Spring Hikes in the Mountains: How to Stay Safe on the Trail

Spring is the perfect time of year for hiking. Nature awakens from its winter sleep and the landscapes shine in bright green. Plants sprout their leaves and the first flowers appear in the woods and meadows. The mild temperatures entice you outside and make you want to get out and about in nature.

But this time of year can also have its pitfalls, especially in the mountains. In this article, we would like to show you the beauty of spring hiking and give you a few tips to help you better assess the dangers that lurk at this time of year and stay safe on the trail.

The beauty of spring hiking

There are few things more beautiful than experiencing spring surrounded by nature. Trees, shrubs and other plants come to life and stretch out towards the sun. The first early bloomers, such as Alpine crocus (Crocus albiflorus), Cowslip (Primula veris & Primula elatior) and Liverflower (Hepatica nobilis) provide bright splashes of color on meadows and in sparse forests and the first green leaves are peeking out everywhere. You can also hear a lot of birdsong in spring. As the days get longer, the rising testosterone levels signal to the males that it's time to make their presence felt and you can enjoy the most beautiful bird concerts.

Spring walks offer unique photo opportunities. The cold morning air and rising mist, the colorful flowers, blossoming cherry trees and crocuses and, of course, the snow-covered peaks - all this offers strong contrasts and interesting photo motifs that can never be found on a hot summer day.

In spring, the temperatures are often moderate and very pleasant for hiking. Where we sweat in summer, in spring we are warmed by the mild rays of the sun and often surrounded by a gentle breeze, which ensures that it is neither too hot nor too cold - ideal for long hiking tours. Another advantage over the summer months is the extent to which the hiking trails are frequented. Spring is the off-season for hiking. Places that are often well frequented or even overcrowded in summer are often less crowded and quieter at this time of year.

If you are planning long tours for the upcoming summer, you should start training as early as possible. Hikes in spring offer the perfect opportunity to prepare for longer tours and mountain adventures in summer. Strength, surefootedness and fitness can be trained and improved in advance.

Challenges & dangers when hiking in spring

Hiking in spring is a great opportunity to discover nature in all its glory, but the season also brings with it certain challenges and dangers.

Weather

The weather in the mountains often shows its changeable side in spring. The weather can change abruptly within a few hours - sudden temperature drops, snowfall up to medium altitudes or unexpected thunderstorms are not uncommon. The daily temperature fluctuations are also considerable: while temperatures around freezing point are possible in the morning, the thermometer can easily exceed the 20 °C mark in the afternoon when the sun is shining.

Careful checking of local and national weather forecasts is therefore essential and should be an integral part of tour planning. Nevertheless, the weather in the mountains remains unpredictable - it is advisable to keep an eye on the sky at all times.

Weather tips for spring tours:

• Check the current weather conditions before every tour and obtain regularly updated forecasts.
• Set off early, as conditions are often more stable in the morning.
• Always carry an extra layer of warm clothing in your backpack.
• Windproof and waterproof clothing, a hat and gloves are standard equipment.
• Turn back in good time if the weather suddenly deteriorates.

Trail conditions

Many hiking trails in the Alps are not yet open after the winter months or are impassable due to natural events such as avalanches, rockfall or mudslides. Even if there is no official closure, snow and meltwater residue can severely restrict accessibility. Higher routes in particular are often not yet checked or repaired.

Before every tour, it is therefore important to obtain comprehensive information about the current status of the planned route. The federal geoportal (map.geo.admin.ch), for example, provides maps with current closures via the layer “Closures on hiking trails”. In addition, webcams along the route provide an initial impression of the current situation on the ground. A call to the local tourism organization or to huts and mountain railroads can provide additional information on trail conditions or short-term closures.

Tips for planning tours in spring:

• Check the current trail conditions before every tour, especially on higher or less frequented trails.
• Use the federal geoportal (map.geo.admin.ch) and the [layer “Sperrungen Wanderwege”](https://map.geo.admin.ch/#/map?lang=de&center=2660000,1190000&z=1&topic=ech&layers=ch.swisstopo.zeitreihen@year=1864,f;ch. bfs.gebaeude_wohnungs_register,f;ch.bav.haltestellen-oev,f;ch.swisstopo.swisstlm3d-wanderwege;ch.vbs.schiessanzeigen,f;ch.astra.wanderland-sperrungen_umleitungen&bgLayer=ch.swisstopo.pixelkarte-farbe).
• Consult webcams and local information points to obtain up-to-date impressions.
• Have alternative routes ready in case a path is closed or impassable at short notice.
• Only walk on cleared and safe paths - avoid closed sections at all costs.

Snowfields and avalanches

Crossing snowfields in spring is associated with particular risks and requires extreme caution. Any snowfields where slipping could have fatal consequences - for example if there is a risk of falling on steep terrain - should be consistently avoided. In such cases, it is advisable to choose an alternative route or abandon the tour.

Additional dangers are posed by so-called snow bridges: Melt water channels or streams often run under the snow cover, hollowing out the snow field. There is a risk of collapsing when crossing them. These weak points are barely visible from the outside.

The immediate route of the path should be assessed, as well as the catchment area above the path. If a hiking trail runs below steep slopes where masses of snow could come loose, particular caution is required. The increasing warming during the course of the day leads to an higher risk of wet snow avalanches, which can occur particularly on slopes with residual snow. The avalanche danger often increases unnoticed and also affects seemingly harmless passages below potential avalanche starting areas.

A look at the current avalanche situation report is a must when planning any tour in spring. It is also recommended that you only use open and marked hiking trails, as these have generally been checked and approved.

