Travel to Switzerland – Find the best outdoor tours & lessons with local guides

Switzerland’s terrain is defined by contrasts: jagged peaks and rolling valleys, deep forests and high plateaus, icy glaciers and warm lakes. The Alps cut across the south of the country, home to famous massifs like the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc massif. Meanwhile, the Jura mountains in the northwest offer gentler slopes and limestone ridges. Altitudes vary from under 200 meters in river valleys to over 4,600 meters on Dufourspitze, influencing not just scenery but also the range of activities possible. From alpine tundra to Mediterranean microclimates, Switzerland’s natural diversity allows for year-round outdoor adventures.

Switzerland is world-famous for skiing and mountaineering, but the options go far beyond snow. In winter, popular sports include snowshoeing, ski touring, and ice climbing. As snow melts, hiking trails reopen, mountain bike parks come to life, and climbers flock to granite cliffs and via ferrata routes. Paragliding, kayaking, canyoning, and trail running fill the long summer days. In autumn, quieter trails and golden colors create perfect conditions for trekking, photography, and wildlife watching. Every region has its specialties, making it easy to build a tailor-made outdoor experience.

Find out when to visit Switzerland based on your adventure preferences.Winter (Dec–Mar) – Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ski touring.Spring (Apr–Jun) – Hiking, canyoning, wildflower trekking, cycling.Summer (Jul–Sep) – Mountaineering, climbing, MTB, paragliding, water sports.Fall (Oct–Nov) – Trail running, forest hiking, photography, cultural trekking.