From the Alps to Alsace: 10 special autumn day trips around Switzerland

Contents:

• 1. Sils in the Engadin: Where golden larch trees frame Lake Sils

• 2. Giessbach Falls: Autumn walks amongst waterfalls and the lake

• 3. Blausee: A fairytale autumn day by the turquoise-blue forest lake

• 4. Romainmôtier: An autumn day amongst monastery walls and colourful forests

• 5. Lavaux: Golden autumn moments amongst vineyards and wine-growing villages

• 6. Malcantone: Along the chestnut trail through autumnal Ticino

• 7. Orta San Giulio: An autumn day amongst winding alleyways and the lakeside

• 8. Creux du Van: Amidst golden woods and steep rock faces

• 9. Wutach Gorge: Along wild paths through the autumnal Black Forest

• 10. Kaysersberg: An autumn stroll amongst half-timbered houses and golden vines

1. Sils in the Engadin: Where golden larch trees frame Lake Sils

Golden larch trees, deep blue water and the striking peaks of the Engadin: Lake Sils offers the perfect backdrop for a relaxing autumn day. A walk on the Chastè peninsula is particularly lovely. The lake keeps peeking out from between the larch trees until, at the shore, the view opens up towards Maloja. It’s well worth sitting here for a moment, breathing in the crisp mountain air and simply gazing out at the water.

The walk from Sils to the peninsula and back is around 4.4 kilometres long and involves only slight changes in altitude. At its tip, a memorial stone commemorates Friedrich Nietzsche, who was particularly fond of this spot. If you’d like to make a weekend of it this autumn, you can stay at the Hotel Waldhaus Sils. This historic grand hotel is perched on a wooded hill above the village; after your walk, its traditional rooms and spa invite you to linger. The 2026 autumn season ends on 25 October.

2. Giessbach Falls: Autumn walks amongst waterfalls and the lake

Near Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, the Giessbach Falls meet the vibrant colours of the autumnal forest, making this walk a truly impressive experience of nature. On the bridges, you can get right up close to the water. Pause for a moment and watch as the water cascades step by step over the rocky ledges and flows on in foaming cascades. Despite its power, there is something almost meditative about this steady flow. The section of the path behind one of the waterfalls is particularly impressive. Here, the water plunges into the depths like a roaring curtain right in front of you – a magical moment at the heart of this natural spectacle.

An atmospheric starting point for the excursion is the Grandhotel Giessbach, which towers high above Lake Brienz and offers a stunning view of the waterfalls. Historic furniture, a library and the elegant halls preserve the charm of the Belle Époque. At the ‘Les Cascades’ park restaurant, you can enjoy French and Swiss-inspired dishes whilst looking out over the waterfalls. Guests staying here can take a whole autumn weekend to soak up the woodland, the water and the hotel’s unique atmosphere.

3. Blausee: A fairytale autumn day by the turquoise-blue forest lake

Nestled in the heart of the forest, near Kandersteg in the Bernese Oberland, Blausee lies like a small, sparkling jewel. In autumn, golden-yellow and rust-red leaves frame its turquoise-blue waters. On windless days, the trees are reflected in the lake. The water is so clear that you can make out tree trunks and rocks submerged beneath the surface – a sight that lends the lake a fairy-tale quality.

The Hotel & Spa Blausee is situated in the nature park, right by the lake. This historic hotel, with its individually furnished rooms, spa and cosy fireplace lounge, offers a lovely setting for an autumn weekend. It’s also well worth stopping off at the restaurant: the fine dining menu focuses on high-quality regional ingredients and serves organic trout from the hotel’s own fish farm as well as sophisticated vegetarian dishes. 

4. Romainmôtier: An autumn day amongst the abbey walls and colourful woods 

The Romanesque abbey church forms the heart of Romainmôtier. Nestled amongst old houses and narrow lanes, this village at the foot of the Vaud Jura seems the perfect starting point for a day of culture and nature. Begin with a stroll through the village and take some time to explore the church before heading out into the Nozon Valley.

The ‘Sentier du patrimoine’ combines historical sites with woods, rocks and streams. One of its highlights is the Cascade du Dard, where the Nozon river plunges over a rocky ledge. The full route covers around 13 kilometres; you should allow half a day for this, plus time for sightseeing and breaks. For a shorter visit, a selected section is a good option. Back in the village, it’s well worth stopping off at the Café du Prieur: this historic building serves regional dishes and homemade tarts – perfect for lunch or a coffee after your walk.

5. Lavaux: Golden autumn moments amongst vineyards and wine-growing villages 

In Lavaux, in the canton of Vaud, the vineyard slopes glow in warm shades of yellow and gold in autumn. From the top of the old stone walls, the view stretches far out over Lake Geneva and the mountains on the opposite shore. Nestled amongst the vineyards are small wine-growing villages, whose narrow lanes invite you to take a detour. A lovely way to explore the countryside is the ‘Route des Grands Crus’, which is around 2.8 kilometres long. The walking trail leads right through the vineyards; information boards along the way recount stories and anecdotes from Lavaux’s past. As you walk, you can really sense just how closely this landscape is linked to winegrowing.

To round off your walk, the Auberge de Rivaz invites you to enjoy a delightful break. The cuisine combines regional produce with Mediterranean influences and varies with the seasons – in autumn, for example, with fish dishes or pasta with autumn mushrooms. In mild weather, you can sit on the terrace with views of the lake and the Alps. Those wishing to stay overnight will find stylish hotel rooms with lake views in the building.

