Other sports and leisure pursuits

In Switzerland many other disciplines such as such as gymnastics, cycling, athletics, Swiss wrestling and equestrian sports are just as popular as the country's national sports. The Swiss landscape lends itself to a vast range of outdoor pursuits, and Swiss people love the great outdoors.

Two cyclists on mountain bikes.
Outdoor sports are very popular in Switzerland, especially cycling and mountain biking, and Swiss athletes perform at a very high level. © Switzerland tourism / Andre Meier

In addition to their national sports, the Swiss also love sports such as cycling, tennis, gymnastics, golf, equestrian sports and shooting. Swiss athletes excel at international level in several of these sports and have various world titles to their names. Among them, the best known and most successful are tennis players.

The Swiss landscape lends itself to a wide range of outdoor sports and leisure activities. An extensive network of hiking and cycle routes attracts walkers and cyclists, while Switzerland's many lakes and rivers are ideal for a variety of water-based pursuits. A visit to the thermal baths is a popular outing – Switzerland has been a popular spa resort since Roman times. Switzerland also has a strong scout movement, and many young people enjoy their leisure time outdoors with a scouting association.

Other sports

Roger Federer holding up his Olympic medal
Tennis player Roger Federer has broken many records during his exceptionally long career and has made an enormous contribution to the success of professional tennis in Switzerland. © Presence Switzerland, FDFA

Leisure pursuits

Two hikers approach a yellow signpost.
dense 65,000-km-long network of uniformly signposted hiking and mountain paths cover Switzerland – that is 1.5 times the circumference of the earth. © Swiss Hiking

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