In Switzerland, innovation and strong sustainability commitments open tourists’ eyes to activities that feed back into local communities and the environment
As much as going on holiday puts a spring back in your step, seeing the world often has its environmental ramifications. Just take a look at your destination bucket list. How many require a long-haul flight? Are you renting a car or e-hailing to go sightseeing? Is the food ethically sourced and farmed?
You cannot always keep to the highest of ecological standards if you insist on jetsetting, but these things accumulate over time, adding to carbon emissions and pollution that threatens all organic life.
A point of travelling is to return home with a greater appreciation of different landscapes and cultures, and to pass that respect and curiosity on to the next generation. This can only be fulfilled if there is still a natural world left to treasure further down the road.
In Switzerland — considered one of the greenest countries, where even the most popular attractions and activities have conservation measures built into their operation — earth-friendliness is not a gimmick or greenwashing, but a way of life.
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City’s pulse
We start in the Big Little City often mistaken for the country’s capital — once there, you’d understand why. A hodgepodge of modern and historical, ever-bustling Zurich has all the makings of a contemporary European metropolis. If there is one thing here that really tests your urban sensibilities, though, it is the very punctual and well-connected public transport system.
Rather than going on the first hours-long tour your travel agency shoves your way, use the trains and trams to get your bearings and move at your own pace while learning about what makes the green city tick with the myclimate Audio Adventure programme. The map takes you to places such as the Viadukt — a 550-yard stretch of railway arches in Zurich-West housing a trendy assortment of galleries, delicatessens and lifestyle boutiques — and Frau Gerolds Garten, a former industrial site turned creative haven and the flagship location of Freitag, a Swiss brand making bags from repurposed truck tarps.
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Verdant spaces are at the heart of the city’s eco-conscious strategy. If you must narrow your choice down to just one, the new Botanical Garden at the University of Zurich deserves consideration. Unlike more run-of-the-mill parks, this spot with over 7,000 plant species from around the world is perfect for lazy strolls and lounging on grassy lawns. Signage detailing the resident flora helps identify exactly what you are looking at. The real highlight lies in the trio of greenhouses, respectively simulating Mediterranean, tropical and desert climates.
All that walking is guaranteed to build up an appetite and, luckily, Zurich is also known as Switzerland’s food city thanks to its diverse culinary scene. Greenness in this context is quite straightforward — the more of it there is on your plate, the better. Vegetarian and vegan options are everywhere, and Haus Hiltl is imperative. The oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world (according to the Guinness World Records), it was founded in 1898 as the Vegetarierheim & Abstinenzcafé in an era when such cuisine was totally unhip.
Enter Ambrosius Hiltl, a German tailor who suffered from rheumatism. Advised by his doctor to go meat-free, he became a patron of Vegetarierheim. The food soothed his condition and shifted his perspectives, leading him to take over the restaurant with his wife Martha Gneupel, a cook. The establishment, renamed after him, is now known for its pay-by-weight buffet featuring Swiss and international dishes.
For a midday repast, there are two things that are quintessentially Swiss — coffee and chocolate. Head to Werkstadt Zurich for the ViCafe espresso bar and Laflor chocolatier. ViCafe fosters close relationships with farmers, using only single-origin blends to support sustainable agricultural practices, biodiversity conservation and fair trade principles.
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Laflor is a bean-to-bar business working with small-scale cocoa bean plantations to promote fair industry pricing and transparency. The sweets, which are on the more simplistic side, allow natural flavours to shine. Oh, and did we mention they import their beans by boat to really cut down on the company’s environmental footprint?
On the water
About two hours from Zurich by train lies the picturesque town of Interlaken. Situated between the lakes Thun and Brienz, it is more than just about fabulous Instagram photos and filming locations from hit South Korean drama, Crash Landing on You — it is also a prime spot for soaking in nature and embracing a slower pace of living. The ultimate way to do this? Ditch automobile dreams for bicycles.
If you plan to cover long distances comprising some uneven terrain and uphill climbs, choosing an electric bike over a traditional one might be smart (unless you are the next Eddy Merckx, or think you are). A key part of sustainability is spending lots of time outdoors, and if a little less physical strain can make that more appealing, then we are all for it. Confident cyclists with good navigation skills may hire their rides and go wherever the heart desires, while those who need to refresh their muscle memory should embark on a guided programme to avoid the dread of planning alone and minimise the chances of getting lost or injured.
When visiting other towns around glorious Lake Thun, and if an extra-long bike ride sounds too tiring for your legs or any small children under your care, hop on the BLS lake cruise. While avid researchers on a bougie budget might already be eyeing the bookable three-course lunch service on the upper deck, locals regularly use the boat to commute. Ending in Thun (a must-explore town, by the way), the boat brings you closer to the dreamy Swiss chalets and castles scattered across the banks. Thanks to very clear waters and views of the Bernese Alps, you get spectacular views from all angles.
Speaking of mountains, Interlaken serves as a base for visiting the Jungfrau peaks, particularly the “Big Three” — Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau (Ogre, Monk and Young Girl). The most common way to do this is to take the Eiger Express gondola and then a cogwheel train up to Jungfraujoch — the saddle connecting the two latter summits — from which you can see some of the most stunning alpine views on a clear day. Those looking to escape from the chilly air can head to the indoor Ice Palace, a world of sculptures and corridors carved into Aletsch glacier.
The cable car is fuelled by hydropower, a very important element for a mode of transportation that ferries thousands of visitors to and from a destination directly impacted by climate change.
Peak performance
While life on the mountaintops may not be for everyone, especially those who suffer from a fear of heights or severe altitude sickness, the village of Mürren is hard to pass up if you hanker for adventure.
A trip here begins with a test of your nerves as the most efficient way up is by taking the hydropowered Schilthorn Cableway — the world’s steepest — from Stechelberg to Mürren. With a 159.4% gradient and ascending 774m in just four minutes, the ride operates right next to an impressive rock massif.
Mürren is an adrenaline junkie’s haven — the sure-footed and daredevils must look into the famous via ferrata or paragliding (which generally starts at 2,677m, higher than most Interlaken options). If you prefer to always have firm ground underfoot, though, a hike is probably the better choice. The easiest one would be the gentle 45-minute walk to peaceful Gimmelwald, where independent farms produce some of the best milk and cheeses you will ever sample. Along the way, make sure to stop by some of several unmanned honesty shops selling local and home-made goods. Bring cash, as most do not accept cards or e-payments.
To end on a high, head back to the cableway and continue heavenward to Birg intermediate station and the 2,970m apex of Schilthorn mountain. James Bond fanatics will recognise these two locations from the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and simply have to reach the peak, home to a dedicated museum and the 360° rotating Piz Gloria restaurant, where much of the movie’s final battle was filmed.
The midpoint stop is not to be overlooked either. Ask Schilthorn employees what they recommend for lunch and nearly all will answer the burger at Bistro Birg, which offers sun terrace seating perfect for après-ski during the powder season. This space extends onto a grated observation deck suspended over the abyss, overlooking snowy crowns. Even more breathtaking is the Thrill Walk, which, as the name implies, is an exhilarating steel obstacle trail anchored to the mountainside. Remember: you can really only say you have completed it if you crossed the rope bridge, glass floor, cattle grid and crawl tunnel.
No matter your chosen means for taking in the scenery, being surrounded by Mother Earth’s most impressive creations is bound to reawaken a sense of pride and love for the planet. It is places like this that stir the fire within to see more of the world in the limited time we have, and be more mindful about the mark we leave behind.
