Nature & Landscape

The Alps cover 60% of Switzerland's land area and are the defining feature of the country. Switzerland has 48 four-thousanders — more than any other Alpine country. The highest:

• Dufourspitze (Monte Rosa): 4,634 m — highest peak in Switzerland
• Dom: 4,545 m — highest mountain entirely on Swiss soil
• Matterhorn: 4,478 m — the most famous, but not the highest
• Jungfrau: 4,158 m — the "Top of Europe" (highest railway station at 3,454 m)
• Eiger: 3,967 m — the legendary North Face (1,800 m vertical)

Retreating Glaciers

Switzerland has around 1,400 glaciers — but they are shrinking dramatically. The Great Aletsch Glacier (23 km, UNESCO) has lost over 3 kilometers in length and 300 meters in thickness since 1850. Scientists estimate that by 2100 only 10–20% of today's ice volume might remain. The Rhone Glacier in Valais is already being covered with white sheets to slow the melting — a desperate and iconic sight.

For travelers, this means: The glacier world you see today will look significantly different in 20–30 years. A visit is also a call to action.

188 Lakes

Switzerland has over 1,500 lakes (188 of them larger than 0.05 km²) — from the vast Lake Geneva (580 km², largest Alpine lake) to the fjord-like Lake Lucerne to emerald-green mountain lakes like Oeschinensee, Bachalpsee, and Caumasee. Most lakes have drinking water quality.

Despite its small size, Switzerland is surprisingly rich in species — thanks to the enormous differences in altitude (196 m at Lago Maggiore to 4,634 m Dufourspitze), various habitats exist in close proximity.

Wildlife

• Marmots: The cute rodents can be seen — and heard — everywhere in the Alps above 1,800 m: Their piercing warning whistle echoes through the mountains. Best observed in the morning and evening.
• Ibex: Almost extinct, now over 17,000 animals in Switzerland thanks to protection programs. Easiest to see in the National Park (Engadin) and on Pilatus.
• Chamois: Present throughout the Alps — these agile climbers are often seen on steep rock faces.
• Bearded Vulture: The largest bird in the Alps (wingspan 2.8 m) was eradicated and successfully reintroduced since 1991. Today, over 250 animals in the Alpine region.
• Lynx: Reintroduced in the Jura and the Pre-Alps since 1971 — around 300 animals, but very shy.

Alpine Flowers

In June/July, the alpine meadows explode into a sea of flowers: Gentian (deep blue), Alpine roses (pink, entire slopes), Edelweiss (rare, protected!), Arnica, and hundreds of other species. The most beautiful flower meadows can be found on the First above Grindelwald, on the Rigi, and in the National Park.

Swiss National Park

The only national park in Switzerland (since 1914, the oldest in the Alps) is located in the Engadin (Graubünden): 170 km² of untouched nature, strictly protected — no path may be left, no stone taken. Ibex, marmots, deer, and bearded vultures in the wild. Free entry, marked hiking trails. Best access: Zernez (National Park Center, 10 CHF).