Wengen, Switzerland

Wengen (1274m) is a gorgeous, car-free haven perched on a shelf of tranquil southwest-facing meadow. Wengen is one of Switzerland's best-known ski resorts, most famous for hosting World Cup downhill and slalom races on the Lauberhorn every January. The resort stays bustling with skiers well into April. Once the snows have receded, Wengen sits amidst ideal hiking country, overlooked by the Jungfrau and the distinctive creamy cone of the Silberhorn. Its lofty outlook means it enjoys unrivalled valley sunsets.

Walks of varying degrees of toughness thread through the countryside around and above Wengen. Even simple little excursions such as down to Wengwald below the village can reveal flower-strewn meadows, romantic footpaths and stunning views out over the great chasm of the Lauterbrunnen valley. Opposite, the horse's tail of the Staubbach falls is clearly visible, while the jagged Lobhörner peak stands out, silhouetted against the sky. The cliff-edge Mönchblick viewpoint beyond Wengwald is less than an hour's stroll (120m down) from Wengen. Longer walks lead up to Wengernalp (also with a useful train station) and on up to the rail junction at Kleine Scheidegg (3hr total). The LWM cable car from Wengen crests the bluff overlooking the village to the beautiful plateau of Männlichen; you can, as an alternative, hike the steep three-hour trail, which rises a testing 1070m.