Hiking and Walking in Switzerland

The Swiss Alps are Made for Hiking

Switzerland is the greatest hiking and walking destination in the world. The land is crisscrossed by more than 40,000 miles (65,000 km) of marked hiking and walking paths, of which over 13,600 miles (22,000 km) are mountain trails. Hiking and walking is a way of life in Switzerland, where nearly half of the Swiss population hikes regularly.  Hiking is one of the favorite pastimes in this country where over 80% of the Swiss population use the nation’s network of footpaths for hiking, running, walking, and other activities. On average, Swiss hikers enjoy 20 hikes per year, each averaging about three hours. The price of maintaining one kilometer of trail for a year is about $800—not cheap—but the Swiss see that as a great investment in quality of life and personal well-being. Switzerland's superb network of hiking trails is a source of natioal pride and civic enjoyment. 

Alpenwild, with over 20 years of experience guiding trips in Switzerland, offers a variety of hiking, trekking, and walking tours in the Alps.  We know all the best spots in the Alps, ensuring a trip of a lifetime.

Who is Responsible for Swiss Hiking Trails?

According to Swiss Federal Law cantons are responsible for the planning, development, maintenance and reporting of hiking trails. The cantons may delegate these tasks to specialized private organizations or hiking clubs. Often responsibility is shared so that the cantons are planning and overseeing the creation of trail networks while paths are then maintained by municipalities and marked by local hiking clubs.

How do They Calculate the Hiking Times Posted on the Signs?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions by Alpenwild hikers. Years ago the trail times were reported by volunteers, often older hikers, who actually hiked the various segments and reported times, excluding breaks. Today with the aid of geographical information system (GIS) technology, trail times are automatically calculated using a unified formula which adjusts for elevation gain and descent. This calculation is therefore done by computer and not by a hiker. Although individual hiking times may vary, most hikers find the times on signs to be fairly accurate and helpful in route planning.