Summer is here – and with it, the urge for adventure. Long days, short pants, wet feet, sand in your pockets: Time to collect stories outside! As part of the namuk Outdoor Challenge 2025, we've once again put together five special excursion tips with our partner Switzerland Tourism – for little wildlings, big explorers, and everyone who prefers to live outdoors. This time, we're heading onto paths, onto the water, and even underground.
Secrets of Rock and Water: The Glaspass Adventure Trail
A jetty in the middle of nowhere, a vanished lake, and a mountain whispering its history: On the Glaspass adventure trail above Thusis in Domleschg, the landscape itself becomes a storyteller. The Lüschersee used to be here – until it disappeared in 1907 through a tunnel because it caused massive landslides down in the valley.Today, you hike along root paths, through bogs, and past rock faces that look like pages from an ancient book.
Clues are hidden everywhere along the way: slate slabs that sound like stepping stones of Earth's history, a jetty without water, listening stations with stories of wild streams, rocks, and brave decisions. Perfect for little trackers who prefer to explore with binoculars and imagination rather than Google Maps. The Glaspass isn't just a walk – it's a small journey through time for open eyes, nimble feet, and questions like: "Where did the water go?" or "What is the mountain telling us today?"
Hiking with Magic: The Witches' Trail in La Neuveville
Between vineyards and the edge of the forest runs a path that smells of herbs, adventures, and a bit of magic. The Witches' Trail near La Neuveville invites you to discover with all your senses: At ten stations, you'll learn exciting things about medicinal plants, rocks, trees, and water – just as it should be for a real witches' trail. You'll walk past medicinal herbs and herb spirits, listen to the wind in the trees, and balance on root-covered paths.
The path offers shady forest sections, sunny viewpoints of Lake Biel, and a highlight – a waterfall with a mystical stone basin – perfect for cooling off or brewing magic potions. If you get hungry along the way, you'll find a picnic spot at "Cabane des Soeurs" with views of the lake, old town, and maybe even a flying broom. An adventure trail for little wildlings, dreamers, and curious toes – in sunshine, fog, or under a witch's moon.
Sand, Diving Tower, Lake View: Lido Locarno
A jump from the pool edge. Sand between your toes. Palms overhead and mountains in view: Lido Locarno – it already sounds like a holiday, and it feels like one too. Located directly on Lake Maggiore, this swimming oasis offers everything to make water lovers happy: children's paddling pools, swimming pools, slides, thermal pools, a 10-meter diving tower, and – the best part – a 600-meter sandy beach with palms and a mountain panorama.
Here, people splash, dive, slide, and build. Sandcastles grow towards the sky, the water sparkles in competition – and if you close your eyes for a moment, you might almost believe you're on a distant island paradise. Perfect for hot days with cool waves, picnics on a blanket, or an ice cream in hand. And if you're tired of action, you can simply do nothing. That's allowed here too.
Silently Across the Water: Lake Schiffenen Boat Trip
Board, let go, marvel: With the solar boat “d'Grandfey”, you glide quietly over Lake Schiffenen near Fribourg. Surrounded by steep rock faces, secret coves, and dense forests, the boat passes the mighty Grandfey Viaduct – a structure that towers into the sky like a giant bridge skeleton. On board, there's not only space for everyone but also a sundeck, a picnic area, and a telescope – for little captains with a thirst for discovery.
Nothing is hectic here, nothing is loud – just the gentle lapping of the water, the chirping from the shore, the flapping of a bird. Especially beautiful: Along the way, you discover places that can only be seen from the water, like the Magdalena hermitage, built directly into the rock. A quiet, sustainable nature experience that resonates long after.
Underground Wonders: The Fairy Caves of Vallorbe
Lights off. Headlamp on. Welcome to another world. The Fairy Caves of Vallorbe are among Switzerland's most impressive stalactite caves – an underground journey through rock, water, light, and time. On well-maintained paths, you travel over 500 meters into the earth's belly, past stalactites, stalagmites, and glistening calcite curtains. The River Orbe flows beneath your feet, echoes answer quiet questions, and sometimes it drips just when you stop.
At the end, the "The Fairies' Treasure Trove" awaits, a space full of sparkling minerals from around the world, mysteriously lit and full of magic. A bit like a treasure cave. The best part: The caves are pleasantly cool even in midsummer – a perfect retreat for hot days and cool adventurous hearts.
