Hello all,

Driving on the road from Zurich to Geneva this weekend, near Bern, saw the most phenomenal, spectacular view of the alps.

We guessed this general West Bern-Bern-Emmental area is probably the region where one can see the greatest expanse of the Swiss alps from one far one end to the other from the ground or a hilltop.

It seems that views of the alps from afar is best on a sunny day in Spring because it's getting warmer and sunnier but there is still more snow on peaks which makes them stand out more against the sky.

Questions:

1) Is this true, that this is probably the general location where one can see the greatest length of the alps from the ground or an easy accessible hilltop?

2) Anyone have an easy walk, ridge walk or hilltop that is very easy to reach in that region that they suggest for the best views?

3) People want to add to a more general list of "Easily Accessible Great Swiss Views" to share? (see my starter list below)

Thanks for suggestions,
MakeABigWish




My other "Easily Accessible Special Swiss Views" to kick things off are:

Cable Car coming down from Mannlichen looking down Lauterbrunnen Valley (or just walking down Lauterbrunnen Valley Floor)

Muottas Muragl Cafe, top of cable car, looking down Engadine Valley

Pizol, looking down Rhine Valley towards Liechtenstein

Anywhere high along Lac Leman looking across at lake and Mont Blanc Mountains

Edge of Nendaz, looking down Valais Valley and mountains across

Rigi. Specially from the warm waters of Rigi Kaltbad outdoor pool. One of the easiest.

The absolutely best view of the Mt. Blanc, is where you come off the A1 at Nyon and turn west towards the lake. If you want a great pickie go to the Signy centre and got to the top level of the parking, P5.

There are spectacular views all over the place, some of them more or less weather dependent than others. Yesterday it was completely clear so one could see all the way down to the Berner alps from the A2 going down towards Härkingen (although I was going the other way), which has got to be up there in the list.

Another great one is when you finally get into sight of lac Leman around Chatel St Denis on the A12. If you know exactly where to look you can actually make out one of the ski runs at Torgon, PdS.

Then again, we think that the view from our chalet is pretty special too. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1osi...ew?usp=sharing

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http://www.chaletbeauroc.com

Belpberg, easily accessible by car or Postauto

On a good day you can see anything from most of the Bernese Alps/Stockhornkette to Emmental/Lucerne over to the Jura chains etc


Chasseral, for another incredible view over Jura mountains to the 3 lakes and much more

I second Chasseral, and the gratin dauphinoise (with tomato on top) at the hotel restaurant is da bomb!

Best is Sighignola, on the Italo-Swiss border.

Second best is this: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiesa..._Maria_Juvenia

The Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, etc. are all visible from both locations (on a clear day)

Tom

No need to drive far - climb the watch tower on the Albis ridge nr Albispasshöhe outside Zürich and you can see right down to Santis in the east and Eiger/Mönch/Jungfrau framed by Rigi/Pilatus plus many more. At least 15 cantons visible on a clear day.

https://goo.gl/maps/eeEog3dYtmGoTrNM8

Third the recommendation from Chasseral, on a clear day you can see 2/3 of Switzerland from the summit.

The view from Napf in Emmental is spectacular, but you have to earn it by hiking up. I highly recommend making it an outing on a clear day and planning to have a picnic lunch at the top.

Agreed, best views of the Alps are from the Jura. Much prefer Chasseron, above St Croix and Les Rasses- to Chasseral. Much more natural without all the antennaes etc. Or on the FRench side, from the top of Mt d'Or. In Summer you can take the chairlift to Mont Rond and then walk up. Amazing.

It really depends what you want - if it's vistas then almost anywhere up high at the end of one of the ranges can be spectacular.

But in a few weeks the best views will be the alpine flowers around your feet, so you'll want to be at a moderate height on gentler slopes.

And in autumn I'd head for the valleys to see the autumnal leaves.

Or with an overnight stop at the Berghotel at the top... open the shutters to that view in the morning and everything in the world is just right.

Another vote for Chasseral for an end to end view as well, although it's not the prettiest of summits.

Enjoy with the Narcissus: https://lenews.ch/2020/04/30/bloomin...on-approaches/

I second this one! The best value of a Tageskarte is a ride from Arth-Goldau up to the Rigi! A short hike along the ridge, with the train down to Vitznau and then the boat to Lucern. Amazing views the whole way.

Huge thanks everyone. Big help! Fun seeing all the suggestions. Will try out soon.

I'm glad you enjoyed the view, still blows me away every time I see it and I feel so lucky to live here in Bern.

From Lauterbrunnen, I would take the cable car up to Gimmelwald (not Grindelwald) or Mürren.

Great suggestions on here that I will definitely take advantage of too...

This is part of the view from the Chasseral (from my garden bench). You have the view of the Alps from east to the Mont Blanc.

So, planning Chasseral this week, did Belpberg last week and here's the result.

Be careful of what you advise on EF because people may actually go do it.

Attached Images

 

Yes!! Super Foto. Did you go to where the Chutzen Restaurant is on top?

If you're a motorbiker, you could do a tour on the opposite hill of Belpberg, it is called Längenberg and drive through Rüeggisberg, this gives another ace view with a bigger penchant right of the alps on your pic to Stockhornkette

Glad to have been of help. I/we quite like to go there for a stroll with dog or when we're riding the Bavarian Mule😉.
Another idea in Bern would be the 'Gurten', incl. cable car ride to the top

Thanks for the info.

If you really want to get into the science of the perfect day .....

The super-special magical formula, when all the stars align, seems to be the combination of:

Early Spring, after lots of snow all winter, makes peaks stand out against the sky but warmer to view

plus

Very recent snow in past few days, makes peaks stand out even further

plus

Current Foehn Winds or recent winds, clears out clouds, makes peaks look closer, less haze.

plus

Current Clear Day

plus

High, unobstructed view point

Then for good measure you can also throw in:

Ridge walk facing views

Picnicking or Sitting in an outdoor restaurant so can enjoy for a while

Cable car rides to take you higher.

Other tricks:

Look at webcams to make sure it's clear before heading up.

Look at "hourly" tab of weather sites to figure out which time of day your excursion will be best.

Create folder of bookmarks so can figure this all out on the fly in a second.

Anything else?

Alternatively, you can just enjoy changing Swiss alp views any time or day of the year you are allowed a peek.

MakeABigWish