Enjoy the Best Views in Switzerland (With or Without Hiking)
Switzerland has breathtaking scenery ranging from lakes and rivers to forests and mountains. Hardly any other country can claim to have Switzerland’s density of stunning mountains and mountain views. And you are here to find out about the best mountain views in Switzerland.
Good news: While Switzerland is a paradise for hikers, it is also true that many of the mountain summits can be reached without any hiking at all (and in winter, these mountain peaks offer incredible options to ski). This is awesome news, right? At least for the not-so-sporty ones among us (aka me and since you are here, maybe also you), this can make or break a trip.
Looking at it from an objective angle, this might actually explain some of my passion for Switzerland. After all, one of the things I enjoy most at each destination are the great views – this in combination with only a little or medium physical exercise and road-tripping sounds even better!
Luckily, Switzerland offers great options for those who do not want to miss out on these views but cannot hike for long. But it is also perfect for those who enjoy medium or strenuous hikes – get up via cable car/gondola/funicular to the mountain tops and then start your hikes from there.
Over the last few years, I have had the chance to get to the top of many mountains without hiking, and I loved each of the mountain views. Here are my favorite mountain summits in Switzerland.
PIN ME FOR LATER – BEST VIEWS IN SWITZERLAND WITHOUT HIKING
While some mountains seem made for hiking, others are made for hiking AND train/cable car rides. So here are my top twelve mountain views that do not require any (or hardly any) hiking.
Though this list is not complete and has not included all of the mountains in Switzerland accessible by cable car, these are my twelve favorite mountain views without having to hike too much.
Click here to find out about the best places to stay in Switzerland – I have listed the best places and best hotels (for all budgets) for you in this post.
Best Mountain Views in Switzerland
Ready to find out about the great mountains in Switzerland, which views come without much effort?
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means I might earn a small commission when you buy a product/service via my link (at no extra cost to you). More about it here.
Mount Pilatus
The views from Mount Pilatus have made it into my top three for the best mountain view in Switzerland- two hours in the waiting line to get in the cogwheel train was worth it.
To get up Mount Pilatus, you have different choices. I recommend taking the cogwheel train for getting up and taking the cable car to get down. While the cogwheel ride is a highlight for most people, I cannot say it was my highlight.
However, once up, the views were amazing! There are towns in Switzerland that are not as busy as it was on Mount Pilatus. Paragliding, hiking, people-watching, dining, suspension rope park, ….. man, Mount Pilatus is indeed its own village up in the mountain.
This is a great place to have some fun aside from sightseeing!
Tip: Avoid the weekends on a sunny day, or head there very early, because it is one of the busiest places.
- Altitude: 2,128 m
- Location: In the region of Lucerne
- How to Get up Mount Pilatus: Lucerne is the nearest place to Mount Pilatus. From there, you could get the train to Alpnachstad and then take the cogwheel train, or you can buy a golden ticket and hop on a boat in Lucerne to Alpnachstad and then take the cogwheel.
- The other option is to take the cable car to get up or down (I definitely recommend using different means for getting up/down). For that, you have to take a bus from Lucerne central station to Kriens stop and then walk five minutes to get to the cable car station.
- Price For Adults: Starts from 72CHF (app. 62€) for the cable car option – 122 CHF (105€) for the Golden Tour Ticket (get to Alpnachstad by boat and then take the cogwheel train). It depends on how you get up and whether you arrive at Mount Pilatus via boat or not. If you want to hike some parts – pricing is a bit complicated. 50% discount with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Mount Rigi
Another beautiful mountain view in the region of Lucerne is from Mount Rigi – The Queen of Mountains.
Do not be surprised to see cows grazing in the meadows and forests – this ride-up will surprise you with great views and untouched nature. Compared to the other popular mountain in Lucerne, Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi is much quieter, and there are fewer activities, but it is still a gem, and if you are in Lucerne and do not visit Mount Rigi, you are missing out!
