The Swiss Alps are easily the most beautiful Alps in the world. I would describe them as “classical Alps” because when you think of Alps you typically imagine large pointy snowy mountains, meadows of high alpine pastures, wildflowers, glaciers and all of that is exactly what the Swiss Alps encompass. They are almost painfully beautiful, some would say like a fairy-tale (an expensive fairy-tale though). Having explored this region many times over the past ten years I am going to share with you the best photography locations and my top tips for landscape photography in each area. Even if you’ve been to the Swiss Alps before, there’s a few less known locations I talk about, so something for everyone here.
Bällehöchst
Bällehöchst is located above Interlaken. This mountain is around 2095 meters. Amazing view. Drones are not allowed so keep that in mind. Looking to the East towards the Lutschental is the best option here. You can include more on both sides for an even wider view. The river inside the Lutchental is leading to the Wetterhorn - 3,690 meter. This peak connects with the river. Even though the mountains on the right are higher - Eiger, Monsch and Jungfrau. When you do decide to include the high mountains on the right - also consider including the Brienzersee on the left for balance. This way the river will stay in the center.
Bällehöchst, Switzerland.
There are fields of flowers on the west side to include as a photo too.
You can reach this place on foot - lots of hiking involved! The best option is to start in Saxeten. From there you still need 1000 meters of elevation gain. When you start from Interlaken it is 1500 meter of elevation gain. Good luck landscape photographers getting there! Getting to Saxeten is easy, there are trains, buses and you can drive and park.
Misty conditions in Bällehöchst.
Oeschinensee
Oeschinensee is accessible from the village of Kandersteg. You can park the car in town or next to the trail-head (if spots are available). From there it is 3km to the lake - from the lake it's another 2 hours to the high viewpoint. The best season to photograph Oeschinensee is the end of spring/beginning of summer. During then you have melting water which creates waterfalls on the opposite mountains. You also have flowers in the valley which add atmosphere. Include the trees higher up the mountain slope as a subject. The mountain looks good during both sunrise and sunset - but sunset is better to shoot since more of the mountain will catch the light. The light is better in the spring and summer season compared to the fall because in the fall it will rise and set behind the mountain - only hitting the top peaks of the mountains
Oeschinensee, Switzerland.
Matterhorn
The Matterhorn is one of the most famous mountains in the world. Known primarily for it’s nearly perfect isolated pyramid shape. It has inspired photographers and mountaineers globally for years with a long and dramatic history. Even becoming the logo for Toblerone since1970 (since manufacturing has moved outside of Switzerland it is no longer used). The mountain is 4,478 high and sits on the border between Italy and Switzerland. From the 4 sides the mountain has, 3 are in Switzerland and 1 side is located in Italy (south-side). When shooting it from Zermatt, you see both the north and east side.
A glacier leading line to Matterhorn, Switzerland.
Shooting from Zermatt is the angle which is the most famous and often photographed. The first spot can best be shot with a drone. When following the hiking trail up the mountain towards Stafelalp, you will go through a forest. When using a drone, you can include the waterfall just above the forest.
The Matterhorn, Switzerland.
There are different angles and areas the mountain can also be shot from. Such as the east side above the Gorner Glacier. To get to this area you can take the train to the Gornergrat. Or you go hiking! From there you can follow the ridge line upwards, cross the glaicer towards the Monte Rosa Hutte and find a spot where you include both the Monterosa Glacier and the Gorner Glacier.
Gorner Glacier, Switzerland.
There is another great area to shoot the Matterhorn from in the area. When departing from Gornergrat, walk into the opposite direction of the Monte Rosa Hutte. You now go downwards towards the Riffelsee. After the Riffelsee you follow the trail a little bit longer - then you arrive in an area with some nice wildflowers.
Purple flowers and the Matterhorn, Switzerland.
One more side the Matterhorn can be photographed from - but which is not done frequently - is the West side. The Matterhorn looks completely different from this angle. It looks wide on the bottom, and has a more symmetrical but less distinchuise shape. It is a good idea to use the Zmuttgletscher below the Matterhorn as leading line and extra subject. To get here you have to hike all the way to the Schönbielhütte. From here you have to cross the glacier towards the west side.
Glaciers in the Swiss Alps.
Säntis
The Säntis mountain is the highest mountain of the Alpstein Massive at 2501 meters high. Even though this is much lower than Switzerland's highest mountains, it offers incredible views. This viewpoint is all about the layers towards the south-west direction. You can reach the top both on foot or by cable car. From there you can shoot directly with your tele-zoom. When you want something more interesting, like including a person for scale, you can hike from the restaurant on the summit, towards the west. There you will find a lower peak from which you have some space to explore and find a spot to take a mountain selfie.
Säntis mountain layers.
As mentioned before, a view towards the west offers the best view - and it also has the best light at sunset. It can be shot in all seasons. Only in winter it might be difficult/ not possible to reach the other mountain for a mountain selfie. You can also best bring your tele-zoom lens with you. The preferred range is 70 to 150mm.
