Your hike, today
What is published near the trail, read just now: closures, army firing, herd dogs, and thunderstorms in the forecast. On the spot, the signs come first.
Reading published notices…
- What to do
within 3 km of the trail
- What to do
within 3 km of the trail
- What to do
within 3 km of the trail
- What to do
Forecast at the start
Before you go
Tick as you go: your list stays on your phone.
Pick a hike that matches your fitness and your group's, and be honest about it. Our page on hiking difficulty helps you read the grades.
Plan your time with some margin, and spot a shorter way back just in case. Check the weather, and the time of the last bus or train home.
Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back, especially if you're hiking alone.
On the trail
Stay on marked trails. Out there, signs, barriers and posted notices beat anything you read beforehand, this page included.
Take breaks, drink and eat regularly. If the weather, the trail or the group's energy isn't holding up, turn back in time or switch route. When in doubt, head down.
On every hike, Bivio shows trail closures published by FEDRO and the cantons near the route, with the time we read them. Anything not published won't be there, so keep your eyes open on the ground too.
If you meet…
Livestock guard dogs
On some alpine pastures, dogs guard the sheep or goats. A sign tells you they're there: read it. Bivio shows the published pastures with guard dogs near your route.
If a dog runs at you barking or blocks the way: stop, stay calm, give it time to size you up. Once it settles, walk on slowly and go around the herd. If it stays threatening, turn back.
- Don't provoke it with a stick or sudden moves. Don't feed or pet it.
- Don't stare it in the eye, and don't turn your back on it.
- On a bike, get off and push.
- Best leave your own dog at home. If it's with you: on a lead, and walk around the herd.
Cows and calves
Keep your dog on a short lead and walk calmly around cattle. Never touch the calves, and close gates and fences behind you.
Army firing zones
The Swiss army uses some mountain areas as firing ranges. Bivio shows the published firing notices near your route, with days and times.
During firing, entering the danger zone is forbidden, and you must follow the sentries' instructions. Firing is signalled by red and white flags or balloons, and at night by three red lights in a triangle.
If you find a shell or any piece of ammunition: never touch it, mark the spot and call 117 (police), or use the "Annonce ratés" app.
Thunderstorms
If storms are forecast, start very early and watch the sky, or keep it to a short walk, or put it off. Dark clouds piling up, rumbling in the distance: time to head down or shelter in a hut.
Stay away from summits, ridges, lone trees, streams and steel cables. A closed hut or a car protects you; an open shelter or a tent doesn't. Caught outside, crouch on your dry backpack, feet together, away from the others, with your poles a few metres off.
In an emergency
Protect the injured person and yourself, give first aid, then call for help. Don't leave an injured person alone.
To be found fast, get ready to give: where you are (coordinates, canton, place, visible landmarks), your name and a call-back number, what happened, how many people are hurt and how, whether a helicopter can land, any cables or power lines around, and the weather on site (visibility, rain, wind).
The Rega app sends your location to Rega's operations centre when you raise the alarm. It needs at least some mobile signal. Try the test alarm at home: it checks everything works without calling out a rescue.
- 1414: Rega, helicopter rescue. From abroad: +41 333 333 333.
- 112: the international emergency number, it puts you through to the right rescue service.
- 144: medical emergencies, ambulance.
The Rega app sends your location
App Store (opens in a new tab)Google Play (opens in a new tab)
Questions people ask
What's the emergency number in the Swiss mountains?
1414 for Rega, or the Rega app, which sends your location. 112 also puts you through to the right rescue service, and 144 calls an ambulance.
Does the Rega app work without signal?
No, the alarm needs at least some mobile signal. If it doesn't go through, try calling 1414 or 112.
What do I do if a guard dog blocks my way?
Stop, stay calm and give it time to assess you. Then walk on slowly around the herd, or turn back if it stays threatening.
How do I know if there's army firing on my route?
On every hike, Bivio shows the army's published firing notices near the route. On site, red and white flags or balloons and sentries mean firing is under way.
What should I do if a storm catches me in the mountains?
Get off ridges and summits, move away from lone trees, water and cables, then crouch on your backpack with your feet together and your poles set aside.