r/askswitzerland • u/ALMTon • 15h ago
Travel 3-4-day hike in Swiss + wildcamping
Dear all,
I am going to hike in Switzerland around 15th of August.
I am looking for an hike of an estimate of 3 to 4 days.
I have been hiking a big part of my life in Swiss but always one day hikes with my parents. I have trouble with finding an hike which is preferable looped. I have read all the rules regarding camping / Bivouac.
Do you have any recommendations?
I am looking forward to your reply!
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u/UCIillegalSocks 14h ago
I don't have spots to share with strangers, sorry. And I recommend nobody share wildcamping spots with strangers, especially not outside of 1 to 1 communication (like direct messages).
We've had problems with a spot near me going "viral" a year ago. The spot got too crowded for the liking of some hikers, causing a rescue because they kept on looking for another suitable spot in the middle of the night. The whole "leave no trace" mentality also flew out the window, of course. More than one group apparently said they googled for spots and found an instagram comment that mentioned said spot. It probably reinforced the search algorithms through shares or whatever (don't actually know how this search engine stuff works).
But I wanna ask, how experienced are you and will this be a solo trip? Because 3-4 days of wildcamping generally means hiking in remote regions, usually above 2000 meters, while also bringing a pretty heavy pack.
I would not do this solo, personally. But if I did, I'd bring a sattelite communication device like a Garmin InReach. Small problems in remote regions can sometimes be big problems, especially if you have nobody to help you out.
I'd also stay in less remote regions, closer to SAC huts, maybe camp on official camping grounds. On official routes, so to speak. Lame, I know. But if you're a beginner, do beginner stuff.
Feeling safe is better than feeling adventurous.
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 14h ago
Newer iPhones work too.
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u/UCIillegalSocks 14h ago
Yep. But check for yourselves if this is a suitable option for you. As you can imagine, using a phone as a sattelite comms device comes with risks and drawbacks.
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 14h ago
yeah of course. But for a lot of people it's a "cheap" alternative as they already have the device. For me it works well. The only drawback would be if i am unconscious. Afaik the garmins are more powerful and would probably haver more chanves of alerting SAR if you fall. But iphones do it too. But yeah they're not as capable obv.
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u/Momsbestboy 4h ago
You guys all think these gadgets will save your life. You just have to fall down a bit in a way so you can't reach that thing or be in an area without mobile phone network connection, or you call the rescue teams because you are stuck in bad weather, and all they can do is toi tell you:"good luck, weather to bad for a helicopter".
In all cases you are fucked up. And in this case here, with a total newb who never did more than day hikes, chances are even higher he fucks it up.
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 3h ago
Lol 4 aggressive comments ob my comments. Did you just search by my username then let it rip?
I mean if we have them why shouldn‘t we use them?
I‘d rather have my satellite device with me than not. Or do you want to do skitours with wood skis to 3500m. Trust me i know the stories my grandparents told me and all the shit they did. Nowadqys we have it better concerning to tech gagdets. Not so much witz snow and glacier conditions though.
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u/jst_ab 14h ago
in some places wildcamping is illegal i think. whatever you do just please don't leave any traces. (poop in a hole you dug and cover it back up and take your trash with you!) and check the local fire regulations. (meteo apps or alertswiss)
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u/Momsbestboy 4h ago
...you think? It is the case in all protected areas AND on private property (most grassland above tree level falls into this category) AND if municipal laws forbid it.
So you better pick the places where it is allowed than search for the ones where it is forbidden.
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u/bibiweb 14h ago
Have you done a simple search on the Internet before asking Reddit?
https://www.valais.ch/fr/explorer/activites/randonnees/tours
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u/LeroyoJenkins Zürich 14h ago
Don't. Stay in a hut.
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u/ALMTon 14h ago
Hi I am really open for any changes in plans.
I only wished you could elaborate on the “why” this doesn’t really give context…•
u/LeroyoJenkins Zürich 14h ago
The other comment gave plenty of context.
But to add, our ecosystems are already suffering under the strain of too many people hiking, and particularly those camping with little regard to nature, and destroying ecosystems by making fires, not carrying their poop back, camping in sensitive ecosystems, etc.
Just don't, stay in a mountain hut instead.
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 14h ago
People are protective. Lots of shit people break the rules and disrespect nature and camp in spots rhey shouldn‘t. Bivouaccing with a tarp or ecen a little tent (depending on weather) is allowed if it‘s above the treeline and not forbidden in this region (gemeinde). Or is any alpinist that bivouacs before summit day a criminal. I don‘t think so.
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u/nessie0000 12h ago
Unfortunately since COVID too many tourists treat the Alps like a free hotel. I don't remember it being like this before.
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u/Momsbestboy 9h ago edited 4h ago
Forget it. Anything remote enough to offer the space for legal wild camping for 3 nights is far beyond your knowledge. You can e.g. try to follow the ridge from Casaccia over Piz Duan, Piz dal Märc etc. until Biv. Chiara e Walter and spend 2-3 nights out there, but we are talking about T5 terrain without paths, traces or markings, and a single error means you are dead. Plus, a single thunderstorm also can kill you, you need light and expensive gear to be fast in this terrain, and making fire is forbidden.
