Slow travel in Switzerland

Temps de lecture: 4 minutes

🌿 The art of journeying at the pace of the peaks

In our hyper-connected era, slow travel encourages us to rediscover the journey as a sensory, contemplative, and responsible experience. With its majestic mountains, exemplary public transport, and preserved villages, Switzerland is an ideal playground for this way of traveling.

🚞 Traveling by train: An ode to slow movement

In our ultra-connected age, slow travel invites us to rediscover travel as a sensory, contemplative, and responsible experience. Switzerland, with its majestic mountains, exemplary public transportation, and unspoiled villages, is an ideal setting for this style of travel.

Iconic panoramic trains:

Glacier Express: This iconic train crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. It travels slowly between Zermatt and St. Moritz, allowing you to soak up the Alpine scenery: snow-covered passes, flower-filled mountain pastures, small villages. There are panoramic cars with floor-to-ceiling windows, so you don’t miss a thing.
Bernina Express (Chur–Tirano): One of the highest rail crossings in Europe. In summer, you’ll pass by glaciers, gorges, and palm trees as you approach Italy.
GoldenPass Line (Montreux–Lucerne): Perfect for discovering the variety of the Swiss Prealps, with stops at Château-d’Oex or Gstaad—ideal for leisurely strolls.
Voralpen-Express (St. Gallen–Lucerne): A lesser-known route that takes you through the heart of Switzerland’s forests and villages with frequent stops.

Urban and intercity public transport:

Major cities like Zurich, Bern, Geneva, and Lausanne have dense networks of trams and electric buses, all seamlessly connected to the national railway. This encourages car-free, mindful movement, allowing you to enjoy each neighbourhood at your own rhythm.

💡 Practical Tip: The Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited access to trains, buses, boats, cable cars, and even museums.

🥾 Hiking in slow mode: When every step becomes a connection

Slow travel also means walking without a performance mindset. Taking time to listen to a waterfall, smell alpine flowers, or chat with a shepherd…

Hikes to savour:

🏔️ Valais: Hikes with character

Val d’Hérens: Trails often follow historical bisses—medieval irrigation canals. The Bisse de Vex, for instance, offers a shaded walk on wooden footbridges with views of the Dent Blanche.
Val d’Anniviers: A multi-day trek through Zinal, Grimentz, and Saint-Luc. With a light pack, you can sleep in local inns or mountain huts.
Champex-Lac: Gentle trails circle this alpine lake, ideal for swimming or picnicking breaks. Higher up, the Lacs Fenêtre reward hikers with stunning views.

🌲 Ticino: A blend of alps and mediterranean

Val Verzasca: A peaceful walk along the emerald river, famous for its stone bridges like the Ponte dei Salti in Lavertezzo.
Val Bavona: With no electricity or paved roads, this valley is a refuge for lovers of solitude and unspoiled nature. The hike to the village of Bignasco requires a bit of endurance but is well worth the detour.

🏞️ Lucerne & surroundings: Lakes and mountains

Mount Rigi: Accessible by cogwheel train from Vitznau or Arth-Goldau. Several trails lead from the summit to various viewpoints. Inns offer a meal serving Swiss specialties.
Pilatus: The Dragon Trails offer breathtaking views as you descend toward Kriens. Calmer than Rigi, it’s ideal for slow travel at altitude.
Around Weggis & Vitznau: Hidden coves, terraced vineyards, and secluded swimming spots—perfect for alternating walking and relaxation.

👣 Slow Tip: Base yourself in a single village and explore in a star pattern. Less logistics, deeper connection.

🧀 Local terroir: The beating heart of slow travel

Slow travel also means exploring local gastronomy—often overlooked but rich in stories, traditions, and flavour. It’s about tasting a place and meeting the people who shape it.

Must-taste specialties:

Cheeses: Mountain cheeses, aged in natural cellars, are often handmade. L’Etivaz AOP, crafted in the Vaud Alps, is a perfect example of traditional know-how.
Regional Dishes:
- Valais Raclette, served warm and friendly, is a staple.
- In Ticino, polenta is often paired with rabbit or slow-cooked meats.
- The half-and-half fondue (Gruyère + Vacherin) is another must, found in most restaurants.

🍷 Don’t Miss: A wine-tasting hike in Lavaux, where trails wind through terraced vineyards with views over Lake Geneva

🏘️ Rooting locally: Stay, live, share

Slow travel invites you to spend several days in the same place. You then discover the morning light, the evening silence, and the people.

Immersive experiences:

Sleep in an alpine hut and help with the morning milking
Join a transhumance festival, following livestock to mountain pastures
Lend a hand during the harvest on an organic farm

🌱 Responsible travel: A conscious commitment

Beyond enjoyment, slow travel is also a meaningful act: less carbon, more connection, more intention.

How to travel responsibly in Switzerland ?

Take the train or walk whenever possible
Stay with locals or in certified eco-lodges (Swiss Green, Nature & Découvertes)
Buy local and organic
Travel off-season to reduce environmental pressure

🌍 Pioneering regions for sustainable tourism:

Entlebuch (LU): Switzerland’s first UNESCO biosphere, known for gentle tourism, nature trails, and eco-friendly activities.
Gantrisch Park (BE): Focused on soft mobility, local production, and ecosystem awareness.
Greina Plateau (GR/TI): A protected, untouched wilderness accessible only on foot or horseback.

✨ Conclusion: Less distance, more depth

Slow travel in Switzerland is an invitation to stop, breathe, listen, and taste. It’s not the speed that makes a trip rich, but the quality of the encounters, the landscapes, the sensations. So, take the time to sit on a bench, listen to the murmur of a stream, or share a piece of cheese with a stranger. That’s true Swiss luxury: a break for body and mind.