The Pizol 5 Lakes Hike: Why This Is the Most Beautiful Trail in Switzerland
If you only have time for one hike in Switzerland, let it be this one. The Pizol 5 Lakes Hike (known locally as the 5-Seen-Wanderung) takes you past five glittering alpine lakes in a single day, each one a completely different shade of blue, green, or turquoise. Add glacier views, wildflower-covered meadows, and a ridge walk that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world, and it’s easy to see why hikers keep coming back to this trail year after year.
If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland and want one hike that delivers everything, drama, color, and that “wow, I can’t believe this is real” feeling, this is it. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Quick Facts: Pizol 5 Lakes Hike
Throw in near-constant views of the Pizol glacier, the Graue Hörner, and on clear days the peaks of Austria and Liechtenstein in the distance, and you get a hike that feels like a highlight reel of everything people picture when they think of Switzerland.
- Distance: ~11.4 km (7.1 miles), point-to-point
- Altitude: Up 590 Meters, Down 940 Meters
- Starting point: Pizolhütte (2,227 m), reached by cable car and chairlift from Wangs/Bad Ragaz
- Difficulty: Moderate, doable for most fitness levels, but with some steep, rocky sections
- Best season: Late June to September (snow patches can linger into summer)
- Region: St. Gallen, Eastern Switzerland
- Dogs: Allowed, on a leash
Why the Pizol 5 Lakes Hike Is One of the Most Beautiful Hikes in Switzerland
Switzerland has no shortage of postcard-worthy trails, so what makes this one stand out? It’s the sheer variety packed into a single day. Most alpine hikes give you one big view or one stunning lake, this one gives you five, and no two look alike.
You’ll walk past the wild, glacier-fed Wildsee, glowing an almost unreal turquoise against the grey rock of the Pizol massif. A short, steep descent later, you’ll reach Schottensee, tucked into the mountainside with its own deep-blue personality. By the time you reach the final lake, the green Baschalvasee, surrounded by grazing cows and rolling meadows, the scenery has completely transformed, from raw, high-alpine terrain to soft, pastoral Swiss countryside.
Getting There from Zurich
The great news: you don’t need a car for this trip. The Pizol region is easily reachable by public transport, which is honestly one of the best things about hiking in Switzerland.
- By train: Direct trains run from Zurich Main Station (Zurich HB) to Bad Ragaz, taking around 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes depending on the service, with departures roughly every hour throughout the day.
- From Bad Ragaz to Wangs: From Bad Ragaz station, hop on a short local bus (or taxi) to Wangs, where the cable car up to the trailhead begins. This connection only takes a few minutes.
- From Wangs to the Pizolhütte: From Wangs, take the cable car to Pardiel, then the chairlift to Laufböden, and finally walk up to the Pizolhütte, which is your actual starting point (see the full breakdown below).
All in all, plan for roughly 2 to 2.5 hours door-to-door from Zurich to the start of the hike, lift connections included. If you’re coming from Zurich Airport, add about 15–20 minutes to catch the train into Zurich HB first (or check for direct connections, as availability varies).
Tip: A Swiss Travel Pass or a regional day ticket can save you money if you’re combining the train with the cable cars and chairlifts, worth checking before you go.
How to Get There
The hike starts at the Pizolhütte, which you reach via a combination of cable car and chairlifts from Wangs, near Bad Ragaz:
- Cable car from Wangs to Pardiel
- Chairlift from Pardiel to Laufböden
- Short walk up to the Pizolhütte, your actual starting point
At the end of the hike, near Gaffia, you’ll take the Furt–Gaffia chairlift and then the Wang-Maienberg-Furt cable carback down into the valley. Check lift operating times in advance on the Pizol website, they vary by season, and missing the last lift down means a much longer day than planned.
The Trail, Lake by Lake
Wangsersee: Your starting point, just a 20-minute walk from the Pizolhütte. A gentle warm-up before the real climbing begins. Or you take the cable car all the way up to the Wangersee and skip the part from Pizolhütte.
Wildsee: The showstopper. After about an hour of uphill hiking (with plenty of switchbacks), you’ll crest the Wildseeluggen pass and get your first look at this striking turquoise lake, often still partly frozen well into summer. This is the spot everyone stops to photograph.
Schottensee: A short but steep, occasionally sketchy descent from Wildsee (micro-spikes can help if there’s late-season snow). Deep blue and quieter than Wildsee, it’s a great spot to catch your breath.
Schwarzsee: The lesser-photographed lake of the group, but no less worth the visit, a peaceful stop along the ridge.
Baschalvasee: The final lake, sitting lower and greener than the rest, often with cows grazing nearby. From here, it’s a final descent to the Gaffia lift station.
Practical Tips for Hiking the Pizol 5 Lakes Trail
- Avoid weekends if you can. This trail has become genuinely popular, and Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays can feel more like a queue than a quiet alpine escape. Weekdays are far more peaceful.
- Pack for all conditions. Even in July, you may cross snow patches near Wildsee. Sturdy hiking shoes (not just trail runners) are recommended, along with layers, it’s noticeably colder and windy at altitude.
- Start early. Not just to beat the crowds, but to give yourself plenty of buffer time before the last lift down.
- Water access varies. Some lakes, like Wildsee, are tricky to get close to the water (steep, rocky banks). Others, like Schottensee, are easier if you want to dip your feet in. Yes, people do swim, and yes, it’s cold.
- Bring cash or card for lift tickets, and consider the combined transport + lift ticket options if available.
Planning more mountain adventures in the Alps? Check out my complete packing checklist for a summer hike in the Swiss Alps, it covers everything I brought (and wish I had) for trails just like this one.
Why You Can’t Miss It While in Switzerland
There are plenty of hikes in Switzerland with big views. What makes the Pizol 5 Lakes Hike special is how much range you get in one day: from dramatic, glacier-adjacent alpine terrain to soft green pastures, with five completely distinct lakes stitching it all together. It’s accessible enough for hikers who aren’t looking for a technical mountaineering challenge, but spectacular enough that it consistently ranks among Switzerland’s most-loved trails.
If you’re building a Swiss itinerary and only have room for one full-day hike, this is the one that earns its place. If you are looking for more mountain adventures, check out this easy hike on Monte Gambarogno.
FAQ
Is the Pizol 5 Lakes Hike hard?
It’s rated moderate. There’s meaningful elevation change and some steep, rocky sections (especially the descent from Wildsee to Schottensee), but no technical climbing is required. A reasonable fitness level and proper footwear are enough.
Can you swim in the lakes?
Yes, you can, though the water is glacier-fed and cold. Wildsee is harder to access due to rocky banks; other lakes are more swim-friendly.
How long does the hike take?
Most hikers complete the full 11.4 km route in 4–6 hours, depending on breaks and photo stops (and there will be a lot of those).
What’s the best time of year to hike it?
Late June through September, once snow has cleared from the higher sections. July and August are most reliable, though also the busiest.
How can you reach Pizol from Zurich?
There are trains multiple times an hour if you don’t have a car. It’s close enough for a day-trip from Zurich.
Have you hiked the Pizol 5 Lakes Trail? Save this post for your next Swiss adventure, and let me know in the comments which lake was your favorite!
My name is Cory and my two favourite things in the world are traveling and scuba diving. You will either find me under the water or on top of a mountain. I have the PADI Advanced Certification and want to see as many marine animals as possible.
