General Hiking Information

Correct behaviour when hiking

Do not leave the ofﬁziell marked hiking trails.
Small steps and even speed save power uphill and protect the joints downhill
Never lean your upper body backwards when climbing down (danger of slipping).
Even without thirst, drinking is important, because the feeling of thirst lags behind the need for fluids.
No risk in case of bad weather, malaise (weakness) or other difficulties

5 rules of hiking:

Keep a constant eye on the weather development
Make sure you have suitable and complete equipment
Inform third parties about your tour. Report back to your destination on arrival.
Observe the principle "in case of doubt, reverse"!
Enjoy hiking with a smile on your face

Hiking signalization signs

Hiking trails (yellow) are generally accessible and usually intended for people walking. Hiking trails do not have special requirements. The signposting of the hiking trails is yellow.

Mountain hiking trails (white-red-white) are hiking trails that partly open up impassable terrain. Users of mountain hiking trails must be sure-footed, free from giddiness, in good physical condition and aware of the dangers in the mountains (rockfall, danger of slipping and falling, weather upheaval). The signposts are yellow with white-red-white tops, the markings are white-red-white.

Alpine hiking trails (white-blue-white) are demanding mountain hiking trails. Alpine hiking trails must be sure-footed, free of vertigo and in very good physical condition. They must also be able to handle ropes and ice axe as well as climbing with the aid of your hands. The signposts are blue with white-blue-white tips, confirmations and markings are white-blue-white.

Details of the signalisations

Handling animals

In order to avoid unnecessary accidents, certain rules of conduct must be observed when crossing alpine pastures with suckler cows. Hikers, bikers etc. are warned of danger with the familiar green warning signs placed along the official hiking trails.

Rules of conduct: Keep away from cattle - never touch calves - keep dogs on a leash and let go in an emergency. Please also note that the mother cows can be found in the Alps until around the end of September. The keeping of suckler cows is a beautiful and species-appropriate form of keeping in which social contacts between the animals are possible again.

Further information (PDF)

Mother Cows in Arosa

When encountering cows during your hike it is important to know how to behave, in particular when coming across mother cows and guard dogs. It is best to disrupt the the animals as little as possible.

Mother cows protect their calves. Maintain the distance! The following Alps in and around Arosa host mother cows with their calves during summer:

Arosa: Alp Urden (hiking route Hörnli – Urdensee – Tschiertschen), Alp Altein (Davos Wiesen), Alp Arosa (between Hörnli and Alpenblick)
Langwies: Alp Medergen, Alp Tschuggen, Alp Haupt (Sapün), Alp Reckholdern (Fondei), Alp Blackten (Fondei)

Arosa