Located in the heart of Europe, Switzerland has many hidden gems.
In this country of Central Europe, one can perform a multitude of activities: deposit large sums of money in a Swiss bank account, taste cheese fondue, say Hi! to the cows in the green meadows, or discover wonderful landscapes. Whatever season you decide to visit Switzerland, you will be amazed. To help you visit Switzerland here is a short guide to the most beautiful places to see off the beaten track.
Off the beaten track places in Switzerland
1. Combioula hot springs
There's nothing like relaxing in hot springs in the heart of nature after a good day spent hiking or skiing in this magnificent part of Valais! Located at the bottom of the Val d'Hérens, the sources of Comboula have been known since the 15th century. A pleasant path goes deep into the forest to reach the river where a pebble basin has been laid out to collect spring water. Conducive to meditation, the place is simply superb. It is even possible to enter, by leaning a little, into the small tunnel that leads to the source: the atmosphere is quite unusual and the temperature even warmer!
2. Arolla and its blue lake
Arolla is a village of fifty permanent inhabitants located at the bottom of the very wild Val d'Hérens at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. It is an incredible environment, with the legendary peaks of Dent Blanche and Mont Collon looming in the background. A high mountain atmosphere in its raw state! One of the jewels of the area is its Lac Bleu, which can be reached from La Gouille or Arolla. The first option requires only 45 minutes but involves a fairly steep climb through beautiful pine and larch forest. As for the second, the slope is gentler and it will take you an hour and a half to reach your objective, with the added bonus of magnificent views of the various hamlets of the Arolla valley.
3. Gimmelwald
A small village in the Bernese Oberland located at an altitude of 1,367 meters, Gimmelwald occupies a quite spectacular sight. It spreads over a steep edge of the plateau, facing an impressive landscape of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, waterfalls, and deep valleys cut by erosion. Much less known and touristy than Grindelwald and the nearby Eiger, it is nevertheless worth a visit. A notable feature, no road connects the town: you will then have to take the Schilthorn cable car, of which Gimmelwald is the first stop. Once disembarked, what a pleasure to stroll through the quiet flowery streets of the village, flanked by superb farmhouses with traditional mountain architecture.
4. Morcote
The setting of the village of Morcote looks like the Riviera and will seduce you at first glance. Municipality of the canton of Ticino, it is located on the shores of Lake Lugano: its location forms an almost perfect setting with its houses along the water, its cypresses, and terraced crops, its church proudly enthroned at the top of the village and its cemetery on the hillside.
The interior of Morcote also conceals its share of treasures, with its charming alleys, the picturesque porticoes of its old houses, and its luxuriant vegetation. Nature-lovers should visit Scherrer Park, where they will discover amazing subtropical flora. No wonder it is nicknamed the " Pearl of Ceresio "!
5. Blausee lake
Its waters are crystal clear and deep blue. The Blausee is located in the middle of a 20-hectare nature park between Kandersteg and Thun and offers a great view. Whether you opt for a romantic walk enjoying the nocturnal illumination of the lake, for a sporty bike ride, or for a family excursion: you will find numerous leisure offers for all tastes all around the lake.
6. The Mutta menhirs
The Mutta menhirs, located in the municipality of Falera in Graubünden, are one of those rare places that are as bewitching as they are unusual in Switzerland. This hill has been a place of pagan worship for thousands of years, which would harbor particular strengths. The 34 menhirs scattered in the landscape testify to this ancestral rite dating from the time of the Bronze Age.
A pleasant path allows you to discover this place full of energy from a charming little church perched on a hill, one of the first built in the region. You will have the choice between discovering this megalithic site on your own through an educational trail or even booking a private tour, which will provide you with more information on the 3,500 years of history of Falera.
7. Tschlin
Typical village and gateway to the Upper Engadine, Tschlin is ideally spread out on a sunny terrace overlooking the Inn River. It may be one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. And yet it is not overrun with hordes of tourists as is the case in the Bernese Oberland.
A real postcard setting, with its beautiful old houses with facades marked by an Italian influence, its green pastures, and its snow-capped peaks in the distance. A traditional brewery allows you to taste delicious beers after a day spent hiking in the surrounding mountains. A panoramic high-altitude path, the Via Engadina, makes you discover this superb natural and cultural heritage.
What are you waiting for...Book a stunning gateway in the Swiss Alps
8. La Brévine or Swiss Siberia
La Brévine, a small town in the canton of Neufchâtel, is often nicknamed the "Siberia of Switzerland" and rightly so. The temperature can drop there in winter to -30 degrees! The place is characterized by a microclimate because of its geographical location which combines a high plateau and mountain valley. If you choose to brave the winter cold, you will be rewarded with splendid landscapes worthy of a painting by the Flemish master Bruegel: a small traditional village surrounded by forests and a lake covered with a thick white coat. This flat environment lends itself perfectly to the practice of cross-country skiing and snowshoe routes are also laid out. Three kilometers from the village is the Lac des Taillères which freezes regularly in winter. Thus transforming itself into a huge ice rink.
