A little courage, plenty of views

Sometimes you hover just a few meters above a wild mountain torrent, sometimes a canyon hundreds of meters deep opens up beneath your feet. Some bridges are easily accessible and ideal for a family outing, while others require sure-footedness, a good head for heights, and a healthy dose of courage. But it is precisely this mixture that creates the appeal: suspension bridges do not just connect paths and valleys, they also combine nature experiences, thrills, and spectacular views. The following ten suspension bridges show just how much adventure can be packed into a single hike:

Charmey

The Gwaggli Bridge near Charmey is a beginner's bridge for two reasons. Firstly, crossing it—it is 62 meters long—requires very little overcoming of fear, and secondly, a hiking trail continues down into the wild Jaunbach Gorge towards Broc. The start is at the Coop in Charmey. Soon you reach Presqu’Ile, an idyllic peninsula on Lake Montsalvens. And here it stands, the Gwaggli Bridge. It does sway quite a bit—but it's nothing to worry about. The bridge doesn't cross a deep canyon, but rather a fjord-like branch of the lake. Afterward, a narrow, mostly slightly elevated path follows the shoreline before heading into the Jaunbach Gorge. The bizarre rock formations and waterfalls alone make the hike worthwhile—and the first small test of courage is quickly digested.

Level of difficulty: easy
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Mürren

Those looking for an adrenaline rush who are sure-footed and have a head for heights should not miss this suspension bridge. The Nepal Bridge between Mürren and Gimmelwald is definitely not for beginners. It is part of a challenging via ferrata with an entrance through a tunnel on the south side of the tennis courts in Mürren. Although the route is well-secured, it requires experience and confident walking in exposed terrain. Unpracticed hikers should only attempt the tour well-equipped and ideally with a guide. Only shortly before Gimmelwald does the spectacular bridge await at a height of 250 meters: barely half a meter wide and correspondingly airy. You should plan at least three hours for this two-kilometer-long tour in total.

Level of difficulty: very difficult
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Sattel Hochstuckli

Even the gondola ride up to the Mostelberg offers something special: as the world's first revolving gondola lift, it opens up a beautiful panoramic view of the Central Swiss Alps with the two Mythen peaks, Rigi, and Pilatus. And at the top, a true leisure paradise awaits families—starting from the bouncy castle complex to the "Stuckli Run" toboggan run, the tubing track, and the suspension bridge. It is called the "Raiffeisen Skywalk," and rightfully so.

Right next to the mountain station, the journey begins on the 374-meter-long pedestrian bridge, which spans the wild Lauitobel at a height of up to 58 meters and serves as the starting point for various hiking trails, such as toward Rothenthurm.

Level of difficulty: medium
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Someo

Anyone wishing to walk the longest suspension bridge in Ticino needs stamina more than courage. It is only five to six meters above the ground, but it is a whopping 390 meters long, making it one of the longest in Switzerland. Depending on the season and weather conditions, you get impressive insights into the forces of nature. Sometimes the Maggia river, which you cross, is just a peaceful trickle; after heavy rains, it becomes a raging river. In summer, the wide banks with their sandy beaches and gravel banks invite you to sunbathe and take a refreshing dip. Once you have crossed the bridge, a narrow path leads in the shade of the trees toward Giumaglio—where the next suspension bridge is already waiting. And by then at the latest, you realize: the length was the real challenge.

Level of difficulty: easy
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Saillon

The small town between Martigny and Sion surprises with a few unique features. Saillon not only belongs to the network of the most beautiful Swiss villages, but thanks to the mild climate, even almond and fig trees thrive here. Furthermore, it is home to the smallest vineyard in the world, consisting of just three vines. And then there is the suspension bridge: the "Passerelle à Farinet." The name commemorates the legendary counterfeiter and "Robin Hood of the Alps," Joseph-Samuel Farinet, who lost his life here while fleeing from the police.

The ascent to the 97-meter-long suspension bridge leads steeply through the vineyards up to the impressive Salentse Gorge. Historically, "suonen"—historical water channels—used to run past here. Via Montagnon, you return to the starting point in Saillon, where you can relax in the thermal baths after the hike.

Level of difficulty: medium
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Trin

The Rhine Gorge—known as Ruinaulta in Romansh—is up to 400 meters deep and around 13 kilometers long, and it is not called the "Swiss Grand Canyon" for nothing. For a long time, it was difficult to hike continuously between Reichenau and Ilanz. It was only in 2014 that an architectural gem was built across the Rhine near Trin station: the Punt Ruinaulta by engineer Walter Bieler. The 105-meter-long wooden suspension bridge now allows for impressive perspectives of the water. Those who want to experience the gorge landscape intensely can start in Reichenau, follow the viaduct walkway along the RhB railway line to Trin Staziun, cross the bridge there, and return to Reichenau via Wackenau Castle.

Level of difficulty: easy
chur.graubuenden.ch

Frutigen

The Hohstalden suspension bridge originally came about for a very pragmatic reason: it was meant to provide a safe school path for Karin and Martin Wäfler's children. Today, much like the likewise private Trift Bridge, it is also open to hikers, albeit with a small twist: anyone who consumes something at the "Hängebrügg-Beizli" (bridge bistro) crosses for free; otherwise, you pay one franc. However, the bistro is run with so much passion that it is hard to pass by without stopping in.

There are numerous hiking trails from Frutigen that lead to this 153-meter-long bridge. It is, however, not entirely without its challenges, as it leads over a very transparent metal grate 38 meters above the rough river.

Level of difficulty: medium
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Les Diablerets

A peak tour at an altitude of 3,000 meters? On Glacier 3000 in Les Diablerets, that is possible. The "Peak Walk by Tissot" is the first suspension bridge to connect two mountain peaks: the View Point vantage peak and the Scex Rouge main peak. You must not fear heights here: the 107-meter-long bridge floor is partially made of glass. Those who dare to cross are rewarded with a spectacular panorama: on a clear day, you can see the Matterhorn as well as Mont Blanc, Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. By the way, arrival is convenient via the cable car from Col du Pillon to Scex Rouge. In winter, a visit can be combined with a ski tour in the glacier area of the Bernese Oberland.

Level of difficulty: difficult
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Arosa

A visit to the Welschtobel suspension bridge can be reached in two hours via a pleasant hike from Arosa. At 30 meters long, it is comparatively unspectacular and spans an erosion gully caused by torrential water or avalanches. It was built to ensure access to the Ramoz Hut.

The hut offers an ideal stopover—whether for a rest using your own backpack provisions (the hut is set up as a self-catering hut) or even for an overnight stay. From here, peaks such as the Aroser Rothorn, the Erzhorn, or the Pizzo Naira can be tackled.

Level of difficulty: easy
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Niedergesteln

Compared to many other suspension bridges, the one in Niedergesteln is rather short at around 24 meters. Nevertheless, a visit is worthwhile. When crossing, you look 25 meters down into the depths. Even the approach to the bridge between Niedergesteln and the Lötschberg South Ramp is quite spectacular. The path there leads through the so-called knight's village of Niedergesteln and along historical "suonen" to a tunnel that opens into the Joli Gorge. Via several metal grates, stairs, and long ladders, you reach the bridge, which is anchored directly into the rock face on one side.

Level of difficulty: medium
loetschberg-region.ch