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Switzerland & Austria Travel Articles
Sports and Recreation

Bicycling

Bicycling in Switzerland
Cruise level paths along a lake, ascend the Alps in low gear, or simply rent a bike at a railway station for a quick tour about town.

Caving

Hölloch Caverns, Switzerland
Take a quick tour or join a two-day bivouac expedition in Europe's largest caves (and the third-largest cave system in the world).

Hiking/Walking

Hiking in Switzerland
When to come, where to walk, what to bring, and what to leave at home.

Swiss and Austrian Hiking Tours
A guide to escorted walking itineraries from more than a dozen specialists in adventure travel.

Switzerland's Mountain Inns
To hike the Swiss Alps safely, without sacrificing creature comforts, read Marcia and Philip Lieberman's book.

Inline Skating

Inline Skating
Switzerland and Austria offer scenic skating on paved country paths, nighttime group skates in the cities, and even indoor parks for locals and tourists.

Mountaineering

Matterhorn
If you suffer from acrophobia or can't afford the steep guide fee, enjoy a view of Zermatt's mountain icon from the nearby Gornergrat. (You can reach the latter by cogwheel railroad.)

Swiss mountaineering schools and guides
Before you risk your life in the Alps, get help from an expert.

Paragliding/Parasailing

Paragliding in Switzerland
Book a ride, or learn to glide with Switzerland's 13,000 aerial sailors.

Rafting

White-Water Rafting in Interlaken
Even a weekend adventurer can enjoy a white-knuckle experience on white water in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland.

Running

International Jungfrau-Marathon
Move those cows out of the way, because 2,500 runners chase medals in the Bernese Oberland every September.

Winter Sports

Cresta Run, St. Moritz
You can risk life and limb on the world's scariest toboggan run, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg.

Skiing and Snowboarding Sites: Switzerland
Plan your winter vacation with our links to Swiss resort directories, snow reports, and snowcams.

Skiing and Snowboarding Sites: Austria
Get ready for the season with online guides to 200+ Austrian ski resorts.

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Switzerland & Austria Index



(c) iStockphoto.com/Robin Ahle

Need a car in Europe?

Auto Europe guarantees the lowest rental rates for standard cars, sports cars, SUVs, luxury cars, chauffered sedans, and RVs. Its Web site also has driving information for 38 countries.

If you live outside the EU, a tax-free Renault or Peugeot tourist lease can be cheaper than renting. Minimum driver age is 18, there' s no upper age limit, and rates include insurance. See: Short-term car leasing.


European train

Traveling by train?
Rail Europe has schedules, maps, and guides for 50+ European railroads. (Residents of North and Central America can buy tickets and rail passes online.)