Take the cogwheel train around the mountain and entertain your eyes. The restaurant at the summit is high-end with seats and shades outside, and if you prefer bringing your own snacks and food, it is a perfect place for a great picnic.
The good news is that visiting the mountain peaks in and around Lucerne is amazing at any time of the year (and so is visiting Lucerne in winter, a good idea, too).
- Altitude: 1,798 m
- Location: In the region of Lucerne
- How to Get to Mount Rigi: There are different ways to get up. My favorite way is to arrive at Vitznau station by boat (or bus/car) and then take the cogwheel car up.
- Price Adults: It depends on how you get up, around 26-50 CHF (23-45€), free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
When visiting Mount Rigi, the best place to stay is in Lucerne – read my tips on places to stay in Lucerne.
Jungfraujoch
This is probably the most famous mountain trip in Switzerland: a day trip to Jungfraujoch.
Being Europe’s highest train station, standing at 3454m, expect to pay a bit more than you do for other stations. The train ride takes quite a while, and there are several stops, so if you plan to get up Jungfraujoch, you should plan in a full day.
Getting up Jungfraujoch is a highlight for most travelers to Switzerland, and there are many reasons why.
Jungfraujoch has more than great views to offer: The Ice Palace is amazing, not forgetting the Sphinx viewpoint. You can see the Aletsch Glacier (UNESCO World Heritage) from Jungfraujoch, and you will not be able to help but stare.
I have been there in winter and summer – and there is quite a lot to do at any time of the year. I saw the Ice Palace, Alpine Sensation, the Sphinx Platform, and, as there is a snow guarantee on Jungfraujoch and while others did some winter sports you can, as my Puppygak and I did, enjoy the snow and playing around.
- Altitude: 3454 meters
- Location: In the region of Jungfrau
- How to Get to Jungfraujoch: Get to Kleine Scheidegg from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. From Kleine Scheidegg, take the Jungfrau railway that gets you up to the top. Now, you can also take the Eiger Express gondola from Grindelwald to Eigergletscherr and then take a train up (which will help you save time).
- Price Adults: It depends on what time of the year you get up, and from where you need a train ticket, but a return ticket from Grindelwald is about 210CHF (190€). Discount with the Swiss Travel Pass, and some other passes. Also, the train ride until Wengen is free with a Swiss Travel Pass, and you´d only need a ticket for the rest of the journey.
Schilthorn
“Shaken, not stirred.” I admit I still have not watched the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” filmed here!
It does not matter if you are a 007 fan or not – you can have an incredible day at Schilthorn, and if you are a James Bond fan, you will have even more things to do at Schilthorn than just enjoying the great views.
From here, you can see the Jungfrau massif and Bernese Oberland. On a clear day, you have fantastic views of the Swiss Skyline. While skyline normally means the “artificial horizon that a city’s overall structure creates,” – in Switzerland, the skyline is created by the amazing natural scenery.
In this case, the mountains, Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau create the breathtaking Swiss Skyline.
In addition to that, you have the Piz Gloria, which you might recognize from the James Bond movies – a restaurant that rotates around its axis in 45minutes – and a James Bond museum where you can not only learn about the movie creation but also let your inner child out, or the inner James Bond, and pretend to be 007 and act out some scenes (they even have – vegetarian – 007 burgers).
This is an experience of a lifetime.
- Altitude: 2,970 m
- Location: In the region of Jungfrau
- How to Get to Schilthorn: I admit that I go very confused about getting up ad down (even though I had a guide with me), as there are different ways to get up Schilthorn. From Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen, you get to Stechelberg by bus or car. From there, you take a cable car to Mirren (Mirren is a car-free village) and get up to Schilthorn from there by cable car.
- You can also go to Lauterbrunnen (car or train) and then take a cable car to Grütschalp. You can then take the train to get up to Mürren, and from there, you get up Schilthorn by another cable car.
- Price Adults: It depends on which route you choose, but it will be around 110 CHF. With a Swiss Travel Pass, you can get to Mürren for free and then pay around 44 CHF for the return ticket.
