along the way.

  • The Upper Engadine Lakes: The four highland lakes of the Upper Engadine are 1,771m (5,809 ft.) above sea level, but as you walk along, it's like traversing the floor of a valley. Craggy ranges and scenic lake vistas greet you at every turn as you make your way along the 14km (8 1/2-mile), 3- to 3 1/2-hour walk from Maloja to the resort of Silvaplana. You'll pass through the enchanting village of Segl-Maria, one of the most charming of the Romanesque-style villages in eastern Switzerland, eventually arriving at the western edge of Lej da Silvaplana, a lake of unsurpassed beauty.

  • Valle Verzasca: The bad news is that social media has brought hordes of tourists to this Ticino river valley’s most picturesque spot: Ponte de Salti, a Roman-style bridge gracefully arching over deep emerald water. The good news is that most of them stop there, leaving the 14km (8 1/2-mile) trail between Lavertezzo and Valle Verzasca’s endpoint, the stone village of Sonogno, relatively untrodden. The gentle, shady path passes lush pastures, chestnut groves, and dramatic rocky vistas, all while hewing close to the rushing green river. 

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.