There are thousands of places to grill in Switzerland, which guarantees that you will stumble across one on walks or hikes around the country. However, sometimes it can help to be pointed in the right direction. I know from experience that it can be frustrating to find the perfect BBQ spot but not have the right equipment – nothing to put the meat patties, skewer, or squeaky cheese on, for example.
For this reason, I would recommend checking out websites like schweizerfeuerstellen.ch. Schweizer Familie is a long-running Swiss magazine. They have a website dedicated to advising on grill spots all over the country. It is in German but simple to use – add the name of the area you wish to visit, see pictures, a 360-degree video, facilities and a map.
Another option is checking out the local tourism websites such as lucerne.ch. This link includes a map view, of over 150 BBQ sites in central Switzerland.
These websites also give you an idea of how prepared you need to be, as some grills have everything except the food & cutlery, whereas others are just firepits. Sometimes things like a grill, wood, benches, tables and shade are available, other times just a circle of stones… In both circumstances, however, you will often find a whittled-down stick, ready to disinfect in the fire then use to stab your sausage or marshmallows.
Checking for any Restrictions on Grilling in and around Forests
waldbrandgefahr.ch is a great website to find out at a glance what is happening around the country regarding up-to-date restrictions on grilling in the open with a colour-coded map and warning levels.
Over the years we have found some really nice places to grill. Below are some I consider to be extra special – however, I am still looking and will post more as I come across them.
Appenzell Innerrhoden
Sämtisersee – This location can only be reached by foot. There are lovely walks from the top of Hoher Kasten cable car, down to the alpine lake, then back across to the cable car station at Brülisau. Wood is sometimes available and there should be a grill.
Simple BBQ grill
Lake Sämtisersee – looking towards Fählensee
Wood pile for BBQ
We recently hiked from the top of the cable car, down to the two lakes in the valley (July 2023). The BBQ is in a prime position on the lake and is also a great place for picnicking and swimming. It is close to the forested area offering a bit of shade. Another option for food and drink is the Mountain Guest House Plattenbödeli just up from the lake.
Reason to stop here: To sit and eat right beside this idyllic alpine lake nestled in a mountainous landscape.
How to get there: By Car: From Zürich, approx. 1 hr 20 mins (via A1 around Winterthur). From Appenzell, 10 mins. By Train: From Zürich, 2 hrs with 2 changes. From Appenzell, 15 mins with 1 change. Good to know: This is also a great place to picnic & there is a restaurant close by called Plattenbödeli if the firepit doesn’t work out.
St. Gallen Canton: Above & Beside Walensee
Alongside Walensee
It won’t take long to find several grilling spots when walking from the town of Weesen, along the northern side of Walensee (Lake Walen) – some with grills, others without.
Reason to stop here: We have used the one at Betlis several times. It offers great facilities (including toilets) and a chance to walk to the impressive Seerenbach waterfalls in one direction, and some smaller, shaded firepits, a port area for boat trips and a small swimming beach in the other direction (the path in the pictures leads to the second option).
Above Walensee – Amden
The small town of Amden is a good starting point for many excursions high in the meadows and hills above Walensee. It is quintessential Switzerland – the area is even called Heidiland. You will see traditional farms, goats with bells, meadows full of wildflowers, Beizlis and mountain inns.
The Mattstock chair lift in the centre of Amden is really the only way of getting up to higher hiking tracks (apart from hiking). We tried to drive up to the top cable car station – the roads were good to a point then they narrowed and we found it very difficult to find a public road and there were no places to park – I don’t think we were supposed to go there by car… So, I recommend using the chair lift. (It wasn’t operating during our visit).
There are also plenty of walks from Amden with BBQ spots. We used two Swiss Family BBQs in great locations; Feuerstelle Rombach is a short walk up behind the village and Girengärtli is a hike towards the cliffs.
Reason to stop here: High up above the lake within a forest. Quiet area with a viewing platform and plenty of facilities. Is also a good place to stop when walking further or simply as a destination.
Getting There
By Car: Takes 1 hour (66 km)
By Train & Bus: Zürich to Weesen (lakeside) – 1 hour, incl. a change at Ziegelbrücke for a 7 min. bus trip. Weesen to Amden(mountain) is a further 10/15 mins. by bus.