Safe handling of snow fields and avalanche danger in spring:

• Only cross snowfields if there is no danger of falling and the snow appears stable.
• Watch out for visible signs of snow bridges or meltwater gullies; avoid the snowfield if unsafe.
• Start early, as the avalanche danger increases significantly during the course of the day.
• Check the latest avalanche situation report (SLF - WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research) before every tour.
• Check slopes and gullies above the path – avalanches can also hit remote or supposedly safe paths.
• Only use approved and marked hiking trails.
• If in doubt: turn back or choose alternative, snow-free routes.

Melting snow

As temperatures rise in spring, the snow begins to melt – often up to around 3,000 meters, depending on the altitude. The quantities of water released in the process cause small streams and rivers to swell rapidly. Stream crossings that are easy to negotiate in summer can turn into raging and insurmountable obstacles in spring. Even inconspicuous paths and climbs can be softened by meltwater and turned into slippery, muddy passages.

Careful route selection is therefore particularly important. All possible stream and river crossings should be taken into account when planning a tour and alternative routes considered. The situation must always be reassessed on site, as conditions can change within a few hours.

Choosing the right footwear also plays a decisive role. Waterproof hiking boots with a grippy sole offer better grip on wet or muddy ground and protect against wetness.

Tips for dealing with meltwater and difficult stream crossings:

• Take streams and rivers along the route into account when planning your tour.
• Plan alternative routes to avoid dangerous crossings.
• Carefully assess the current and water depth on site - if in doubt, turn back.
• Start early: water levels are often lower in the morning than in the afternoon.
• Use waterproof hiking boots with a good tread to be safe on muddy paths.
• Use walking poles to gain extra grip on slippery or uneven ground.
• Never attempt a stream crossing alone and look out for safe stepping stones or bridges.

Difficult orientation in the terrain

Remnants of snow in shady areas and dead vegetation from the previous year can often obscure trail markings in spring. This makes orientation considerably more difficult, especially in higher regions. In addition, many paths have not yet been checked or repaired after the winter, which makes finding your way even more challenging.

We therefore recommend tours on known routes or in regions that offer good infrastructure and reliable route guidance. If you are entering unknown terrain, you should not rely exclusively on digital navigation aids. Even when using GPS apps or outdoor navigation devices, it is still important to know how to use classic aids such as map and compass safely. These work independently of battery or network reception and are indispensable in an emergency.

Tips for better orientation in spring:

• Preferably follow well-known and well-marked routes.
• Study up-to-date maps (topographical or digital) in advance and have them with you.
• Do not rely solely on digital devices - always carry a map and compass and be practiced in using them.
• In the event of fog, poor visibility or an unclear route, turn back in good time or choose an alternative route.
• Use local webcams and information on trail conditions in advance to avoid surprises.

Ticks

Ticks are active in Switzerland almost all year round, but are most active during the transitional periods, especially in spring and fall. They can already be on the move on mild winter days. Hikers should therefore exercise particular caution at this time of year. Ticks can transmit diseases such as TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) or Lyme disease. Appropriate protective measures are therefore recommended regardless of the time of year.

Vaccination against TBE is strongly recommended in risk areas. In addition, long, closed clothing protects against bites. Avoiding tall grass, bushes or accumulations of leaves** can also significantly reduce the risk of encountering ticks. Insect repellents with proven effectiveness against ticks offer additional protection.

After every hike, the body should be carefully checked for ticks. An early find significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission, as ticks usually only transmit diseases to humans after several hours.

Tips for effective tick protection when hiking in spring:

• Wear long, tight-fitting clothing (tuck long pants into your socks).
• Apply insect repellent with tick repellents to skin and clothing.
• Do not leave paths and avoid high grass, undergrowth and accumulations of leaves.
• After the tour, check your body thoroughly, especially in warm, damp areas (back of knees, groin, armpits).
• Consider a TBE vaccination in risk areas.
• In the event of a tick bite, remove the tick quickly and completely and observe the bite site.

Safe hiking in spring made easy

Plan your tour carefully

Spring tours in the mountains require comprehensive planning. All potential dangers should be systematically checked before setting off:

• At what altitude and in what terrain does the route run?
• Is there a possibility of having to cross snowfields or streams carrying meltwater?
• Is the route in the catchment area of avalanches or rockfall?
• What is the current and forecast weather situation?

A tour should only be undertaken if all these questions have been clearly answered in advance and the risks have been assessed as manageable.

Suitable equipment

In addition to careful tour planning, the choice of suitable equipment is crucial for safety and comfort when hiking in spring. The equipment should be adapted to the seasonal conditions. Indispensable are:

• Hiking boots with a non-slip tread and waterproof membrane
• Clothing in an onion system: breathable base layer, warming mid-layer, windproof and waterproof outer layer
• Hat, gloves and scarf (e.g. Buff), even in sunny weather
• Sunglasses with UV protection and sun cream with a high sun protection factor (at least SPF 30)
• Telescopic poles for support when crossing streams and on slippery passages
• Sufficient fluids (water bottle or thermos flask) and high-energy snacks
• First aid kit including rescue blanket
• Map, compass and/or GPS device (offline maps should be loaded onto the mobile device in advance)
• Depending on conditions: Grödel (light crampons) or crampons for safe walking on hard old snow fields

The equipment depends on the length of the tour, altitude and the expected conditions. At higher altitudes or on challenging snow passages, it may be necessary to carry crampons or an ice axe.

Conclusion: Hiking in spring - safe hiking with the right preparation

Spring is a wonderful time for hiking: blooming landscapes, clear air and the tranquillity of the early season make every tour special. At the same time, the season requires attention and careful preparation. Those who correctly assess the dangers, are well equipped and experience nature with respect can safely enjoy the diversity of spring in the mountains.

For all those who prefer to travel in company: We also offer guided hikes in spring - just come along, switch off and enjoy the tour without a care in the world! We look forward to seeing you! 🌼