6. Malcantone: Along the Chestnut Trail through Ticino in autumn

To the west of Lugano, in the hills of Ticino’s Malcantone region, ancient chestnut groves invite you to enjoy a leisurely autumn’s day. The sun filters through the wide-spreading tree canopies onto the golden-brown foliage, and the first chestnuts glisten on the ground. Where gathering is permitted, you can take a few chestnuts home to roast them and enjoy them whilst they’re still warm. 

On the ‘Sentiero del castagno’ from Arosio, chestnut groves, meadows and small villages alternate. Along the way, information boards tell of a time when the chestnut was an indispensable foodstuff for many Ticino families. They were roasted, dried or ground into flour – it’s no coincidence that the chestnut tree was also known as the ‘bread tree’. With this knowledge, a stroll amongst the ancient trees takes on a special charm. 

Afterwards, the Grotto Sgambada near Arosio invites you to stop for a cosy break. Nestled amidst the chestnut woods, you can enjoy homemade gnocchi and other Ticino specialities in a cosy, family-friendly atmosphere. Chestnuts also feature on the menu here – for example, as ‘Castagne glassate’, sweet glazed chestnuts.

7. Orta San Giulio: An autumn day amongst winding alleyways and the lakeside

Orta San Giulio is situated on the shores of Lake Orta in the northern Italian region of Piedmont. A stroll through the winding alleyways takes you past old houses to Piazza Motta, which opens out onto the water. Here, you can sit back and relax in one of the cafés with a coffee, gazing out over the lake. The view from here of the nearby island of San Giulio, with its closely clustered houses, is particularly beautiful.

From the town centre, a walk leads up to the Sacro Monte. There, the path winds its way through trees and past twenty chapels. Their paintings and statues depict scenes from the life of St Francis; in between, there are frequent beautiful views of the lake and the island. If you fancy it, you can later add a boat trip to San Giulio – subject to the seasonal timetable. For a whole weekend, La Darbia, situated above the lake, is the perfect choice. The suites are set within lush grounds overlooking the water. In the on-site restaurant, you can round off the day with regional cuisine, prepared using local produce.

8. Creux du Van: Amidst golden forests and steep rock faces 

At Creux du Van in the Swiss Jura, mighty rock faces stretch out in a wide semicircle around the wooded valley basin. In autumn, golden-yellow and copper-coloured treetops glow amongst the dark conifers. As the low-hanging sun sweeps across the rocks, the whole landscape seems bathed in warm light. It’s the sort of place where you simply want to linger for a while and let your gaze wander over the woods and the vast Jura landscape.

For a shorter outing, the rock arena can be reached in a few minutes’ walk from the Le Soliat car park, provided road conditions are suitable. Those wishing to hike for longer can opt for the challenging, approximately 14-kilometre circular route starting from Noiraigue. It is essential to keep a safe distance from the unsecured rock edges at all times. 

If you’d like to turn the trip into an autumn weekend break, you can stay at the Hôtel de la Truite in Champ-du-Moulin. This small hotel is situated on the banks of the Areuse and offers cosy, wood-panelled rooms, some of which overlook the river. It’s also well worth stopping for a bite to eat: the restaurant’s specialities include fresh trout from its own fish pond.

9. Wutach Gorge: Along rugged paths through the Black Forest in autumn

The Wutach Gorge is situated in the southern Black Forest in Germany. Here, water is a constant companion: at times it rushes right alongside the path, at others the river lies deeper amongst rocks and trees. Narrow paths and bridges lead through the valley, whilst autumnal light filters through the leaves.

The hike from the Wutachmühle to the Schattenmühle, around 12.5 kilometres long, takes about four hours. Along the way, at the point where the Wutach emerges, water that had previously seeped away bubbles up from the rock back into the river. Near Bad Boll, a preserved chapel serves as a reminder of the former spa town – spa guests once strolled through its well-tended parks here.

To round off the walk, the Schattenmühle inn, situated right on the banks of the Wutach, invites you to enjoy a cosy stop for refreshments featuring regional specialities. Overnight accommodation in simple rooms is also available.

The narrow paths, which can be slippery when wet, require sure-footedness and a head for heights. Please check the latest trail updates and return transport options in advance, as the start and finish points are some distance apart.

10. Kaysersberg: An autumn stroll amongst half-timbered houses and golden vines

In French Alsace, near Colmar, Kaysersberg lies idyllically amongst vineyards whose foliage glows in warm golden hues in autumn. As you stroll through the cobbled streets, you can simply let yourself be carried along amongst the colourful half-timbered houses. Time and again, picture-perfect spots invite you to stop and take in the view, including around the bridge over the River Weiss. The castle ruins rise above the rooftops of Kaysersberg – a lovely destination if you’d like to combine your stroll through the village with a walk through the vineyards. Once at the top, you can look out over the rooftops and autumnal vineyards as far as the eye can see across the Alsatian plain.

Back in the village, the Winstub du Chambard is the perfect place to round off the day in comfort. The rustic dining room serves Alsatian classics such as choucroute and onion tart. These go perfectly with a glass of Alsatian Riesling – fresh and delicately aromatic.

Conclusion: Sometimes all it takes for a lovely break is a day off, a pair of comfortable shoes and a destination to look forward to. Whether at Lake Sils, beneath the chestnut trees of Ticino or in the narrow streets of Kaysersberg: these ten autumn day trips invite you to discover Switzerland and its neighbouring regions at your own pace. Take time out along the way for a coffee, a view across the water or a break in the sun – it’s often these little moments that stay with you.