Switzerland Hiking - Best In The World! Hiking across a Country, The Trans Swiss Trail

Switzerland hiking. As a visitor once said to me "In Switzerland you can hike EVERYWHERE." Transversing the country from North to South, the Trans Swiss Trail is the first long distance hiking trail in Switzerland actually developed for tourism. Opened in 2002, 30 existing day hike tours were pieced together like a puzzle to create one long distance hiking tour of 512 kilometers or 318 miles.

Along this trail you'll find hotels, bed and breakfasts and even sleeping at the farm in the straw (Schlafen im Stroh),. Transportation for luggage is also available. The already well marked paths are completed with a special panel that reads “Fernwanderroute, chemin pedestre longue distance” (long distance hiking trail). The distance between each of these new panels is about 1 km or 0.6 miles.

The advantage of this long distance hiking trail is that it will give you an unforgettable image of the country. Starting in the North in the Jura region near Porrentruy (French border), you will go through the “Jura” Mitteland” Emmental “Zentralschweiz” and take the “Path of Switzerland” along the Vierwaldstättersee.” Then it's onto former horse trail over the Gotthard pass via the Strada Alta, and finally down to the lake of Lugano and the Ticino.

The Trans Swiss Trail walks you through 3 different languages and cultures; starting in the French part, going through the German part and winding up in the Italian part. Whether, it's your first or your fiftieth visit, the Trans Swiss Trail is a Switzerland hiking experience that offers something new and magical each and every time for people of all ages.