See a different side to Switzerland by rail

You’ve got to hand it to the Swiss: they can do trains. Punctual and pristine, some of Europe’s greatest railways chug through every inch of this ravishing land, stretching from the Alpine valleys of the Engadine to the vine-ribbed shores of Lake Geneva. One route — the 795-mile Grand Train Tour of Switzerland (see map, below) — brings together the country’s highlights. But beyond celebrated sights like the Matterhorn or Lake Lucerne, plenty of lesser-known treasures await — from pyramid peaks and crash-bang waterfalls, to sky-high vineyards and folksy villages. Read on for six fantastic rail stops up and down the country.

Gasp at the Rhine Falls

Can you hear thunder? That’s the rumble and roar of the 500ft-wide Rhine Falls —Europe’s largest cascades, tucked among the green pleats and forested folds of northeastern Switzerland. Tipping 700,000 litres of water per second over a 75ft-high rocky ledge, these booming, rainbow-streaked falls were formed by Ice Age tectonic shifts. Marvel at their scale and feel the spray on the viewing platform, located on the trail connecting medieval Schloss Laufen with Känzeli. Or take a boat tour to Mittelfelsen, the jagged rock that rises out of the centre of the falls.  

Alight here: Hiding in a pretty, fortress-topped old town, Schaffhausen — a stop on the St Gallen-Zurich section of the Grand Train Tour — is the main rail hub. It’s then a four-minute train ride to Neuhausen station, where the falls are located.

Uncork rare Swiss wines in Lavaux

They say Lavaux is touched by warmth from three suns: one in the sky, one reflecting on glassy Lake Geneva and one radiating from the dry-stone walls that surround some of the world’s steepest terraced vineyards. These UNESCO World Heritage-listed marvels are great for scenic walks among the vines, or a dégustation (tasting) of small-batch wines at open-door caveaux (wine cellars). Try fresh, flinty Chasselas whites — a Swiss varietal — and fruity Pinot Noir reds. Get a primer at Lavaux Vinorama in Rivaz.

Alight here: Stop at Montreux, the southwest endpoint of the Grand Train Tour (on the Interlaken-Montreux line). From there, catch a regional train to Rivaz or Cully for a speedy, scenic route. The vineyards are walkable from both towns.

Chip away at Brienz's woodcarving culture

Brienz is the kind of Swiss town a kid might draw: a sprinkling of timber chalets hugging the banks of turquoise Lake Brienz, backdropped by the glacier-frosted Bernese Alps. But it isn’t all about the beauty here: at the Swiss Woodcarving Museum, you can get the inside scoop on the village’s age-old woodcarving heritage — from toys and figurines, to reliefs and music boxes. Breathe in the sweet scent of timber as you watch sculptors at work — or give woodcarving a whirl yourself at one of the museum’s taster days or family-friendly open workshops.

Alight here: Brienz is a stop on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, part of the Interlaken-Montreux section of the Tour. This two-hour route is famously beautiful, taking in five glittering lakes and the mighty whoosh of the Giessbach Falls.

Slip into Swiss-Italian life in Morcote

Competition is fierce in Switzerland, but Morcote is often said to be one of the country’s loveliest villages. No wonder — with pastel-painted houses staggering down wooded slopes fringed by true-blue Lake Lugano, and 2,992ft-high Monte San Salvatore punching above it all, Italian-speaking Morcote is a knockout. Little though it is, you could devote days to exploring its higgledy-piggledy lanes, crag-top castle, wine estate, hilltop church and palm-filled botanical gardens. The sunshine, pinch-yourself views and piazza life are reminders that Italy is just a whisper away.

Alight here: Lugano, a terminus on the Lugano-Lucerne section of the Tour, is the hub. From here, take a train to Melide and then a bus to Morcote. The journey is around half an hour and takes you over the cerulean waters of Lake Lugano.

Spot a pyramid in Niesen

Didn’t think Switzerland had pyramids? Think again. Gliding along the shores of Lake Thun at the foot of the glacier-spiked Jungfrau Alps, you’ll do a double take when you clap eyes on Niesen. At 7,749ft, the mountain isn’t considered high in these parts, but that detracts nothing from its perfect pyramid-shaped peak. As if plucked from ancient Egypt, this natural marvel has inspired many artists, including Paul Klee in 1915, to whip out the paints. Take the funicular to the summit for knockout views of the Bernese Alps. Or, if you’re up for a challenge, puff up 11,674 steps to the top on the world’s longest staircase. The catch is that it's only open one day a year for an annual race.

Alight here: Located on the Interlaken-Monteux line, Spiez is the stop. From there, trains run frequently to Mülenen, where you'll find Lake Thun and the Niesen funicular.

Loop around the Brusio Circular Viaduct

The Bernina Express is right up there with Switzerland’s most phenomenal train rides, delivering views of waterfall-wisped ravines, gorge-leaping viaducts and glacier-capped mountains as it trundles from Chur to Tirano in Italy. Listen for ‘wows’ and camera clicks as you approach the Brusio Circular Viaduct — an engineering marvel, built in 1908 to keep the railway’s gradient at a maximum of 7%. Just beyond the village of Brusio, it loops a whole 360 degrees. Stretching over nine arches, each 33 feet in diameter, the spiral viaduct’s sleek stone facade contrasts with the backdrop of craggy rock faces and grassy plains.

Alight here: For up-close views, get off in Brusio, a key stop on the Bernina Express route (on the Zermatt-St. Moritz section of the Tour). It's then an easy 10-minute hike downhill to the viaduct, where you can walk along the road that crosses under one of its massive arches.

 (Surprised by these spots? Discover more of Switzerland here.)