Another great thing about hiking in Switzerland is that Swiss hikers like their comfort. Not only are most trails well maintained, but there’s often a handy mountain hut or chalet along the way offering drinks, snacks or even meals and beds. Very civilized!
Swiss hiking trail levels
Swiss hiking trails are divided into three levels: recreational trails, mountain trails and Alpine routes. Mountain trails and alpine routes are divided into further sublevels, according to the difficulty level defined by the Swiss Alpine Club (CAS).
Signposts and trail markings are color-coded to indicate the level. Many signs also give the current location, altitude and estimated time to the next destination. This means it’s generally hard to get lost or take on too much. Even so, you need to be aware of the different trail levels — and of your own limits. Some Swiss hiking trails are steep, exposed and very high… and even a great trail can be dangerous in bad weather.
Recreational hiking trails — easy
Signs: yellow
Trail markers: yellow diamond or arrow
Swiss Alpine Club level T1 – hiking
- Cleared and well maintained trails
- Flat or a gentle slope
- No/low risk of falling
- Often between villages and towns
- No special shoes or equipment necessary (although I’d still recommend good walking shoes)
- No special skills necessary
Mountain trails — medium
Signs: yellow with red and white points
Trail markers: red and white stripes
Swiss Alpine Club level T2 – mountain hiking
- Generally marked trail
- Possibly steep in parts
- Possible risk of falling
- Equipment: Hiking shoes recommended; all-weather clothing; hiking sticks could be useful
- Abilities: Some sure-footedness, elementary map reading skills
Swiss Alpine Club level T3 – demanding mountain hiking
- Mostly marked, but trail not necessarily always visible
- Steep in parts, climbing to higher altitudes
- Some exposed areas, scree slopes and/or rocks, with ropes or chains on more difficult sections
- May need to use hands for balance
- Risk of falling
- Equipment: Good hiking shoes; all-weather clothing; hiking sticks could be useful
- Abilities: Sure-footedness, map reading skills, basic alpine experience
Alpine routes — difficult
Signs: blue with blue and white points
Trail markers: blue and white stripes
Swiss Alpine Club level T4 – alpine hiking
- Trail does not necessarily exist
- Exposed and sometimes precarious (steep drop-offs, grassy slopes, jagged rocks, snow fields, easy glacier crossings)
- May need to use hands to move forward
- Risk of falling
- May be difficult to return in bad weather
- Equipment: Good trekking boots; all-weather clothing; hiking sticks could be useful
- Abilities: Sure-footedness, some terrain assessment, familiarity with exposed terrain, map reading skills, alpine experience
Swiss Alpine Club level T5 – demanding alpine hiking
- Often no trail
- Exposed and demanding terrain (steep drop-offs, jagged rocks, snow fields, dangerous glacier crossings)
- Some climbing
- Risk of falling
- Dangerous in bad weather
- Equipment: Mountaineering boots, clothing and gear; map; compass
- Abilities: Sure-footedness, good terrain assessment, map reading skills, strong alpine experience, elementary knowledge of ice axe and rope handling
Swiss Alpine Club level T6 – difficult alpine hiking
- Mostly no trail, mostly not marked
- Often very exposed (steep drop-offs, jagged rocks, snow fields, glaciers with increased risk of slipping)
- Climbing sites up to II UIAA
- Risk of falling
- Dangerous in bad weather
- Equipment: Mountaineering boots, clothing and gear; map; compass
- Abilities: Sure-footedness, good terrain assessment, map reading skills, very strong alpine experience, familiarity with technical alpine equipment