A guide to Swiss hiking from Brunnen

Hike the famous Stoos Ridge, ride Europe's first mountain train, bike along the Swiss Path.

Brunnen, a small town on the eastern shores of Lake Lucerne, is the perfect getaway for active days and quiet nights. Here you’ll find warm hospitality, relative affordability, and easy access to the Swiss Alps, including bucket list hikes like Stoos Ridge Trail.

This fall itinerary focuses on epic hikes, scenic views, and down time. Most of these guides are paywalled to preserve the limited availability of these wonderful hotels for the locals who recommend them and a small number of readers. I promise it’s worth it.

Guete Morge! You’ve landed in Zurich on a cool September morning and have an hour to go before reaching the lakeside town of Brunnen.

Getting there is possible by car, but you’ll be taking the train since such is the way of life for the Swiss. The national rail network is wonderfully efficient and by far the best way to get around, but your first ride can be a bit confusing (here’s a complete guide).