What are options for sleeping when doing the Via Alpina in Switzerland?
Disclaimer: Bear in mind this a trip planned for the summer of 2021, where hopefully Covid restrictions will be reduced.
A friend of mine will be hiking the whole Via Alpina and I am looking to accompany him when he crosses through Switzerland. Our plan was originally to camp all the way through but apparently wild camping is not allowed in Switzerland.
I would then like to ask if there are spots for camping across the Via Alpina or if the Huts/Refuges are our only option. If so, how cheap are they? We are looking to minimise the prices, but also having the opportunity to camp in a very nice place would be amazing.
We are not members of any alpine club if that matters.
What is the best course of action?
Best Answer
Wild camping (wether tent, tarp or bivouac bag) is generally authorised in Switzerland except in protected lands (such as wilderness protection areas) or on private land with a recommendation to camp over the limit where trees grow. PDF memo on camping by Swiss alpine club (the main article is in German or in French under: Swiss alpine club camping)
But in an emergency, you can still do a bivouac (one night, set up late and leave early with no traces behind) is generally anywhere in the mountains or forests), not to be mistaken with the official bivouacs that you'll see on maps (which are like very basic and usually small mountain huts)
The key point being not bothering or damaging the fauna and flora and leaving no traces (so no fires). I would also recommend not to camp in the vicinity of a mountain hut (they don't like it if you sleep in your tent but use their toilets and facilities), nor close to inhabited buildings and to ask permission if a farm is close by.
I have had only good experiences wild camping in Switzerland, so I can definitely recommend it.
Pictures about "What are options for sleeping when doing the Via Alpina in Switzerland?"
Can you camp on the Via Alpina?
We camped some of the route a few years ago. But sometimes the weather sent us indoors, and sometimes stopping in a town gave less choice. But they often have a camping place in town. Above 2,500 m camping is permitted.How difficult is Via Alpina?
Despite being a very scenic trail and one of the most popular tours in Switzerland, the Via Alpina 1 requires a dose of respect. This is a tough trek that traverses a number of challenging passes in the Swiss Alps and is not recommended without experience.How long does it take to hike Via Alpina?
Introduction. The Via Alpina (formerley the Alpine Pass Route) crosses Switzerland from East to West, from Sargans to Montreux. The whole trek is well over 300km and takes between two and three weeks.How many passes do you cross on the Via Alpina?
The Alpine Pass Route (APR) \u2013 Swiss Via Alpina 1 (VA1) crosses 16 high mountain passes as it makes its way over 350km across Switzerland, making it one of the great Alpine trekking routes.Via Alpina - long-distance hiking in Switzerland
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Kampus Production, Kampus Production, Pavel Danilyuk, Kampus Production