Bivouac sites in Switzerland: discover five new spots

Spending the night under the stars amidst the mountains: an experience like no other! If you’re going to be camping tentless, you need a nice spot to do it. Here are five charming sites where you’re permitted to camp in the great outdoors.

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Valle Bedretto in Ticino

Various hikes lead to the Capanna Piansecco. Among others, the Four Springs Trail leads past here. It connects the cantons of Uri, Graubünden, Ticino and Valais. You will pass the sources of the Rhine, Reuss, Ticino and Rhone. A little way from the hut you will find a place for a biwak (picture above).

Height of bivouac site:  1988 m above sea level

Highlight:  There is a climbing garden near the hut.

Mutschensattel in Eastern Switzerland

The hike from Wildhaus to Mutschensattel, via the Teselalp, is said to be nothing overly special. But if you climb the adjacent Mutschen, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view, overlooking either the Rhine valley or a sea of fog, depending on the season. You can also plan the hike as a detour on the way to Bollenwees, passing the impressive Kreuzberge mountains.

Height of bivouac site:  2,068 m above sea level

Highlight:  view from Mutschen over the sea of fog or Rhine valley, subsequent hike along the Kreuzberge mountains to Bollenwees or to the Zwinglipasshütte hut via Chreialpfirst.

Lago di Sfii in Ticino 

The region to the north-west of Locarno is called ‘Centovalli’, or ‘valley of one hundred valleys’. It is well-connected by public transport, so getting to the starting point of Campo Vallemaggia in the Valle di Campo shouldn’t pose any issues. It’s an easy walk from there to Alpe di Sfii and on to Lago di Sfii, an incredibly pretty mountain lake. Once you get there, you can continue on to the Vergeletto valley. Note: the charted hiking paths are no longer visible as such and are largely unmarked. Immerse yourself in the wilderness!

Height of bivouac site: 1,900 m above sea level

Highlight: the crystal-clear lake is embedded within a basin, surrounded by meadows and mountains. It reflects its entire surroundings, depending on the height of the sun.

Seewliwiese in Central Switzerland

The next spot for spending the night al fresco is located centrally, and yet lacks nothing in Alpine charm. We’re talking about the Seewlisee lake, above Silenen in the Urner Alps. You can get to this locale via the Brunnital valley and the Seewligrat ridge, but an easier route is to start from Kilcherberg and take the cable-car from Silenen.

Height of bivouac site: 2,027 m above sea level

Highlight: the view from the mountain lake with the Urner Alps in the background

Gadenlouwisee lake in the Bernese Oberland

True, you’ve got to scale a steep ascent with an elevation gain of almost 1,000 metres – but the effort is worth it for this secluded site with unparalleled views. If you don’t want to go back the same way, you can continue onwards and upwards to the Triftbahn cable-car in the Gadmertal valley.

Height of bivouac site: 2,155 m above sea level

Highlight:  stunningly secluded locale high above the Gadmertal valley