Switzerland Road Trip — Mountain Lakes, Alpine Passes & Hikes
- Free overnight stays were available in Switzerland. very simple
- Lake Wallensee: crystal-clear, turquoise water
- Twin Staircase Via Ferrata — Not for beginners
- Rhine Falls: the largest waterfall in Europe
Contents of this post12 chapters
- 1Lake Walen.
- 2At the climbing trail Zwillingsstieg
- 3Zurich
- 4The Rhine Falls
- 5Next Stop: Italy!
- 6Switzerland Road Trip Route from Lake Geneva to Ticino
- 7Mountain lakes in Switzerland as destinations for hikes
- 8Alpine passes in Switzerland on the camper route
- 9Hiking in Switzerland around Interlaken
- 10Campervan pitches and rules for a road trip in Switzerland
- 11Relevant travel reports
- 12Frequently Asked Questions
Breathtaking.
I think that's the right word.
The huge mountains, the brown-colored cows with bells around their necks, the yellow flowers on the lush green meadows, the cheese on every corner, the Swiss accent, and last but not least, the currency, the Swiss Franc.
Lake Walen.
Our first destination was the beautiful Lake Walen.Crystal-clear, turquoise water.
The perfect spot to quickly mix up a nice milkshake in the camper and get cozy!
Of course, we also did some hiking. In the mountains, it's an absolute MUST in Switzerland. But who would have thought that we would also be lucky enough to see snow avalanches? Just amazing!
"We did it, high-five!"
In this picture, you can see the small snow avalanches sliding down from the mountain, creating an incredible noise.
While we couldn't close our mouths from amazement, others were calmly fishing.
Eventually, we continued our journey: And once again, we saw the wonderful, radiant, yellow flowers in the meadows.
From winter to spring?
Why not end the day with a nice barbecue?
A few days later, we went hiking again.
This time, we made a campfire and grilled again.
While the fire flickered below, the stars began to sparkle in the sky. It felt like we were the only people on the planet.
Just us and nature.
Different sounds echoed from the forest. A hint of pure freedom.
The next day, we blasted the music in the camper! Allow me to introduce: DJ MAX
At the climbing trail Zwillingsstieg
Oh my God, is that high!!! When we climbed the mountain, I stood rooted more than once and initially had no idea how to proceed. The climbing trail we chose this time was not for beginners, and I clearly felt that. Max motivated and helped me enormously, so I managed to get through it without dying.
Brave is not the one who does not know fear, brave is the one who knows fear and overcomes it.
Khalil Gibran
Zurich
Of course, we didn't want to miss out on city life, so we also visited the beautiful city of Zurich. Lively. Enchanting. Beautiful.
Lastly, we visited the largest waterfall in Europe:
The Rhine Falls
As always, we found great pitches again. It was super easy to stay overnight for free in Switzerland!
Sooooo... after long action-packed days between adventure and work:
Put your feet up in front of our own little camper cinema!
Next stop: Italy!
Switzerland Road Trip Route from Lake Geneva to Ticino
One possible road trip route in Switzerland leads from the French-speaking west, through the German-speaking center, to the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. The approximately 850-kilometer route begins in Geneva and continues via Lausanne, Bern, Interlaken, Lucerne, and Graubünden to Ticino. Ten to fourteen days are allotted for this drive along mountain roads. With additional time, national parks and individual mountain lakes can be included as detours.
On Lake Geneva, the route connects Geneva, Lausanne, and Montreux with Chillon Castle and the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interlaken then forms the base for exploring the Bernese Oberland with Grindelwald and the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger mountains. In Central Switzerland lies Lake Lucerne near Lucerne. The route continues through Graubünden with St. Moritz and finally into Ticino, where Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano add a touch of southern flair.
Switzerland route planned for ten days
For a ten-day trip, a clear itinerary is recommended: The first two days are dedicated to Lake Geneva and Lavaux, days three to five to the Bernese Oberland and the Jungfrau region. On the sixth day, Lucerne and Lake Lucerne follow. Days seven and eight lead over the Furka Pass to Graubünden, days nine and ten to Lugano and Locarno in Ticino. From day eleven onwards, the return journey can begin via the San Bernardino Pass.
Mountain lakes in Switzerland as destinations for hikes
Several mountain lakes can be reached via short or long hikes. Lake Oeschinen lies in the Bernese Oberland at an altitude of 1,578 meters and can be reached from Kandersteg by cable car or on foot in about an hour. Its turquoise waters are framed by 3,000-meter-high peaks. Also in the Bernese Oberland is Lake Bachalpsee, situated at 2,265 meters above Grindelwald. An easy, one-hour hike leads there from the First station; the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains are reflected in its waters.
