Our favourite kid friendly walks in Switzerland
The Swiss Alps have miles and miles of amazing trails, showcasing snow-capped mountains against bright blue skies, lush green mountains, and deep, cool lakes.
Luckily, the alps have lots of trails with awesome alpine scenery that are also suitable for kids. Kids friendly hikes to us need to be relatively short and interesting, and if there is a playground and ice cream stop en route, then we are on to a winner! In this post, the walks are from under 1 mile to around 4 miles.
As a couple, we love walking and hiking, and it is an activity we want to continue with the boys as they get bigger. We tend to go by the mile per year of age rule of thumb, which means we aim for no further than 5 miles/ 8k to accommodate our youngest who is 5 years old.
The walks
All of these walks are located in and around the Jungfrau region in Central Switzerland. It is the region of Switzerland we know best and where we come most often with the kids.
1. Fronalpstock Panorama
0.9 miles / 1.5k
Location: Schwyz, Near Lucerne
Pushchair / Stroller/ Wheelchair friendly? A wide gravel and dirt path suitable for all terrain/ off-road strollers or wheelchairs.
Playground: Yes
Cafe/ facilities: Yes
Parking and transport: Park at Stoos Funicular Car Park, Grundstrasse 234, 6430 Schwyz, Switzerland.
Take the Funicular to Stoos (a car free village). From here, follow the signs to the Fronalpstock chair lift. Take the chair lift to the Fronalstock viewpoint. (Ticket prices for funicular train and chair lift: 52 CHF Adult/ 20 CHF child / under 6 free)
Highlights: This walk starts at the Fronalpstock chair lift, where there is also a great play area and cafe located. The short path follows the cliffs, round to a shepards hut with gorgeous views of Lake Lucerne and the mountains beyond and wildflowers in the summer.
The longer version of this walk is the stunning Fronalpstock Ridge Walk. It has some steep drop-offs, but it could be suitable for kids with hiking experience from 5/ 6 years old. We did it this summer with our boys, who are 7 and 5 and a half, and they did brilliantly. Read about the walk here.
2. Murren Trail
1.3 miles / 2.2 k
Location: Lauterbrunnen Valley
Pushchair/ Stroller/ Wheelchair friendly? No – Steep terrain with switchbacks.
Playground: Yes
Cafe/ facilities: Yes
Parking and Transport: Park at Stechelberg Gondola Station, Stechelberg, Schilthornbahn, 3824 Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. Take the Stechelberg gondola to Murren, then a short walk through the village to the Allemendhubel Funicular station. Ride the train to the Allemendhubel Playground to find the trail head.
Highlights: Starting at the brilliant Allemendhubel Flower Park Play Area, head downhill through meadows of alpine flowers, then forests, while enjoying amazing views of the famous peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch.
3. Oschininsee Trail
1.2 miles / 2 k
Pushchair/ stroller/ Wheelchair friendly? Yes; it is an easy dirt and gravel service road to the lake. It’s probably better suited to all terrain strollers and off-road wheelchairs.
Playground: No
Cafe/ facilities: Yes
Parking and transport: Park at the Oschininsee Gondola Station, Öschistrasse 50, 3718 Kandersteg, Switzerland. Take the gondola up and walk to the lake along a well signposted path. (32 CHF adult/ 16 CHF child / under 6 free)
Highlights: An easy stroll through alpine forest to the beautiful lake shore, with rocky beaches, cool blue water, and imposing mountains. You can swim, visit the restaurant/ cafe, or hire a boat.
4. Mannlichen Panorama trail
2.9 miles / 4.7 k
Location: Near Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, in the Bernese Oberland region, Central Switzerland
Pushchair/ Stroller/ Wheelchair friendly? Wide dirt and gravel paths are suitable for all terrain strollers or off-road wheelchairs with big tyres.
Playground: Yes
Cafe/ facilities: Yes
Parking and transport: Park at Grindelwald Gondola Terminal, Grundstrasse 54, 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland. Ride the gondola up to Mannlichen, where you will find the trail head. Return from Kleine Schiedegg on the train to Grindelwald Grund (the train station and gondola station are right next to each other, making a return trip super convenient)
Alternatively, Park in Lauterbrunnen Car Park, Pfrundmatte 423, 3822 Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. Take the train to Wengen then ride the gondola to Männlichen. For the return from Kleine Scheidegg, catch the Jungfrau train back down to Lauterbrunnen.
Highlights: A one-way, downhill trail, from the Mannlichen Gondola to Kliene Schiedegg mountain train station, with spectacular mountain views the whole way.
5.Panorama Trail, Schynige Platte
3.5 miles / 5.6k
Location: Schynige Platte, Wilderswill, Near Interlaken.
Pushchair/ Stroller/ Wheelchair friendly? No. Steep terrain in parts, with a rocky path.
Playground: Yes
Cafe/ facilities: Yes
Parking and transport: Park at Wilsersill train station and catch the vintage cogwheel train to the top: Schnige platte station.
Highlights: From the train station, walk a short way up the hill to the play area and restaurant. Follow Panorama trail signs to follow the ridge line with spectacular views of Lake Thun and Brienz, looping round past panoramic views of the mountain range and back to the station.
6.Bachalpsee Grindelwald
3.7 miles / 6k
Pushchair/ Stroller/ Wheelchair friendly? No
Playground: Yes – at Bort Middle Station (Gondola stop before Grindelwald First, where the trail starts.)
Cafe/ facilities: Yes
Parking and transport: Park in the village of Grindelwald, 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland. Take the gondola up to Grindelwald First for the trail head. It is well signposted, near the cafe and simple to find. Then, just take the well maintained and clear path to the lake and follow the same route back.
Bort Middle Station, just before Grindelwald First, is where you will find the playground.
Highlights: Experience the views from Grindelwald First, with the imposing Jungrau, Eiger, and Monch peaks towering behind lush meadows of alpine flowers, dotted.with wooden chalets and winding paths. Walk the easy and relatively flat scenic trail to Balchalpsee, a high alpine lake with stunning mountains as a backdrop.
7. Lauterbrunnen Valley Trail
4.1 miles / 6.7 k
Pushchair/ Stroller/ Wheelchair friendly? Yes, there is a smooth, paved path that is relatively flat from the car park to Stechelberg.
Playground: No
Cafe/ facilities: Yes
Highlights: Walk along the narrow valley floor from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, with mountains towering above you, flowing waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and glacial rivers. It is a really beautiful and accessible walk through the stunning Bernese mountains.
Travel Happy Family 
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