This country is well known for its stunning natural wonders and that includes some of the best mountains in Switzerland. Being the home of the Swiss Alps, there are many famous Swiss mountains that attract people from all over the world.
From the beautiful lakes to the rivers, valleys, and waterfalls, it is one very enchanting country but the most beautiful part of the landscape has to be the mountain peaks in Switzerland.
The winter months see the mountains covered in snow and some of the best ski resorts and ski slopes open up. While in the summer months, the mountains are ripe with hiking trails, rock climbing, and more.
Join me as I run through the most famous mountains in Switzerland in detail so you can choose which of these Swiss mountains you want to spend your time visiting.
Table of Contents
Mount San Salvatore
Mount San Salvatore is located in the Swiss Alps of Southern Switzerland close to the Italian border in the Ticino region. While Mount San Salvatore is certainly not the highest mountain in the Swiss alps, it does offer some of the most incredible views of the area.
Mount San Salvatore is a part of the Lepontine Alps and it overlooks both the city of Lugano and Lake Lugano. Hiking up to the summit of this iconic mountain is quite easy as it is not the tallest mountain around.
The hike along the Via Ferrata trail showcases great views as you climb up this lovely mountain. You can also get the cable car/funicular to the top if you are not up for the hike. Or simply go up in it and hike back down.
The panoramic views from the summit are nothing short of incredible. You will have fantastic views in every direction that features the lake, the Italian Alps, and mountain peaks as far as you can see.
Monte Rosa
Monte Rosa, is the highest mountain in Switzerland and it lies right on the Italian border close to Zermatt and the Matterhorn. It is a part of the Pennine Alps and sits at some 15,203 feet above sea level.
Hiking to the summit of Monte Rosa is a serious hike and climb. Hiking enthusiasts love the challenge as it is a serious one, but hikers without enough experience should probably skip going to the summit of Monte Rosa.
If you are a hiker who does get to the summit of the highest mountain in the Swiss alps, then you will find the summit offers breathtaking views of the entire Pennine Alps, the Monte Rosa Massif, and its peaks.
Another way to view Monte Rosa is to hike up to the Monte Rosa hut which lies at the base of the mountain. You can make this a two day hike and stay overnight in this stunning location and enjoy the magnificent views. But, you will have to hike across a glacier to get there, so be sure to take a guide if you need one.
Mount Pilatus
Mount Pilatus is located close to the city of Lucerne and right on Lake Lucerne too. It is the most stunning mountain in central Switzerland and the highest mountain in the area. The jagged and steep peaks and crags make it a bit mesmerizing and a true alpine mountain.
If you are staying in Lucerne or close to Lake Lucerne then it is 100% worth going to the top of Mount Pilatus. You will experience stunning views of the lake, city, and the surrounding mountains too.
There are three ways to get to the top of Mount Pilatus. You can hike to the top from Alpnachstadt which is very steep and intense – only do this if you are fit as it takes up to 6 hours!
Or you can take the steepest cog railway in the world to the summit, also from Alpnachstad. And your last option is to ride the cable car from Kriens to the top. Whichever option you choose, the views will be spectacular.
Once you are at the summit, there are a few trails worth hiking around to see different viewpoints before heading back down the mountain.
Mount Piz Bernina
Mount Piz Bernina lies in the eastern Alps along the Engadine Valley in southeastern Switzerland. It is the most famous mountain in the area as it is the highest peak along the Engadine and is often referred to as the “Mount Everest” of the Engadine too.
Being one of the highest mountains around at 4,049 meters, hiking and climbing to the summit are not for the faint-hearted. It will require lots of training and experience to summit this mountain in Switzerland and be sure to go with true mountaineers.
The views from the top of this mountain are pretty incredible and very hard to beat. You will be looking over some of the tallest mountains in the Alps along with some of the highest peaks.
If you are not up for climbing to the summit, you can see Mount Piz Bernina via the Bernina Express railway which crosses the Alps from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy. It offers amazing views and it is one of the best train experiences one can have in the world.
You should also visit the amazing Swiss National Park and St Moritz while you are in the Engadine Valley.
Mount Tamaro
Mount Tamaro also sits in the Ticino canton of southern Switzerland, close to the Italian border. It is one of the highest peaks in the Lugano Prealps range with a height of 1,962 meters above sea level.
The hike to the summit of Monte Tamaro is very doable for most fitness levels and you will be rewarded with a great view across the peaks of the Ticino region. To get to the top, you will have to hike as the cable car only takes you halfway up the mountain, but it is very much worth the effort.
The hike is just a 9 km loop but it does have a lot of steep parts to it. Overall, it is a beautiful hike that all will enjoy.
For those who don’t wish to hike to the summit, the view from the top cable car station is also excellent and there are lots to do. You’ll find a playground, restaurant, and lots more to keep everyone entertained.
Jungfrau
Jungfrau is one of the other famous mountains in Switzerland most people have heard of.
