Whether skating or classic: these ten cross-country skiing destinations are all reachable from Basel by public transport. From romantic forest tracks to scenic high-altitude loops, there’s something for every level of Nordic skier.
The destinations below are sorted by travel time from Basel SBB to make your planning easier. Make sure to visit the map to explore all cross-country skiing areas and thousands of other outdoor activities reachable from any starting point in Switzerland.
Much more on ovunta.com/en/map
Home to Switzerland's national sports centre, this resort above Biel/Bienne in the Jura foothills combines athletic heritage with forest trails. The terrain attracts both recreational skiers and those with a more competitive mindset seeking structured training conditions.
12.5kmLearn more on
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| Basel SBB (08:32) | |
| IC51 (1h 9m) | |
| Biel/Bienne (09:41) |
| Biel/Bienne Magglingenb.(Funi) (09:57) | |
| 22 (6m) | |
| Magglingen/Macolin (10:03) |
| Magglingen, Seilbahn (10:10) | |
| 79 (3m) | |
| Magglingen, End der Welt (10:13) |
Varied circular route under the crest of the Gisliflue in the Jura mountains of Aargau. Partly through the wood, and partly along the wood's edge, the route provides magnificent views over the Jura mountains close by to the entire Alpine range.
9.6kmTour published by:
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| Basel SBB (08:36) | |
| IR36 (29m) | |
| Frick (09:05) |
| Frick, Bahnhof (09:21) | |
| 135 (20m) | |
| Staffelegg, Passhöhe (09:41) |
Get to know Switzerland from its authentic side: far from any main road, the Rickenbach cross-country skiing trail wends its way through the scenic Michelsamt region amid hills, open fields and rustic farms.
7.6kmTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Basel SBB (08:30) | |
| IC6 (25m) | |
| Olten (08:55) |
| Olten (09:06) | |
| RE24 (24m) | |
| Sursee (09:30) |
| Sursee, Bahnhof (09:33) | |
| 81 (16m) | |
| Gunzwil, Hasenhusen (09:49) |
You can also enjoy cross-country skiing in Aargau: in the natural arena of Moos near Leutwil for example. The loop with several challenging uphill and downhill sections first crosses an open landscape before taking you around the edge of the wood.
3.3kmTour published by:
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| Basel SBB (08:43) | |
| IR37 (46m) | |
| Lenzburg (09:29) |
| Lenzburg, Bahnhof (09:35) | |
| 395 (38m) | |
| Leutwil, Dorfplatz (10:13) |
Whether it’s a leisurely stroll or fast-paced cross-country skiing – on Mount Weissenstein above Solothurn, everyone can escape the fog of the Swiss Plateau and enjoy marvellous views.
3kmTour published by:
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| Basel SBB (08:30) | |
| IC6 (25m) | |
| Olten (08:55) |
| Olten (09:01) | |
| IR55 (25m) | |
| Solothurn (09:26) |
| Solothurn (09:32) | |
| S21 (14m) | |
| Oberdorf SO (09:46) |
| Oberdorf SO (Talstation) (09:51) | |
| 2026 (12m) | |
| Weissenstein (10:03) |
The canton of Zurich’s longest cross-country ski trail is a short distance from the city itself, yet still in the heart of a quiet rural area. The hilly route is almost 30 km long (18.5 miles) and runs along the back of Pfannenstiel, offering breathtaking views of Lake Zurich and the Swiss Alps.
24.3kmTour published by:
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| Basel SBB (08:33) | |
| IC3 (53m) | |
| Zürich HB (09:26) |
| Zürich HB (09:41) | |
| S7 (22m) | |
| Männedorf (10:03) |
| Männedorf, Bahnhof (10:06) | |
| 940 (6m) | |
| Männedorf, Widenbad (10:12) |
This route, which starts from the Mont-Crosin pass, follows the ridge towards la Bise de Cortébert where you will take the same path but in the opposite direction. The view over the Chasseral massif and the closeness of the wind turbines make the detour worthwhile.
24.2kmTour published by:
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| Basel SBB (08:32) | |
| IC51 (1h 9m) | |
| Biel/Bienne (09:41) |
| Biel/Bienne (09:47) | |
| RE4 (25m) | |
| St-Imier (10:12) |
Cross-country skiing in the upper Emmental surrounded by unspoiled hills. Lined with wooded slopes, this flat trail winds its way along the valley floor between Langnau and Trubschachen, following the Ilfis river. Impressive Emmental farmhouses are dotted along both sides of the cross-country skiing trail.
4.5kmTour published by:
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Cross-country skiing in the upper Emmental through the typical, scattered villages. The trail follows the Trueb river, climbing up the valley towards the Napf mountain and then through Trub to Trubschachen. From the trail, you can see Emmental farmhouses and hillsides peppered with woodland and open fields.
8.9kmTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Basel SBB (08:30) | |
| IC6 (56m) | |
| Bern (09:26) |
| Bern (09:36) | |
| RE7 (36m) | |
| Trubschachen (10:12) |
The Kalthof-Wiliberg ski run is seen as an insider tip in the centre of the country. The varied and slightly hilly route over the plateau between the Suhrental and the Uerkental valley provides a view of the Alps and the Jura mountain chain.
7.3kmTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Basel SBB (08:30) | |
| IC6 (25m) | |
| Olten (08:55) |
| Olten (09:06) | |
| RE24 (24m) | |
| Sursee (09:30) |
| Sursee, Bahnhof (09:35) | |
| 85 (40m) | |
| Staffelbach, Gemeindehaus (10:15) |