Hoher Kasten
Not much further in the Alpstein there is the Hoher Kasten. This viewpoint can also be reached by cable car (like almost any location in the Swiss alps!). The view towards the west and also towards Saxer Lücke can offer some amazing light-rays during sunset. At sunrise the light is a bit flat and is not recommended.
The light is best in autumn - when the sun sets in the west-south-west. In summer the sun will set more from the side, so you won’t get the lightrays as good except if you have clouds working in your favour. In summer you can find wildflowers. In fall however you don’t have as many foreground options as there won’t be flowers here.
Fronalpstock
This summit of Fronalpstock is 1921 meters high and (yes again) is accessible by cable car. From here you have an incredible view over the Urnersee. The best view is towards the west. Sunset light works by far the best. In autumn the sun will set inside the frame, and in spring and summer it will set just outside on the right side. There are no flowers in fall season but the mountain does have some nice ridges you can stand on to include a person as a subject. In summer wildflowers are difficult to find but you might have some luck.
Fronalpstock light-rays.
On Saturdays the chairlift between Stoos and Fronalstock goes till 10pm till September, and till 8pm till the end of October. On normal days the last one goes at 4pm. You can see the timetable here.
Stoos is a small village which is accessible by train from the valley. The train goes way more frequently. This means that you can hike down to Stoos after shooting on weekdays or Sundays - and then take the train down.
Pilatus
Mount Pilatus is a mountain massif near Lucerne. It consists of multiple different peaks, of which the highest is the Tomlishorn (2,128 meter high). It wouldn't be Switzerland if there wasn't a gondola or train - or even both! You can go up by train from Alpnachstad to the top (Pilatus Kulm) - which is the steepest cogwheel train in the world. You go down by condolla to Kriens with 2 stops in between (so 3 different condolas total, 1 big one and 2 smaller). Tickets are not cheap - they cost 40CHF for a one-way and 80 CHF for a return ticket. You can book your tickets and find more information here.
Now let's talk about the view from here. The best view is towards the west when looking at lake Lucerne. The lake only has an elevation of 420 meters, which makes the elevation with Pilatus impressive (around 1700 meters). The best time to shoot is around sunset. Conditions are best when there are clouds in the valley or when the weather is dramatic like before or after a rain or thunderstorm.
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen location is one of my favorites to shoot in the Swiss alps - therefore I made an in-depth guide on how to shoot this location! Read the Ultimate Photography Guide to Lauterbrunnen here. The best time of year is late spring/early summer - when the waterfalls have enough water. The sunrise and sunset light can both be used. Having clouds is important especially at sunrise to prevent a harsh line between shadow and sun. You can take the small train from Lauterbrunnen up to Wengen to reach the area.
Misty conditions in Lauterbrunnen with the sheep.
An even better option is to exit the train one stop before the end-station at Wengwald and then hike on the trail. Subjects to include are sheep, water streams, the little train or flowers. Flowers are difficult to find because most of the grass is being mowed.
Water streams created by rain in Lauterbrunnen.
Grimselpass
The Grimselpass is 2,164 meters high, crossing the Bernese Alps. From the pass there are various hiking routes and parking options. The best view is from the Sidelhorn (2760 meters high). The hike is 3,2 km long and takes around 1 hour and 20 min. The elevation difference is 600 meter. At the top you have a view on the Lauteraarhorn (4,042 meter) and the Schreckhorn (4,078 meter) in the distance, the Unteraargletscher in the middle and the Grimselsee (lake) below. Even though the view is nice with the naked eye, it is too far away to make an impact Here is where a drone comes in handy. When flying towards it, the Unteraargletscher and the Grimselsee can be used as a leading line.
The view is exactly towards the west. You can choose to shoot into the sun, to create lots of depth. For this you need clouds to block the sun and at the same time the sun needs to be high enough to create depth between the layers You can also shoot this location at sunrise, when the first sunlight hits the highest peaks. A drone panorama is recommended.
Sustenpass
The Sustenpass is 2,260 meters high and is 46 km long. On the pass itself there are some great photography opportunities. The sunlight will hit the Gwächtenhorn mountain (3420 meter) on either side at sunrise and sunset because you are looking towards the south. You can park your car at one of the many parking areas. From here you can explore around in different directions in search for flowers. The summer season is the best season for many reasons. The snow has melted by then making hiking much easier, the light hits the mountain on the sides and the flowers will give you a foreground subject.
Sustenpass taken by Joaquín Marco
You can also fly your drone here which gives you good opportunities to shoot the Steingletscher with its massive crevasses.
Sustenpass taken by Joaquín Marco
Weisstanen
A great area to shoot waterfalls is the Wasserfall-Arena Batöni. This area consists of multiple different waterfalls. You can reach this place from the town of Weisstanen. From here you need to hike to the Wasserfall-Arena Batöni - which is 4 km hike on easy terrain. The waterfall is best to shoot in early to mid summer when the water-levels are at their highest.
