Landscapes of rock and ice: Nico Schaerer on photographing the elemental drama of Switzerland

Sum up Switzerland in three words.

My. Little. Paradise. I have this special place up in Vals, where there’s a thermal bath made from volcanic rock and it’s become my spot to decompress.

Essentials

SWISS is among the many airlines serving Zurich and Geneva Airport. Or, more sustainably, take the Eurostar to Paris, then connect with TGVs that race to Geneva in just over three hours, as well as Zurich and Basel. Once there, the money-saving Swiss Travel Pass lets you explore with a single ticket.

Switzerland has excellent infrastructure, designed with its snowy winters in mind, so even travelling to the country’s highest peaks, or into its remote, wild interior is straightforward to organise. While the mountains are beautiful to hike in the summer, there’s something magical about walking through a white and silent landscape.

Consider basing yourself in Graubünden, a beautiful region bursting with nature and incorporating several of Nico’s favourite places including Laax, Davos and Vals.

For more information on how best to experience Switzerland, click here and to see more of Nico’s wonderful photography, head to his website.

Follow National Geographic Traveller (UK) on social media

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter