The Most Beautiful Daffodil Trails in Switzerland

April and May are the months when the mountain meadows in Switzerland transform into a truly magical spectacle. While the Jura Mountains are already blanketed by a sea of yellow daffodils in April—commonly called Osterglocken after their blooming season—a few weeks later, the meadows above Montreux are shrouded in white—the so-called “May snow,” or Maischnee. And since I’ve walked most of these trails myself over the years, I’ve put together a guide to the most beautiful daffodil hikes in Switzerland—including tips on when and where to go.

Yellow Daffodils

Of course, no one can tell you exactly when the daffodils will bloom. If there’s little snow in winter and plenty of sunshine in spring, mid-April will be the ideal time.

Les Prés-d’Orvin

Probably the most famous daffodil trail in the Jura Mountains, about a 20-minute drive from Biel. Stretching 9.5 kilometers, it features stunning daffodil meadows.

Via Vue des Alpes & Tête de Ran

The latest addition to our routes. This 10-kilometer loop near Neuchâtel connects two spots where daffodils are in bloom: Vue des Alpes and Tête-de-Ran.

White Daffodils

High above Lake Geneva, in the areas around Montreux and Vevey, May and June mark the season for wild daffodils. You can track the bloom status on this interactive map. Just like in the daffodil meadows of the Jura Mountains, picking flowers for personal use is permitted. But of course, it’s expected that you won’t pick them in large quantities (and certainly not uproot them along with the bulbs)—a small bouquet to hold in your hand will suffice.

Chemin des Narcisses, Les Avants

The 4.4-kilometer route includes a 500-meter-long cable car ride to Sonloup. Be sure to check the weather forecast before your hike—if it rains heavily, the trail will turn into a muddy path.

Glion

The trail in Glion is a hidden gem among the daffodil trails above Montreux. You won’t find as many daffodil meadows here, but it’s peaceful, as this trail—just under 5 kilometers long—is a bit off the beaten path compared to the more famous and heavily visited ones.

Mont-Pèlerin

The loop trail above Vevey is just under nine kilometers long and is sure to delight not only lovers of white flowers but also those who appreciate beautiful views.

Les Pléiades

An easy, just under six-kilometer loop trail with beautiful views.

So, have I piqued your interest? Daffodil season in Switzerland may be short, but it’s all the more intense for it—and it’s a little different every year depending on when the flowers bloom. Which makes it a bit of an adrenaline-pumping experience. I’d love to hear which daffodil trails you’ve already explored, which ones you’re planning to visit, and which one you found the most beautiful—and feel free to add your own recommendations so we can expand this list together.