Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

SWITZERLAND EXPLAINED

EXPLAINED: 8 rules nature lovers should follow in the Swiss countryside

Many people living in Switzerland enjoy taking a trip to the countryside in the warmer months - but not everyone leaves forests how they found them and some even damage nature. Here’s everything you should pay attention to when exploring Switzerland's natural wonders.

Published: 17 April 2023 14:49 CEST
EXPLAINED: 8 rules nature lovers should follow in the Swiss countryside
Don't disturb the cows. The outdoor rules you need to follow in Switzerland. Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash

Pay attention to signs

Whether you’re going for a casual stroll or a more challenging hike, in Switzerland you should always pay close attention to and follow the hiking trail signs as they indicate what (difficulty level) awaits you on your chosen path and help keep you safe.

Adventurers should also make sure to keep out of so-called quiet zones, or wildlife sanctuaries, which function as designated retreat areas for wild animals to avoid them being disturbed by humans. It is also vital to keep your dogs on a leash near the quiet zones as well as during hunting season. The latter takes place at different times depending on the canton.

Shhhhh….be quiet

It may not come as a surprise that the Swiss love their quiet time – and so do their animals. It is therefore recommended to be mindful of wildlife when out on hikes or busy enjoying a barbeque.

It’s generally recommended to refrain from blasting loud music, shouting or conversing in a loud manner so as not to disturb the animals and other hikers who may have ventured into the forest seeking peace and solitude.

Stay on your path

Both hikers and bikers should stay on their designated paths for several reasons. While it can be dangerous to choose an off-the-beaten track and Switzerland’s diverse nature should not be underestimated – there are signs for a reason – it can also be harmful to vegetation and the animals residing forests whose habitat we should protect.

Don’t disturb the cows

As wholesome as these herbivores may look – and you will meet many as you journey through Switzerland – you should always keep your distance from cows and walk around them calmly even if they are used to people. This is essential as any sudden moves on your part could make you come off as a threat to them.

Though these large animals do not usually attack unprovoked, they may choose to do so (at a speed of 40 kilometres per hour) if they think you’re eyeing up their offspring for a portion of the popular Zurich dish Zürcher Geschnetzeltes that’s made with veal. 

Bag your trash

While you are more than welcome to enjoy a sandwich or even grill a whole pack of Cervelat in designated forest spots, trash, meaning all material that does not belong in a forest, should always be disposed of elsewhere – or else the forest owners will have to do this in your stead.

If you happen to leave a large chunk of trash behind, however, the forest owner will contact the police and you may be liable to pay a fine – if the cows don’t get you first.

READ ALSO: Cervelat: What is the Swiss sausage that creates a ‘sense of identity’?

Don’t start a fire

If you’ve ventured into your local forest for a get together with friends and family, be sure to remember that fires in the forest must always be kindled with the necessary caution, even if there is only a low or moderate risk of a forest fire.

In Switzerland, you may only burn completely dried, natural forest wood if only little smoke is produced. You may under no circumstances burn old and residual wood as well as any material (waste) you may be eager to get rid of in a haste.

On that note…don’t smoke

In Switzerland, you may only smoke in so-called settlement areas which are areas designated for respite and barbeques. However, if you step outside of those areas remember that it is illegal to smoke in Swiss forests and you will be fined, or worse, could cause a fire.

No motor vehicles

According to Switzerland’s Forest Act – yes, that’s a thing – driving motor vehicles in its forests, whether the latter belong to the municipality or a (wealthy) private individual, is not permitted unless you’re on official forestry business.

Still, a canton may grant you an exception, for instance for motocross courses and the like, though this is rare.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

SWITZERLAND EXPLAINED

What your choice of Swiss supermarket says about you

Shopping is not merely about filling your cart with food and other necessities — where in Switzerland you choose to shop also reveals quite a bit about you.

Published: 2 August 2024 13:22 CEST
What your choice of Swiss supermarket says about you

Generally speaking, Switzerland’s population is divided into two camps: Migros loyalists and Coop loyalists (there are also those who shop elsewhere, but more about that later).

The two chains have been the mainstay of Switzerland’s retail landscape for years, competing with each other in terms of prices and overall quality of their products.

They do share some common characteristics, however, especially when compared with German discounters Aldi and Lidl: research carried out several years ago (which still holds true today) shows that “Migros and Coop are not known for offering low prices, they are known for offering premium products,” according to Nicolas Inglard, director of Imadeo research company. 

“And premium products represent a quarter, even a third of the turnover of supermarkets in Switzerland. They are very strong in this segment, which is very important for Swiss consumers, who don’t mind paying more for high-quality products.”

Having said all that, let’s look closer at the two camps: 

Coop

A 2023 consumer survey by Tamedia media group indicated that only 28 percent of respondents swear by (and shop regularly at) Coop, while 41 percent prefer Migros. 

That is not surprising, considering that, overall, Coop is more expensive of the two.

Therefore, Coop generally attracts not only people in higher income brackets, but also, according to that Tamedia survey, those “with a university or another higher-education degree.”

While the two often go hand-in-hand — that is, university graduates tend to earn more — this doesn’t mean that you necessarily need a degree if you like to shop at Coop.

What it does mean, however, is that you can afford to spend more money on what you consider to be better products.

Migros

If you find that Coop is overpriced but still want to shop at a Swiss supermarket, you will go to Migros.

While Coop shoppers may look down on Migros (though not quite as much as on Aldi and Lidl), you know that you are getting good quality at a more reasonable price, while not giving up ‘Swissnes’’ altogether.

Aldi and Lidl

If you don’t care much about premium products, ‘made in Switzerland’ labels, or how a supermarket looks, but prioritise savings instead, then you are likely to prefer the two German retailers over the Swiss chains.

You are also more likely to be a foreigner who can’t get used to Swiss prices and is looking for bargains.

You will tell yourself (and others), that Aldi and Lidl (or whichever of the two you prefer) “are just fine” and there is no need to spend more money in fancy Swiss supermarkets.

And that brings us to the following:

Shopping across the border(s)

If you live close enough to one of Switzerland’s borders, it is more than likely that you have shopped in supermarkets in Italy, Germany, or France, where products are much less expensive than in Switzerland.

The general profile of shoppers is similar to Aldi and Lidl’s — people who want to save money.

They are pragmatic and probably don’t care much about frills.

Some of them also say they find products abroad that are not available in Switzerland.

It is probably correct to assume that, generally speaking of course, people who can afford to shop at Coop (and possibly even Migros) won’t make a trek across the border, except if they need a specific product they can’t find locally.

SHOW COMMENTS