SWITZERLAND • DAY TRIP • HIKING
Triftbrücke from Zurich
Closed in 2026
A full alpine day from Zurich ending at one of Switzerland's most dramatic suspension bridges, high above a turquoise glacier lake.
Tested by Paulius Pikelis · 140 countries
Trip details
Duration
1 day
Effort
~3 h hike · 5.6 km return (with gondola)
Altitude
1,720 m (bridge level)
Access
Car ~2 h · Public transport ~3 h from Zürich
Highlight
170 m suspension bridge
Last reviewed
July 2026
Location
- Starting pointZurich HB
- DestinationTriftbrücke
- FinishZurich HB
- Best suspension bridge hike near Zürich
- Real glacier landscape without overnight stay
- Feels remote but fits into one day
- No technical skills required
- Based in Zurich for 1–2 days or more
- Comfortable walking uphill for 2–3 hours
- Prefer independent travel
- Prefer clear step-by-step logistics, not inspiration
- If you have a fear of heights or exposed bridge crossings
- For most dogs – the moving bridge deck spooks them
- Trail map, elevation profile, and a companion Google Map with every pin
- Step-by-step day plan for both car and public transport with exact timings
- Gondola booking guide: schedule, capacity, pricing, and how to avoid missing your slot
- Weather go/no-go rules using MeteoSwiss — when to postpone
- Full cost breakdown: gondola, parking, train tickets, and saver fare tips
- Complete packing list and what to eat and drink on the route
Triftbrücke from Zurich
Sometimes the best hikes start with a simple plan: park the car and just walk.
I did the Triftbrücke hike with a friend on a clear morning, starting straight from the parking lot at 9:30 - no gondola, just the trail and the climb ahead. The path gains height quickly, and within the first hour you already feel far away from the valley. It's steady work, but the kind that keeps you motivated because the landscape keeps opening up around you. It's one of those hikes where the landscape keeps getting bigger the higher you go.
By 11:30 we reached the suspension bridge. Seeing it appear suddenly above the turquoise glacier lake is one of those moments that makes the whole ascent worth it. Standing there, with the wind moving the bridge slightly and the glacier right in front of us, felt wild and real in the best possible way. For a moment it felt more like an expedition than a day trip from Zurich.
We walked the entire route up and down – about 15 km with 1,200 m of ascent in roughly 5.5 hours. A big alpine day, but completely doable - and exactly the kind of hike I keep suggesting when someone asks for something memorable without needing technical climbing skills.
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