Swiss embrace the outdoors: Hiking popularity soars

Hiking has become a dominant leisure activity in Switzerland, with approximately 58% of the population aged over 15 regularly engaging in the pursuit. This cherished outdoor pastime has evolved into a fashionable sport and was officially recognized in 2023 as part of Switzerland's living traditions.

Data from the Federal Statistical Office (OFS) surveys conducted in 2014, 2019, and 2024 reveals a consistent rise in outdoor enthusiasm. The proportion of individuals hiking or walking at least once a week climbed from 38.9% to 45.8% over the past decade. A 2020 survey indicated that the primary motivation for hikers, cited by 73%, is the desire to be outdoors in nature, valuing the enjoyment of movement and shared experiences over competition.

On average, Swiss residents embark on 15 hikes per year, with each excursion lasting about three hours. They navigate an impressive network of 65,000 kilometers of marked trails, a length roughly one and a half times the circumference of the Earth. For context, Switzerland's road network spans 71,400 km and its rail network covers 5,100 km. Approximately 50,000 signposts guide hikers, and 1,500 kilograms of paint are used annually for trail marking, maintained by around 2,000 volunteers.

Participation is high across all age groups, though it tapers off for those above 75. The 30-44 age bracket shows the highest activity levels, with young adults exhibiting the most significant increase in recent years. Socioeconomic factors also play a role: individuals with higher education (96.5%) are more likely to hike than those with only compulsory schooling (85.5%). Households reporting financial difficulties have the lowest participation rate at 84.6%. Rural communities (50.1%) show higher frequent outdoor activity rates compared to urban areas (44.4%). While the French-speaking part of Switzerland experienced a hiking boom from 2020 to 2022, German-speaking regions saw more people hiking in 2024, with figures stabilizing in the French-speaking areas and Ticino.

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The desire to be outdoors, in nature.