The Ultimate Switzerland Fall Travel Guide: Foliage, Weather & Tips

Autumn with its vibrant golden foliage and crisp air is a beautiful time to visit Switzerland. It’s no secret that Switzerland ranks among the most scenic countries in the world and to watch the season of autumn drape its postcard-worthy landscapes in gold is a sight to behold. By no means an exaggeration, we have never before been treated to such spectacular scenery with easy accessibility.

With lots of research and some luck, we were able to time our visit to this autumn paradise at the peak of fall foliage and aim to help you do the same through this guide. Find details on the things to do and places to visit including those idyllic Swiss villages, the best fall hikes and hotspots of autumn foliage. This guide will make you believe that you don’t have to be an avid hiker to experience the essence of autumn in Switzerland.

Best Time to Visit Switzerland

Summer – Between June and mid September temperatures are pleasantly warm, hiking trails and mountain huts are open and tourist activities are in full swing. Summer being a high season, expect higher cost of accommodation, flight and transportation in general.

Autumn – Autumn in Switzerland is from mid September to late October or early November. This is popular season among photographers since autumn colors really pop here. Autumn is a shoulder season so expect relatively lower cost of traveling.

Winter – Winter officially starts in December and lasts through February. Popular for winter sports, snow capped mountains and frozen lakes.

We visited Switzerland in Autumn and witnessed spectacular Fall scenery around the country. Highly recommend this time of year for lesser crowds, relatively lower costs and beautiful views overall.

Switzerland in Fall

Different locations in the country see peak fall foliage at different times between mid September and early November.

Pro Tip: We found this Fall Foliage Map to be particularly helpful in planning our travel around the country. It gives an approximate timeline of when to expect peak fall foliage in different locations across the country.

In general, autumn foliage peaks between mid to late October. However, this is also the time when higher elevations receive their first snow and most mountain huts close for the season. If you are into hiking/backpacking and staying in mountains huts, mid-late September is a better time to visit.

Fall Weather in Switzerland

The temperatures start to drop in autumn but the days are relatively warm and sunny until the end of September. Starting October, expect rainy days and much cooler temperatures. While temperatures depends on altitude and higher elevations start to receive their first snow, day time temperatures range from 8-15°C at mid to lower altitudes.

We highly recommend making plans flexible where possible, especially the ones involving hiking, since they could easily be impacted by rains.

Pro Tip: The Windy Weather app came in handy for planning our days in the Swiss Alps. It comes with real time data from webcams installed at different locations and along with other things tells you if there are dense low lying clouds obscuring views.

How to Get Around Switzerland

Swiss Public Transportation System

Switzerland has an extensive network of public transportation consisting of Trains, Buses, Cable cars, Ferries and Trams. Certain cities like Zermatt are car free and the only way to explore them is via public transportation.

There are various travel passes to choose from depending on your travel duration and plan. Listing the more popular ones here:

• Swiss Travel Pass – Allows unlimited access to public transportation on a certain number of consecutive days in a month. Ideal if you plan to frequently move between places and fully rely on public transportation throughout your stay.
• Swiss Travel Pass Flex – Allows unlimited access to public transportation on a certain number of days in a month chosen by you. Ideal if you are not moving frequently. This option allows the flexibility of choosing the days on which you want to avail this pass.
• Swiss Half Fare – 50% off public transportation fare. Valid for a month. Ideal for those using a combination of rental cars and public transportation in getting around.

Explore more travel options at the official website of Swiss Public Transport. We highly recommend downloading the SBB mobile app for schedules, route information, digital tickets, travel pass and more.

Renting Car in Switzerland

Renting your own vehicle definitely allows for flexibility in moving around, especially when exploring remote places at your own pace. But the flexibility comes at a high cost of parking. Also keep in mind that some Swiss villages and cities like Zermatt are car free which means you may need to park for extended hours or sometimes overnight to visit them which adds to the cost.

Since we did a two-week Autumn roadtrip comprising of Switzerland and Dolomites in Northern Italy, we rented a car. We were constantly on the move and renting car saved us the hassle of hauling our luggage on and off public transportation.

Unique Things to do in Autumn in Switzerland

Rest of this post goes over places, experiences and hikes in Switzerland that put the country at the top of our expanding list of best autumn destinations in the world. We have broken down the things to do region-wise to help with planning.

Engadin St Moritz in Autumn

The high alpine Valley of Engadin might be the most beautiful place we have ever visited in Autumn. Imagine being surrounded by larches without requiring to hike, driving through lanes lined by larch trees and simple lake side strolls surrounded by mountains covered in vibrant autumn foliage!

St Moritz

The alpine resort town of St. Moritz is the main town in this region with hotels, BnBs, stores and restaurants, ideal to base yourself in when exploring the Engadin Valley.

Lej da Staz

A crystal clear lake with views that look straight out of a painting. If you are able to visit the lake around sunrise or early morning, you will find a still lake with surreal reflections of fall foliage and fewer people.

The lake is an easy 30-minute walk from St. Moritz lake where the nearest car park is. There is no parking at Lej da Staz.

