Swiss safety campaign warns hikers are pressing on despite mountain fears

Almost 70% of hikers surveyed in Switzerland have faced a mountain section that made them feel afraid or insecure. More than two-thirds still kept moving, according to a survey released by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention, known by its German acronym BFU, on August 25, 2026.

The findings point to a recurring risk on Switzerland’s extensive trail network. A route can appear manageable at the start, then change sharply when walkers reach an exposed traverse, loose terrain, a steep drop or a snowfield. Once a group has invested time and energy in a hike, turning back can feel difficult, particularly when the next section appears close.

The BFU surveyed 1,387 people on hiking and mountain trails in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland during summer 2024. The survey focused on how walkers assess danger and how they respond when conditions become uncomfortable.

The warning arrives in a country where well over half the population hikes regularly. Switzerland offers about 65,000 kilometres of marked trails, from lowland paths to demanding alpine routes. Marked does not mean risk-free. Mountain hiking requires fitness, sure-footedness and the ability to cope with heights and changing conditions.

Fall risks were the most common source of fear, reported by 45% of respondents. Another 36% said dizzying views made a section feel dangerous. Technical difficulty affected 18%, while 17% encountered snow-covered slopes that challenged their confidence.

These hazards can overlap. A narrow path above a steep drop may demand balance and concentration, while snow can conceal the trail surface and make a familiar route harder to cross. A walker who is physically tired or moving late in the day has less margin for error.

The survey shows that recognition of danger does not always lead to a change of plan. Respondents cited several reasons for continuing, including the absence of an obvious way back, time pressure, ambition and pressure from companions. Those decisions can become more consequential as groups move farther from a safe turning point.

The BFU advises hikers to choose routes that match their abilities and current physical condition. Before setting out, walkers should identify possible turnarounds and detours, check the route and allow enough time to avoid tackling difficult sections under pressure. Unease should be treated as information about the route, not as a challenge to overcome.

Younger and less experienced walkers were the most likely to continue through sections that made them feel unsafe. Among hikers aged 15 to 29, 84% passed through difficult sections, compared with 59% of those over 65.

Experience produced a similar pattern. 78% of people with less than five years of mountain hiking experience continued, while roughly two-thirds of those with more than ten years of experience did so. The figures suggest that familiarity with a route or confidence in physical ability does not always provide a reliable measure of technical risk.

The BFU also found that female hikers and people from abroad showed a greater willingness to take risks than male hikers and people resident in Switzerland. The survey did not establish that any one group is inherently less capable. It measured decisions in situations where walkers already felt fear or insecurity.

Group dynamics can shape those decisions. A confident leader may set the pace, while less experienced members may hesitate to speak up. The BFU recommends watching the weaker members of a group and building in extra time. A realistic plan gives everyone permission to turn around before a difficult section becomes an emergency.

Switzerland records around 40,000 hiking accidents each year, including 45 deaths. The BFU’s advice is designed to intervene before a difficult moment becomes a rescue operation.

Walkers should assess their fitness, balance and comfort with heights before selecting a route. They should also consider weather, snow conditions, daylight and the pace of the slowest person in the group. A route plan should include known options for turning back or taking a detour, rather than treating the destination as the only acceptable outcome.

The BFU’s multilingual safety platform, available in German, French and Italian, offers advice, packing lists and a self-assessment test. These tools are particularly relevant for visitors and occasional hikers who may know Switzerland’s trail signs but have less experience reading alpine terrain.

For Swiss residents, the survey reinforces a familiar point: regular hiking does not eliminate the need for preparation. For tourists, marked paths and scenic access do not replace route selection and local judgment. Before leaving the valley, hikers can check the forecast, tell someone their plan, charge a phone and agree on a clear decision point for turning back. Those steps support safer use of the trails that draw millions into the mountains each year.