Fall Colors in Switzerland

See all

Lake Sils, Kanton Graubünden

Lukas Schlagenhauf

Fall is a beautiful time of the year in Switzerland. It's a season of great culinary delights, joyful festivals, and breathtaking nature. Fall is a perfect time for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing, when the Swiss Alps reveal amazing amber and golden tones, looking gorgeous on a crisp sunny day.

The abundance of larch trees creates stunning golden displays in the Alps. This conifer tree, which becomes bright yellow in the fall, is common in St. Moritz, Engadin, Münstertal, Poschiavo, Valais, and Ticino regions. These trees can be found at elevations of over 4,500 ft (1,400m) above sea level.

Birches, which also boast vibrant yellow tones, are abundant in Pre-Alps and the Jura region. Sycamore maple trees with their orange and red tones are also common in the Jura and Pre-Alps, especially at the foot of the slopes. Orange beech trees are the most abundant in the Swiss Plateau, especially in Ticino.

When is the best time to see fall foliage in Switzerland

Fall foliage season in Switzerland usually starts in late September or early October. At higher elevations, the change of seasons occurs a bit earlier than at lower elevations. Generally, the best fall colors can be observed in mid-October. In the Jura region, bright fall colors can be enjoyed until the end of October. In early November, leaves start to fall from the trees, and the colors fade away.

Where to see fall foliage in Switzerland

Engadine

Located in the canton of Graubünden, Engadine is a valley in the eastern Alps. The region is famous for its larch forests. Alpine Lake Sils is especially beautiful during fall; it's also known for kite-surfing and water sports. The bright blue water of the lake forms a stunning contrast with larch trees growing on its banks. For more golden larches, visit the nearby Morteratsch glacier valley and Roseg Valley, leading up to the Roseg glacier. The valley boasts jaw-dropping views of larch forests with snow-capped peaks in the background.

Ticino

The town of Lavertezzo, located in Valle Verzasca, is a charming destination in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. The valley boasts an abundance of golden birches and orange beechwood. Stop by the bridge called Ponte romano or Ponte dei salti across the Verzasca river. Lots of Instagram-worthy pictures are guaranteed.

Bernese-Oberland

Lake Blausee is one of the most popular lakes in Switzerland because of its turquoise waters. The lake looks beautiful during any season, but during fall it looks simply magical thanks to the colorful foliage surrounding the water. The lake is located in the Bernese-Oberland region, the southernmost part of the canton of Bern.

Biel/Bienne

Located along the boundary between the French-speaking and German-speaking parts of Switzerland, Biel/Bienne boasts many picturesque landscapes during fall. Enjoy the views of gorgeous vineyards at the shores of Lake Biel as well as stunning autumnal forests at the foothills of the Jura Mountains. A boat ride on Lake Biel is among the best fall experiences in the region.

Valais

Zermatt is covered by the sea of golden foliage in the fall. Take the scenic Zermatt Riffelalp Three Lake Hike to see a stunning abundance of colors. Yellow larches are contrasting beautifully with red blueberry bushes and bronze meadows. If you want to admire the landscapes from a train, it's best to come at the end of September since the trains stop operating in mid-October.

Scenic train rides

A train ride is one of the best ways to experience Alpine fall foliage. Take the famous Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt to observe gorgeous tree-covered slopes. Alternatively, you can take the Bernina Express, connecting Chur to Poschiavo and ending in Tirano, Italy, after crossing the Engadin Alps. One more scenic fall train route starts in beautiful Locarno, overlooking Lake Maggiore, and ends in Domodossola in the Piedmont region.