#1 Adelboden BE: Circular hiking trail on the Engstligenalp

The cable car from Adelboden takes you comfortably up to Engstligenalp You won't find any posh or halligalli here, and you don't have to worry about downhill skiers, because the high plateau at the foot of the Wildstrubel is above all a winter hiking area. At an altitude of 1900 to 2000 metres, the natural paradise for quiet connoisseurs spreads out. Even snowy days don't stop those hungry for exercise from leaving their mark on the snow-covered landscape and burning off enough calories to enjoy a good meal in the Engstligenalp fondue igloo (at the top station of the cable car) after the 5.5 km circular walk. Route: Engstligenalp

#2 Jungfrau-Region BE: From Männlichen to Wengen

One of the most spectacular routes in the Jungfrau Region begins on the panoramic Männlichen mountain, accessible by cable car from the car-free mountain village of Wengen. From no other place is the view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau triumvirate more sublime than from this mountain station at 2222 metres. During the first, slightly descending section of the trail to Kleine Scheidegg, you overlook the Grindelwald valley. After a possible stop on the terrace of the nostalgic hotel Bellevue des Alpes, the second, somewhat shorter stage follows the railway line down to Wengernalp (1873 m) and finally to Wengen (1274 m). Walking time: 4 hours, distance: 11.5 km. Route: Männlichen-Kleine-Scheidegg & Kleine-Scheidegg-Wengen

#3 Gstaad-Saanenland BE: Circular trail from Schönried to the Rellerli

If you appreciate wide views in all directions and the homely scent of pine needles as well as peace and quiet far away from the crowds, you'll get your money's worth on the Sonnenberg Rellerli. The ascent is from Schönried (1237 m) in a westerly direction via Bodme to Rellerli (1739 m). The medium-difficulty route, which requires a bit of fitness and takes just under three hours, continues along the Hugeli ridge below and then down to the starting point via Grossi Vorschess and Hubel. Important to know: The cable car and the Berghaus Rellerli have been out of service for some time, but you have the whole mountain practically to yourself. Back in Schönried, the brine bath in the Wellnesshotel Ermitage and the restaurant in the Hotel Kernen near the railway station invite you to relax or take a break. Route: Schoenried-Rellerli

#4 Rigi LU: From Rigi Kulm over Staffelhöhe to Rigi Kaltbad

The cogwheel railway from Vitznau to Rigi is the oldest in Europe. In the pioneering years of tourism, a sunrise on Rigi Kulm (1797 m) was considered the highlight of any trip to Switzerland. Even today, the "nation's home mountain" is a popular excursion destination, often crowded in summer and all the more beautiful in winter - not least thanks to various well-maintained paths through the snow-covered mountain landscape. The route, which leads gently downhill for 330 metres from Rigi Kulm to Kaltbad and entices you with the bistro of the Edelweiss Kraeuterhotel halfway at the Staffelhöhe station, is a delight with minimal effort. From Kaltbad, where the Mineralbad and Spa promises warmth and well-being, it's back to Vitznau by cogwheel railway. Route: Staffelhöhe-Rigi Kaltbad

#5 Sattel-Hochstuckli SZ: Panorama trail around the Engelstock

To set the mood for the graceful landscape on the Hochstuckli, the green, yellow, red and blue eight-seater gondolas rotate twice around their own axis during the eight-minute ride from Sattel to Mostelberg. Once at the top, the easy circular trail around the Engelstock surprises with wide views of the Rigi and Pilatus, the Mythen and the Fronalpstock - and with a highlight at the end: the "Skywalk" suspension bridge, which crosses the Lauitobel at a length of 374 metres and a height of 58 metres, gets the adrenalin pumping and also gets children hiking. The route: From the Mostelberg mountain station (1179 m) via Engelstockweid, Mostelegg (1265 m) and Herrenboden (with a stop at the authentic Herrenboden mountain inn) back to Mostelberg. Walking time: 1.5 hours, distance: 5 km. Route: Engelstock

