Five fun family walks near Zurich

Kids will need little motivation to hike this three-stage, 7.5km (one-way) trail as they have 27 musical installations to play with en route. These range from cow bells to pipes and a xylophoneseesaw hybrid. The Klangweg Billet (CHF32) includes the return cable-car trip, while the trail can take anything from 1.5 to six hours to complete, depending on how many stages you tackle.

Start at Alp Sellamatt, 9656 Alt St Johann. Until Oct 21. www.klangwelt.swiss.

No children’s story has popularised the beauty of Switzerland as much as Johanna Spyri’s ‘Heidi’. Learn more about the tale on the Heidi Trail, part of the Heididorf (Heidi Village) experience in Maienfeld. Start the 6.5km, 1.5-hour circuit at the Heidi-Shop, walking to the Heididorf and round to Heidi’s fountain. For a bigger challenge, try the uphill Heidi Adventure Trail, featuring 12 stations that explain the importance of the spot to Heidi.

Start at Heidi-Shop, Bahnhofstrasse 1, 7304 Maienfeld. Until mid-Nov. www.heididorf.ch.

Nestled in the Engelberg mountains, this fun-filled course consists of treasure chests hidden along a 4km trail. Little ones need to use a map – available from the start points – to find the chests and solve puzzles to claim a prize. The route takes about two hours.

Start at Berglodge Restaurant Ristis or Kräuter Hut, Härzlisee, 6390 Engelberg. Until late Oct. CHF5 per group. brunni.ch/en.

The theme of this activity-packed trail is inspired by the local legend of Muggestutz, the eldest of the Hasliberg region’s fabled dwarves. The 4.4km, mostly downhill hike runs from Mägisalp to Bidmi and activities en route include a crystal cave and dwarf house.

Start at Mägisalp, 6086 Hasliberg. Until Oct 20. www.meiringen-hasliberg.ch/en.

Discover the story of Lizi the herbalist witch along this 1.5-hour (one-way) trail. Take the cable car to Gummenalp, then hike to the creaky old gate that marks the start. The easy, mostly downhill hike is dotted with witch-related activity stations, including a broomstick-themed zipline and a witch’s house.

Start at Gummenalp, 6383 Dallenwil. Until Nov 3. www.wirzweli.ch.