Lake Cauma in Graubünden lies at an altitude of 1,000 meters in a forest. It can be reached from Flims by lift or after a 20-minute hike. Lake Blausee in the Kandertal valley is a small, crystal-clear lake inhabited by trout, situated at 887 meters. In Valais, Lake Märjelen lies at the foot of the Aletsch Glacier; access is only possible via a hike from Fiescheralp. Other destinations include Lake Ritom in Ticino at 1,850 meters and Lake Staz near St. Moritz at 1,809 meters. The walk to Lake Staz from St. Moritz train station takes 20 minutes.
Alpine passes in Switzerland on the camper route
The Grimsel Pass connects the Bernese Oberland and Valais at an altitude of 2,164 meters. Its serpentine road winds over Lake Grimsel. The Furka Pass, at 2,429 meters, offers views of the Rhône Glacier, while the Susten Pass, at 2,260 meters, connects the Bernese Oberland with the original cantons. Its wide road, good asphalt quality, and consistently winding route make it one of the most easily navigable passes for campers.
Between German- and Italian-speaking Switzerland lies the Gotthard Pass at 2,106 meters. The historic Tremola road is narrow and steep; the modern Gotthard Tunnel remains open year-round. The San Bernardino Pass at 2,066 meters is a quieter alternative with a wider road. In Graubünden, the 2,383-meter-high Flüela Pass connects Davos and the Lower Engadine. The Umbrail Pass, at 2,501 meters, is the highest Swiss Alpine pass, but on the Swiss side it is winding and narrow and not recommended for vehicles over 6.5 meters in length.
Practically matching Alpine passes and time of year
Opening times vary: Grimsel Pass, Furka Pass, and Susten Pass are open from June to October; Gotthard Pass from June to November; Flüela Pass from May to October; and Umbrail Pass from July to September. The mountain passes are closed in winter. Snow may linger on high passes until mid-June. All Alpine passes are open in July and August; some begin to close again from mid-October.
Hiking in Switzerland around Interlaken
Interlaken lies between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and serves as a starting point for exploring the Bernese Oberland. At least three days are recommended for the region. From Grindelwald, the cable car takes you to First at 2,167 meters. There, the First Cliff Walk runs along a rock face at an altitude of 2,000 meters, before the one-hour hike to Bachalpsee begins.
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is characterized by 72 waterfalls, including the 300-meter-high Staubbach Falls. Wengen and Mürren are car-free and accessible only by cable car; campers park in Lauterbrunnen. Another highlight is the Trümmelbach Falls: ten waterfalls are located inside a rock face and are accessible via tunnels and elevators. Allow one hour for a visit.
Tours and activities: Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland
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Campervan pitches and rules for a road trip in Switzerland
Switzerland has more than 400 official campsites, including sites by mountain lakes and in the Alps. Motorhome pitches offer water and waste disposal, but no sanitary facilities. Specific starting points mentioned include campsites in Lauterbrunnen, on Lake Thun, at the Morteratsch Glacier, in Davos, and on Lake Lugano.
Wild camping is officially prohibited. This prohibition is strictly enforced in nature reserves and above the tree line. In the cantons of Uri and Glarus, a single overnight stay below the tree line is tolerated. For motorways and expressways marked with a white "A" on a green background, campers under 3.5 tons require a Swiss motorway vignette. Vehicles over 3.5 tons pay a heavy vehicle tax instead.
Practical information for the campervan route through Switzerland
- The speed limit on motorways is 120 km/h, on expressways it is 100 km/h; vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are allowed to drive 80 km/h on motorways.
- Daytime running lights or dipped headlights are mandatory.
- Noise should be avoided after 10 p.m.; waste must be strictly separated.
- Swiss German is spoken in German-speaking Switzerland, French in the west, Italian in Ticino, and Romansh in the Engadine.
- The currency is the Swiss franc; credit cards are accepted even for small amounts.
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Relevant travel reports
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free parking spaces in Switzerland?
We kept finding great places — it was super easy to stay overnight for free in Switzerland.
Is the Zwillingsstieg via ferrata suitable for beginners?
No. The climb was not for beginners, and I definitely felt that: I was rooted to the spot more than once. I wouldn't have made it without Max.
What surprised us most in Switzerland?
The snow avalanches. During the hikes, small avalanches slid down the mountain, creating an incredible noise – the anglers nearby remained completely calm.
Which waterfall is worth visiting?
The Rhine Falls — the largest waterfall in Europe. We visited it as our final stop.
What does a ten-day route through Switzerland look like?
A tried and tested sequence: Days 1 and 2 Lake Geneva and Lavaux, Days 3 to 5 Bernese Oberland and Jungfrau region, Day 6 Lucerne, Days 7 and 8 over the Furka Pass to Graubünden, Days 9 and 10 Lugano and Locarno in Ticino.
Where can I park my campervan in the Lauterbrunnen Valley?
Wengen and Mürren are car-free and only accessible by cable car; campers park in Lauterbrunnen.
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