Swiss Alps Road Trip: 6 Days Looping from Zurich

Altstadt · Zürich

Riverside guild houses and the Grossmünster towers make an easy, scenic morning stroll before hitting the road.

💡 Walk the Limmat quays early before tour groups arrive.

Altstadt, Zürich

Uetliberg · Stallikon

Zurich's 'top of the city' viewpoint gives a sweeping panorama over the lake and, on clear days, the Alps.

💡 Short walk from the car park to the lookout tower.

Stallikon

Chapel Bridge · Luzern

Europe's oldest wooden covered bridge, the postcard symbol of Lucerne, spanning the Reuss River.

💡 Best photographed early morning or at dusk when crowds thin out.

Kapellbrücke, Luzern

Luzerner Seepromenade · Luzern

A gentle lakeside walk with views to the surrounding peaks, a relaxed way to settle into the city.

Kurpl., Luzern

Rathaus Brauerei · Luzern

A lakeside brewery-restaurant with solid Swiss classics and a terrace on the river.

Unter der Egg 2, Luzern

Giessbachfälle · Brienz

A dramatic cascading waterfall tumbling down forested slopes right above Lake Brienz, reached by funicular or short trail.

💡 Small funicular runs from the lakeshore up to the falls and grand hotel.

Brienz

Harder Kulm · Unterseen

A funicular-accessed ridge above Interlaken with a famous twin-lake panorama between Thun and Brienz.

💡 Book the funicular online in peak season to skip the queue.

Unterseen

Höhematte Park

The green heart of Interlaken with an unobstructed view straight to the Jungfrau massif.

Höhematte, Interlaken

First

Cable car up to a high alpine ridge with the First Cliff Walk and views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

💡 Book cable car tickets ahead in summer — long queues at midday.

Grindelwald

Bachalpsee

A moderate trail from First to a stunning glacial lake mirroring the Bernese peaks — the classic Grindelwald hike.

💡 Fitness required, weather-dependent — start early to beat crowds and afternoon clouds; round trip roughly 2.5–3 hrs.

Grindelwald

Viewpoint mountain panorama

The village itself sits below the Eiger's sheer north face, a striking backdrop for an evening stroll.

Terrassenweg 142, Grindelwald

Reichenbachfall · Meiringen

A powerful waterfall (of Sherlock Holmes fame) reached by funicular right by Meiringen, a good leg-stretch before the pass.

💡 Funicular runs seasonally to the viewing platform.

Reichenbach, Meiringen

Grimsel Pass · Obergoms VS

A dramatic high-alpine pass road winding past reservoirs and stark granite — one of Switzerland's great drives.

💡 Stop at the pass-top viewpoint over Lake Grimsel — hairpins demand full attention while driving.

Parking lot, Obergoms VS

Furka Pass · Obergoms

Famous hairpin pass overlooking the Rhône Glacier, a James Bond filming location and one of the Alps' iconic roads.

💡 The Rhône Glacier ice grotto viewpoint is just below the pass on the Gletsch side.

Obergoms

Schöllenen Gorge · Göschenen

A dramatic narrow gorge with the historic 'Devil's Bridge' (Teufelsbrücke), a striking roadside stop on the old St. Gotthard route.

💡 Small pullouts let you view the old and new bridges together.

Göschenen

Lion Monument · Luzern

A moving rock-carved memorial to Swiss Guards, one of Lucerne's most visited sights, tucked in a quiet garden.

💡 A five-minute walk from the old town center.

Denkmalstrasse 4, Luzern

Hammetschwand Elevator · Bürgenstock

A short excursion along the lakeshore road gives classic views over Lake Lucerne's fjord-like arms and cliffs.

Felsenweg, Bürgenstock

Seepromenade

A relaxed lakeside walk back in Zurich, a gentle close to a week of mountains and passes.

Mythenquai 301, Zürich