#6 Glarnerland GL: Panorama trail Braunwald

The car-free Braunwald, situated on a sunny terrace above the Linthtal valley, beguiles with its sublime mountain arena with Ortstock and Tödi. You can enjoy this scenery to the full on the three-hour round hike that starts at Grotzenbüel in the middle of the ski area, leads over the Seblengrat and Gumen to Braunwaldalp and ends at the starting point Grotzenbüel. The Seblengrat and Gumen mountain inns (located at the chairlift and Kombibahn mountain stations of the same name) promise a tasty snack along the way, but it is worthwhile to hike a little further to the architecturally remarkable Ortstockhaus with the most beautiful terrace far and wide. Walking time: 3 hours, distance: 8 km. Route: Braunwald

#7 Unterengadin GR: From Ftan over Prui and Jonvrai to Sent

Anyone who has ever sat on the terrace of the Prümaran Prui mountain restaurant near the Ftan chairlift mountain station on a sunny winter day, with the Lower Engadine Dolomites with Piz Ajüz, Piz Triazza, Piz Lischana and Piz San Jon in view, knows pretty well what spontaneous happiness feels like. Those who enjoy hiking choose the 4 km trail from Ftan to Prui, which takes a good hour, alternating between open terrain and short forest sections, and stop off at the Prümaran Prui. For those who want to put their calves through a bit more, there is the option of continuing the hike from Prui via Motta Naluns and Jonvrai (with the Alpetta Hut) to the picturesque village of Sent. The 13 km route from Ftan to Sent takes about five and a half hours - the return journey is by post bus via Scuol. Route: Ftan-Sent

#8 Prättigau GR: From St. Antönien to Pany

Knirsch, knirsch... the Prättigau is one of the most peaceful areas for forays through the silent white. On the medium-difficulty, three-and-a-half-hour route that connects the Walser villages of St. Antönien and Pany (both easily reached every hour by post bus to and from Küblis), you get on the trail of archaic nature. Halfway along the trail, in the Maiensäss village of Boden, the rustic hut Bodaehuette invites you to stop for a bite to eat in a wonderful panoramic location (only open on weekends). Pink signposts show the way: from St. Antönien (1422 m) first steeply uphill to the right, then gently up and down along the sunny plateau at the foot of the Chrüz peak in a south-westerly direction to Capöllerbüel (1760 m) and finally through sparse forest and down to Pany (1331 m) along paths with great views. Walking time: 3.5 hours, distance: 9 km. Route: St. Antönien-Pany

#9 Zermatt VS: From Blauherd to Fluhalp

This easy hike, also recommended for families with children, is known without ever having been there - from dozens of calendar and advertising photos with the ideal perspective on the Matterhorn. The tour begins at the Blauherd mountain station (2571 m), accessible by funicular and combined railway from Zermatt, leads past the frozen Stellisee and finally to the Fluhalp mountain restaurant. Along the route, which is particularly impressive in terms of scenery, eleven information boards are dedicated to the theme of "The survival of animals in winter". The marmot is currently hibernating, but with a bit of luck you may spot chamois grazing on the snow-free meadows. Walking time: 1.5 hours there and back, distance: 4.4 km. Route: Blauherd-Fluhalp

#10 Aletschgebiet VS: From Moosfluh over Riederfurka to Riederalp

Imposing mountain ranges, rustic valleys, the largest contiguous glaciated area in the Alps - for Unesco it was clear: this is a World Heritage Site of universal value. Literally at the gateway to this natural wonder, the famous ridge trail, which is groomed and not at all dangerous for winter hikers, leads from the mountain station of the Moosfluh glacier cable car (2332 m, accessible from Riederalp) via the Hohfluh vantage point and Riederfurka (with the striking Villa Cassel, closed in winter) down to the car-free resort of Riederalp (1925 m). Great landscape cinema! To have the Aletsch Glacier at your feet for once, as long as it has not yet melted away, is an unforgettable experience. Walking time: 2.5 hours, distance: 5 km. Route: Moosfluh-Riederalp