 |
|
| Zürich Local Reference INFOrmation
Information on the facilities in the cantons of Zurich, Zug, Lucerne, Berne and Basel for outdoor activities: walks, hikes and cycling activities in the area.
Switzerland offers a wide range of outdoor activities including skiing, hiking, cycling, watersports, fishing, hang gliding, ballooning, sailing and canyoning. A few of the more popular are listed below.
Swiss National ParkThe Swiss National Park is a nature reserve in the eastern corner of Switzerland and is the largest protected area in the country with fauna and flora protected from any human interference and left to their natural development. It offers accommodation, shops, nature trails and guided walks. At the moment it is the country's only national park, though more are being planned.
Skiing & SnowboardingThe ski season generally runs between December and April in most resorts and from November to May in more high-altitude resorts (over 2000m).
Hiking & MountaineeringThere is a dense network of footpaths - some 50,000 Km of trails - meticulously signposted with numerous mountain huts or restaurants. The restaurants often close in October for winter. The alpine hiking season generally runs from mid-June through mid-September. Snow may still be on the ground at the higher elevations earlier in the year and early snowstorms are possible when hiking later in the season. At lower elevations and on the south side of the Alps, the hiking season begins in May and continues through October. Many winter resorts keep a few hiking trails open for walkers throughout winter. Signposts on hiking trails are divided into three categories:
Hiking areas include:
Contact:
Mountaineering (Bergsteigern)Mountaineering and rock climbing information is available from the Swiss Alpine Club (Schweizer Alpen-Club or Club Alpin Suisse/SAC)
Helicopter air-rescue (Helikopter Rettungsdienst)Rega (Swiss Air-Rescue) provides 24-hour emergency medical assistance via helicopter throughout Switzerland and its mountainous areas for situations in which a helicopter will be the fastest means of transport. In the event of a mountain emergency: Contact the rescue services. Provide clear information on accident/emergency location. If there is no telephone reception for a mobile cellular phone, help may be available at the nearest mountain hut. Do not wave to helicopters unless help is needed. If help is needed, raise both arms so that the body forms a "Y" shape.
Hiking maps (Wanderwegkarte)Swisstopo (Swiss Federal Office of Topography) produce topographical maps on seven different scales. Hiking maps are published on the scale 1:50.000 and include information about which routes are good to walk. Maps can be bought online. They also have information on public transport.
Cycling (Radfahren)Cycling in Switzerland is at its best from spring through autumn. Switzerland has a well-planned national cycling network with nine interconnecting routes of more than 3,000 Km. Roads, which are for the most part tarred and generally free from heavy traffic, pass through villages and towns, alongside lakes, over high passes and through alpine valleys. Bikes can be hired in most towns as well as from over 150 Swiss railway stations. The Swiss railways (SBB) offers many special cycling tours and trips (brochures are available at railway stations) and bikes rented can be returned to any other participating station. Contact:
Caravanning & CampingSwitzerland has about 450 camping and caravan parks with a range of amenities. Many are open all year round. Permission is required to camp on private property and campers must have an international camping card. This camping card is usually available from Swiss camping associations and motoring associations (including the the AAA and RAC in Britain and the American Automobile Association and Canadian Automobile Association). It serves as an identification document at campsites and provides Third Party insurance when camping.
Further camping information online:
Related Information
0409cr
|
myAngloINFO The New Stork Times A magazine offering diverse information, courses and workshops for English speaking families in Switzerland. Waesserwies 11, 8712 Staefae Find out more... Harsch Transports S.A. Relocating can be daunting, numerous steps must be taken: finding a home, a school for the children, completing administrative procedures, contracts with insurers and much more. But don't worry, we take care of that and help you to settle in comfortably. Find out more... Zug International Women's Club A club that organises seasonal parties, regular activities, monthly contact coffee cloches and special projects for charities. Social interaction, support, friendship and information to newcomers in the area is promoted. Find out more... The Open University Recognised British university offering Bachelor and Master level courses and programmes via distance learning to people resident in the EU and Switzerland. For more info contact the OU Representative in Switzerland Find out more... |
Share
Print
+
Related reference INFOrmation on AngloINFO Zürich:
The Weather:
Relax for a few minutes in our online leisure zoneCopyright © 2000-2009 AngloINFO Limited. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, About, Advertising, Contact.
AngloINFO: Everyday life in Switzerland, in English
Find out more about AngloINFO in Switzerland...