For the past two summers, our family has explored the breathtaking Swiss Alps, breathing in the fresh mountain air while soaking in the stunning scenery. Our adventures in the Lauterbrunnen Valley and surrounding areas were filled with incredible moments, and to our surprise, there were many kid-friendly hiking trails suitable for our children, ages 4 to 10.

Note: Trail conditions can vary due to weather, maintenance, or natural changes, so always check local updates before heading out. We recommend sturdy footwear, plenty of water, and being mindful of your family’s comfort and limits—especially with younger kids. What feels manageable for one family may not be the same for another, so use your best judgment and prioritize safety. While we share hikes our own family enjoyed, every adventure comes with its own risks and should be approached with care.

Where to Stay in Lauterbrunnen: Family-Friendly Accommodations with Stunning Views

If you’re looking for the perfect family accommodation in Lauterbrunnen, we highly recommend this wonderful rental apartment. It’s centrally located, offering easy access to the Lauterbrunnen Valley and surrounding attractions. The apartment features:

• A full kitchen for family meals
• A washer/dryer for convenience
• A balcony with breathtaking views of Staubbach Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Switzerland

Check out more photos and details about renting this apartment on the property’s VRBO listing for your family’s stay in Lauterbrunnen.

Planning your trip to the Swiss Alps

To help plan our days, I also used the Rick Steves Switzerland Travel Guide, which was invaluable for discovering top sights and hiking trails in the Bernese Oberland area. I highly recommend picking up a copy if you’re traveling to this region!

Below are some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in the Swiss Alps—perfect for families of all ages:

1. Lieselotte Trail: A Family Adventure in Mannlichen

One of the top kid-friendly hikes in the Lauterbrunnen Valley is the Lieselotte Trail, which starts at Mannlichen and takes you halfway down the mountainside towards Grindelwald. Accessible by gondola from either Wengen or Grindelwald, this trail is themed around Lieselotte, a cow on vacation in the Swiss Alps. The hike includes 13 fun activity stations for kids (and adults!) to complete as they walk down the trail. Activities include ringing a cow bell, searching for marmots with binoculars, and playing an alphorn.

The trail guide is available online as well as at the gondola ticket office and in the restaurant in Mannlichen. It allows kids to punch a letter at each station, which they can use to solve a mystery word. At the end of the hike, you can exchange your completed guide for a prize, such as a tasty treat at a bakery in Wengen or a tin of mints in Grindelwald.

Trail duration: 1.5 hours (we took around 2.5-3 hours with stops)

Highlights: Fun activities for kids, beautiful views of the mountains, and a rewarding prize at the end!

Royal Walk: Stunning Views from Mannlichen

For a shorter, yet equally stunning family hike, the Royal Walk in Mannlichen offers incredible panoramic views of the Swiss Alps. Starting at the Mannlichen gondola station, this uphill hike leads to a crown-shaped platform with sweeping views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the surrounding peaks. It’s a great option for families with kids who may not want a long hike but still want to experience breathtaking views.

Trail duration: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Moderate, but manageable for children

3. Hike from Murren to Gimmelwald

For a more relaxed downhill hike, the trail from Murren to Gimmelwald is perfect for families. Starting with a gondola ride from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp and a train ride to Murren, this paved road takes you down to the charming village of Gimmelwald. This 45-minute walk offers views of Alpine farms, grazing cows, and the stunning Swiss Alps.

Once in Gimmelwald, you can grab snacks or lunch at local restaurants (we’ve had pizza at the Mountain Hostel a couple times) or purchase goods on the honor system from village residents. It’s a great way to experience local Swiss culture!

Trail duration: 45 minutes

Difficulty: Easy, all downhill

4. Hiking to Oeschinensee: A Picturesque Alpine Lake

A must-do family day trip is hiking to Oeschinensee, one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Switzerland. After taking the train to Kandersteg, you’ll take a 15-minute easy hike to the Oeschinen gondola. From the top gondola station, you can continue on a paved trail downhill to the lake itself. Along the way, you’ll pass idyllic pastures with grazing cows and have the opportunity to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

At the lake, you can rent a rowboat for a fun family activity, paddle around the lake, and enjoy the spectacular views of waterfalls cascading into the water. While at the lake, there are numerous places to get a bite to eat including restaurants as well as quick-service options. We opted to get some sausages with fries as well as panini sandwiches for lunch.

Trail duration: 30 minutes to the lake, with additional activities like boating and picnicking

Tip: Consider taking the electric shuttle bus back up to the gondola station for a more relaxing return to Kandersteg. Otherwise you can choose to walk back uphill to the Oeschinen gondola station

5. Lauterbrunnen to Trummelbach Falls: A Family-Friendly Waterfall Hike

For a rainy day hike, the Lauterbrunnen to Trummelbach Falls trail is a great option. This easy, flat trail starts near Lauterbrunnen Church and passes the stunning Staubbach Falls.

Once you are at Trummelbach Falls, you can pay to enter the falls area itself which consists of subterranean glacier waterfalls that you can access by lift/elevator and by foot. There are 10 different levels to access these thundering falls and it is quite a sight to behold.

There is a quick-service restaurant on-site that has a good selection of sandwiches, beverages and desserts and we had lunch here after spending a couple hours at the falls. To get back to Lauterbrunnen you can take the reverse route back on the trail, the way you came originally to get here. You can also take the local bus as there is a stop right outside of the restaurant.

Duration: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy, flat hike

Of Note: Children under 4 are not allowed in the falls area, so be sure to bring a passport (or a picture of it) if your child is near this age.

Other Must-Do Family Activities in the Swiss Alps

Aside from hiking, the Swiss Alps offer a variety of outdoor activities that are perfect for families, such as:

• Mountain Coasters: Ride down the slopes on a mountain coaster in areas like Oeschinen.
• Adrenaline Rush in the Alps: Check out First Cliff Walk and the various adventure activities in the region.
• Playgrounds: From zip-lines to sandboxes there are some fantastic playareas in the Alpsm including the Alpine Playground (Männlichen) and the Allmendhubel Playground (above Mürren)

Check out my blog post on the best kid-friendly activities in the Swiss Alps near Lauterbrunnen to learn more about our experiences.

Plan Your Family Adventure in the Swiss Alps

The Swiss Alps offer some of the most beautiful kid-friendly hikes in the world, and our family has cherished every moment spent exploring the incredible landscapes. Whether you’re hiking to an alpine lake or discovering hidden waterfalls, there’s something for everyone in the Bernese Oberland.

What are your favorite hiking trails in Switzerland? Have you and your family experienced any of these trails before? Let us know in the comments below!