Ebenalp Mountain
As one of Switzerland’s mountains that do not need hiking to reach the top, Ebenalp offers visitors a lot. It is part of the Appenzell Alps and is probably one of Switzerland’s easiest hikes that offer breathtaking views – but even here, non-hikers can reach the summit easily by cable car.
After getting to the summit by cable car (the shortest ride of all the mentioned rides here), you can do a five-minute hike up to reach the Ebenalp Guesthouse. There you can chill, dine, have a coffee, or walk around – with great views of paragliders and Lake Seealpsee.
From the summit, I strongly recommend hiking down (sorry, some hiking is required to enjoy the views to the fullest, and if I can do that, you can do it). The hike down serves two purposes, and one of them is to see the legendary cliff guesthouse THE AESCHER.
This place looks amazing, especially during summer. The terrain looks great from whichever point of the summit you stand. The meadow and rock walls add to the fantastic scenery. It does not surprise that the Aescher has become world-famous.
Apparently, you cannot stay there overnight anymore, but you can eat and drink at the Aescher for a good price (Switzerland standard). P.S. Even the toilet looked very cute and had its own unique mountain charm.
On my second trip (yes, it was so fun that I actually have been twice so far), I hiked down all the way, and here is why I recommend hiking down for you as well.
By hiking down, you´ll have the chance to see Seealpsee from close up (or you hike up, but you will not see it without any hiking) – a beautiful colored lake. We hiked down on a very, very foggy day, so it took us probably longer (about one and a half hours in total).
Oh, do not be disturbed by the cows along the way. Even though they might not care and move, you can walk around them.
- Altitude: 1,640
- Location: Appenzell
- How to Get to Ebenalp Mountain: The journey starts at Wasserauen station in Appenzellerland (you can also get there by car), and from there, hop onto the cable car, which runs regularly.
- Price: 34 CHF (30€) for a return ticket.
- Wondering about the best places to stay in Switzerland? Then click here to find out.
Cardada Mountain
Of course, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland is not short of amazing mountains either. Driving in this part of Switzerland was the most challenging for me (due to the mountains and narrow streets and fast drivers in the mountains), and therefore I enjoyed the cable car ride even more.
Though Lake Maggiore is not my favorite lake (Switzerland has spoilt me with lakes in so many different shades that a blue lake is just not that outstanding to me anymore), the view from Cardada on Lake Maggiore is just breathtaking. So this view from Cardada has also made it in my top twelve of the best mountain views, and visiting is one of the best things to do in Locarno.
This place has beautiful wildlife, including birds, and the panoramic view of the surroundings is amazing!
- Altitude: 1,671 m
- Location: Ticino
- How to Get to Cardarda: You can get on the cable car at several stations, and you can drive up to Orselina by car/bus and take the cable car from there.
- Price: Different prices in summer/winter. Prices start from 18CHF-28CHF (15€-25€) for adults.
Uetliberg in Zurich
Okay, some might wonder why Uetliberg has made it onto my list. The truth is that I love Zurich, and the view over Zurich and Lake Zurich is amazing.
If you want some quiet time alone, this is the place to be. Certain spots would be great for meditation, especially in the forests, but it is also a perfect spot for hiking, cycling, paragliding, and more.
- Altitude: 869 m
- Location: Zurich
- How to Get Uetliberg: From Zurich train station, take the Sihltal-Zürich-Uetliberg-Bahn SZU and get off Uetliberg station. To get to the top, it takes a few minutes of hiking.
- Price For Adults: The train ride up Uetliberg is free with a Zurich Card or a Swiss Travel Pass.
Harder Kulm
Obviously, as a huge fan of Interlaken, I have several mountains in that region included in this post, and Harder Kulm had to be one of them. This offers great views of Interlaken, Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. You will love the views from this place. The two-lake footbridge is a good and popular viewpoint, and from Harder Kulm, you get spectacular views of Lake Thun and Brienz.
Though Harder Kulm is said to be the easiest hike in that area, it is also easy to get there by cable car.
