Switzerland is full of places nobody knows about. I go find them.

141 spots in the Swiss Alps, organised by region. For each spot:

• Exact GPS for the spot and the parking
• Walking time, difficulty, route notes
• Best time of day and best season for photography
• Wildcamping legal status with reference
• Photos from the spot at the right light

Delivered as a PDF plus an interactive web app you can use on phone or laptop.

There is no uniform federal law. The Swiss Alpine Club considers a single-night bivouac above the treeline unproblematic when no conflicting regulations apply and the camp is considerate of the environment¹. SAC further recommends keeping at least 50 metres from water sources for sanitation. On private land, landowner consent is generally required under Swiss civil law. Wildcamping is forbidden in the Swiss National Park², in the 43 federal hunting reserves (Eidgenössische Jagdbanngebiete)³, in Wildruhezonen during the protected season, and in cantonal nature reserves. These protected areas can apply at any altitude. Below the treeline, wildcamping is typically further restricted by cantonal and municipal rules. The Gems of Switzerland guide marks each of the 141 spots with current legal status. Always verify the spot-specific status before you camp.

Five years of solo scouting. A spot makes it into the guide when three things are true: I have been there in person, the photo is worth the walk, and the route is realistic for someone with normal fitness. Most are 30 to 90 minutes from a parking. About a third are wildcamping-compatible. The six famous ones above are in there for completeness, the other 135 are the reason people buy the guide.

Most spots are under 90 minutes one way from a parking. About 20 are drive-up viewpoints with no hiking required. A handful are full-day or multi-day routes. Each spot lists walking time, elevation gain and difficulty so you can pick what fits the day.

The Swiss Alps hiking season runs from early June to mid-October. Lower valleys, lakes, and waterfalls peak in early June with the snowmelt. Most SAC mountain huts open in mid-June and stay staffed until mid-October⁴. High-alpine routes above roughly 2,400 metres are typically snow-free from mid-July. Autumn larch colour in the Engadin and Val Bregaglia runs from late September to mid-October, with peak intensity in the second and third week of October⁵. The guide lists the best window per spot.

Swiss outdoor photographer and filmmaker. Has lived in Switzerland for 26 years, the last five spent mapping Alps spots that don't make tourist maps. Publishes on Instagram and TikTok as @leon.helg. Hikebeast operates under Saftladen GmbH, Rotkreuz, Switzerland.

Yes. Private hiking and photo tours in the Swiss Alps, usually a full day, planned around your level, the season and the light. From CHF 1000. Write to leon@hikebeast.ch with your dates.

One-time payment of CHF 27. No subscription, no upsells.