Lake Sils

The largest of the lakes in the Engadin region and more easily accessible as it does not require much hiking/walking to reach. There is a parking area close to the lake. The views of emerald green waters of the lake surrounded by fall colors makes it worthy of an afternoon stroll around the lake.

Val da Camp: Lago Saoseo

Another beautiful lake for all the enthusiastic hikers out there. This one is slightly tricky to reach so listing out all the different ways to get to this popular autumn hotspot :

Take the Valley Shuttle :

Park at Sfazu. Walk a short distance to the bus stop and catch the shuttle to Alp Camp. From Alp Camp, Lago Saoseo is a 2-mile roundtrip hike and takes approximately 30 minutes one way.

You can book the valley shuttle in advance to reserve spots. Note that the shuttle only runs two times a day.

Out and Back hike from Sfazu :

You could skip the shuttle altogether or choose to ride one way and hike the other. The path is essentially the same as the shuttle route, well paved and easy to follow.

Pro Tip: The drive from St. Moritz to Sfazu in autumn is a treat for the eyes! There are high chances that you may want to make multiple stops on the way and hence we highly recommend factoring in that time.

Morteratsch Glacier Viewpoint

An epic roadside viewpoint, only about 15-20 minutes drive away from St. Moritz in the direction of Sfazu.

Camping Morteratsch

This is essentially an RV camping spot with a small unnamed lake next to it. Not a well known spot but views of Morteratsch Glacier on a clear day with the lake and autumn foliage in the foreground are not to be missed.

Bernese Oberland

Home to some of the most idyllic Swiss villages surrounded by the snow-covered Swiss Alps, this region makes for an especially beautiful autumn destination. With a wide range of choices in activities, from exploring the enchanting alleys of Swiss villages, to riding up steep hills on cogwheel trains, to hiking, this region has something for everyone.

Grindelwald Switzerland

An example of a postcard-worthy Swiss village with traditional Chalets dotting the entire valley surrounded by the Swiss Alps. With a glacier river flowing through the valley and the imposing presence of Mount Eiger, Grindelwald is the perfect base to explore Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe and adventures in the Grindlewald-First region.

Note: Jungfraujoch is a commercial and touristy destination with ice sculptures, shopping center, souvenir stores and a lindt chocolate shop. You will find posters marketing visit to this place everywhere in the Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen areas.

How to reach Grindelwald

Grindelwald is well connected by the public transport system and also easily reachable by car. Check out Getting to Grindelwald for info on trains, buses, driving directions and car parking options in the village.

Lauterbrunnen

Possibly the most picturesque village in all of Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen is situated in a narrow valley with a glacier river running through it and surrounded by steep cliffs. Exploring the village in a single day is possible, but we highly recommend staying longer and visiting the highlights below.

How to reach Lauterbrunnen

Easily accessible by public transportation or by car. Check out Getting to Lauterbrunnen for info on trains, driving directions and car parking.

Note: If you choose to take a train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, make sure to board at the very front since the train splits mid way and only the front half goes to Lauterbrunnen, while the rear half goes to Grindelwald.

Things to do in Lauterbrunnen

Staubbach Falls

Visit one of the tallest and extensively photographed waterfalls in Switzerland plunging down a massive cliff creating a mist of water spray. Take an easy 0.25-mile one-way trail from the Lauterbrunnen train station to the falls viewpoint. The trail is mostly flat. On a warm summer or autumn day, you could take the metal stairs up to an observation deck behind the falls.

If arriving by car, there is limited metered parking available next to the church from where it is an even shorter walk to the falls viewpoint.

Note: By going behind the falls, you could be completely sprayed upon and wet. Remember to carry waterproof jacket and wear quick dry clothes.

The Best Viewpoint in Lauterbrunnen

There is no official name to this viewpoint but is an iconic location in all of Switzerland. There is a small lane directly opposite the Airtime Cafe Bakery that leads to a small wooden bench and open views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Highly recommend taking this short detour on your way from the train station to Staubbach Falls!

Hike to Trümmelbach Falls

For keen hikers with longer than a day in Lauterbrunnen, take this moderately challenging hike to an underground glacier waterfall. See hike details on AllTrails.

Visit Wengen & Murren

The reason to stay longer in the Lauterbrunnen area is to be able to visit at least one car free village. It is absolutely possible to spend a night in any of them and we highly recommend doing so for a quiet and serene experience.

Wengen

Wengen is a car free village. It is common for keen hikers to take a 2-hour, one-way picturesque hike up from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen. See hike details at AllTrails. However, it is more easily accessible via Public Transportation from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen.

Staying at Wengen is also ideal for visiting Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe via Klein Scheidegg. Yes, there are two ways to reach Jungfraujoch – One from Grindelwald and the other from Wengen. See the map below on why.

Mürren

Another car free village, reachable from Lauterbrunnen via a cable car followed by a short train ride. There is also a scenic hike route from Lauterbrunnen – details at AllTrails. However, the village is more easily reachable via Public Transportation from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren.

