Mystical moor hikes in Switzerland

One might well be tempted to exclaim, “More moorlands!”—especially in autumn, when these precious landscapes reveal their most striking colors. Wisps of cloud drift low, mist rises, and the scene is bathed in a mystical light—truly enchanting. Yet, according to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), nearly 90 percent of Switzerland’s moors have disappeared over the past 200 years. To safeguard what remains, 1,268 fens and 551 raised bogs (as of 2020) have been placed under protection since the adoption of the Rothenthurm Initiative in 1987.

The two types of moorland have nothing to do with elevation or size, but rather with the source of their water. Lowland bogs, nourished by groundwater, are generally younger and rich in rare plants thanks to their less acidic soils. Raised bogs, in contrast, depend on rain and surface water and host fewer but highly specialized species such as cranberries and cotton grass. Visitors to these fragile landscapes are urged to stay on designated paths and follow local conservation guidelines.

Rothenthurm, Schwyz

Among Switzerland’s moorlands, few are as iconic as the raised bog of Rothenthurm. If a few relentless individuals hadn't fought to preserve it in the 1970s and launched the moorland protection initiative when the military was planning to build a military base there, there might not be any moorland left today. Thanks to their efforts, the initiative to protect Switzerland’s moors was born.

Covering more than 100 hectares, the area between Rothenthurm and Biberbrugg is now the country’s largest raised bog and heathland. The plateau, with its weathered moorland vegetation — birch, spruce, and mountain pine — evokes the wild beauty of northern landscapes. A signposted trail (SwitzerlandMobility Route 835) guides visitors over gravel paths, wooden boardwalks, and footbridges across open terrain, as well as through spruce forests that follow the winding Biber River toward Biberbrugg. More information is available at schwyz-tourismus.ch.

Pfäffikersee, Zürich

The region offers more than just the well-known Juckerhof farm in Seegräben on the southern shore — it’s also home to the largest moorland in the canton of Zurich. A hike through the moorland surrounding Lake Pfäffikon can easily be combined with a stop at the adventure farm. Setting out from the charming village center of Pfäffikon, visitors soon reach the Roman fort of Irgenhausen, where a gentle hill provides a sweeping view across the vast expanse of moorland.

The reed meadows surrounding Lake Pfäffikon are lowland and raised bogs of national importance and important ecosystems. After the swimming pool in Auslikon, the path continues close to the lakeshore. Various fishing piers provide direct access to the water. A little further on lies the farming village of Seegräben, an inviting stop at the adventure farm along the way. From here, the trail meanders past tall reed beds alive with birds and insects, leading to the nature center at the upper end of the lake — a place to discover the diverse wildlife that thrives in these wetlands. More information is available at naturzentrum-pfaeffikersee.ch.

Wolzenalp, Krummenau, St. Gallen

Truly heavenly! From Krummenau, you board the chairlift and glide upward into the white mist. A hike through the fog on the Wolzenalp feels both mystical and a touch eerie—will a witch or forest spirit appear from behind the next birch tree? From the mountain station, the trail first skirts the moor, then crosses a meadow before descending into the Rietbach raised bog. At times, you tread along narrow wooden walkways; at others, over tree roots and past marsh thistles, tormentil, and slender cotton grass. Again and again, you encounter sphagnum moss—the master builder of raised bogs—which forms a protective layer that keeps the peat moist and alive. For a truly immersive experience, follow the well-marked moor trail barefoot and feel the soft, damp ground beneath your feet—nature at its most tangible. More information is available at wolzenalp.ch.

Stazerwald Celerina, Graubünden

The fact that the area around the Stazerwald forest in the municipality of Celerina is a moorland of national importance is due to the numerous glaciers that left behind this landscape of rounded hills. The moors lie in the hollows and on terraces on water-retaining moraine material. The Stazerwald forest covers approximately 35 hectares of moorland.

It's worth taking more than just the path around the idyllic Lake Staz. Particularly charming—and rarely visited—is the path through Palüd dals Pelets and Mauntschas, where the moraine ridges dammed a lake, whose silting led to the formation of peatlands. The barefoot path between God da Spuondas, Fullun, and La Stretta also offers many smaller, untouched moorland areas. More information at engadin.ch.

Chaltenbrunnen above Meiringen, Bern

The Chaltenbrunnen moorland is not the easiest to reach, lying high above the Meiringen Valley at nearly 1,800 meters above sea level. Yet its isolation is precisely what makes it so special. As Europe’s highest raised bog, with countless small pools and shimmering ponds, it offers a scene of rare serenity. Peat has never been extracted here, allowing the bog to remain virtually untouched. Visitors should plan plenty of time for the tour. The five-hour circular hike begins in Meiringen and climbs steeply at first toward the Chaltenbrunnenalp. Crossing alpine meadows, you eventually reach the raised bog on the plateau, where information boards explain the unique ecosystem. Surrounded by sweeping panoramas, the trail then leads back via the Wandelalpen and Isetwald forests toward Meiringen—where the Reichenbach Falls make a fitting finale. More information is available at haslital.swiss/de/.

Sörenberg, Lucerne

The area around Sörenberg boasts such a wealth of moorland landscapes that visitors can choose from a total of five day hikes. For those not ready to tackle the more than 80-kilometer-long Moorland Trail through the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve, an excellent introduction awaits on the Moorland Circular Trail above Sörenberg on the Rossweid. The roughly five-kilometer adventure trail leads to the Salwiden and back, offering fascinating insights into the moor’s origins, its flora and fauna, and the myths and legends that surround it. With 17 interactive stations, the walk may well take longer than expected — in the best possible way. Back at the Rossweid, the Mooraculum adventure world invites explorers of all ages to solve puzzles, experiment, and delve even deeper into the mysteries of the moor. More information is available at soerenberg.ch and biosphaere.ch.