Top 5 Must-Visit Lakes in Switzerland

 There are more than 1,500 lakes in Switzerland, but few can compare to these in terms of natural beauty, vivid colors, and easy access. From alpine crags to mirror-like turquoise waters to medieval castles on their shores, here are five of the most spectacular Swiss lakes.

​1. Lake Oeschinen

Lake Oeschinen sits high above the resort town of Kandersteg, in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region, and is perhaps the finest of the region’s high-Alpine lakes. Directly nourished by melting glacier ice, the lake’s color fluctuates from vivid turquoise to electric cyan as the light changes throughout the day. The bluish-green expanse is surrounded by towering, vertical, grey rock faces, pines and cascades that surround the entire perimeter.

• Getting There: Take the train to Kandersteg, then ride the eight-person gondola up to the top of the mountain. From there, a gentle 20 minute descent will bring you to the shore.

• What to Do: You can rent traditional wooden rowboats directly from the lakeside for an afternoon floating under the overhanging cliffs, or hike the Oeschinensee Panorama Trail, a 3-hour trek with high spots overlooking the whole lake basin.                  

• Pro Tip: Go on a bright morning before the afternoon wind begins and breaks the mirror surface of the lake, obliterating the crisp mountain images.

​2. Lake Lucerne

Cobblestone walkways mix with forested, fjord-like coves. Shaped like an elaborate, multi-pointed star, with jagged arms slithering in between mountain ridges, Lake Lucerne is the essence of Switzerland. It connects four old cantons and rests below Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, and the Stanserhorn.

• Getting There: Trains come nonstop from Zurich (roughly 45 minutes) and Basel directly into Lucerne’s main station, right across the street from the piers.

• What to Do: Take a leisurely cruise across the lake aboard a classic paddle-wheel steamer. Combine your lake cruise with the 'Golden Round Trip' that includes a boat ride to Alpnachstad, the world's steepest cogwheel railway up to Mount Pilatus, followed by a descent by cableway.

• Pro Tip: Instead of spending all your time in the centre of the city, visit the lake-side towns of Weggis or Vitznau where you can stroll along beautiful gardens by the water with mountains looming in the background.

​3. Lake Brienz

Neighboring Lake Thun is wider and boasts more historic castles, but Lake Brienz takes the prize for its otherworldly, milky turquoise color. It’s a result of glacial flour, a very fine sediment that is produced by the uppermost glaciers and hangs in suspension in the water, reflecting sunlight in bright aquamarine and teal hues.

• Getting There Positioned on the eastern flank of Interlaken, Lake Brienz is accessible via mainline trains to either Interlaken Ost or the village of Brienz

• What to Do: Take a ferry across the water to see Giessbach Falls, an impressive series of waterfalls. You can take a walk and get close to one of the falls. Continue your adventure to Grandhotel Giessbach, a historic hotel constructed with the help of the famous Eiffel. For a different sort of experience, head over to Bönigen and get up close and personal with the lake by going on a kayaking excursion.

• Pro Tip: The shoreline trail from Iseltwald to Seeburg takes you past a castle ruins. This is a nice, serene, and easy hike. Definitely worth your time.

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4. Lake Geneva

As the biggest lake in the Alps, Lake Geneva offers a noticeable change from the rest of the Alps. The northern banks of the lake, which are in Switzerland, provide a definite Mediterranean ambiance. Vineyards and also orchards, as well as other farm land, extend down to the shore. The town of Vevey is home to many palms trees. From Montreux and Vevey, the Dents du Midi provide an excellent, though distant, alpine backdrop.

• Getting There: High-speed trains run from Geneva Airport along the shoreline through Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux.

• ​What to Do: Visit Chillon Castle, an exceptionally preserved island castle that dates back to the 12th century. Floats just off the shore near Montreux. Afterwards, walk or take the local train into the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for hillside trails and wine tastings.

• Pro Tip: Walk between Montreux and Chillon Castle in the late afternoon. The sunset illuminating the limestone walls of the castle against the lake is unmatched.

5. Blausee

​Blausee is a tiny, hidden forest jewel located in the Kander Valley. Fed entirely by subterranean mineral springs, the lake's water is crystalline and glowing with an intense cobalt and turquoise blue. Submerged logs, moss-covered boulders, and trout swimming several meters down are clearly visible from above.

• Getting There: Easily reached by public transit.

• What to Do: Entry includes access to the surrounding 20-hectare nature park, wooden walking bridges, an organic trout farm, and a short tour on a glass-bottom boat.

• Pro Tip: Because Blausee is small and very popular, arrive early in the morning on a weekday.