Mürren is located right across the Lauterbrunnen valley on the mountain right opposite Wengen. It is more isolated and serene compared to Wengen as Wengen also gets tourists visiting Jungfraujoch. If you only have time for overnight stay at one car free village, we highly recommend Mürren.

Oeschinen Lake Hike

An absolute must-do hike in Bernese Oberland with panoramic views of snow capped peaks surrounding a deep turquoise colored lake. Even if you don’t like extensive hiking, you could take a short walk to the lakeshore to enjoy views of one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland.

How to get to Oeschinen Lake

Arrive at Kandersteg-Oeschinensee Valley Station either by car or Public Transportation. Find information on train/bus routes, parking and directions here. From the valley station, you can either hike all the way to the lake or take a gondola to Oeschinen upper station.

If you choose to take the gondola up to Oeschinen upper station, it takes an approx 30-minute walk on a well paved trail to the lakeshore. Upon return, enjoy a snack break at Restaurant Bergstübil before heading back down on the gondola.

For the adventure enthusiasts seeking fewer crowds and unparalleled top-down views of the lake, take the below challenging hike on a narrow trail above the lake.

We took a roundtrip cable car ride to Oeschinen upper station and hike the panoramic Lake Oeschinen Loop.

Appenzell

A region in North Eastern Switzerland known for its rolling hills covered in lush green pasture. From idyllic villages nestled between the hills to the jingle of cowbells, this region encapsulates the essence of Switzerland. Appenzell was the first stop in our Autumn roadtrip through Switzerland and we found ourselves frequently questioning if the scenery unfolding before us was real!

How to reach Appenzell

Reach Appenzell via a two-hour train journey from Zurich. Tickets can be booked on the SBB app. If you prefer more flexibility, you can also drive to Appenzell.

Things to do in Appenzell

The town of Appenzell

Take a stroll along the car-free main street of Appenzell lined by colorful buildings, taste Appenzeller cheese and ginger bread, visit the local bakeries and brewery.

Check out Parking in Appenzell Village and Public Transportation to help with planning.

Seealpsee Lake Hike

Take this steep but short day hike to a beautiful emerald green alpine lake surrounded by Alpstein mountain peaks.

Arrive at Wasserauen Train Station or the Paid Parking Lot at Wasserauen depending on your mode of transportation.

Berggasthaus Aescher Cliff Restaurant

Visit the famous guesthouse/restaurant built on the side of a cliff. It is also possible to stay overnight at the guesthouse in summer. The restaurant is a short walk from Ebenalp.

Arrive at Wasserauen Train Station or the Paid Parking Lot at Wasserauen depending on your mode of transportation. Take a cable car to Ebenalp from Ebenalp Valley Station located right across the street from Wasserauen Train Station.

Hike Seealpsee Lake and Berggasthaus Aescher Cliff Restaurant

For those keen on hiking, there is a trail connecting the lake and the cliff side restaurant. This is a popular trail and rightly so as the views are incredible. Note that the trail down to the lake could get narrow and steep in some places.

Arrive at Wasserauen Train Station or the Paid Parking Lot at Wasserauen depending on your mode of transportation. Take a cable car to Ebenalp from Ebenalp Valley Station located right across the street from Wasserauen Train Station.

Hike Schäfler Ridge and Overnight stay at Berggasthaus Schäfler 

The hike to Schäfler Ridge and overnight stay in the mountain hut was the highlight of our time spent in Appenzell. We highly recommend this to anyone looking to experience staying in the minimalistic setup of a mountain hut surrounded by the Swiss Alps.

Arrive at Wasserauen Train Station or the Paid Parking Lot at Wasserauen depending on your mode of transportation. Take a cable car to Ebenalp from Ebenalp Valley Station located right across the street from Wasserauen Train Station.

If you are into hut-to-hut hikes, it’s possible to hike further on the narrow ridge trail towards Mesmer hutte and onward to Alter Säntis hutte. Otherwise, walk along the ridge for as long as you like and return on the same path to Schäfler hut.

Accommodation at Schäfler hutte is limited and gets booked out months in advance so definitely book as early as possible.

Since Schäfler hut is in the same region as Lake Seealpsee, in fact you get beautiful top down views of the lake standing outside Schafler hut, it is common for hikers to combine the two as a single day hike. There are numerous trails at different elevations going down to the lake from the hut.

Although we were greeted with abundant rains and the ridge being covered in clouds with no sign of the sun throughout our stay, we have heard the views of Schäfler Ridge at sunset are stunning.

Pack List for Switzerland in Fall

Carry and wear layers for the diverse weather conditions in the autumn days. Rain jackets, warm clothing, umbrella and waterproof shoes/boots are a must.

General Tips for a Fall Visit to Switzerland

• Autumn is considered a relatively slow season with fewer crowds. Make sure to check for road conditions and closures due to construction work.
• Not all cable cars are operational during this season. Check current status on the SBB app for accurate information.
• Most mountain huts close by the end of September and only a handful remain open into October. Make sure check their websites and book in advance before planning a stay in the mountain huts.