Ruedi Thomi
The most beautiful bivouac sites aren’t always the well-known photo spots. If you set off with adventure in mind and take the necessary precautions, you can find fantastic locales far removed from the popular haunts. We’ve put together a few of them for you here.
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.
Bivouacking equipment
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
Bivouac bans: conservation areas and no-hunting zones
In principle, you’re allowed to access forests and meadows, but local municipalities and cantons can impose all kinds of restrictions and bans, which must be adhered to. It goes without saying that we shouldn’t leave any trace of our presence in the natural world. More in-depth information on bivouac bans can be found in the SAC brochure on camping and bivouacking. Municipal and cantonal rules can be found online or requested via phone.
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
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