Impressive for its compact size, Switzerland boasts a diverse array of historical attractions and natural wonders, making it the ideal destination for a show-stopping road trip. Travellers can explore some of Europe’s best preserved medieval villages, traverse giddy mountain passes, snowshoe across glacial plateaus and sip Grand Cru wines on the sun-drenched banks of crystal clear lakes.
The Grand Tour of Switzerland driving route connects 44 key tourist attractions along 1,600km of scenic roads and encompasses 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 22 lakes and five Alpine mountain passes.
Here, we’ve selected a few key sections of the Grand Tour to whet your appetite. It’s an easy to access and easily navigable tour, which follows a clockwise direction and is fully signposted along the route.
APPENZELL to ST.MORITZ (Distance: 200km)
The car-free village of Appenzell provides a gentle introduction to traditional Swiss life. Stroll past buildings with decorative facades, drink local beer made with spring water at the town brewery and practise Zauren – a slow yodelling – at the museum.
Themes of folklore continue in Maienfeld, in the verdant Bundner Herrschaft region, which inspired Johanna Spyrito write her Heidi novels. Climb the two-hour trail to Ochsenberg, where Heidi’s house, a museum and a goat stable are located.
Second only to the heroine with blonde plaits is Schellenursli, a children’s character linked to the award-winning village of Guarda in the Lower Engadine. A hiking trail winding past beautifully painted 17th-century buildings and into the scenic countryside tells the story of the peasant boy who carried a bell.
While in the region, take the chance to enjoy the restorative powers of mineral springs in and around Scuol.
Continue to The Swiss National Park, the oldest in the Alps and home to 80km of hiking and nature trails, where ibexes, marmots and chamois might be observed.
LUGANO to ZERMATT (Distance: 264km)
It may be dominated by snow-capped peaks, but there’s still opportunity to sunbathe and swim in Switzerland.
One of the most appealing bathing spots is Lido Locarno on the shores of Lake Maggiore, close to a 600 metre sandy beach with volleyball courts.
After stocking up on Vitamin D, soak up some culture at the three Unesco protected 13th-century castles of Bellinzona, once an important line of defence for the Romans.
But even centurions were no match for the mighty Gotthard mountain range. The Pass, used from 1200 and now the country’s longest historical monument, forms part of a head-spinning, hairpin drive leading to the spectacular cobblestone Tremola.
Further thrills are in store at the Haslital Valley, as travellers climb skyward at a 106 per cent incline on Switzerland’s steepest funicular.
Even more awe-inspiring is the Great Aletsch Glacier, where a hike takes in pines forests, icy landscapes and a panorama of 32 peaks over 4,000 metres.
ZERMATT to LAUSANNE (Distance: 178km)
Leaving Zermatt and views of the pyramid-shaped Matterhorn begin your journey through the sun-soaked Valais region where glaciers lead to vineyards and flora and fauna thrive in a milder climate. Stop at the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park to see 100 bird species and endless pine forests.
For a unique tipple, visit the Burgher House in the heavenly village of Grimentz, set high on the slopes of the Val d’Anniviers. A white glacier wine, once only served to the bishop, is matured in Larchwood barrels in the cellar.
After exploring 100km of sky-high hiking trails and bike routes, plummet downwards for a boat ride across a subterranean, trout-filled lake between Sion and Sierre. The St Leonard Lake grotto is also available for private hire.
Head to Martigny, where the legendary Saint Bernard mountain rescue dogs are celebrated at the Barryland museum and dog enclosure, and continue to the 1500-year-old Abbey of Saint Maurice, built to honour martyrs.
Wrap up the tour with two Lake Geneva city stops: visit Montreux at the beginning of July for the annual Jazz Festival, and swot up on sport at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
NEUCHATEL to BERN (Distance: 252km)
At one time, ice dominated this landscape and archaeological finds have been pieced together at the Latenium Archaeological Park.
Three lakes sit on the periphery of the Jura, and the smallest, Lake Murten, laps the shores of a medieval town where opera concerts are staged during summer months.
Stop in cosmopolitan university town Fribourg to see more than 200 gothic facades; then continue to Jungfraujoch, where attractions include Europe’s highest-lying post office.
End the tour in Bern, where12th century buildings have been granted UNESCO World Heritage status.
BERN to ZURICH (Distance: 315km)
Leaving Bern, it’s a 45-minute drive to Affoltern in Emmental where the famous cheese is made. Learn about traditional fire and modern copper vat production techniques at the Show Dairy, while kids slide through a giant slab of cheese in the playground.
The Lucerne region arguably contains some of Switzerland’s greatest natural treasures in the Entlebuch Unesco Biosphere Reserve. Set aside time to explore the moorlands, karst formations and meandering mountain streams before heading back in time to the 11th-century Hallwyl Castle near Seengen.
Further along the route lies the 18th-century Einsiedeln Abbey, where a Black Madonna and nativity display of 45 hand-carved figures have attracted pilgrims for decades.
Save some energy for a final stop in Zurich, to climb the Grossmunster church tower for a sweeping view of the city.