How to hike with the Swiss

A get-going list: 10 tips for pedestrians and walkers

You routinely cross streets, you use sidewalks, sometimes you take the dog or visiting relatives out for 30 or, gasp, even 60 minutes of fresh air and scenery. But you’ve seen the entire nation of mostly-fit Swiss out hiking for the day and you think it might be time to join them.

Switzerland Mobility app for non-motarized traffic offers great hiking options

SwissRando yellow arrows: this is a trail for all levels of hikers

Here’s how:

1. First timers or if you have guests who are: pick a hiking trail that is mostly flat and a bit longer than what you consider an okay amount of walking, 6–8 km, for example. Your village or city has trails; do a quick web search. To start using and understanding the wonderful national trails system (66,000 km of groomed and marked trails) overseen by SwissRando, the umbrella organization for the hiking trails system, I suggest getting the free Switzerland Mobility app on your phone. You’ll find basic information in English, but to use it you need to choose German, French or Italian. Some translations are available.
2. Keep an eye on local weather with MeteoSwiss (their app is very useful) before you leave and while you hike. Make yourself familiar with the national mapping service Swisstopo, widely considered one of the best in the world, and if you have time, order one of their hiking maps. You can also download the free Swisstopo app on the Apple Store or Google Play, named the Best Swiss App 2021, no small feat. I use it with SwitzerlandMobility Plus, a paid service (CHF30/year) that lets you record, edit and save your own hikes.
3. Mentally register the system for signs: yellow (about 65%) = for everyone. Purple/pink = winter walking trails groomed for snow and ice. Red and white stripes = mountain, and hiking poles are useful. Blue and white stripes = alpine (just 1%), technically difficult and you need gear such as ropes, harnesses, helmets, cleats. In addition to the signposts, markers are painted on trees and rocks.
4. Consider using public transport, please. Even if you’re not worried about the environment (is this possible?), hiking is more fun if you’re not limited to doing loops.
5. Take a small daytrip backpack, always. Pack: sunscreen/cream, insect repellent and if there is any chance you’ll be near long grasses and woods take a tick-repellent spray, lightweight water bottle, phone and backup battery pack, snack such as trail mix with nuts and dried fruits, online map that can be used offline but also a paper one if possible, small flashlight or headlamp, an ID and a note about who to contact in case of trouble. A waterproof jacket between the seasons. I’ve been lost in the woods in the Alps at dusk on a winter day: believe me, all of this was useful, especially for keeping panic at bay.
6. Wear: sensible shoes and this means closed with decent soles — leave sandals at home. Take a hat for sun protection; sunglasses.
7. Safety: a first-aid kit with, at a minimum, bandaids and disinfectant should go in your backpack. Add emergency numbers to your cell phone: 112 can be used even with foreign Sim cards and pre-paid mobile phones. I pay CHF30 a year for a Rega card for everyone in my family, for peace of mind; the emergency air helicopters you see in the sky often carry hikers who need hospital care and the Rega app has easily found them. Don’t underestimate the potential for trouble — statistics gathered by the Swiss Accident Bureau show 33,000 people a year injured while hiking or climbing, nearly double the figure just two years earlier! If you’re crossing a field with cows, look for calves (in which case reconsider) and keep your distance. Be sure to close the field gate if there is one. If you have a dog with you, don’t try to save it if a cow attacks. Further sensible suggestions and in French, German, excellent advice from the Safety Bureau.
8. Add: hiking poles. They get you walking at a better pace, reduce fatigue and are definitely uphill-friendly gear. Learn how to get the length right and how to use them. Did you know they redistribute 20% of your weight from you legs to your arms? For the motion, think of cross-country arm-leg movements. You can buy then in any Swiss sports store.
9. Alerts: especially important if you’re hiking alone. Women, don’t be afraid to hike alone! Many of us do. Let someone know where you’ll be walking and for how long, send a short message to say you’ve finished the hike. If this seems excessive, please consider this: my husband went out for a walk, fell, went into a coma — and it took us 48 hours to find him in a hospital, where they had only his name, verbally given to someone nearby who thought to ask just before he became unconscious.
10. Behave: Switzerland is a country of mostly very civil people, so do as the natives do when out hiking. Say hello when you meet people on the trail; any language is fine in this multilingual country. Stay on the trail, for safety, but mainly to preserve flora and also the important and often invisible trails used by creatures. Never leave trash, especially food. Be friendly and helpful when you can. Do consider enjoying a glass of local, artisanal Swiss wine at the end, keeping in mind the important work these wineries do to help maintain the land and the landscape.

Chamoson trail, Valais, late-harvest grapes protected from birds, Nov 2021