- Altitude: 1,322 m
- Location: Interlaken
- How to Get to Harder Kulm: It is a few minutes from Interlaken Ost station.
- Price: For prices and opening hours, click here.
Click here to read about the best places to stay in Interlaken – for each budget.
Klein Matterhorn – Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Klein Matterhorn is found in the Swiss Alps, and the glacier on this mountain makes it unique and creates a breathtaking scene.
Once at the top, enjoy snowboarding in the snow park – remember that the altitude is extreme (I thought I would be fine with mountains that are less than 3000 meters), and you might feel dizzy, so make sure to stop along the way and drink a lot.
Glacier Palace offers more fun as it has ice sculptures. Explore, learn and have fun as much as you can. If you love anything related to snow and glaciers, this is the place to be.
- Altitude: 3,883 m
- Location: Zermatt
- How to get here: Zermatt is a car-free town, so to get there you need to take a train to Zermatt station. The cable car is the ideal means of transport to reach this place. However, this is after you use a train service called Matterhorn Express.
- Prices for adults: Start 58 CHF (about 57€)
Gornergrat
Gornergrat is another beautiful mountain standing at about 3135 meters above sea level (almost 900 meters lower than Klein Matterhorn) with no less stunning views. You can take a train (cogwheel) from Zermatt and enjoy a beautiful day at the mountain peak.
Up Gornergrat the views of the surrounding mountains and a glacier are breathtaking. Luckily, the sky was clear (unlike when I visited Klein Matterhorn) which allowed me to enjoy this day trip even more. You can see the highest mountain in Switzerland – Mount Rosa (also known as the Dufourspitze) which stands at 4634 meters above sea level.
There are telescopes (free to use) that also give you all the names of the mountains you can see. Just in June 2021, a new attraction opened at Gornergrat – Zooom the Matterhorn. It is an interactive museum with virtual activities like paragliding. Virtual paragliding in Zermatt was really, really great. It is just a short experience (3 minutes) but good enough for me.
- Tip: If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, you can save money on the ticket (50%).
Schynige Platte
The Oberberghon is the main landmark of Schynige Platte. It is a rocky area with scenic views and is extremely popular for at least two reasons.
If you get out of the cable car, you have breathtaking views of Eigner, Jungfrau, and Mönch – also known as the Swiss Skyline. There is a restaurant, and it is the perfect spot to chill – to enjoy views from Schynige Platte to its fullest, you have to hike a bit because it holds more spectacular views this way.
Hiking to the other side (about 15-30 minutes), and you´ll have a dramatic change of scenery – overlooking Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.
To have a perfect view of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz you have to hike a little (you can use the path through the Alpine Garden, which is lovely too, or you can use the other way) – so to enjoy both views some hiking is essential but believe me, it is worth it!
Both views are fantastic, so add Schynige Platte to your Switzerland itinerary.
- Altitude: 2,076 m
- Location: Interlaken
- How to Get to Schynige Platte: Get to Wilderwil station (by train or car). From there, you take the cable car to get up.
- Prices: Click here for prices (in 2017, getting up Schynige Platte was free with the Swiss Travel Pass, this, however, is unfortunately not the case anymore).
Niederhorn Mountain
Niederhorn Mountain had also made it onto this list, though it was a bit foggy when I visited.
As one of Switzerland’s mountains that needs no hiking to enjoy the view, you will enjoy every moment you spend here- even on a foggy day (but I would definitely choose a not-so-foggy or rainy day).
You will find a playground for the kids at the summit while the adults can enjoy a coffee with a view. There is more to do, though – especially for those interested in action. There is the option to go paragliding,
Trotti-biking (yes, I was also wondering what this could be when I read about it for the first time….it seems to be a “scooter-like bike without a seat”) or to do a guided wildlife observation tour. With a view of Lake Thun, it is never wrong to spend a lot of time on Niederhorn. Here are more tips for Lake Thun.