Glarus
Obersee & Klöntalersee
Klöntalersee is like a huge turquoise magnet. Its sheer beauty brings the crowds, especially at the weekend.
The alternative is this beautiful lake that we visited off-season recently – Obersee. This is also stunning and it has a restaurant right on the lakeshore. It can be more difficult to reach as Swiss public transport does not come to this lake.
The road is in good condition if a little narrow – meaning a slow drive. There are plenty of passing lanes if you meet someone coming the other way & there are biking trails starting at the valley.
Both Obersee and Klöntalersee don’t currently have any grilling places or BBQs with facilities but there are firepits dotted around. You will need to bring your own grill, forage for firewood and have a swiss army knife for carving sticks – although, there is a chance you will find some lying around. Trees surround these lovely lakes so there is plenty of firewood to be found. – remember your matches!
Good to Know: There are 2 camping grounds at Klöntalersee and metered parking near Camping Güntlenau on the east side of the lake. This camping ground also has BBQ facilities available.
Reason to stop here: By using the firepits, you should avoid the crowds. These places are such naturally beautiful spots that it seems a shame to see it all from the distance of a terrace when you can have a front seat view, sitting on a rock or a log.
Getting To Obersee & Klöntalersee:
Obersee by Car: from Näfels, 17 mins – 8 km; from Zürich, 1 hour – 70 km. By Public Transport: no connection to Obersee. Klöntalersee by Car: from Glarus, 16 mins – 10 km; By Public Transport: from Glarus by bus, 18 mins to the east of the lake.
Above Lake Lucerne
Seelisberg
In the forests, high up above Lake Lucerne there are countless BBQ spots – my discoveries are around the small town of Seelisberg, on the west side of the lake in Canton Uri.
Marienhöhe can be found south of Seelisberg and has two grills offering great facilities including tables, benches, wood and a shelter.
Reason to stop here: The views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains, facilities and plenty of shade.
Getting There: The best way is to by boat on Lake Lucerne to Treib, then take the funicular up to Seelisberg. From here you can walk 20 minutes to Seelisberg, Oberdorf, then from the Volg mini-market go either south to the Marienhöhe – a nice walk through the forest, or turn off at Kapelle Maria Sonnenberg and go up the zig-zag trail to Hoch Flue, a much more challenging climb. If you want to visit Lake Seeli, then do the walk, take the bus from Seelisberg (funicular) to bus stop Seeli (dep. hourly – takes 4 mins).
Zug
Zugerberg
From Zugerberg funicular, there is a signpost covered in yellow signs pointing the way to loads of different walking possibilities. One particular grill spot is great for shade and views – Brand Feuerstelle. This is situated on the edge of a forest, overlooking a meadow to the mountains in the distance. They have huge tables and benches, viewing seating, wooden sculptures for children, and good BBQ facilities.
Reason to stop here: Brand Feuerstelle and others in this area offer spacious areas on the edge of the forest giving you a chance to spread out and find your own space. The kids play areas are also spread out, not simply next to the BBQ spots and, as mentioned earlier, they have good BBQ facilities.
Getting There: From the funicular top station turn right and follow the signs to Spielplatz Schattwaldi (forest adventure playground, also with grilling possibilities), then Feuerstelle (grilling place) and Aussichtspunkt (lookout point); about 20-30 minutes walk altogether.
Zürich – alongside the Rhein
Eglisau
Eglisau is directly north of Zürich city and on the Rhein. This forested part of the Rhein has a pretty town, offering relaxing walks through a nature-protected area and vineyards. It is not possible to set up your own firepit but there are several good ones to choose from on both sides of the Rhein.
Reason to stop here: This is a very peaceful part of the Rhine. Most of the BBQ spots offer a grill and seating, along with forests and boulders to play around and the Rhein to paddle in. From the town of Eglisau it is possible to go for a swim or on a boat trip that goes to the very impressive Rhine Falls. There are also some good launching sites for paddle boats.
Getting There: By Car: From Zürich city – approx. 30 minutes (26 km). By Public Transport: From Zürich HB – S9 train, direction Schaffhausen takes 32 mins (as of June 2021).
