Storms close many Swiss hiking trails

About 600 hiking trails, with a total length of 1,300 kilometers, are closed across Switzerland due to storm damage, the organization Suisse Rando reports.

According to the organization, many hiking trails in Switzerland are currently damaged and closed or diverted due to the weather conditions.

The worst affected regions are Goms, Binntal, Saas Valley, Zermatt, Val d’Anniviers, Misox, Maggia Valley, Val Bavona, Val Lavizzara and Valle di Peccia, in the Leventina Valley and in the Bedretto Valley.

Areas affected by closures are generally cordoned off by cantonal trail organizations. Closures can be viewed on the online map service map.geo.admin.ch. And while efforts are made to keep online maps up to date, trail signs may vary. In such cases, trail signage should be respected if it differs from what is posted on the website, Suisse Rando said.

The red dots on the map below indicate when trails are closed.

Furthermore, as the situation is constantly changing, hikers should always contact local authorities such as cantonal trail associations, municipalities, tourist offices and mountain railways before setting out. They should also plan alternative routes or shortcuts in case there is unregistered damage to the trail.

Certain trails should generally be avoided, particularly trails along rivers or watercourses and areas prone to landslides, such as ground that is heavily saturated with water.

When in doubt, always go back, advises Suisse Rando.

More about this:
Swiss Rando article (in French) – Take a 5-minute French test now

For more stories like this about Switzerland, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Related Posts