Heading out to Switzerland for a couple of weeks cycling in early September, but the route I am doing does not seem to have many campsites and when they are available the cost is + 30CHF per night. Wild camping seems to be frowned upon. but I wanted to ask whether others have been and if so what did you do.
The thought of stopping in a mountain hut with a load of snoring strangers fills me with dread.
On the basis that Switzerland seems to love fines for everything and bans fun in any form, I think I’d just pay up.
I have wild camped many times in Switzerland, but to be fair it was mostly winter and about -20. Never had any issue. Had the police stop and shine a light on our tent once in Austria, but when they saw we were harmless (and had UK plates on the car) they left us alone. You can sometimes get permission to camp near to the huts if you ask. Pay something and use their facilities. Might be an option?
"Pay something and use their facilities. Might be an option?" I did wonder whether I could potentially do something like that. Normally, I have planned in advice where I plan to stop each night, but I think this trip might be a wing it as I go affair.
They're pretty down on it, if you do it you'll need to be reet discreet.
If wild camping with your bike and tent, yeah. Just be smart etc.
If you're with a van or car +tent (more so) then I'd advise against. Police patrol at night. They've got naff all else to do and they know the likely spots.
I've parked the van in the entrance to a restaurants garage (with their permission) to avoid even being vaguely "wild".
Fines in swiss francs costs more than you think it ever should.
Not something I would do - risks are two high and the swiss cab be very punitive with fines
Bascially obey the golden rule - don't be a dick. If wild camping is not allowed then don't do it.
I do like campsites just for the simple fact that you can have a shower and do your laundry, but having perused the route I don't see many sites and really don't want to pay for hotels / huts ..
Given the route I am doing is all off road I suspect there will be plenty of isolated spots along the way. I have never been to Switzerland so am a little unsure what I'll find.
There's some info here (in French) from TCS (the Swiss equivalent of the RAC) and the Swiss Alpine Club.
Basically it looks to be OK if you're sensible, and camp in the woods (this will normally mean a certain altitude on a mountainside). You shouldn't camp in the high alpine area (or if you do, camp near a cabane and ask permission). There are protected zones you really shouldn't camp in and by the side of the road you're likely to be found and fined.
I used to know a guy who would do this quite oftem however (he would wake up and take photos of sun rises over the Matterhorn etc) and I don't think he had an issue.
Finally, you should check when the hunting season (La Chassse in French) starts for where you're going. It's normally October so you should be fine.
I've camped and Bivi'd many times in Switzerland always fairly or very high altitude. As a few say above, use common sense, and/or dusk till dawn policy, and/or consult/make friends with the hut guardian (In the old days I would have added some high alt tent scenic pics, now can't be arsed with hosting and posting pics merry-go-round)