A recent article on the Swiss Post Magazine, notes some interesting, and fun facts about hiking in Switzerland. Here are six that you may not be aware of:

1. As of 2023, hiking entered the list of 228 Swiss “living traditions” published by the Federal Cultural Office [also added to the list in 2023: social practices and production of absinth 😉 ]
   
2. About four (4) million persons or 58% of the Swiss population aged 15 years and up, hike on a regular basis
   
3. In spite of its small size, Switzerland offers over 65,000 km of trails and not only across the high mountains but also surrounding urban enclaves
   
4. Yellow signs with black letters which indicate pedestrian or walking trails, were developed in Zurich in 1933 by Johann Jakob Ess (his son later said his father had wanted the signs to be green, but the idea soon proved inadequate for obvious reasons!)
   
5. In 1930, during WWII, all trail signs were removed to throw off possible invaders — many signs were lost in the aftermath and never replaced.
   
6. Over 2,000 volunteers contribute to maintaining hiking paths, repair wooden steps, or keep signage in good condition. Want to contribute? Find out more here!

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