Ruedi Thomi, Jonas Jäggy
Microadventures, or little adventures on your doorstep, can be organised without a great deal of effort or preparation. We’ve put together a few excursions for you so that you can escape from the humdrum for at least a little while.
Microadventures are a great way to escape from the daily grind. You don’t have to travel far and there’s no need to buy expensive new equipment. As the philosopher Walter Benjamin once said: ‘Discover the world where you already live.’ Whether you want to spend a whole weekend or just a few hours in the great outdoors, you can try out these five ideas yourself anywhere in Switzerland.
A great little trip for those who enjoy gazing at the starry sky from the comfort of their sleeping bag. After you finish up work, grab your camera, mats, gas cooker, headlamp, sleeping bag and bivy sack, and set off at dusk. Choose a nearby vantage point where light pollution is low and where you can observe the stars and the Milky Way. Spend the night under the stars and take photos of the rising sun as you enjoy breakfast.
Note: as a general rule, wild camping is not prohibited under Swiss law. However, this does not mean that it is generally permitted either. Enquire at your local municipality or police station about whether you can stay overnight at this site.
You don’t have to venture far to explore the unknown. We’re often less familiar with our immediate surroundings than those elsewhere. No doubt there are hiking opportunities right on your doorstep that you haven’t yet discovered. Here are some ideas for those who prefer the unconventional route:
Travel to the end of the line.Jump on a train, get off at the last stop and hike your way back. It’s almost impossible to get lost in Switzerland. You’ll discover places and areas that you otherwise would never have known existed.
Hiking around your hometown.Switch off your computer. Spread a map across a table and place a glass over where you live. Move a pen around the edge of the glass and voilà – you’ve found your hiking trail.
Theme-based hikesVisit all the lakes, mountains, bridges, rivers or forests in the region.
Hike around a nearby lake.
Hikefrom the lowest to the highest pointin your region and spend the night there.
Ask someone what theirfavourite place isand visit it. Maybe they could join you on this adventure?
Here’s another short outdoor trip to clear your head in the winter: if there’s enough snow, make your way to a nearby hill and zoom down the slope with your headlamp on and your thermos bottle filled with nice, warm tea. Double your fun with the whole family or a few friends. What makes this adventure great is that you can enjoy the dreamy winter landscape away from the big ski resorts. And to top things off, enjoy a delicious fondue over the fire in the great outdoors.
Wading into the water when it’s snowy and cold outside might take some convincing, admittedly. Cold temperatures cause the blood vessels to dilate. This improves circulation and helps your body regenerate. You don’t have to travel far to boost your immune system in ice-cold water. You can do this on a trip to a nearby lake or river. But be careful: if you have circulatory problems or other health issues, you might want to think twice about embarking on this particular outdoor adventure. You’ll also need to prepare your body for an outdoor ice bath (see info box).
Before you step into the ice-cold water during a winter swimming or ice bathing adventure, there are a few rules you should follow.
Never go alone. Bring someone along to assist in the event of hypothermia.
Prepare your body for the cold: venture into the cold water during the autumn months. Another way to acclimatise your body is to turn the shower dial from warm to cold at home.
Get into the water slowly. To reduce thermal loss, you should also wear a hat, as we lose a lot of body heat through our heads.
You should spend a maximum of five minutes in the water. You’ll probably want to get out much sooner anyway. If you feel a stinging sensation in your legs, that’s a clear sign that it’s time to get out.
Do you suffer from cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure or diabetes? If you do, we advise against going ice bathing.
Walk along a stream in your region until you reach its source. Hikes of this kind offer you a potpourri of impressions: as you trek along wild and unruly waters, you’ll also pass quiet and snug places further upstream. Having reached the source, you can make a cosy fire and enjoy the winter landscape. What’s great about these hikes is that there’s no route planning involved, as the river will guide you along. Make sure you stay close to the river at all times and do not leave the paths. Another advantage: you can go on a riverside hike at any time of the year.
Note: before you embark on a hiking adventure along wild streams, make sure you check the weather forecast. Nearby storms can cause water levels to rise rapidly.
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