Weisstanen taken by Joaquín Marco
Best Subjects to Photograph in the Swiss Alps
Glaciers - There are some giant glaciers in the Swiss alps - with the Aletsch Glacier being the longest. The total length of the Aletsch Glacier is 22,6 km, but the length does vary with each year due to glacier movement. The Aletsch Glacier can be shot from two main areas. One is from the viewpoint Eggishorn. This viewpoint can be reached by cable car from the village of Fiesch, with a stop in Fiescheralp. You can book tickets and find more information here.
Incredible glaciers in the Swiss Alps.
The other viewpoint is from the Jungfraujoch . This saddle (Joch) between the Monch and the Jungfrau sits at 3,463 meter high. You can also find here a giant astronomical observatory ( Sphinx Observatory ), the highest railway station in Europe and a restaurant.
Use glaciers to create leading lines.
Oh, and they also built a restaurant and railway station to this spot! The view on the Aletsch Glacier is not as good as on other spots,but since the viewpoint here is so unique, it is still worth mentioning.
Spring flowers high in the Swiss Alps.
Another glacier is the Fieschergletscher - this glacier is located next to the Aletsch Glacier and with a total length of 14,7km, this is the second longest in the alps. The starting point to view this glacier is the village of Bellwald. From here you can take the cable car all the way up to Furggulti. From here there are various hikes towards peaks above the glacier which will offer a (partial) view on the glacier. To see it in full, the Wasenhorn is the best location. Keep in mind this location requires climbing.
Fieschergletscher glacier in Switzerland.
Waterfalls - The most beautiful are the Staubbach Falls near Lauterbrunnen. Read more in my Ultimate Guide to Photographing Lauterbrunnen article. This waterfall drops 297 meter and looks incredible when shooting from higher near Wengen.
Staubbach Falls, Lauterbrunnen.
Another beautiful waterfall is Engstligen Falls, near Adelboden. This waterfall has two separate waterfalls - one is 97 meters high and the other 165 meters. While the waterfalls are not the highest, they have one of the highest water volumes which make them look impressive.
Last is the Muehlebach Fall above Brienzersee. It is a beautiful waterfall which has not been shot much. It is easy to reach from the town of Brienz and can be shot during sunrise, sunset and cloudy weather. You can also fly your drone here, when not flying higher than 120 meters. If you do use a drone you need to take a drone panorama.
Muehlebach waterfall, Switzerland.
Tips for Landscape Photography
Hiking trails - Without using Google, I can say Switzerland has the best and most extensive hiking trails in the world. They are well maintained, often include the distance in time, and allow you to visit most mountains and areas. Use online hiking maps such as schweizmobil to plan your trip. Of course you can also buy physical maps in the local tourist information centers.
Cable Cars - As you have already noticed in my location descriptions, Switzerland has many cable cars. I use the word cable cars but there are also trains and ski lifts which can bring you to the top. Always check the timetables before you go up or you might have to hike down in the dark!
Drones - Shooting from the air with your drone can give you some unique vantage points and incredible panoramas. Always check the map first if you are allowed to fly your drone in the area. See the drone map here.
Best Gear to Shoot the Swiss Alps
For the Swiss alps you need an Ultra wide as your primary lens. This lens is the one you are most likely going to use the most. When you are higher in the mountains and would like to capture layers, a tele-zoom lens of around 100 to 200mm is recommended. To shoot the waterfalls on a long exposure a tripod is recommended.
This doesn't have to be a super heavy one which can withstand hurricanes and Patagonia storms! A carbon lightweight tripod which has a maximum carrying load that is higher than the weight of your camera and heaviest lens combined, will do the trick!
Final Thoughts
With all this information in mind you are set for an incredible journey to the Swiss Alps! I also recommend shooting the French Alps while you are there if you have the time. Just remember to plan your locations in advance, always keep an eye on the weather and cable car times. Many times to shoot the best light, I don’t like to be restricted and have to rely on train timetables and would prefer to hike to and from locations. You see more things on the way and you have more freedom. The Swiss Alps have some of the most dramatic and ridiculously beautiful mountains and scenery in the world. I am sure you are going to thoroughly enjoy your trip and come away with incredible images to add to your portfolio.
Max Rive is most driven by seeking new perspectives in the natural world and capturing them in his own distinguished style. Max's powerful portrayals of his interactions with the mountains has earned him international recognition in the outdoor community.
Madison McCardle is a passionate landscape photographer driven by curiosity and a desire to capture the true essence of each place she explores. Through her lens, she seeks new perspectives that reveal the beauty and authenticity of the world.
✉️ JOIN US TODAY
Don't miss out on wallpapers, E-books and tour announcements!
RELATED ARTICLES
DISCUSSION
LEAVE A COMMENT
Your Email Address Will Not Be Published. Required Fields Are Marked *
No comments