- Altitude: 1,950 m
- Location: Interlaken
- How to Get To Niederhorn Mountain: I probably should not give any directions as I got it wrong and ended up in the wrong station, but as I somehow managed to get up, I will give you directions (I double-checked for you). There are different ways to get up. You can drive up to Beatenbucht by car/bus and take the funicular from there to Beatenberg. From there, you can take the cable car to get up to Niederhorn Mountain.
- Price For Adults: Beatenbucht-Niederhorn Mountain about 53CHF (about 50€). If you start from Beatenberg, it will be cheaper. Discounts with a guest card Beatenberg, Interlaken, Habkernp, and Jungfrau Region.
Brienzer Rothorn
Brienzer Rothorn is my absolute favorite mountain trip. A trip of a lifetime that blew me away! This mountain trip amazed me more than any other, and I am sure you´ll have a great day as well on Brienzer Rothorn.
There are two reasons I have concluded that Brienzer Rothorn offers the best mountain views. First, the ride up in an old steam locomotive is one the best rides I have had – the views are great all the time.
Secondly, Lake Brienz, one of my favorite lakes, can be seen almost all the time on the way up. Lake Brienz creates such a beautiful view from the mountain that you will not be able to get enough of it. The water looks amazing! The green vegetation looks amazing! The meadows, forests, cows… it all looks amazing! Even the clouds add to the beauty of the place.
The steam locomotive takes about one hour to get up, and it is not wasted time!
I enjoyed every single moment. Seriously. Every: Single. Moment! If you ask me I will tell you: Take that trip! Check out my guide on Brienzer Rothorn.
The only thing I regret is that I have not slept in the guest house up on the mountain.
- Altitude: 2,351 m
- Location: Interlaken
- How to Get To Brienzer Rothorn: The steam locomotive starts from Brienz Station (get there by boat or train), you can buy tickets there and get up.
- Prices for Adults: About 80€ (discount with your Swiss Travel Pass)
St. Beatus Caves
This mountain view is different – amazing views are part of visiting Switzerland, and you will have many great views even if you do not get on a mountain top. So, to enjoy this amazing view, you do not even have to get on a mountain peak.
St. Beatus Caves – on the shores of Lake Thun – is a cave that you can visit.
But it is also about great views. Whether you have lunch at the restaurant (that comes with that views!) or stroll down to the famous viewpoint (see picture below) – the views are…pretty.
And this view is amazing because a) it does not require much hiking (you have to do an uphill hike of about 10-20 minutes) and b) you do not have to pay a crazy amount for the mountain rides (yes, you can drive close to the caves – or take a bus or boat – and then walk up… and c) are not that pretty views???
- Location: In the canton of Bern, in the region of Interlaken
- How to get up: You can get to St.Beatus Caves by bus, car, or boat. There is a 10-minute uphill walk, so it requires some physical exercises but it is still worth it.
- Price For Adults: The views are free, and entrance fees for the caves are around 18 CHF.
- Check out my St. Beatus Caves guide to find out more about this gem.
Piz Corvatsch
What a view! For the best panorama in St. Moritz and the Engadine Valley, make sure to go to the top of Piz Corvatsch which is a mountain peak in the Bernina Range of the Alps. It is the highest peak, at about 3300 meters above sea level, in a region easily accessible via cable car/funicular.
The views are AMAZING. In all honesty, this was my favorite view in all of St. Moritz and Engadin (and there is quite a bit of competition) – if not in ALL of Switzerland. On the one side, you have a fantastic panorama of Lake Sils, Lake Silvaplana, and Lake Cahmpfer with the mountains in the background, and on the other side, you have the mighty glaciers.
It is also the perfect starting point for certain hikes – I will talk about those later on. But even if you are not into hiking…the views…the views! I have been there in summer and winter and both seasons are fantastic for this mountain trip.
- Altitude: 3303 meters
- Location: St. Moritz in the Engadine Valley
- How to get there: You need to get to Corvatsch Talstation Surlej (1870 meters) by bus. Then take the gondola to Corvatsch Mittelstation Murtel (2702 meters) before getting on another gondola that will bring you up Corvatsch Bergstation.
