Gorgeous hike around the Göscheneralpsee lake, tucked high away in the mountains near the Gotthard tunnel.

Trail: moderate • 3.5h • 9 km loop • 418m up, 415m down
See trail map

The views are extra special because of the glaciers hanging on the peaks above the lake. The bright blue water gets its color from the sediment rich water flowing from the ice.

This typical mountain path is well built and suitable for most casual hikers that can manage lots of rocky, uneven terrain. It has one short slightly exposed section with a chain handrail for support, not terrible but not suitable for anyone not comfortable with heights.

Since you don’t have to pay for a cable car, this hike is budget friendly. If you want to spend a weekend here, there are a few mountain huts, including the Bergsee hut where I took my kids to when they were only 5 and 8 years old.

• More info on SwissFamilyFun.com

How to get there

By public transport: Train to Göschenen, then bus to Göscheneralp. This bus runs only a few times a day, so check the schedule carefully, especially for the ride back. Check current schedule on SBB.ch.

By car: From the A2 freeway, take exit 40 and drive to Göschenen. If there is a lot of traffic north of the the tunnel, you can get off one exit earlier at 39-Wassen and drive on local roads to Göschenen. Then follow signs to Göscheneralp, driving on a narrow, winding mountain road about 15 mins to the dam.

At the entrance gate, take a parking ticket which you can pay for at the end of the hike. It costs about CHF 1/hr payable by card.

Where to stay

Next to the parking and bus stop, there is a Berggasthaus Dammagletscher mountain hotel.

The Bergsee hut is about a 2 hour hike up from the parking. See our review.

At the far side of the Göschenalp lake, you can hike up to the Dammahütte SAC hut, high above the lake. See on map.

Campsite Mattli is along the river below the dam.