Switzerland
The places in Switzerland you'd otherwise miss
Everyone flies to Switzerland for Zermatt and the famous mountain peaks. But those who look further in October find quiet hiking paths, an old town without the crowds, and a mountain hut that almost nobody visits. The summer rush is over by then and the air is clear. These are five places that stay with you, precisely because almost nobody mentions them.
1 October 2026 · Wayloha editorial · 3 sources
Gastlosen
The Gastlosen is a chain of limestone mountains that many travellers overlook because they choose Zermatt or Interlaken instead. You can hike the Gastlosen Tour, a walk past rugged rock formations, without standing among groups. A chairlift takes you part of the way up, so you do not have to do the entire climb yourself. In October, the air here is often clear and the paths are quieter than in summer. Bring sturdy shoes, as the path crosses loose rock.
Above the tree line, you only hear the wind and your own footsteps on the limestone.Switzerland
Mönchsjochhütte
While everyone in Zermatt queues for the cable car, this hiking route lies somewhere else entirely, far from the crowds. The route to the Mönchsjochhütte leads through high mountains, with views of snow and rock. Late in the season, in October, it can already be much colder here than in the valley, so bring warm clothing and enough water. This is not a walk for a lazy afternoon. The silence above the tree line is exactly why people come back here specifically.
Lausanne's old town
While tourists gather at Lake Geneva, in Lausanne you can simply walk into the colourful old town without any queue. The narrow streets with coloured facades have looked this way for centuries. From here, it is a short walk to the lake shore. Lausanne also has a few world-class museums, located just far enough from the centre to be overlooked by the average day tripper. Combine a morning in the old town with a museum visit for a peaceful day.
Lake Geneva in Lausanne
Not the busy boulevard of Geneva itself, but the shore in Lausanne is where you truly feel the lake. Here you sit among people reading a book or walking a dog, not among buses full of tourists. The water lies calm and the mountains on the far side give you the view for free. Bring your lunch from the supermarket and sit on a bench. It is quieter and also cheaper than a terrace, leaving your money for a day of hiking in the mountains.
Restaurant Nico's in Kandersteg
Kandersteg itself is often overlooked in favour of bigger names, and with it, this restaurant in Hotel Alfa Soleil. Nico's works with locally sourced, fresh ingredients such as wild herbs, fruit and vegetables, and is a member of the Guild of Swiss Restaurants. It is on no tourist map, and that is exactly why an evening here feels special. Dinner at a restaurant in Switzerland can easily cost 25 to 40 Swiss francs per dish, so save this for one evening when you consciously choose quality. Cook for yourself on other days to keep your travel budget balanced.