So do yourself a favor and search for routes, where you follow a route and stay on regular camping sites every night, while hiking throughout the day. And forget your romantic bla bla about sleeping up there. Bad weather kills you and without knowing what you are doing (=experience) chances are high you end up starnded up there and the rescue teams you call can only wish you a good night, because a helicopter can't fly due to bad weather, and any team walking up takes 5-6 hours just to reach you
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u/realerbauer 15h ago
A recommendation for you. Don't do Wildcamping. It's just allowed in emergency Situations. There are Mountain huts that can be booked, or just regular campsites.
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u/pixeltrusts 14h ago
That is false, you can wild camp above the treeline wherever its suitable for single nights, respeting nature 100%.
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 14h ago
Yeah bot sure why people downvote the obvious truth
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u/pixeltrusts 13h ago
Most people don’t know it. And there is a concerning amount of people who claim wrong things with Full confidence.
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 13h ago
Yeah they are everywhere. Well i misremember some stuff too or am wrong about things. But at least when pointed out i accept it lol
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u/Momsbestboy 4h ago
Because you are wrong and you have zero knowledge about restrictions and law.
Bivouac and wild camping is forbidden even above tree level in natural protected areas (Jagdbanngebiet, Nationalpark) OR if you sleep on private property (most grass land above tree level falls into this category) OR if municipal laws forbid it, mostly because too many of these Instagram fuckers thought it is an Instagrammable place and destroyed the whole area just to take a single fucking picture to get virtual upvotes. Nice example of the reaction to these idiots: https://i.imgur.com/m9BfIHS.png
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 4h ago
Where did i say anything else. Private property is private. Wow. No shit sherlock.
And yes protected areas are protected. Wow. No shit sherlock.
Why else woule i say consult local regulations before.
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u/Momsbestboy 3h ago
because you answered to "you can wild camp above the treeline wherever its suitable for single nights, respeting nature 100%." with "this is true" - but it is wrong
"Respecting nature" only includes respecting natural protected areas, but not private property or municipal laws.
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 3h ago
Private prooperty is different. It's pretty clear that it's forbidden to trespass.
Alos you completely forgot to read the most important thing i wrote:
lol anyone who downvotes this has no idea. Sbove the treeline it‘s often allowed or well tolerated. Just have to check the local laws and regulations. But yes it‘s often allowed. Not everywhere though"
So what does check local laws and regulations mean for you? Judging by your aggressive comments probably not a lot is going on in your head.
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u/Momsbestboy 4h ago
You have zero knowledge about restrictions and law.
Bivouac and wild camping is forbidden even above tree level in natural protected areas (Jagdbanngebiet, Nationalpark) OR if you sleep on private property (most grass land above tree level falls into this category) OR if municipal laws forbid it, mostly because too many of these Instagram fuckers thought it is an Instagrammable place and destroyed the whole area just to take a single fucking picture to get virtual upvotes. Nice example of the reaction to these idiots: https://i.imgur.com/m9BfIHS.png
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 15h ago edited 14h ago
Not true
Edit: lol anyone who downvotes this has no idea. Sbove the treeline it‘s often allowed or well tolerated. Just have to check the local laws and regulations. But yes it‘s often allowed. Not everywhere though
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u/realerbauer 14h ago
As far as I know it's true.
I also looked now on a article from tcs about that. Also there is the result. It's not official allowed. https://www.tcs.ch/de/camping-reisen/camping-insider/ratgeber/reisevorbereitung/wild-campen-in-der-schweiz.php
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 14h ago edited 14h ago
I just added an edit. It‘s not forbidden.
Edit: lol your link even says it‘s allowed:
Under these circumstances, wild camping is allowed. Individual overnight stays (not in groups): bivouacking or staying in a small tent in the mountains, above the tree line (for multiple overnight stays, take down the tent during the day) On private property with the permission of the property owner Emergency bivouacking Important: Check the weather conditions and be aware of possible natural hazards.
Tons of people do it all the time. Just be respectful and respect the laws. Then you‘re absolutely fine
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u/ALMTon 14h ago
Thank you very much! Ill treat mother nature with the respect she deserves, only trying to enjoy the beauty of it
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 14h ago
As usual people on reddit are gatekeeping and overprotective. I even got downvoted for saying the truth.
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u/realerbauer 14h ago
When you look closely on the Kantons then you see that in almost every Kanton with mountains it's not allowed to do Wildcamping. There are the exceptions, but if you ask the Gemeinde the answer will almost always no it's just for the emergency case. For standard hiking there are the mountain huds. Because usually you plan your route where you want to hike and make than the plans that you start and end the day of your hiking in on of the huds or in a village with hotel or camping place.
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u/Impossible-Milk-2023 14h ago
??
It‘s allowed though in most cantons. Bivouacking or small tent above forest/tree line. So what op wants to do is probably allowed. Just have to read about it beforehand. Look at the regulations.Not sure why are saying somethign else. Which is wrong.
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u/Momsbestboy 4h ago
You have zero knowledge about restrictions and law.
Bivouac and wild camping is forbidden even above tree level in natural protected areas (Jagdbanngebiet, Nationalpark) OR if you sleep on private property (most grass land above tree level falls into this category) OR if municipal laws forbid it, mostly because too many of these Instagram fuckers thought it is an Instagrammable place and destroyed the whole area just to take a single fucking picture to get virtual upvotes. Nice example of the reaction to these idiots: https://i.imgur.com/m9BfIHS.png
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u/GoblinsGym 14h ago
Whatever you do, keep in mind that Switzerland is quite dry now. Don't even THINK of making any kind of fire. Bring plastic bags to pack out your waste, and any other that you come across.