- Check out my more detailed guide on how to get up to this stunning Swiss mountain summit.
Muottas Muragl
Another popular mountain excursion in the region of Engadine is Muottas Muragl at 2.455 meters above sea level. It is a location on the southern slopes of the Blais da Muottas, a summit at the western end of the range descending from Piz Vadret.
These views are said to be the most beautiful in Engadin because you have the Engadin Valley – between the towns of Samedan, St. Moritz, and Pontresina – laid out before you. The panorama is indeed great, though I am not sure if it is the best. I liked the views from Piz Corvatsch even more. This, however, is one of the best spots to watch the sunset and is well worth a trip.
Besides a mountain restaurant, this is the perfect starting point for some hikes.
- Altitude: 2.455 meters
- Location: St. Moritz in the Engadine Valley
- How to get there: Just take the no. 1 bus from St. Moritz train station to Punt Muragl station, and from there, hop on the funicular, which will drop you off directly at the top.
Diavolezza
Here we are again – in Grison, near St. Moritz you have another top mountain excursion: Diavolezza, which is a col and ski resort above Val Bernina. The col has an altitude of 2,958 meters and is located between Munt Pers and Piz Trovat.
You can see the 4000-meter Piz Bernina and the impressive Piz Palü rise up before you, as well as the Pers Glacier and Morteratsch Glacier beneath your feet.
Oh wow! I visited here twice at the end of October and in the summer – both trips were amazing. However, I liked the summer trip probably more because not everything was covered in snow, and I could see the lakes around. Also, this cable car operates while other cable cars are already closed in October.
On the way up, you have several stunning lakes below your feet – what a view!
Also, the virtual reality experience at the valley station is free. You get some interesting background information on glaciers and more.
In summer, you can also book some time at the hot tub, which comes with a view of the glacier. Yes, the Swiss know how to make money.
- HOW TO GET THERE: Diavolezza is located a bit further from St. Moritz. Take a local train to Tirano and get out at Bernina Diavolezza (about 45 minutes). You will pass the Morteratsch Glacier and enjoy some amazing window views along the way.
Alp Grüm
The next one is one of my favorite mountain views because of…the view. Also, it is easily accessible by train. Take a train and head to Alp Grüm. You do not have to take the official “Bernina Express,” but instead take the local trains that have the same route.
Alp Grüm station, at 2091 meters above sea level, offers some of the most unique panoramas – the station was constructed in 1923 with a restaurant and a guest room. If you can book a room there – you can even enjoy a full day of amazing views of the Palu Glacier with the Palu Lake and the Alps.
- Free with a Swiss Travel Pass – for the Bernina Express you have to pay a reservation fee with a Swiss Travel Pass.
Monte San Salvatore
If you plan to visit one mountain peak only in Lugano, then it could (should) be Monte San Salvatore. Standing at 912 meters above sea level, it is easily accessible by funicular. Yes, I know 912 meters above sea level is not that high compared to the 2000 or 3000 meters we had spoken about prior. However, look at the pictures, and – the views are still gorgeous.
Lake Lugano is without a doubt a beauty, and here it presents itself from its best side! You will also find a church, a restaurant, and a small museum at the top.
BEST MOUNTAIN VIEWS IN SWITZERLAND
Switzerland is an incredibly beautiful country with many stunning mountain peaks and amazing views that can be enjoyed without having to go on a long hike. For those who are looking for an incredible experience without strenuous physical activity, Switzerland is an ideal destination to explore.
From lakeside towns and cities filled with historic architecture to picturesque mountain views, Switzerland has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or a more adventurous experience, Switzerland offers the perfect combination of beauty and adventure.
So if you want to enjoy the majestic nature of the Swiss Alps without having to exert yourself, don’t hesitate to plan your next trip to Switzerland!
Hopefully, these tips help you plan your trip to enjoy the most beautiful mountain views in Switzerland.
- Where to stay in Switzerland? Here are the best areas and best hotels