Want To Save This For Later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Jungfrau lies in the Bernese Alps and is an amazing ski resort come winter as the snowfall is reliable and the slopes are perfect. As well as being great for skiing in winter, this mountain is also great for hiking and shows off amazing views of the Bernese Alps and more.
Once you are at the top of Jungfrau, you will be able to see the peaks of Eiger and Monch, the longest glacier in Europe, the Aletsch Glacier, and even to Italy on a clear day. It truly is stunning at the summit, but how do you get there?
Getting to the top of Jungfrau can be done by train, as it has the highest train station in Europe at the top. You can also hike to the top of Jungfrau, it is an intense hike, but a great one.
Mount Matterhorn
Mount Matterhorn, which is usually referred to as the Matterhorn, is one of the most iconic mountains and landmarks in the Alps. If you are going to visit Switzerland, chances are the Matterhorn is on your list.
Located close to Zermatt, one of the best ski resorts in the world with year-round skiing, the Matterhorn’s shape is what makes it so famous. Poking out of the Alps with its triangular jagged edges, it is a site to behold.
Climbing to the top is a no-go unless you are a pro but you can hike up to the Hörnli hut and stay overnight at the base. This offers amazing views of the whole area and the peak but the hike is quite tough.
You can also check out the Matterhorn from afar. The views of the peak are stunning from the lakes of Schwarzsee and Stellisee or you can get the gondola or train up to the base too.
Mount Eiger
Mount Eiger also sits in the Bernese Alps and is not far from the peak of Jungfrau. This is a very stunning mountain and one of the more famous mountains in Switzerland. Its fame comes from its beauty and its danger.
The north face of Eiger is notorious and is called Mordwand. It is extremely hard to climb and has taken the lives of many who have attempted it. The steepness, elevation, and weather all combine to make the north face for super climbers only.
You can, however, hike up the south ridge and the northwestern flank to get to the summit. These trials are not as challenging as the north face but they still require experience and training.
From the slopes of Mount Eiger, the views into Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are spectacular as are the views of the surrounding mountains.
Mount Rigi
Mount Rigi is located on Lake Lucerne and next to the city of Lucerne too. It is a stunning mountain that can be enjoyed any day of the year as conditions tend to be very good in this part of Switzerland.
This is the perfect mountain for outdoor adventures as everything, from hiking to skiing, is manageable for almost everyone. There are more than 120 km of hiking trails on this mountain and the views overlooking Lake Lucerne are incredible.
Getting to the summit of Mount Rigi is as easy or hard as you want it to be, with numerous different options to choose from. The views of the Swiss countryside are quite incredible as everything is featured from peaks to forests, lakes, and villages.
Mount Lema
Mount Lema, or Monte Lema, sits right on the Italian border close to Lugano in the Lugano Prealps. This mountain is famous for its amazing mountain bike trails and great hand-gliding too, but there is a lot more to it than that!
The mountain is covered in hiking trails that suit every level of hiker and you can even do a hiking trail that leads you to Mount Tamaro. Getting to the peak is very doable for most people and the views across the area are to die for.
You can also get to the summit via a cable car from Miglieglia village but it only runs from April to the end of October.
Mount Männlichen
Mount Männlichen is also in the Bernese Alps and sits right in between the towns of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. This is a stunning mountain that gives you views over the main peaks of Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch which are at the top of the Bernese Alps.
Getting to the summit of Mount Männlichen is very doable for hikes of most levels. You will need a little bit of fitness to get to the summit, but you should be fine. There are also lots of other great trails to hike around on this mountain.
If hiking isn’t your thing, get to the top via the cable car from Wengen or Grindelwald Grund. The views from the top are magical with the Swiss countryside to the north and the Alps to the south.
Mount Parsenn
Mount Parsenn lies in eastern Switzerland in the canton of Graubünden, close to Davos. Come wintertime it is an awesome ski resort that tourists flock to from all over the world. The mountain has more than 35 ski slopes and the slopes are perfect for every level of skier too.
Sitting at 2,962 meters above sea level, it is one of the highest peaks in the Silvretta range. In summer you can hike to the top or take the cable car from Ischgl. Once at the top, there are numerous trails that provide great views in many directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of Switzerland is mountains?
Switzerland is a very mountainous country with around 69% of the country being covered by mountains. The Swiss Alps cover approximately 58%, the Jura mountains around 11% while the rest is called the Central Plateau and is considered to be quite flat.
What is Switzerland’s most famous mountain?
The most famous mountain in Switzerland is the Matterhorn by a long shot. It is one of the most iconic peaks, as well as one of the most climbed mountains in the country. It is also located above one of the most popular mountain villages – Zermatt.
How many mountains does Switzerland have?
Switzerland contains over 10850 specifically named peaks. This includes some towering peaks with 48 mountains that are over 4,000m high.
Nice list – and interesting to include so many Ticinese – however, though you of course have the Matterhorn, Valais also has equally iconic “four thousanders” in the Weisshorn and Dent Blanche.
Thanks!