7 best ways to slow travel in Switzerland this summer – hyphenonline.com

Easy meadow walks, floating saunas and alfresco fondue? Sounds like summertime in Switzerland

As a holiday destination, Switzerland is often associated with adrenaline-pumping Alpine adventures or culture-packed city breaks, but there’s a gentler way to experience the “world’s best country”. An expansive public transport network, peaceful car-free villages and an evolving commitment to mindful tourism make it a fantastic place for slow travel that invites you to pause, breathe deeply and take in its natural beauty. 

Whether it’s taking a cogwheel train up a mountain slope or sipping coffee on a terrace in an Alpine village, here are seven ways to slow travel in Switzerland this summer.

Ride the scenic rails

You haven’t truly seen Switzerland until you’ve seen it through a train window, and with the Swiss Travel Pass (available for three, four, six, eight or 15 days), it’s within easy reach. This all-in-one ticket includes public transport and access to many breathtaking mountain journeys, such as the new Schilthorn cableway, Switzerland’s steepest and fastest, which climbs to the summit at 2,970 metres in just 30 minutes. For a more immersive journey, the Grand Train Tour links the country’s most scenic routes into one seamless adventure, while the Jungfrau Railway takes you to the “Top of Europe”, the continent’s highest accessible railway station, through valleys, glaciers and postcard-worthy villages, making the ride as unforgettable as the destination.

Tip: sit on the right side of the train for the best views from Interlaken to Jungfrau. 

Stay car-free in mountain villages

Some of Switzerland’s most stunning destinations are also the most peaceful because cars aren’t allowed. Wengen, high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, is reachable only by cogwheel train. Your luggage travels by electric cart and the only traffic is hikers and the occasional herd of cows. Nearby Mürren offers jaw-dropping views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks along with a dose of heritage charm at the recently reopened Hotel Mürren Palace, Switzerland’s oldest palace hotel. (Double rooms start around £350 per night.) You can even ride cable cars or have a picnic lunch on the hillside with local produce from the town’s supermarket. 

Tip: time your visit for spring or early autumn for fewer crowds, blooming meadows and clear views.

Wander easy trails to waterfalls, cheese lockers and lakes

Switzerland’s network of walking trails is even more impressive than its rail system and they’re not just for hardcore hikers. With more than 65,000 kilometres of marked footpaths, there are many gentle valley walks perfect for families, beginners or anyone who wants to slow down and soak up the scenery. Stroll from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg past 72 cascading waterfalls, or follow the trail from Grosse Scheidegg to First in Grindelwald, where mountain huts serve fresh cheese and apple pie. Another iconic hike is the easy 1.5-hour round-trip from the First gondola station to Bachalpsee, a beautiful mountain lake. On the way, keep an eye out for 24/7 cheese lockers stocked with local farm-fresh wheels that work on an honour system for payment. 

Tip: use the free Swiss Mobility app to find trails by region, difficulty and public transport access.

Take a steam in a floating sauna

Few things capture the essence of slow living like slipping between a wood-fired sauna and an icy lake. Switzerland has embraced this nature-meets-wellness trend with pop-up saunas, floating steam rooms and rustic spa huts across its lakes and mountains. Try a floating sauna on Lake Zurich or a boat sauna in Lake Geneva, or soak in outdoor thermal pools in Leukerbad. In summer you can even swim in Lake Zurich at designated public badis (baths). 

Tip: bring some herbal tea for the ultimate post-sauna lakeside ritual.

Dine alfresco with a view

In Switzerland, slow travel pairs perfectly with slow food. Many restaurants source ingredients from nearby farms, dairies and vineyards and during warmer months, outdoor terraces become immersive dining experiences. You can enjoy a raclette lunch under the sun in Zermatt at Chez Vrony, a family run restaurant with views of the Matterhorn, or savour a Scandinavian-inspired chef’s tasting menu at Hotel Fiescherblick in Grindelwald. Even mountain huts along hiking trails offer hearty local dishes like rösti (crisp, grated potatoes topped with eggs, cheese or meat) and flammkuchen (thin flatbread with German/French origins), served picnic-style on a wooden bench with panoramic views. 

Tip: ask your server for daily specials as these are often dishes made with the freshest seasonal ingredients and not listed on the menu.

Visit Schynige Platte’s Alpine garden

High above Lake Brienz, Schynige Platte is reached by one of Switzerland’s oldest cogwheel railways, a scenic journey in itself. But the highlight is the Alpine Botanic Garden, home to 800 species of high-altitude plants, carefully preserved and displayed for all to admire. Interpretive signs offer insights into traditional uses and Alpine ecosystems, making it an educational, family friendly slow travel experience. 

Tip: stop for a traditional fondue at the restaurant located within the Berghotel Schynige Platte at the summit.

Spend the night above the clouds in an Alpine hut

A night spent in a traditional mountain hut is an unforgettable Swiss experience. These remote stays trade luxury for simplicity with cosy beds, communal meals and skies full of stars. In Grindelwald, Berghaus Bäregg (starting at £90 per bed) offers glacier views right from your room, while Chamanna Cluozza (from £65 per bed), deep in Switzerland’s only national park, promises quiet with no mobile phone service. It’s all about waking up to cowbells, sipping coffee above the clouds and starting your hike right outside the door. 

Tip: book in advance during summer and bring cash as many remote huts don’t accept cards.