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See 15 Sensational Scenes of Switzerland, Europe’s Alpine Wonderland That’s Beautiful No Matter the Season

These dramatic images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest capture the splendor of the European nation home to castles, alpine huts, snow-capped mountains and much more

Herders have used cowbells
Herders have used cowbells
Herders have used cowbells as tracking devices for livestock for thousands of years, a practice that continues today. Jess Moss, 2011

See 15 Sensational Scenes of Switzerland, Europe’s Alpine Wonderland That’s Beautiful No Matter the Season

These dramatic images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest capture the splendor of the European nation home to castles, alpine huts, snow-capped mountains and much more

Photographs selected by Quentin Nardi

Herders have used cowbells
Herders have used cowbells as tracking devices for livestock for thousands of years, a practice that continues today. Jess Moss, 2011
From mountaintop ridges to valley ranches, Switzerland is a scenic dream. Beautiful views can be had at every turn in this European Alpine country. Whether the sights are taken in during a hike, a gondola ride above the mountains or as a passenger on a high-speed train, it’s obvious why Switzerland consistently ranks high among the world’s most beautiful countries. With comfortable summers and winters that create snowy wonderlands, there’s no wrong time to visit. Get a glimpse of it from these 15 images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest.
A rustic, cliffside cabin
A rustic, cliffside cabin offers stunning views of in the Bernese Oberland mountains. Spencer Cope, 2016
A runner moves along a ridge-top trail
A runner moves along a ridge-top trail, where the view is part of the motivation. Nicholas Gottlieb, 2017
The Klein Matterhorn
The Klein Matterhorn is the star of what is marketed as the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. It’s the highest peak in Europe accessible by gondola. Gary Toriello, 2019
Reuss River
Seagulls take flight over the calm waters of the Reuss River near the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge). Stephen Hurley, 2016
Schäffler Mountain
A paraglider sails over the majestic Schäffler Mountain. Michael Schauer, 2016
Train rides
Train rides are one way to enjoy the vast Switzerland countryside. Luis Montoya, 2023
the valley near Mount Pilatus
From the valley near Mount Pilatus, you can take in a view that’s both quaint and stunning. Jairo Valverde Bermudez, 2022
Maloja Pass
Maloja Pass, an old Roman road, is 15 miles long and classified as a Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National and Regional Significance. Alessandra Meniconzi, 2022
North Loop trail outside of Wengen
A mysterious streak pierces a perfectly blue sky, seen from the North Loop trail outside of Wengen. Michael Redmond, 2021
Chillon Castle
The first written mention of Chillon Castle, which sits on the eastern bank of Lake Geneva, dates to the 12th century. Juan Pablo de Miguel, 2017
A gondola descends
A gondola descends a snowy mountain, offering views of white peaks as far as the eye can see. Allen Miller, 2016
The Milky Way
The Milky Way, seen from San Bernadino, lights up the night sky. Nicola Vallana, 2016
Adventurers ascend the 5,900-foot Fee Glacier
Adventurers ascend the 5,900-foot Fee Glacier (Feegletscher) in the Pennine Alps, a popular ski destination. Agnieszka Wieczorek, 2024
snow globe
Like a scene enclosed in a snow globe, this wintry landscape with its cluster of frosty evergreens, is picture perfect. Tejasvi Pamganamamula, 2020

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

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